After 6 weeks absence I'm back. Life has been chaotically busy, as ever in this house!
I've just got back from Portland, in the county of Dorset, which is on the South Coast of England. Here I met with a group of my friends who all have writing in common. We all met at university and have kept in contact. We meet about twice a year, at a different venue each time. They, like my granddaughter are putting pressure on me to finish my novel (adventure/thriller), consequently I will be out of contact with the world for the first 3 weeks of September whilst I finish/edit it!
I have had an unexpected request to exhibit 20 of my Pen & Ink drawings in a museum during the whole of March 2014. Which boosted my ego, as you can imagine.
During my enforced absence I have still managed to paint. For those that don't know me: I began to paint for the very first time in March 2013, encouraged by my great blogging buddies hereabouts! As you will see, I am not going for highbrow art at this stage. All I'm trying to do is get paint on canvas until such time as I feel totally at home with using brushes and paint. At this stage I have stuck with acrylic and stretched canvas and with subjects largely dictated by the females of the family (3 generations of 'em).
Here is what I have been up to.
# 23
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| Cherry Pie - The Heliotrope Fairy 8 inches x 6 inches Acrylic on Stretched Canvas |
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| Gipsy - The Rose Hip Fairy 8 inches x 6 inches Acrylic on Stretched Canvas |
# 25
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| The Gorse Fairies 8 inches x 6 inches Acrylic on Stretched Canvas |
# 26 (A second Version - the first one sold - this one has slightly different colours.
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| Geisha (1800) John Simlett Acrylic on Stretched Canvas 32 inches x 12 inches (81 cms x 30 cms) |
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| Knight Tepmlar John Simlett Acrylic on Stretched Canvas 32 inches x 12 inches (81 cms x 30 cms) |
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| "Green Dragon" John Simlett Acrylic on Stretched Canvas 14 inches x 10 inches |
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| "Manga" John Simlett Acrylic on Stretched Canvas 14 inches x 10 inches |
#30 WIP (reworking)
#31
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| "The Rose Fairy" John Simlett Acrylic on Stretched Canvas 6 inches x 6 inches |
#32 A different version of The Heliotrope Fairy
#33 My 5 year old granddaughter shares her birthday with me and as a birthday surprise I have painted her favourites, "Dora The Explorer and Boots" I have also painted her in with them. It is the first time I have tried painting a likeness of an actual person, and everyone says it's a good likeness - even if she is slightly 'cartoonish'
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| "Dora, Cadey and Boots" John Simlett Acrylic on Stretched Canvas 14 inches x 10 inches |
I'm so glad you're back, John ..even though its for a short time...I can only imagine how busy you are with all your paintings...and an exhibit in the museum!! The best of luck with it..it sounds wonderful.!!! I love your fairies series..I hope to see more of them...
ReplyDeleteHey, welcome back in blogland, John! What a production! The fairies are so adorable, and I love the second geisha! The knight templar is also very beautiful. Great to see all your work, and good luck with your novel!
ReplyDeleteWOW.. you go away and come back with Amazing work. and more to come.. a book. wow. and the Art showing for a month in a museum. Fabulous. Its all so wonderful. Every paint brush & word of it. Welcome back and happy editing. Nice to have friends who help you keep on track. :)
ReplyDeleteHow much work with painting, with writing, with social relationships ... when I think of you, I think you have 48-hour days ... and there is certainly also the garden, work with wood ... I'm also thinking about what will happen in September in your family and I hope everything goes well! Warm greeting to you,and your loved ones .Congratulations for all your beautiful works ,rich in charm (as the Japanese lady) or humor or romantic ... a firework of creative ideas!
ReplyDeleteGreat John!
Rita.
Busy busy busy...it has worked. You have aquired a consistent style and it remains true to your strong drawing skills. All of the pieces are very special and
ReplyDeletesuccessful. Congratulations on the museum show.
So you have to write, now, John ! Happy man !
ReplyDeleteHave a good time in the company of words.
Lovely to see you back John! I once began writing a novel, but my kids were so young and I felt guilty spending too much time on it, so I stopped. I wish I had carried on now though - so if you can - do!
ReplyDeleteWhat is most noticeable about your work is the fact that you have quickly developed your own style. This is something that most Artists take years to do! It's all beautiful work :0)
I've been wondering what you've been up to, John. I love the fairies! Your granddaughter is gorgeous and I think your daughter sounds rather whimsical in wanting a scary dragon. She must be lots of fun! All your paintings are amazing and it goes to show how important a good foundation in drawing skills is to art.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you are back, John - I have been wondering and worrying about you! Great to see you have been painting away and am thrilled to hear you are writing a novel. You are a true Renaissance man!
ReplyDeleteThese paintings are you. You are a line guy--and then color. It's nice to see you have found your style. Good writing on your book--with illustrations?
ReplyDeleteJohn, it is so very good to have you back!!! You have really been busy, but I have a feeling that you always are. I have a question ... Is there anything you have not tried and succeeded??? I must agree with Susan - you truly are a Renaissance Man!
ReplyDeleteMy gmail has been changed by google this last month, and I am having a bit of trouble finding and getting back to friends. I will see what I can do, but in the meanwhile, I would be thrilled to do a dog portrait for your daughter. Thank you so much for considering my work. :)
Kathryn
what fun---love all of these paintings...I don't know how you find the time. It reminds me of that saying..."want something done? Ask a busy person!" (Busy people find time for everything, it seems!) I don't know that I could choose a favorite--I love all the fairies especially and the granddaughter painting too! Welcome back!
ReplyDeleteJohn, happy you have returned and your work is lovely. Love your style and subject matter, all very delightful to view. Keep up the great work and keep these painting coming.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you,
Joan
Welcome back, John.
ReplyDeleteGood to read your latest bit of news.
The Knight Templar caught my eye.
May I say it's a work of art, indeed.
A bientot.
Did you know that "Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde" was written when a group of writers/friends got together and challenged each other to write a horror story? Just heard that the other day..
ReplyDeleteSuch a variety in your paintings that you say are not paintings. I would imagine that painting in so varied styles will greatly inform your work later on - you will have much to draw from. Love the geisha.