Beautiful Winter Skies

London has been rather cold and damp these last couple of weeks.  It’s been a great time to sit and stare out of the window.  The skies have been amazing.  The pink evenings have been incredible, the morning moon so big and bright and the dramatic after storm clouds have been rolling in which has made this last week really inspiring.  Being able to look out of my loft window at the skies makes me feel so small in this huge world that is so beautiful and never stops changing.

The skies out of my loft window after a storm.  20cm x 20cm oil on board.

The morning moon outside my bedroom window. 20cm x 20cm oil on board.

Over the week I’ve been trying to capture these skies in a series of paintings which I’m hoping to get framed and will go up in Il Molino in February.  It’s been hard trying to capture the colours, light and texture of the beautiful skies.  I have one more to do.

Sunset outside my kitchen window. 40cm x40cm oil on board

 

Let me know what you think.

Christmas has come early

This week Christmas has come early.  Its August and I have been continuing with my styling but this time on a Christmas theme.  Its often the hottest time of year that I do the Christmas shoots for magazines which always feels a little daft.  Yet again I was in a London house and this was the wreath that I did for the door.

The house was in some beautiful greys and so I wanted to compliment it using eucalyptus as the greenery with some classic roses and the soft pinks and greens of hydrangea.  I really enjoy unusual wreaths and often like the use of vegetables or fruit in them.  Artichoke can often be a good choice as the purple and the spikey leaves can compliment the softness of the flowers.  Also pomegranate is a good idea as they are very much a Christmas fruit with a really lovely red colour and wonderful shape.

Be bold this Christmas and do something crazy.  Its a fun time of year so its nice to reflect this in your wreath.  Don’t be scared!

Look out for my styling and paintings in January’s issue of Homes and Garden (UK).

My Backyard

My Backyard – oil on canvas board – 10’x12′ – £80

This week I have mainly been at home as poor Kea has been ill with tonsillitis.  He has been feeling dreadful but is now on the mend.  This has meant that I haven’t been out of the house.

I love the view from the back of my house from up in the loft and so I decided to have a go at painting it.  Its the first time I’ve tried painting houses but I rather like the result.  Its a little naive but I think it has some charm.  I love the backs of the houses in London and all the different fun gardens you can look into. Luckily unlike most other houses in London my neighbours are quite far away.  I love the colour of the bricks and the way the houses are higgledy piggledy.  Its very easy to imagine Mary Poppins flying in for a cup of tea.