I've been a busy bee.

Hello! And happy Friday. That's something I always feel I should greet you with on a Friday afternoon. It's that time of the week where you don't know for sure what the next two days hold for you. Not like the week, when things have more of a rythmn. I always have a feeling of "ooh, lots of relaxing, lie-ins, no plans", followed by, "but think of all the things that I could get done". Generally, the first sentiment wins.

Well, dear readers, I hope you'll be relaxing, being happy and eating nice things over your weekend. But before you go off to enjoy yourselves, may I show you what I've been up to in the painting department?

Yes? Thank you!

Well, there's the picture I started this post with. A red abstract. Inspired by Kate from Greedy for Colour blog, who has a passion for red, which I admire. For me, there is something interesting about someone who loves the colour red. It's such a strong colour, almost like black.

Then there's this grey abstract I did, which I find calming to look at.

I've experimented with giving these abstracts titles, but then, after lots of umming and aaahhing, I decided against it. What was interesting about all your wonderful comments, about my abstracts in Monday's post, was that you all saw something different in each one. I feel that giving them titles imposes. When I look at this picture above, I think of snow falling, or a puddle of water. You might think differently, and find my interpretation spoils the picture for you.

That exact thing happened to Hugo and I once. We were admiring a print for sale, and thought it was exquisite. Then we looked at the title, and it was something along the lines of 'inside your arteries'. Prior to that, it had been beautiful and fascinating. After reading the title, it was, quite frankly, gross.

I had a title for this one above, written at the bottom of the image, then I rubbed it off.

I'm not sure what to do about titles for these abstract paintings. I don't really like numbers as titles, which is what some people do for their abstracts. I wondered about just having a date in the bottom left hand corner? What do you think? Any suggestions?

Then there's the painting above. It's somewhere inbetween the abstracts and the still lives. I find I can paint in a similar way to when I paint the abstract pictures, but they have recognisable objects in them, and there's something quite satisfying about bringing the still lives and the abstracts together in one painting.

Do you remember me showing you the painting above? I said it wasn't finished, there were things I was unhappy with.

Well, it's now finished.

And it's become this:

It's got shadows now, and I chopped off some of the left-hand side. I think that the eye was darting all over the place before, and now it's more restful to look at.

There you go, you can see it better now. I also got rid of that violent green at the top, softened it a bit, now it doesn't jump out at you.

I mentioned that I was painting the snowdrops my father-in-law gave me, last week. Well, here it is, above, not quite resolved yet. Bit of work still to do, not much, but a bit.

And here we have a not-quite-finished tea cup with Primulas.

Now, this one above, this one I'm painting with the paintbrush, straight on to the paper, no pencil to guide me. I like to work this way, not having a pencil line makes the painting of it exciting, and there's something about the quality of the watercolour that I like. I'm painting like I do when I paint my abstracts, but there's a definite subject matter. And before you ask, that is a Cath Kidston mug, (sort of).

I see this painting, and the next one, as very happy pictures.

This one above is not finished, but I'm happy with it so far. I'll show it to you when it's finished.

So there you go, lots to look at! I haven't been working on the book I've started illustrating, this week, the paintings have taken over completely. I'm gripped by them. I feel like I'm on a roll, and don't want to stop.

But I must start the book I'm illustrating, and not allow myself to be distracted. Monday I'll start.

So me hearties, I smell our supper, coming from the kitchen, and there's been a warning, "supper's almost ready", from the chef. His worshipfulness. Better go or I'll be in trouble. Goody, it's stir fry, I like stir fry. Have a lovely weekend, and see you on Monday! Love Vanessa xxx

Comments

[sumea]

Ooooooh what a wonderful friday treat for the eyes!! The abstacts are all beautiful. You know, I don't normaly see abstact paintings with ethereal qualities, but yours has and I very much like that. I love the unusual.
You don't know how excited I got when I saw the snowdrop painting I litteraly did a skip aroung the room (despite having a horrid head cold), it's so utterly charming - as are the darling primroses in the pretty promrose cup, I LOVE that one! Such a Joy coming here :o)

