Having completed a self imposed challenge during April, I am committed to staying busy and productive in the studio and my special offer for a 20x20cm portrait during May has been a great success!
There is still time to take advantage of this offer before I start work on my next project. I will be offering online tutorials for beginners and also have some exciting 'fun' stuff planned for my own portfolio so stay tuned and sign up for my newsletter to hear of exclusive offers and  news! 
Don't forget you can message me anytime with questions for your own art projects, or commissions - I would love the hear what you are up to!

Not many people know this, but all of last year I rally struggled to pull myself out of a bit pit of despair as far as creating art went. I have thought long and hard about why I just didn't 'feel' the whole art thing, and have concluded that the effect of negative news, stresses at home (teens doing GCSE's, A' levels etc) a busy day job  and cancelled exhibitions were enough to make me rethink my Art as a career v's expensive hobby!
One day at the beginning to the Covid-19 outbreak as things were getting scary over in China, I walked into my studio and just cried! How was what I was doing in this room of any relevance to anyone? How was it bringing any positivity out of the apocalyptic ear worm that was 'the news' and what on earth was I going to do with all this 'stuff'?
I walked out of the room and closed the door. I would sleep on it.
I couldn't sleep - I spent the whole night swinging from the desire to burn it all and never paint again, to wanting to paint! paint! paint! and turn all the negative stuff off! 
When I got up I walked back into my studio and decided I would give it one last shot. I was stuck at home anyway so it would keep me busy and maybe I could get something positive out of it by painting for other people - that would give me a structure to the day and deadlines (always a good motivator) and also get me back in the groove! 
By the afternoon I decided that a month long challenge would make or break the creative block so I put a call out on facebook (always good to cement the commitment) for people to send me photos of something that brought them happiness. It could be anything! A holiday snap of their favourite place, a photo of their pet, a landscape, anything! This will sort me out!! 
Well if I tell you that 95% of the photos that I received (there were lots) were of dogs I think that shine a light on our utter love for our four legged friends and the importance that they give to our mental well being! 
To add to the challenge I had always wanted to work out YouTube and generally videoing a work in progress so managed to half inch my husbands iPad and set it up to film a painting in timelapse.
I would stick to a two hour maximum time limit so that it wouldn't become all consuming - it was after all an attempt to lure me back into a daily routine - not put me off for life!
And so 'Walter' the English sheepdog was painted! Deliberately aimed at enhancing his features and trying to work out his character through mark making and the way I layered the paint it was a joyful experience getting him on canvas. Because each painting was only 20x20cm I could get enough down in two hours to hopefully capture the essence of each photo and give the recipient a portrait of their beloved pet that they would be happy to hang on their wall!
30 days later and I am happy to say that I am well and truly back in the game and loving every minute of painting the commissions that happily resulted in my labours!
To book a portrait or enquire about a comission (it doesn't have to be a dog, cat or horse!) please do get in contact - I would love to hear from you.
Thank you to all who supported me by sending in your photos, liking, sharing and commenting on the posts on my social media and generally encouraging me to keep at it!  I really appreciate everything and send a big virtual hug to you all x 
Alison

You can see the videos and full gallery of my challenge HERE

​Please sign up for special offers, news and events - I do NOT send spam! Only lovely things into your inbox every couple of months

The start of another year, actually, another DECADE! forces one to assess the past  in the search for best practice going forward.
I had many challenges in 2019, both personally and professionally, but having come out the other end fairly unscathed I have been pleased with all the things that 'worked', and have vowed to pull my socks up and do better in regards to everything that maybe didn't work so well!
I am still feeling the fall out of 'bad practice' with regards to keeping on top of my books. Mainly due to a total blockage and resentment at having to redo all my accounts for 2018-2019 because my computer blew up just as I pressed 'PRINT' to send them to the accountants! The whole lot disappeared without a trace!
So here I sit with just 4 more months to get done before the end of the month, surrounded by hard drive backups, icloud backups and Dropbox - seriously there are about 5 sets of accounts now being synchronised every time I open my filing system!! So there's one lesson learnt, and daily updates to my spending going forward!!
I also loved the additional products that I could offer clients in the form of useful every day items carrying my artwork. I did quite well with 'Print on Demand' items and as such would like to offer some of the products at a discounted price throughout January!
My mugs have been really popular along with mix or match coasters so to celebrate I am passing on a SPECIAL OFFER for January!
You can now buy a mug and four coasters for the discounted  bundle price of £20 (WAS £37 for all 5 items)
To redeem this offer CLICK HERE!
Remember this is only for the month of January while I work on new pieces and while stocks last!
I will keep you updated with musings from the studio over on my FACEBOOK page if you would like to follow me. If you are an artist yourself please do introduce yourself and I will happily follow you back :)

That's all for now

Alison

As far as New Year’s resolutions go, the one that I made that went “This year I am going to say “yes!” to everything” was quite possibly one of the most interesting years of my life so far! 
From painting on TV, to becoming the Chairperson of an International Art Group, there are always unexpected opportunities if you keep your eyes wide open.
With that spirit for adventure and if I’m honest a low boredom threshold, I very rarely turn a challenge down that forces me out of my comfort zone and into unchartered territory. It has allowed me to grow in confidence and try new things; from putting on exhibitions, to delivering speeches to an audience of far more experienced and knowledgable people than me!
Also any artist that works on a commission basis will tell you that their worst nightmare is to receive a commission where the photos are blurred or the animal you are being asked to paint is no longer with us!
So with a positive attitude and a sense of intrigue I agreed to produce a painting for a new Funeral Service in town.

