Grazing Sheep

Grazing Sheep
Monotype On Paper
8.3 x 11.7"

     Another fun little monotype (little is now A4 to me and A3 just doesn't seem that big either). Sheep are great fun to work from and the black and white makes them interesting subjects from a graphic point of view. Sometimes its ok to just make art that looks nice and doesn't have a message.

Mother And Child

Mother And Child
Collage On Paper
11.75 x 16.5"

     I'm always looking for new techniques to try with my art and I don't know why I didn't think of collage sooner. I saw a Matisse documentary on television not long ago and was inspired to work with paper as well. As you know I already make papercutting's but this is a little more chaotic. Its actually like being a child again, cutting and sticking and it feels raw.
     So here is my first attempt. I was trying to get a more realistic interpretation but decide against this as the nature of the paper meant it would always be imperfect anyway. After all why would I try to hide the medium I was using when it was an integral part of the work.
     I already have another one planned but it will have a sci-fi twist. So keep watching this space.

Grazing Sheep

Grazing Sheep
Papercutting
11.75 x 16.5"

     A new art form I have decided to try my hand at is papercutting. After watching a documentary about women artists on the BBC I saw the possibilities that were available with this medium. It's something I have never considered before but after trying it I was impressed by what could be achieved.
     So here is my first of hopefully many papercuttings. Since I'm working on artwork that include sheep right now this proved to be the perfect subject and one that allowed me to show what I could do. Though a simple image it's quite a powerful one using strong light and shadow to reveal form. It took quite a while to cut out the fur but the end result was worth the effort. I'm now working on my next one which is of a pigeon so stay tuned to see how that turns out.

Shelter From the Sun

Shelter From the Sun
Acrylic On Canvas
22 x 16"

     On a trip to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park I came across two trees with big shadows underneath them and thought it would make a good composition. Later I had the idea of adding more interest to the painting by putting in some sheep taking shelter in the shadow.
     I have to say that painting the sheep proved quite difficult but then again it was my first time doing them. I found it hard to make them actually look like sheep and not blobs of white on the ground like lost clouds. So I'm branching out on the subjects I paint and finding new challenges to occupy me. Look out for more sheep themed work soon.