Wishing You a very Happy and Lovely weekend xxx

Sumea

[Siobhan]

My goodness Vanessa! What a lot of stunning and beautiful painting going on. Really love your finished painting from before (teacup and reel of thread) love all the changes and additions you've made, the composition and the wonderful colours. Then I love Primulas in a teacup and the two that follow - that pink is really working! So alive fresh and pretty. I love the abstracts that look like vases of flowers and I can't wait to see the snowdrops finished - I really like how you've brought company in, but they are still key. You have been so busy, how on earth do you manage it? Aren't we so lucky now we have the Internet? - I love it. Thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us! I think you are right about the abstracts; we do all see different things, which is one of the joys of them - perhaps names around colours or a feeling they give you rather than a tangible thing? Hope you have a lovely weekend.

[Rattling On]

Vanessa, speaking for myself I don't like paintings with writing on them (except a signature and date!!). I would avoid buying one. As you said, it's partly because I may see something different than the next viewer. The ones I hate are the so-called 'humourous' captions on perfectly nice images...too much like greetings cards.
The teacup and primulas picture is beautiful (and speaks for itself), and the snowdrops look great.
I also like the primulas in the striped bowl-that would make a lovely picture all on its own
Well, I have rattled on! Have a good weekend...

[Ella]

The snowdrops ... I think I'm in love. What a lovely painting! I like the other paintings as well but the snowdrops are special. Can't wait to see it finished. Would you possibly think of selling it?

Ella

[mlle paradis]

Really gorgeous work Vanessa. I know the snowdrops are going to be stunning when you have finished. They do make the heart jump a little - and you have a father-in-law who gives you snowdrops!!!!?

I would love to buy the one with the red berries and the spool of thread. Can I email you and discuss details? I have your email address or do I have to wait till it goes up in the Etsy shop? Let me know? Thanks so much. Too bad you have to take a break and go back to the illustrating but I know you'll come back with renewed energy and imaginings for these beautiful things.

OK now please everyone! I've declared my love for that painting! Don't gazump me! Thx! TA!

[ella]

i love the snowdrops and the primula in a teacup....lucky you to be so artistic....am full of envy...just lovely

[Janice Perkin]

yes Vanessa you are definitely on a roll - some really lovely work - have a nice weekend

[Kimbles]

You have been busy Vanessa, I think just the date on the picture is fine then your own imagination takes over. The pictures are so vibrant and the colours so clear - a real colourful feast thank you! **Kim**x

[Jacqueline]

Vanessa, you are so very talented, your pictures are lovely.

[SNOOPYDOG]

Hello there! Lovely, abstracts, but I love your bright floral watercolours even more. They are so uplifting. Really interesting to notice how the addition of something different in the background, leads your eye even more deeply into the picture. Such gorgeous colours! Have a great weekend. Ros

[Aubrey Cotton-Stapleton]

I so look forward now to my Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday read, knowing there will be some more beautiful and exciting work to see!! I am really enjoying seeing the way your paintings are developing, the soft colours of the more abstract but then the still lives that have the abstract 'echos'. I love the ones where you look through to see life beyond as well. I like the shadows, I think it settles the painting into the picture! Seriously I love to see them all.
Have a lovely weekend, we are enjoying a couple of days of cool with south winds, delicious and fresh after all the heat we have had. But not Kate's humidity!!! Love Aubrey

[Lucille]

Perhaps you could name the pictures after the day of the week that you finish them? Then day of week plus 1,2, etc They are looking lovely. Nice to see work in progress with your thought processes.
Otherwise I agree that names can get a bit contrived.

[Charlene]

I have no other words than SIMPLY STUNNING. I love all of them in their own ways. I do love the way you changed the red from gingham checks to solids...Much much nicer :)

I believe that the abstracts should be left for the viewer to interpret... a simple date and signature does the trick to make them unique.

You are a VERY talented lady Vanessa and I am so pleased that you share :) Thanks for the lovely eye candy!

Hugs x

[Helen]

Your paintings are absolutely beautiful! Good luck with the book illustrations.