​The commission was now about more than a horse drawn hearse. Having met these beautiful horses and made a connection with them, I now felt duty bound to capture their spirit on canvas. No mean feat when they are pulling a carriage driven by a local legend!
So portrait of said legend, portrait of said horses and a pretty good replication of the  particular carriage that I was privy to study, I now had the biggest painting challenge of my life (so far!)

​I knew that I wanted this painting to be uplifting as it was going on the wall of Jo’s funeral parlour. I wanted the people who entered with sadness to at least see the artwork and feel hope and warmth. 
​I took to the canvas using big energetic brush strokes and before each session took time to get into the zone. This was not just a study from photographs – it needed to come from the heart and in order for that to happen I had to convey that emotion with each and every brush stroke.

​As there was an element of portraiture in the painting both Fred (Gee), Big Fred and Maverick had to be recognisable so I honed in on their key features, played them up and diluted the rest.
I spent a long time living with the painting between sessions, to the point where I think Jo thought I had given up but with her encouragement, open mind and willingness to let me have time to play with it I think that we have managed to come out with a painting that speaks of energy, life, vitality, colour and hope.  I have come through the most incredibly spiritual experience, and it really has made me question so many things. A totally enriching experience!

​It is never easy to go through something that you only ever experience when you have to, but Jo is the consummate professional and she provides a bespoke, professional and affordable service to with packages to suit every budget.

​‘Transition’ is now on display at Three Shires Funeral Service in Congleton.

For enquiries about commissions please contact me!

There really is no substitute for painting with the subject in front of you, and in the time honoured tradition of equestrian artists through history, I was really looking forward to the S.E.A workshop at Mark Johnston’s Racing Yard in Middleham.
We were staying in one of the historic houses in the centre of Middleham, the old School House, directly opposite Middleham Castle.

My route took me right through the Yorkshire Dales and it was the perfect way to enjoy a breath-taking part of the country. Ridiculous, though it is only a couple of hours away, I have never been to this part of the world and it was all I could do to keep my eyes on the road. Rolling hills, stone walls, big skies, scudding clouds revealing patches of vivid yellows and greens as the sun broke through and screeeeeeeeeeeech!!!! Sheep in the middle of the road nonchalantly munching the grass on the verge, and BIIIIIIIIBBBBBB!!!! Suicidal pheasants leaping out and narrowly missing death by Hyundai!
Anyway I arrived somewhat frazzled ready for what lay in store and eagerly anticipated the next days painting.
The week had been organised by the extremely talented award winning Jane Braithwaite S.E.A and tutored by Malcolm Coward HSEA. I can’t deny I was a little nervous, having heard about Malcolm’s dry ‘wit’ and inability to lie when critiquing but I was here to learn so a big slice of artistic advice served up with a dash of honesty was what I had signed up for! 
Joining me were all my horse artist heroes, Sian Wynn S.E.A, A.F.A.S, Jennifer Bell S.E.A, Glynis Mills H.S.E.A, Debbie Dunbar S.E.A. so to say I felt a little intimidated being amongst such pedigree is an understatement! I needn’t have worried. I find all artists tend to support one another and generous with their advice and positivity and this was no exception.
We arrived at our venue for the next few days, Mark Johnstons yard which was just outside the village of Middleham, though he also had yards in the village as well. It is an incredible testament to his hard work and shrewd business practice and I really don’t think I have ever seen so many stables in one yard before. 

​We had to break off a couple of times to allow the planes to take off taking Deirdre Johnston to Newmarket, and Mark Johnston to Goodwood which was a sight to behold! The horses were clearly used to it as they took a mild interest but nothing more.
As I painted I found that the ‘off days’ I sometimes experience in my studio, are Just as likely to happen even when the subject is stood right in front of you AND you have a legendary equestrian artist advising you as you go! I started off ok with an urge to get better but just seemed to get worse! Frustrating when you can’t see what is in front of your nose. 

