Wales

Perfection and Necroamoria has been selected for exhibition at the M.O.M.A. Wales competition. I would have been really sad if it had been rejected I think, even though by the end of it, like many of my paintings I had become obsessed with the flaws and imperfections. The prize winners are notified in advance I think so it looks like I've not won one, although there is a visitors prize so if you are near the pretty town of Machynlleth then pop in and vote for me.

This morning I've been experimenting with glitters and gold powders. I've also applied the imprimatura to the overdue portrait of Mr. Artinum, and researched other pigments (it seems that only Kremer sells Dioxazine). I also printed the half size tracings for Christ In The Garden of Gethsemane, due to be my biggest painting yet.

This afternoon I'll start reading The Wasp Factory. It's a day off really so I'll try to use it for fun projects and relaxation, even though I'm already making a list of possible jobs!

Money Just Running Out 5

I finished the underpainting today, here you can see the coins becoming butterfly shapes.

I hope to add gold and silver glitter dust to the picture. I've got some glitters and dusts for this; including bronzing and gold pigment. Both are very fine dusts, the Sennelier pigment is finer. I think I'd like something a bit more coarse but finer than the normal "glitter". I'm also undecided when to apply it but I think I'll do it after underpainting but before glazing so that any spills that cannot be removed can be safely and effectively overpainted invisibly. Then there is the choice of size. Options; old gold size (good but I've seen it yellow), acrylic resin varnish (soluble but clear, might dry too quickly), another drying oil (safflower?), or even wet oil paint itself.

Money Just Running Out 4

The most Dalinian things I've ever painted! Reasons;
1. The colours.
2. The reflection-like patternation which was made up instead of copied from anything.
3. The fact that they are drippy gloopy blobs.

One more morning should complete this underpainting which has taken an arduous four days so far. Thank you to the people who have helped me stay (relatively) sane. I've hardly done any other work during the day but the painting is good quality. I regret not writing more music.

I have just got a load of casting supplies; clays, plasters, resins. I will come up with inventive things people will want to buy. I have an idea for a pen holder that looks like Isaac on an altar and you have to stab him with the pen. I expect that everyone will want an Isaac to stab. I might make him hold a brush instead of a pen.

Money Just Running Out 3

I painted the checked floor today. At the last minute I changed the design and erased a lot of stuff for repainting tomorrow. I expect this painting to take longer than expected!

Money Just Running Out 2

Day two of underpainting and today I painted the man turning into butterflies. I used cobalt turquoise light, which looked very blue when mixed with black and makes lots of nice greens with yellow ochre. Yellow ochre, red ochre, cobalt turquoise, black and white can underpaint anything.

Money Just Running Out 1

First day of underpainting Money Just Running Out. All is on track.

Friday

I went to the Chapel Gallery in Ormskirk today to drop off two paintings for the West Lancashire Open. I stained and varnished the frame for my summer painting, then got working on a new picture for Art Liberating Lives.

Finally I began preparation for Money Just Running Out, a picture that I've painted twice already but abandoned each time when part way through. With each revision I've added more and the idea is already two years old. I will underpaint it over the next four days.

Thursday

Today I made a frame for my summer painting, ordered some casting supplies, then spent too much on more general art supplies including gold pigment and bronzing powder; I was unsure which was best so bought both. Then I helped string up two paintings, then I broke the glass trying to string up a third one (grr). Then I played a bit of Beethoven expertly on a piano (sort of). Then I was instructed, or guided, or helped, or assisted! or at least half-assisted to half-make half a dog from willow. Then I re-glazed the broken painting with plastic glass, and attached D-rings and string. Then I answered my emails. Then it's now.

I'm tired but feel a bit uncreative so I'd like to do more before going to Ormskirk tomorrow.