Welcome to the iartsupplies blog, from iartsupplies.co.uk; where you will find hints and tips about the paints, artists’ materials and crafting supplies that we sell, all made by Royal Talens in Holland.
As well as hints and tips you will find examples of our own work on canvas and can even put up your own.
Become part of a new exciting artistic community!!
Artist – Kirsty Lorenz
Recently, we had a family afternoon trip out visiting artists open studios work We were unable to pop in to all 86 venues but, on returning home and going through the open Studios North Fife brochure I found myself researching on some of the artists to find that one of the artists venues, we were very near to while walking around the beautiful village of Ladybank. Kirsty Lorenz is an artist who is extremel well known for her stunning flower paintings and she has exhibited widely in the UK and abroad. Kirsty Lorenz is based in Ladybank where she renovated the old Victorian Railway Station and made it her studio and runs art classes and workshops from there too. Fresh and delightful that the studio is – to look at that is – seems to be just the perfect setting to have peace to paint away happily.
Kirsty paints the most amazing oil paintings of foxgloves, dahlias to daisy chains and has an ongoing project (Daisy Chains). Her project is ongoing and each and every painting is magnificent in the of her use of colour and depth and, also how she captures each flower in such magnificent detail. All of Kirstys’ masterpieces are made into greeting cards and tea towels also, so there is the odd gift too which have her designs on them.
After reading all about the artist and browsing through all her beautiful paintings on her website I became somewhat annoyed that we missed that chance to view her work in her studio but, at least I know the artists’ studio is only a 10 minute drive away for any further exhibitions that she may hold in the near future.
Kirstys’ long lasting project of the Daisy Chain began from when she had her baby daughter and had seen her making a daisy chain out in their back garden, just like the artist did herself in her childhood, and Kirsty thought to herself how lovely the daisy would a beautiful painting and from there she has produced the most stunning and unique daisy chain paintings – something I have never seen before – and you can see how much hard work has gone in to each and every painting as Kirsty has captured the true essence of the daisy through her use of colour, depth and detail. You can See just beautiful her paintings are as seen below. Very unique and most inspirational. I keep looking at these wonderful paintings and just keep wanting to go and pick up my brushes and watercolours and get painting myself and having a play around with colour and flowers myself. Love how she has her own space and, what with us planning on taking business back to where we started in Pittenweem and, no longer work from home makes me even more excited for that move to happen as I know we can do something similar but not on such a huge scale as Kirsty. Longing to get painting and allow the feelings deep within me be poured out onto blank canvasses and talk to art lovers.
I hope this artists’ work inspires you & draws you to pick up your brushes and paints.
Happy Painting
&
God Bless
Tidy Up and Organise!
As an artist and crafter I am always creating mess in my small craft space/studio. I do not like mess but, somehow manage to create a lot of it while I craft to my hearts content, handcrafting my own cards or painting onto canvasses with a spread of a rainbow of acrylic paint tubes. So the other week I made a very good start on getting tidied up and becoming more organised in my space to allow me to be drawn into my craft space again so I can get creative again. I think when we see mess in front of us, our minds are messed up because of all the mess we see in front of us. So, as much of a chore as iy can be tidying up and organising our things I decided it was time for me to actually do this myself for I know I will want to get creative using my skills.
I am really hoping that I can get back in to my space today and organise more of my studio space as Thursdays my husband and two kids go out for a few hours and I like to call this Natalie Time. A time where I can be creative if I feel up to it or just relax reading and enjoying a pot of tea. But, in my head I want to start using some of this precious time to be creative and really draw myself back to painting, something I always found to relax me and release any troubles deep within me. So here is hoping that this afternoon I can do some more tidying up. I know I will feel better once it is all done and seeing it all spick and span and crystal clean will make me want to be in there all the time. Let us see if that really happens.