Last weekend fellow Print Pastel and Paint comrade Karen Sillar and I travelled to Stratford to take part in the Fine Art Trade Guild Awards weekend which included a sneaky peak at the Guild Society of Artists Art Exhibition which has now been transported to their headquarters in London.
The event took place at the ever so nice Crowne Plaza so it was a relief that I had packed a smart outfit for the evening dinner and awards ceremony.
The morning was an eye opener for any artist that relied on their framer to ensure that their artwork was presented to the highest standard as the FATG had a really informative forum in which I realised that I had been using the wrong tape, and the wrong method to hinge my mount to my work! Eagle eyed stickler, Karen of course, knew it already and took great delight in telling me that all the framing that she had done for me was done to the Guild Standard! Gold Star!! 
After a break for refreshments we attended the Guild Society of Artists Forum, and it was really fantastic to finally put faces to names! As Chairperson of the AAA I had many occasions to converse with some of the GSA team and I still owe the Managing Director, Louise Hay a rather large bottle of Gin after missing several deadlines and causing complete havoc with my entry forms! Louise is an extremely patient lady (she must be to have put up with me - and I am sure I am not the only one that has badgered her to death over the years) so hopefully she can wait until we meet again so I can make amends!
The evening was a fantastic finish to a weekend of laughter, information, advice and new friends. I really hope to be able to take full advantage of my membership - not least of all so that I can wear my new members pin badge!!
Congratulations to all the winners! Maybe next year!

If you are in London please do go and take a look at the exhibition!
The Guild Gallery Presents the Guild Artists Exhibition 2019: 20 - 27 May 2019
The Guild Gallery, London will be open from 10am – 6 pm 20 May – 27 May 2019 at 2 Wye house, Enterprise Way, London SW18 1FZ
​All artwork is for sale!

Its been a busy time these last few months hence the lack of Blog! Though I expect what I should have been doing was blogging about what was keeping me busy and therefore creating interest in what I was doing!
Anyway unless someone clones me anytime soon this is all I could manage...so this will be a 'reflective' blog as opposed to 'generating excitement and interest' blog - although if I can do that too then marvellous!

Blog - weird word

Anyway, remind me NEVER to try and organise, and take part in two exhibitions at the same time! We are just coming to the end of our Print Pastel and Paint (PPP) stint at the Bear Steps Gallery in Shrewsbury which we (Karen Sillar, Printmaker extraordinaire) and I, have really enjoyed.
It is a venue where you have to steward and as it is open every day it has meant that poor old Karen (who is nearer,) has ended up being the face of 'PPP' for two weeks solid! Don't get me wrong - I have done my bit, but it's a fair old way for me to travel so I got a 'get out early' ticket and have done the odd day.
I am making an appearance for the last two days though, having organised the troops at home to cope/survive without me!
So if anyone is in Shrewsbury tomorrow (10th, or 11th May) come and say hi! 
We will hopefully have the Gallery dog for company too! She's very friendly!
We pack all our UNSOLD (please someone come and help us to reduce the number) paintings into our cars on Saturday at 4pm!! 
The old part of Shrewsbury where the Gallery is, is a tricky place to park so we will be working as a team to avoid the parking officer! One at the car looking menacing, one shuttling the paintings from the gallery to the car, and one making sure Dora doesn't escape! 

In the meantime it is all hands to the pump to make sure that the Exhibition with the Association of Animal Artists at Castle Park Arts Centre in Frodsham ends on a good note.
It is the last day of our six week stint at the gallery and as Chairperson of the AAA I have a lot to organise to make sure everything comes out of the gallery in one piece! Luckily we have a really friendly membership and lots of volunteers to help out.
It has been without doubt the best exhibition of animal art that I have ever been part of. The standard of work this year is awesome and if you haven't been yet you only have two days before it's over!
A lot of our members are professional artists but we boast a real cross section of artists at different levels of their artistic journey and it really does help those just starting out, to be amongst those further along the path to professionalism. 
As we attract members from overseas there will be lots of careful and thorough packing of paintings for me to do next week too! 
​

And that's not all that is going on! No! I thought a couple of workshops through the exhibition would give me something to do!
So a watercolour workshop happened today. And it was great!
We were looking at how to create texture with watercolour using various techniques. Since the Big Painting Challenge I have sort of been on a mission to encourage others to 'have a go' and my attendees today approached the exercises with a great attitude! There really is nothing better than helping other artists to discover new 'stuff' and I hope that today has ignited something that they can take into their work going forward.

We looked at:- 
Watercolour paper - which is the most appropriate type - Hot or Cold Pressed, Rough, or handmade?
What is watercolour?
We made textures using all sorts of household objects
Scratching into the paper and watching the pigment sink into the indentations.
How to use masking fluid
What happens with pigments when granulating medium is added
What happens when you add Acrylic Ink
Making random marks using a (paper) straw
How to represent tree bark, foliage, moss using sticks and sponges
The list goes on, but you get the idea!
Our workshops are about discovering possibilities and then taking that knowledge away and applying it to your own work.
It is 'tooling up' so that you can approach your own work with a sense of freedom and without fear.

My next workshop is Pastel Landscapes - which was postponed and is now happening on the 16th May 10am - 1pm at Somerford Hall Farm, Cheshire ....still a couple of places if you are interested!

CONTACT ME TO BOOK OR ENQUIRE
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If you would like to join one of my workshops please contact me and I can advise you of my Autumn programme.
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You can also join my mailing list to receive my monthly newsletter which will have all sorts of inspirational ideas straight into your inbox!
(PS I do not send spam emails - too busy!)

Right....time to book a day off! :) Thanks for reading