November 09, 2007

Afternoon Tea

Just a quick post with an update of my latest painting session. Here is 'Afternoon Tea' finally finished, with some close up details. I have gold leafed the cupcake cases and printed with the gold leaf onto the teapot and cups to add a little more sparkle. This and a couple of the smaller ones will be going in the Knock Golf Club Exhibition which runs from 13th to the 18th November.

I have also managed to get a few prints into the Yard Gallery in Holywood which I am really pleased about. Fingers crossed I get some sales, this is pretty new territory for me so its exciting just to put some things out there.

On a separate note if you are local please check out Susan Whitla and Sara Wallace's exhibition - 'Begild' at Cregagh Library, which runs until the end of the month. This is a collaborative exhibition of mixed media canvases and they are pretty much selling out, so get down there, check it out and buy yourself an early Christmas present!

Posted by Maxine at 08:06 PM | Comments (0)

October 29, 2007

More Tea Vicar?

It seems a while since I posted about my tea exploits and these are some experiments I did a few weeks back. I decided to apply a subtle palette to the above canvas and also experiment with gold leafing, which I have never done before. It really is an easy process and very enjoyable when you get going.

I also decided to try a couple of experiments with texture and printing on just a couple of pages of acrylic paper. The one on the left is about A5 and the right hand side one is A2. I quite like how the printing turned out and it certainly is something to think about as a way of applying pattern in the future.

Over the past few weeks I have been working on a big canvas but I keep forgetting to take my camera to my friends house, where she is kindly storing it for me, so hopefully there will be photos of that to see soon.

Posted by Maxine at 09:10 PM | Comments (0)

September 26, 2007

Getting Productive

As you can see I have been getting mighty productive around here! Still working on my favourite theme I produced another three canvasses, in the same way as the last. I set out to produce a more neutral palette and somehow ended up with these candy colours! I don't know how I arrived at this but I quite like the end result. The cupcakes are decorated with 'cherry' buttons and bead 'sprinkles'.

Posted by Maxine at 10:05 AM | Comments (2)

September 16, 2007

Tea Anyone?

Anyone who knows me knows I am obsessed with tea. I simply just can't get enough of the stuff, it is like an old friend, who is always there to sort me out, perk me up and make me feel all lovely and happy.

Last week I went to my friend Susan's house for a night of artyiness and ended up creating these two little canvasses. I have to say I am quite pleased with them and they have inspired all kinds of other things in my head, which I hope to do. It was so enjoyable actually spending the evening being creative instead of being slumped in front of the TV too knackered to do anything except veg out. In fact I was so tired before I went out I didn't think I would achieve anything. But once I got stuck in, I really woke up and felt excited to be creating.

Here is a close up of the two pieces. I built the canvasses up with a variety of texture before painting them and used pages from an old book to create the teacups. I really love the richness of a canvas built up in this way and maybe its the designer in me that draws me to words, not just what they say but how type looks aesthetically on a page. I have a feeling there will be more like this...

Posted by Maxine at 08:58 PM | Comments (3)

June 18, 2007

Stage One Complete

I thought I would document my progress with getting back into printing so here is the first stage complete. As many of you know I have an obsession with tea, so what better subject matter to get me started again! I thought it would be interesting to see how it develops and sometimes I love the plate almost more than the print itself.

As I am very comfortable with printing collographs I thought it best to start with that, rather than get ahead of myself and get frustrated when things don't work out (who knows this might not work out yet either!). So the plate is finished, all it needs is a coating of shellac to seal the card and its ready to go.

I am going into the workshop tomorrow morning to pay my studio joining fee, have a look around and get prepared for printing this week. I am nervous and excited at the same time. Nervous because it is somewhere new and its been a good while since I printed. Also I still have to consider Harrison and the possibility of having to come back half way through the night. He is very clingy and still a bit unsettled so I have to keep my fingers crossed that he sleeps well the night I go printing.

Also, on a totally different note, except for the fact that I am adding more focus and responsibility to my life, I have now officially taken over my local Mums & Chums group! Again I am nervous and excited about this too. There is not much to it but its just having the responsibility and making decisions about things mostly, which is what I feel I really need to introduce into my life. All you stay at home moms will understand this. When you haven't been in the working world for years, you just start operating differently, you brain works in a different way to accommodate the kids and just being at home. The thought of going back to work is a very scary prospect for me and this very small thing I am doing by leading the Mums & Chums is just a way of regaining some focus and control. Lets just hope I am right and its not bedlam!