[Stephie @ narrativeself]

How about naming the abstracts after the colours or the mood they make you feel? Lovely to see your paintings through the development stages - glad I'm not the only one that chops them up! Have a lovely weekend x

[Barbara]

Hello Vanessa! They are all wonderful, but I especially like the last two with the stripey china, so pretty and the flower leaning over to talk to the other flower ...
Be sure to have a lovely weekend.

[Isabelle (France)]

Magnifique!! :o)
Love the finished result of the birds in the bath, and I really love too the picture that the snowdrops have inspired you!! How special that it comes from a thoughtful gift!
Let us know if some of your beautiful work ends up in your shop.
Bon week-end Vanessa!
Isabelle xx

[wonderwoman]

i absolutely love the snowdrop painting - its just gorgeous - i love all the others too, but that is my favourite!

xx

[Anna-Karin, Sweden]

Your paintings are wonderful.
Must say that the one with the cat is so full of life now, I love it!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Love Anna-Karin xxx

[penny]

Isn't it amazing what cropping will do? Really a case of less is more! I liked the berry picture before but now it all sits together so beautifully, lovely!

[Julie]

You have been a busy bee indeedy. I love the grey abstract very very much - it reminded me of the colours of the pebbles on our local beach after they've been washed by the sea. I think just dating the pictures and using that as the title is a great idea - then the viewer is able to put whatever interpretation they want onto the picture without feeling that they are 'wrong' or limited. Hope you have a great weekend, full of fun things and lots of lovely lie-ins too.

[Lorraine Tarr]

Stunning as always Vanessa. It gives me so much heart-skippy pleasure admiring your (my) Winter Berries in a Japanese Cup painting each day - Ooh those berries! Lucky me :-)
I don't profess to know much about painting, but I know what I like and these new beauties I likey very muchy!!!
Happy Weekend xx

[kitschen pink]

Oh so much beauty as ever - do be distracted! we don't get to see the books until they're published so we need to see your wonderful distractions instead! t.xxx

[Aubrey Cotton-Stapleton]

Hi Vanessa, I have just been speaking to the Grredy One and she asked me to comment for her as her computer is in the computer hospital! I read out to her the 'inspiration' for the red and she was very chuffed, thrilled I might say! I also read your comment to her, she loves hearing from you too, Love Aubrey

[Steph]

What glorious colours Vanessa. I adore the snowdrops especially. What a talent!
Have a lovely colourful weekend.
Stephx

[Steel]

Beautiful abstracts and I agree with you - no titles.

Sometimes I see great pictures with titles that are confusing or, as you say, spoil it a bit for you so you never look at the picture the same way again.

I like the changes you made to the cup and cotton reel picture. By toning down the green, adding the red border at the bottom and taking some of the space on the left hand side, it really pops out vividly now.

[maggie]

Quick message Vanessa... I know you like vintage knits and wondered if you had looked at www.vintagepurls.net.nz at all?

[frances]

Hello Vanessa. I am seeing these beautiful paintings on Monday morning. What joy to experience your wonderful way with colors, abstraction, composition, and lightness of touch.

You are so kind to reveal the progress of the various paintings, and how you've made decisions about adding shadows, changing a bit of color or cropping.

Lovely to see an artist at work! xo

[Helen]

Oh wow! I have just discovered your blog and ended up being blown away - I have over the years purchased books for my young children based on the beautiful illustrations...I'll even purchase them in foreign languages...and make up the story as I go along!) Anyway - imagine my delight when I discover YOU are the reason for many of my bookshop frequent buyer memberships!And you knit ! yay! Before I sound like a deranged fan just wanted to say you have brought so much joy to many bedtimes in our household, and added a lovely addition and angle to the imaginations of my children with your beautiful illustrations!
Thank you so much!
xx A new blog follower from New Zealand xx

[Marie Allen]

Ever since I found your blog I have developed a special love of Primulas and the way you paint them. They are charming and irresistible for lack of better words. There is something about the texture of the leaves and the different shades of green and the contrast with the eye-popping flowers. Your paintings are upbeat and cheerful and we need that in this world.
I, too, look forward to your Etsy shop filling up again.