Long Distance Trompe L'oeil

Over the last few days I have been helping a distant student paint a trompe l'oeil mural as a surprise for her husband.

I say 'helping' but Diane, from Newfoundland (Canada), has proved to be a very capable artist and despite my interfering she has produced this wonderful stone arch window for her stairwell wall.
Diane also painted an Australian Galah Bird perched on the window sill.

I'm so glad I was able to help - Diane had originally ordered my books to help her in completing the project but when she realised that they would not turn up in time she got in touch with me.
She gradually worked on the mural and emailed photos as the painting took shape - I was then able to make suggestions to help the mural along.

I have also just heard from Diane who informs me that her husband was very impressed with her trompe l'oeil - she was very worried as to what his reaction would be - but how could he not be happy with such an artistic surprise.
Diane also gave the mural a more personal touch by adding the date 1958 chiseled into the keystone - the year they were married.

Thank-you Diane - you are an inspiration

x x

More Glow in the dark stuff

I'm still playing with those glow paints (actually I should say 'working' as that sounds much more professional).

I painted this a couple of weeks ago onto an MDF panel - I thought it would be fun to try something a bit OTT and seeing as I've already done stars, planets, moons and comets I thought I'd try my artistic hand at the Big Bang !



I have also just completed a bedroom ceiling for one of my daughter's school friends. He came upstairs to see me whilst I was halfway through - it must have seemed odd because yesterday was bright sunshine and I had darkened his room with blackout material to help me see what I'm doing (trust me - that makes sense).
He was concerned about the paint getting in my eyes and insisted I wear a pair of his goggles to protect me :)



My next project is for a London skyline painted across three canvases and I will be using some of the glow paint so you can have both a day-time & night-time scene on the same painting. It is all experimental but then that's what art should be about - wish me luck.

Partner-in-Crime

Gordon Collett, my associate & partner-in-crime on "DIY SOS", will be at the Windsor Contemporary Art Fair at Royal Windsor Racecourse on 7th - 9th November.

Here is a link to the website www.windsorcontemporaryartfair.co.uk

He will have some new work on display & for sale including this fantastic "pop-up" corner trompe l'oeil piece based on Van Gogh's sunflowers.



If you are at the show, please seek him out and be sure to tell him I sent you - that way he will owe me a pint or two.

In case you haven't already seen his website you can find it here - www.muralartist.co.uk