Posted by Maxine at 09:12 PM | Comments (2)

August 11, 2006

Tea for Two

I thought I better get something creative up before the end of the week, otherwise I will get the jitters thinking I'm doing far too much rambling and not enough creating! Well, this is a bit of a cheat as it is a screenprint I did a while ago. But like I said, I really want to get more of my artwork on the blog as this seems to have been taken over lately by all the crafting and sewing.

This is one of my favourite prints called 'Tea for Two', it mixes one of my fave things to do (sit around and drink tea) with my love of background patterns and wonderful contrasty colours. I have this framed and up in my dining room, but there is an edition of 7 in total (2 of which are sold). It is printed edge to edge and measures 37cm x 27cm.

I will be putting this in my shop so if you think it would look just as wonderful in your dining room, or kitchen, or any room in fact then you can buy one of the limited edition prints here!

Posted by Maxine at 05:04 PM | Comments (0)

June 30, 2006

Arty Thursday

Susan has now joined me for a weekly art and craft evening. Last night I went over to her house and painted until very late. Here you can see the start of our painting evening. I have had a painting block for years so it was really good to finally be addressing the problem and giving it a go again. I am still novice, especially with acrylics, but I have to start somewhere, so I was trying not to be too precious.

I wanted to try out some different techniques to see what effects I could get. I tried a couple of different textures, using sand and wallpaper to give some of the leaves a raised effect and I then used masking fluid to enable me to add a little detail.

Susan also had a night of experimenting. Here she is finishing off her seed pod. I am really pleased with my end result and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have a lot more practicing and experimenting to do but I have started at last!

My final canvas.

Posted by Maxine at 02:10 PM | Comments (2)

June 23, 2006

A Couple More Prints

Here are a couple more of my prints. These are drypoints. A drypoint for those none printmaking people out there is where you use a sharp needle, which looks a bit like a small metal knitting needle. This is used to inscribe an illustration reverse side up onto a clear piece of plastic.

These are very early prints that I did and were just doodles. The one on the left is called 'Whirlwind' and the one on the right is called 'Sweet Dreams' and they are about 3" square. I didn't do editions as such, I just did a variety of them in different colours. They have been quite popular and I have sold most of them, I think I might have one left. The plate is still in good order so hopefully one day I will print some more of them.

Posted by Maxine at 01:13 PM | Comments (5)

June 16, 2006

Things I Like to Do

After a conversation with Mav at port2port today it dawned on me how much I don't include on my blog. I know its impossible to cover everything but some things most definitely should be making an appearance, like my love of printmaking.

Its been well over a year since I went to the workshop and did any kind of printing and I just don't have the facility at home to do it. A lot of my prints I have given away as presents or sold or they have been framed (like those above) which makes it difficult for me to photograph decently. But I thought I would give it a go and every now and then I am going to post about my prints, even if they are old and maybe it will spur me on to do more. It will also start giving you a wider picture of who I am and what inspires me. There are other things that I am interested in too, but for now I will leave it with the good old printing.

The above image is two separate screenprints. They are both angels. The one on the left is called 'Fallen' and the one on the right is called 'Guardian'. I printed an edition of 6 of each of these and I only have a couple left now. Apologies for poor quality of the image, these are both framed so there is a lot of reflection and the illustrated text is a bit blurry. I need to work out a formula for photographing them.

My prints always cover subjects that mean a lot to me or something that has inspired me in some way. This makes them very personal to me.

Posted by Maxine at 06:51 PM | Comments (5)

June 01, 2006

Finished at Last

Finally we went last night to check over the mural, tidy up and pick up our materials. I can't believe it is finished at last. It really has been an epic and we have been working on it for nearly a year (in the evenings when we could). I am really pleased with the end result and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed doing it. Its weird though because despite working on this I still have my painters block and find it hard to pick up one of the many blank canvases I have lying around the house. I will definitely have to work on this.