Happy painting and Crfating x
Afternoon Out
I hope that everyone had a wonderful blessed Bank Holiday weekend just passed and, got out to enjoy the sunny weather whoever had it. We were out all weekend and had a busy bank holiday weekend. We have not had it warm like it has been down South of 24 degrees but, yesterday it was a treat as it was 18 degrees and lovely to be able to soak up the sun whilst enjoying time the kids.
On Monday we took ourselves out for the afternoon to the North Fife Open Studios and ventured into the world of art and crafts, which is what my husband and I have a huge passion for – just hardly get the opportunity to get out and view other artists creations. The joy of the Open Studios is that the artists, designers and craftsmen open up their homes, or other peoples homes, and exhibit their own work for all to view and purchase. there are 90 people now exhibiting during the Open Studios and it runs over the first weekend in May from the Friday til Monday. To read about the Open Studios North Fife you can get all the information you need on the following link http://www.openstudiosfife.co.uk/
My husband and I felt very much at “home” walking around the artists homes looking at all their wonderful paintings, woodwork, metalwork, textile work and paintings. I think our kids were surprised at how much they enjoyed themselves too but, when free food is involved they are hardly not going to complain. The feeling of walking in to an artists home and veiwing their work was just homely, comforting, a world of happiness being in our bubble of art and the fact that as husband and wife we got to truly enjoy something we both love and have the same passion for “ART”. Drinking cups of tea and eating mini muffins while chatting with the artists was a great delight. getting to know the artist is just as much a joy than it is viewing their work and, just being able to talk “Art” was beautiful with other like minded people.
We met the lovely John Bonington who specifies in sculpture but, also paints in watercolours and is a photographer too. Lovely friendly man he is and his paintings are amazing. Such great attention to detail in his brushwork and his scenes are just beautiful too. We came away with two free printed cards of his due to giving him some Cobra Oil Samples. You can read about John Bonington and view his beautiful paintings and sculptures on the following link; http://www.bonington-sculptor.co.uk/gallery.html
We then met the really lovely Aileen Clarke who does needle-felting creating an array of textile pieces and frames, adds on top of sketchbooks, made into jewellery and gift boxes and has her textile work printed onto mugs and notebooks and greeting cards. I got to really enjoy a chat with her as she was very much on my wavelength with crafts. Her stunning textile creations can be viewed on the following http://www.aileenclarkecrafts.com/ Some of her work is shown below. I simply love how she has incorporated her needle-felting into her jewellery.
Then lastly we visited a traditional blacksmith Jim Shears whom designs beautiful metalwork which is all designed and handcrafted by himself. he creates products for your home and garden from gates, railings, fire guards, planters, candelabra, bedsteads and more. We had a metal sign made for hanging outside our shop in Pittenweem where we had our shop name hanging from it. Beautiful unique work.
As we were at this venue we stumbled upon another designer. This time a furniture maker who creates his furniture out of wood and metal where he creates stunning clocks, mirrors, turned ware, furniture and sculptural forms with glass-work within some of his designs. Leo Norris designs and handcrafts his own work from scratch and any little bits of wood he has left he makes sure he uses it and creates somehow to give as a gift. We bought some gorgeous garden wood labels to write on what vegetables we have growing in our vegetable patch. You can find Leo Norris work on the following link http://www.leonorrisdesign.co.uk/ and read all about him as well as viewing his amazing work.
Inspiration
I came across this beautiful artist Jean Haines, who paints the most eye catching , vibrant and fluid watercolour paintings. There is such grace and excietemnt in her paintings that each and every painting just bpops right out at you. Jeans use of colour is just magnificent, as well as her use of water – this is the whole purpose of watercolour paints – which creates the spontraneous fluidity of colour in her artworks.
Below, you can read an article on a previous exhibition she held at the Stockbridge Gallery from last year in July.
