Painters Online

OCTOBER 2020 15 „ LP Open  Batsford Awards Jean King Water Lily , acrylic, 17¾ x 21¼in. (44 x 54cm). ‘I’ve always been interested in art but I hadn’t painted anything since I was 14 in grammar school. When I retired I decided that I might enjoy painting so I took part in various courses using different materials to see which I preferred. I mostly paint in oils but this painting was inspired by an acrylics’ workshop. I tried several ideas and after the workshop I used a technique of loading several colours at the same time onto the brush to add texture to the water.  ‘I’m a member of two art clubs and have met lots of new friends who have similar interests. I have found that painting has been excellent for my wellbeing and this has been particularly so in lockdown and beyond. Whatever worries you have are forgotten as you concentrate on your work, time flies by and you get a sense of achievement even when you feel you need to start a painting again. You learn something every time you paint and from other people’s work, too. I like the fact that you never stop learning!’ „ Batsford Awards Marjorie Firth Woodland Walk, Howick , oil, 23½ x 23½in. (60 x 60cm). ‘It was lovely to be selected for the LP Exhibition and even more exciting to win an award! I am self-taught and from time-to- time attend short courses. I am a member of two art groups: one where members meet weekly to paint and the other where we take paintings to be critiqued by a former university art tutor. ‘ Woodland Walk, Howick shows part of Howick Hall Gardens, Northumberland, an arboretum that is owned by the family of the former prime minister, Earl Grey. The gardens are peaceful and I often go there to paint en plein air . On this occasion, I was attracted by the dappled light, and the dark shadows contrasting with splashes of sunlight breaking through the trees. I took photos to work from but the painting developed over a few weeks as I stood back and considered where the focal points were to be. The painting, an oil, is on a black canvas, which I often use when I am trying to convey drama.’  ProArte Award KW Chau Serenity , watercolour, 10¼ x 14¼in. (26 x 36cm). ‘I am a tai chi and painting lover. My favourite media are pencil and watercolour painting. I like to do pencil sketches while travelling and watercolour painting at home. Serenity is a scene taken from a corner of Hibiscus Town, Wunan, China. The town has a history of over 1000 years and is famous for its tofu (bean curd). The scene was actually quite chaotic with a lot of detail at the end of the lane, which I intentionally left out. I wanted to project the lane leading to a complete open space, which could open the hearts of viewers and give them a sense of tranquillity and calmness. I purposely did not draw figures outside the house, but the red lanterns indicated there were customers inside that little humble eating place.’ „ Daler-Rowney Acrylic Award Linda Wilson Azalea, Maples and Me , acrylic, 11¾ x 7½in. (30 x 19cm). Linda started painting again ten years ago, following retirement from training and education management. ‘In this painting I wanted to portray how lockdown has been for my husband and me. Adopting sunhats, we have become garden dwellers in this glorious sunny spring, and I am rarely seen without gardening gloves. ‘The orange glow of the azaleas and maples needed to be commemorated. I also painted one of my husband, which was highly commended in this competition, in his Panama hat, playing his guitar in the garden. Both were painted with acrylic on coloured card, a combination that I had not tried before, which only goes to prove that you can teach old dogs new tricks.’ Competition 2020 LP10 12-17 TALP_f.indd 15 19/08/2020 15:17