Posted by Maxine at 08:03 PM | Comments (5)

December 22, 2005

Mural on TV

Just an update on how things are going. There really has been Narnia fever here for a while, which has been great for us because the mural was included in the CS Lewis Festival tour and was also worthy of a news broadcast! This was shown on the 12th December and courtesy of my lovely futureboy of a husband, who captured and compressed it for me you can see it too!

Posted by Maxine at 01:04 AM | Comments (1)

December 06, 2005

Narnia Cards

As it is after midnight ( I am very tired!) and due to the popularity of these cards so far, unfortunately I don't have a photograph of the actual cards to show you. This is a bit of a crude image of what the cards are like, but hopefully you can get an idea from this.

Basically there are 6 different cards depicting various elements of the mural. They are mounted on an off white card, which is then sitting off the main card slightly, giving it a raised frame. Underneath each card is a relevant phrase form the book itself.

I don't have a payment facility set up yet but if anyone is interested in purchasing the cards just let me know via the comment field and I will sort something out. I am currently selling them for £2 each or £10 for the set. I will get a photograph of the actual cards up in a few days.

View larger image

Posted by Maxine at 12:15 AM | Comments (0)

December 05, 2005

Arts & Craft Fair in Belfast

Just thought I would let anyone living here in Northern Ireland know of the 'Santa's Workshop Arts & Craft Fair', which is on this Sunday 11 December. It is taking place at St George's Market between 10am & 6pm. It's in aid of the Down's Syndrome Association and there will be lots of things to buy or crafts to make. There is also a 'breakfast with Santa' for the kids between 10 am and 12, but you will need to book tickets in advance of this (I think the tickets are £3 and you need to contact Rebecca at the Down's Syndrome Association on 028 9070 4606 to book).

I will be there all day selling prints, cards and various craft items. So come along, buy some unique gifts and donate to a worthy cause in the process.

Posted by Maxine at 10:28 PM | Comments (3)

November 22, 2005

Narnia Mural: Almost There!

It has certainly been a labour of love this project and after months of work we are finally nearing a close. Of course we always knew it had to be finished before the release of the film as it is part of the CS Lewis Festival here in freezing cold Belfast!

There are just of a couple of things to finish, including the wardrobe - which can't be seen in this picture. This is the most I can get into a frame at one time. When it is completely finished I will try my best to get an overall shot.

Just so you know we will also be producing Christmas cards based on the mural which will be for sale in the next couple of weeks.

Posted by Maxine at 03:15 PM | Comments (0)

November 10, 2005

Creative Overload

I realised today that this year has probably been the most creative I have been in a long time. There has always been something in the past, like uni, working as a graphic designer, freelancing when Emily was born, plus a whole load of other crafty projects. But that seems like nothing compared to how I am feeling at the moment. Or maybe I have less time on my hands (or mental capacity) and so it seems like there is a lot going on. I have to say that Emily does totally drain me at the moment, I mean she is great, but come her bedtime all I feel like doing is flaking out in front of the TV. All motivation seems to go out the window. Probably why this blog seems to have taken a non-visual stance - I will definitely get myself on track and put more images up soon.

As far as current projects go the Mural is coming along really well. We should have it finished before the release of the film and we will be having a grand opening. The BBC were filming it today for a news item and we had all the kids painting and being interviewed. It is also being included as part of the C.S.Lewis festival tour. So fingers crossed all of this publicity will work to our advantage. It has been a lot of work (probably about 50 hours so far) but I have to say I will really miss it when it is finished. Its been rewarding both creatively and therapeutically meeting in the evenings to work on it.

Next on the list is a Christmas crafts with the mother and baby groups, which should be fun. And an evening of craft for adults the first week in December. I still have to work out what these crafty days will be producing but I am working on that one. Then I also want to make sure I get all of my own Christmas cards done - this year I am working on linoprinting them.

I think I need to:
1. Manage my time more effectively
2. Always be working on something, even when watching TV.
3. Make definitive lists of all the things I want to achieve
4. Get out for drinks and empty my brain of useless fluff
5. Write more lists
6. Sleep

Posted by Maxine at 07:30 PM | Comments (0)

October 17, 2005

CS Lewis Mural Progress

I have been meaning to keep more of a diary than I have managed on this mural. Partly to see the ongoing progress of it and partly to work out how long something like this actually takes. Its very hard to estimate the timescale of something like this. Mind you, we have had an open deadline, which means we could spend more time than is probably necessary - if that makes sense!