What I simply love about her watercolour paintings is the fact that some do not look finished, almost like a quick watercolour study of her subject. As an artist myself, one whom does not have time right now to dedicate my time to painting, I have always enjoyed doing tonal sketches and like seeing other artists studies of artwoirk, it has always been something that inspires me to get back into my painting and dabble. Below you can see her paintings that have that unfinished look yet, very realistic, and others that are more of a finished artwork.
You can see that Jean paints such a vast array of subjects and I think that is why I like her artwork so much because it allows her watercolour artistic skills show through each and every on of her paintings. Jean haines can certainly capture the concept of watercolour paints through her wet on wet technique and, her use of vibrant colour allows her paintings to really stand out, as well as her techniques used. Love the floating and graceful feeling she captures in her work as well as the realism of her subjects.
You can read about the artist and view other artworks by Jean Haines on http://www.jeanhaines.com/
If you are feeling inspired and are looking for some high standard quality watercolours then look no further then here http://iartsupplies.co.uk/watercolour-paint/ for your half pans, tubes and sets of watercolours and for brushes look just http://iartsupplies.co.uk/watercolor-brushes/
My Art World
Every week during my working hours, when there is any spare time – if any – I do some research into the art and craft world and, have the use of the internet I am able to find an array of things involving the art and craft world, with much delight.
Recently though I have been finding lots of different artists – some new ones and some I already know – and enjoying viewing their artworks and, finding myself inspired more and more all the time. So last week I pulled out a large canvas, my palette knives and acrylic paints – I enjoy using the Amsterdam Acrylics 150ml and, the Rembrandt Acrylic paints too as they have a colours which are pearlescent – and got creative. I did not have a particular subject in mind when I went to the canvas, I felt compelled to apply colour to the canvas and allow the painting to talk to me and show me what to paint. The first stage of my painting was rather lost with colour because I was too excited about painting again so, I stepped back from my canvas and tried to find out what to do next. Below, shows you the first stage of my painting.
above – first stage of painting
When I went back to my painting I eventually decided to turn it into a seascape and define the horizon allowing the sky to truly appear which became recognisable. I like abstract painting but I am not one for composing a true abstract painting. I enjoy creating a painting that is realistic when it comes to my acrylic seascapes and landscapes. However, when it comes to using my Rembrandt Watercolours, I find that I actually paint a lot more realistically because it seems easier for me to paint in more detailed manner. Anyway, now that I have the sea, horizon and skyline in place on canvas I am working on some texture in the sea while using the pearlescent Rembrandt acrylic paints and, using splatters of pearlescent paint in the sky also. Next I will work on the sky some more and blend my colours slightly and, I plan to do something in the foreground just to lift the whole painting and add interest and a depth to my painting. Please do keep your eye on my progress with this and once completed I would love to know what you think.
These photos below just show you how I have progressed and, shows you different angles of the painting to see the effect of the colour when highlighted with the light hitting the painting ( the pearlescent paints). With some close ups also and, you see that I have a defined seascape now compared to before.
Below – this is how the sea waters look on an angle with the light hitting the canvas. You can see the texture created with my palette knife too.
above and below the sky
I am making slow progress with my canvas but I feel it is coming together nicely. I will hopefully get chance this Friday to start working on the foreground as know what I want to do for it but this might take some more time as, there will be more detail – thats the plan anyway – but not too much. Want to create representation here and pull the whole painting together. Looking forward to picking up my acrylics and palette knives again! 
Ruth S. Harris
I came across this exciting watercolour artist the other day and I just had to share her paintings which are full of life, it is almost as if her paintings are dancing. Ruth S.Harris composes vibrant, exciting and inspirational artworks from flowers, animals, people, landscapes etc. and has had a few of her paintings used for greeting cards.
Below are just a few examples of her paintings. But you can see more on here and you can read about the artist on tyhe same link.
The fluidity and vibrant colours just dance away and bring such happiness to each and every painting she has composed. Her portraits are absolutely stunning, she captures the details really well and the compostions themselves are just beautiful, as well as her use of brushwork and exciting colours.
