Alphabet paintings.

For a number of years now I have been collecting cups, bowls, jugs and plates that depict childhood scenes, and more recently I have been drawn to alphabet pieces. My collection, though large, isn't big enough (is anyone's collection ever complete?) Pieces are not that easy to locate, so I have had to find examples for reference elsewhere. The internet is obviously a great source of images and I have done hundreds of screen grabs which I put on my iPad, so that I can refer to them when I am in my studio (which is out of range of the wi fi).
I have found examples of most of the alphabet now and will be working my way through them over the next few months. I am hoping to cover the whole alphabet in the next few months.
Here are a few pieces from the start of my project;

New paintings.

Apologies that it has been so long since my last post, I have been busy painting for three solo shows.

I have been looking at detailed pieces of Sunderland lustreware, the illustrations seem to tell a story and I find them a rich source of inspiration. The images often depict simple scenes populated by less than perfect illustrations of people and animals, and this is partly why I am inspired by them, there is a naive quality which I love.
Here are a few of the most recent paintings.

Summer paintings.

The  ceramics that I put in my paintings, cups, jugs and bowls etc, are mostly taken from examples that I own or from reference photographs. Occasionally though I combine elements, sometimes sourced from books, textiles or other ceramics, to create a unique object which exists only in my paintings. Some of the paintings on this post are examples of where I have employed this method.

Spring paintings

As you may be aware, my paintings are inspired by the flowers around me. Currently the flowers in the garden are mainly primroses and forget- me-nots. I never tire of painting them.

A couple of new paintings

I am loving all the spring flowers in my garden, the crocus are over now but the cowslips and primroses are blooming beautifully.

Childhood ceramics

I am currently inspired by childhood ceramics, especially pieces from the early 1900's which were given to children for being good. Good at school, good at reading and even knitting. They were given out as rewards for all aspects of education and were also given to instruct children on morals and behaviour.
Here are a few recent paintings on this theme.

Crocus.

In my paintings over the years, a particular motif might hold my attention over a number of paintings. It may have been wooden animals, feathers, book covers, sailboats or certain ceramics. Recently, I have found that birds have appeared quite a bit and the flower which I'm most drawn to right now is the Crocus.
I find the colours so joyful, and at a time where everything else is so grey and we are all wishing for spring to arrive, I think they bring a little brightness.

January paintings

I am painting every day at the moment as I have lots of exhibitions coming up in 2014.

Here are three new pieces, two of which depict birds which seem to be appearing quite a lot at the moment.

Artists' Cards

Here are four new cards which have just been produced by Artists' Cards. (http://www.artistscardsltd.com/) This is the third set they have published of mine since Spring 2013.

The second batch of cards were mentioned in this post; in September.