Well as you can see it is coming along nicely. Pictured above in action are myself, Susan and the Revd Christopher Woods. I Have to take more pictures of the kids working on it too. Its a great project to work on and I am really enjoying it, as well as it being a great experience. I totally want to paint murals all the time now, there is something really satisfying about working on that scale. Hopefully the pics will give you an idea of the size of wall and what we are trying to achieve. The two doors, we have incorporated as the wardrobe doors which is working wonderfully. In fact last time I looked in one of the doors (which is used for the drama supplies) I actually noticed a fur coat! How spooky is that? It just shows that its meant to be.

Posted by Maxine at 09:19 PM | Comments (2)

July 13, 2005

Mural

As well as an absolute scorcher (not very often you get such weather in this part of the world), another reason for me slacking off as far as this blog is concerned, is due to my latest project.

I was asked a few weeks ago if I would be interested in doing a mural for a local church and I have just started working on it. My friend Susan is also doing it alongside me - to be honest its that long since I have done anything like this that I felt more confident getting someone else involved, so we would be moral support for each other.

I am quite excited about it actually. We are doing a mural of 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' in the church where CS Lewis was christened, so it has a lot of historical significance. In fact the building next to the church was his grandfathers house and he was bought up in a lovely 'fairy tale' looking house just around the corner from where I live.

We should hopefully be starting it the end of next week but we have a lot of work still to do - hence my lack of productivity with other things. We will be sketching the illustration onto the wall and then involving the kids (teenagers) from the church to help paint it. I would love to do more of this type of work.

Here is a picture of the wall - its not a great image but the room is very narrow so it was hard to get it all in. The doors in the room will become the doors of the wardrobe. The other pic is an initial sketch of what we are going to do, although it has already changed slightly. We will be documenting this project to help us with future ones.

Posted by Maxine at 07:47 PM | Comments (1)

July 08, 2005

Fragile Life

Yesterday left me thinking how fragile life is. It doesn't matter what you do or where you go or how many security precautions are put in place, things can still happen. I don't want to say a lot about it, to be honest there aren't words to describe such devastation, I just wanted everyone out there that I know and haven't spoken to, that I am thinking of you and I hope you are all safe and well. I want to come over and give you all a big hug.

Seeing the scenes at Aldgate East made me think of all the people who I went to university with, a lot of whom I haven't spoken to in over 9 years. I really hope you are all ok too.

It puts things into perspective and makes you realise that just being here is a privilege.

Posted by Maxine at 01:25 PM | Comments (1)

May 20, 2005

First try

I have decided to call this painting 'Embrace' and it is a combination of acrylic and oil - basically whatever I could find (I still haven't replenished my supplies!) I am not totally convinced it is finished yet but I thought I would show you my progress anyway.

Its my first attempt to get back into painting. I'm not sure how I feel about this effort. Part of me thinks its not a bad try and then another part of me thinks its rubbish and I shouldn't bother. This is a familiar feeling for me and something I need to get over. Anytime I do something that I am not completely happy with those old insecurities come flooding back. This is why it has taken me so long to do anything. I don't know what I am afraid of, its not like I have anything to lose. Sometimes I think my expectations of myself are too high and I want to run before I can walk.

I am determined to keep going and not to let these feelings take over. Otherwise I will be back at square one and my canvases will start to resemble a scene from Great Expectations, never to see the light of day.

On another note my friend is over visiting from Canada tomorrow, so I won't be posting until the end of next week - hopefully I get time to do this weeks Illustration Friday topic.

Posted by Maxine at 10:21 PM | Comments (1)

May 16, 2005

Painting

Its been years since I actually took out a paintbrush and painted. I suppose have been more focused on printmaking - or maybe thats just an excuse! I even have large canvases that must be covered in cobwebs by now, they have been sitting around waiting to be used for so long. I think thats what has daunted me - seeing these big canvases and not knowing where to start or what to do with them.

So yesterday I went and bought some small A5 size boards and a table easel. I figure that I might be better off starting small and building up to the bigger size. I also feel happier experimenting small. There is something about spending ages painting only to discover that you actually hate what you have done, I think this is my stumbling block.

I still have to replenish my paint supplies but watch this space...

Posted by Maxine at 12:50 PM | Comments (0)