GORGEOUS painting of lilys – above -, really ever so pretty and vibrant.
The painting of the two girls on the beach just reminds me so much of summer holidays as kid in Elie, Fife, (Scotland) as we went every year and, it also reminds me of holidays in Cornwall, England (UK) too spending lots of fun times on Pol de Cove.
Looking at this beautiful and graceful watercolour painting of Ruths’ Ballerina, just makes me think of my darling daughter Ava, as she is practicing her ballet show routines. her love for dance is immense. Love the movement here in the ballerinas arms.
Ruth Harris has many beautiful watercolour landscapes on her website and this is just one that I adore. her composition is deloightful as I just adore the windy countryside road. Gorgeous hues of colours too. Makes me realsie just how much I miss painting landscapes myself – I can remember sketching and painting away to my hearts content when a teenager and going out onto location to compose. The countryside is a good place for inspiration and for colour too.
Morning…..!
Goodmorning artists and crafters! The sun is out shining brightly and I am just grabbing a cuppa before I begin my day of putting orders together and, hoping I might get the chance to pick up my palette knife again and add some more rainbow of colours to my painting I am working on.
I always lok forward to a Friday being as I am not toing and froing my youngest to her two different nurseries, as she goes to Nursery for a full day and today our DD is off to the Woods for a walk. So, as I have the full day to focus on my work I really enjoy being able to focus that much more on my work and just being able to have the opportunity to create if and when it blessed to me.
Later, I plan to bake for our Home Bible Fellowship (HBF) as we run a bible fellowship from our home so look forward to that time of therapy. But in the meantime, as the sun shines beautifully on this remarkable sunshiney day it is time to package up orders and enjoy playing with my Amsterdam acrylic paints.
Happy Painting & Crafting
Natalie x x x
My Own Artwork
I have been attempting to upload photos of a canvas I am working on at the minute but, for some bizarre reason it will not do anything for me. Anyway, whilst I have been trying to locate some photos I found a few old paintings of mine I composed a number of years ago and, sold, at the Pittenweem Arts Festival one year. I always find it a pleasure to stumble upon my older paintings and trying hard to remember actually painting them. Her is a few below,
Watercolour Painting of Bass Rock, East Neuk of Fife
Watercolour painting , Stargazer Lily
Acrylic painting, Pittenweem Pier
A variety of my own paintings in our old shop, Pittenweem (Fife0
The top two paintings are composed with Rembrandt Watercolours. As you can see they are rich and vivid in colour. Simple paintings but nice and loose and it is really nice to remember that I produced these some years ago. The 3rd painting is an acrylic painting, I used the Amsterdam range of acrylics and also used the rembrandt Pearlescent acylics too. I just adore the pearly effect once dry with the light hitting off the canvas of artwork. The last photo was taken in our old shop showing an array of my paintings on the wall and sat upon the radiator too. Lovely to see these photos again and going back down memory lane. This all happened because this art shop is where I met Paul Wallace (my husband).
John Lowrie Morrison
The Scottish Artist John Lowrie Morrison, aka Jolomo, featured on Songs of Praise most recently and he was being interviewed on his paintings and his faith as a Christian. John is a very inspirational artist today and, he exhibits at the Pittenweem Arts Festival every year in August. My husband and i watched this episode ad really enjoyed listening to what he had to say about his life as a Christian and how he uses his Christianity in his everyday life as well as his painting. Have a watch and enjoy. really very encouraging and you get to see him painting as he is being interviewed. Below are examples of his amazing paintings, one beinga church! LOVE his use of colour and paint application to the canvas. Jolomo is an inspiration.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01q9df6
There is a new Showdown competition starting January 8th, 2013 and you can participate. You will need to create a profile on their website (will give link below) as well as make a statement, bio and upload images of your artwork.
If you need some help or pointers on how to photograph your artwork they have provided a link on their page to help you with that. Its tricky getting that lighting just right.
Read about the details and how you can participate here:
