Thursday, October 29, 2015

Original Art Sale - 15% discount at The Painter's Palette Original Art Store

I've been hitting the keyboard and heating up a storm in my office today. The reason for my expending of so much energy is that I've been helping to create a new eBay store for my sister who'll be selling Art, Collectibles and Vintage Clothing. She's called it the Selador Collection.

I simply can't resist the fun of starting a new business!  Alan (husband) shrinks in  his seat, visibly, when we drive past empty shops in towns ... he knows full well that my brain has gone into immediate "What I could do with that space! It would make a stunning art gallery!" mode. And we've had loads of fun and some success with ventures in the past. However, I'm going for the peaceful and creative life now ... until I pass empty shops that is.

You can find my sister's "Selador Collection" here:

www.facebook.com/SeladorCollesction


So while I was about it, I was tuning up my own store on eBay and decided, that as I'm working like crazy to create new paintings to upload this coming winter, I may as well create a promotion to see how much of the existing stock I can sell in time for Christmas presents. 

For the next 6 weeks, starting from today, the purchase of 3 items from the store will mean a 15% discount for you, as well as combined shipping costs of course. And I've included at least 95% of the stock in the store in this promotion.

You'll find it all here:
http://www.ebay.com/sme/lyn2654/offers.html 


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Thursday, October 22, 2015

Pontivy exhibition in a deconsecrated church

My first participation in a group exhibition in France! Woo hoo!

We set up on Tuesday in a stunning, cathedral-like church in Pontivy (Brittany) and the exhibition runs through to Sunday 25 October 2015 from 2 pm to 6 pm daily with an entrance fee of only €2 per person.



How stunning is this venue! I don't even have to write much this time ... these images simply speak for themselves.








Tra la!

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Friday, October 02, 2015

Stages 3 and 4 of "The Sunflower Wedding Portrait"

I've published similar images of these images below, of Stages 3 and 4 of "The Sunflower Wedding Portrait", on www.Facebook.com/PaintingProgression so thought I'd go the whole hog and display one or two here too. I've also given more detailed explanations of the process on the Facebook page.

I'm getting a bit nervous, and certainly very vulnerable, now as this is the first time I have published images of something important that I am working on - as I am working on it. This means that errors and corrections I make as I go along will also be public!!! Uh oh.


The first stage of tracing the drawing

Detail of  how as many darks and lights are traced onto the canvas


 The face of the man is not yet correct as the image
I have been working from is very dark. More work needed there!

After correcting the drawing of the male face, the next step will be to put in the background.


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Saturday, September 26, 2015

"Sunflower Wedding Formal Portrait"

The groundwork has been laid and now it's time ... during this next week ... to get going, with my heart and soul going into the "Sunflower Wedding Formal Portrait".

I'll add  images here as I go along, or you could watch the progress (which will be fairly slow!) on www.Facebook.com/PaintingProgression.

For now, here's the starter. The basic outline of the composition has been agreed upon with the help of a pencil drawing on baking sheet paper, initial colours have been chosen, and the canvas has received two coats of lovely clean white gesso.

Rarin' to go now.


It was decided to lose the Welsh Guards badge (top left corner in this image) as, although it's a precious and sentimental symbol for the couple, there was just no comfortable or harmonious place to put it in the painting. James' head has since been enlarged a little and Carrie will be holding a flower on the book on her lap. She'll also have a suggestion of a chair to sit on so she's not sitting on thin air! So looking forward to getting going with this painting.




The two coats of gesso make a huge difference to a canvas. It's like a first date ... you're just starting to get to know the creation, and beginning a lovely relationship.


Tally ho!


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Thursday, September 24, 2015

Art Bloggers Page on Facebook

Just wanted to let you all know that I have an Art Bloggers page on Facebook ... anyone else out there with an art-related blog who would like to promote it on my page? Just get in touch with me with the details and I'll upload it. Here's the link:



This is "Hello Summer" a small piece which features as the title image on the art Bloggers page ... and which is for sale (very reasonably priced) on eBay. Below is the link to my eBay store ... if there's very little uploaded for sale when you click through to look, just message me through Facebook (www.facebook.com/PaintingSales) and I'll let you know when the next mass upload will be.



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Thursday, September 17, 2015

"Lone Palm" and "In the Pink"

Two recent sales have been "Lone Palm", a subjective abstract oil painting which I have always rather liked. It seems to capture the energy of cool sea-breeze weather and hot tropical sunshine with a richness of texture and colour. I suppose it's not surprising that "Lone Palm" found its  home in Norway then!

 "Lone Palm"

And then "In the Pink", a charcoal and pastel life class drawing on sugar paper. Life class exercises are always challenging, always fun and always surprise you with how different the works from each class are. It's most often the influence of whoever is running the class I suppose. This particular drawing was completed in a class I attended in Dublin about 2 years ago where the instructor encouraged us to experiment with white charcoal. I love the freedom one feels creating these drawings. To me, the most important aspect, is to capture the chemistry I feel from the model. I'm not really interested in portraying his/her face and am more interested in capturing the body language and attitude often conveyed by the props they may use.

"In the Pink" now lives in Louisiana, USA.

"In the Pink"

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Monday, September 07, 2015

"Sunflower Wedding"

"Sunflower Wedding". Gone. A week ago ... and my studio is now less bright. I miss it. Sniff.

If anybody wants to give me an excuse to paint another painting in this style ... taking elements of your life, or lives, and immortalising them in oils on canvas .... just send me a message and I'll send you my price list.

I have created another painting since this one, in this ilk, but I can't show it to you now as it's a surprise for someone who hasn't received it yet!


This is Alan's pic after he framed the painting and this is before framing ...


Oh, and did I mention that "Paddy and Liam" and "Carrick-a-rede Bridge" were both SOLD recently from Gallery 1608 in Bushmills, Northern Ireland?

 "Paddy and Liam"

"Carrick-a-rede Bridge"


lyndacookson@gmail.com
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Tuesday, August 25, 2015

"Herself"

SOLD to Mary F. in the UK ... thank you Mary!




"Herself" is a charcoal line drawing on an oil monoprint. The monoprint was one of a few created during a fun printing class in Galway. The line drawing is one of a collection which evolved during a couple of life drawing sessions where the models seemed particularly grumpy on those days ... calling for humour and lightness in what I produced.

I have a few in this series, some still for sale, and will upload them as soon as I can get good images of them. It's too late now and time to throw out some of those zzzzz's before heading out in Milly the Motorhome tomorrow for a peaceful day of painting by myself in some secluded spot. I have a commission to finish ... without Bridie the German Shepherd nagging me to play by shoving her nose under my elbow and flipping my arm up at crucial painting moments!


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Friday, August 21, 2015

"Companions"

I've just bought myself a gift! I love this little painting but it's about to be framed for sale in a gallery soon .... so I ordered a small canvas print for myself as a keepsake.

"Companions"
It's a funny thing but I often find that once a painting is complete it seems to have a life and identity of its own, separate to me. Not always, but often. While paintings are in process they are very much me, my expression, my moods, my expectations and my skills ... but once it is complete sometimes I view it as if it was created by someone else. Hmmm, I think I must take more notice of this in future and try and work out with which paintings, perhaps with which mediums, I am able to do this.

Do other artists notice this I wonder?

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Friday, August 14, 2015

Wisteria

"Wisteria" is an oil study on brown wrapping paper. It's one of four studies which hang on my office wall and which came into existence during a demo day in Hitchin in the UK, 2014. Unfortunately only half the image is visible on this blog page ... you'll have to click it to see the whole image. Sorry about that.

I have no idea why I named it "Wisteria" and was reminded of it only by flipping through images this evening ... but somehow the name fits.


It's very liberating and one of the best exercises an artist can do, to simply work on a poor quality surface (being brown wrapping paper) letting go of any inhibitions and reserves within you, knowing that if you make a mess then not much is wasted.

You can draw on whatever patterns, memories, shapes or feelings which surface during the process and trust your instinct that you will put them in the place which is "right" for them ... even if you're feeling rebellious and hoping to create disharmony or discordance. You'll know when to stop working on a study when, after  you've gone through the bad hair day moment you begin to hesitate and question whether you've done enough or not. Or maybe you'll be lucky and without hesitation at all say Enough, 'tis done.


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Saturday, August 08, 2015

Irish sheep ... so many to count they kept me awake!

I've just finished painting a whole fleecing flock of Irish sheep ... enough to send me to sleep for the next decade! 

"Caitroina" which means Chaste and Pure in Irish

For thirteen years we lived with the hardy, black-faced, long-fleeced sheep which Connemara in the West of Ireland is so famous for.

They're hilarious to drive behind on narrow Irish boreens (little farm track roads) and you can't help but giggle at their wobbly behinds and woolly tails as they run ahead of you, bumping into each others behinds as you herd them along, looking for a friendly and convenient farm gate or siding to huddle into. If all traffic jams were this humorous road rage would be a total unknown.

"Fiona and Colleen" which means Fair Woman and Little Girl in Irish

Come February, in the area we lived in, lambing season arrives and mornings become filled with murderous sounds as the farmer trudges into the field with buckets of feed. The noise can be quite incredible with no two sheep or lambs having the same pitch, tone, warble, gurgle or bleat - but all of them have a high degree of drama. Peaceful mornings erupt in a cacophony of sounds and you'd swear they were all being murdered in cold blood. A quick look out the window is reassuring that they're only hurtling down the mountainside or across the field in noisy hunger.

"Conall" which means Powerful Wolf in Irish

There's not much that can match the attitude of these woolly wonders with their large burnt-orange eyes that glow in your headlights at night. But ... more about these characterful creatures another time when more sheep need to be painted!

The rest of the flock can be found on my Facebook page.


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Monday, August 03, 2015

"Brendan" by Lynda Cookson

This is Brendan. He's brand new ... despite the apparent age and experience showing on his horns. Well, he's fresh off my palette knife anyway. And he's almost ready to be on his way to Gallery 1608 in Bushmills, Northern Ireland. He's just waiting to be framed, after which he and his 3 mates, also waiting to be framed, will be packaged up and sent northwards to that famous town where excellent whiskey is distilled, and where Ian Bickerstaff and Gallery 1608 are becoming more and more well known.


"Brendan" by Lynda Cookson
 
I have a reputation for enjoying the strength of sound, and uniqueness, of many Irish names so it's no surprise at all that my hardy, black-faced sheep, found everywhere in the farmlands of Ireland, are aptly named. (My lovely long-haired German Shepherd is named Bridie, short for Bridget)

Possibly more sheep pics later ... four of them are Bushmills bound with another seven going to the gallery All Things Connemara in Clifden, Co Galway.

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Wednesday, July 29, 2015

"The Big Whites"

After uploading this image to another blog, I've just realised why I feel so attached to this painting ... even although it SOLD some years ago.

For most artists, not every painting is a success. The non-successes are often tossed into the bin, burnt on the fire ... or like me, painted over, again and again until it feels complete and right.

This is what happened with this painting. I can't remember now what it was I painted before this final painting, but I know my heart and soul went into it all, and I have a secret pleasure in the knowledge that loads of creative history and passion for painting was worked into this image.


"The Big Whites" by Lynda Cookson
SOLD

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Monday, July 27, 2015

Sunflowers and Sunshine

A cheerful, sunny painting from a few years ago ... I was just reminded of it recently. Although not by our recent weather.

Here in Brittany it's still raining and I'm not complaining! I love it. There's something very beautiful about rain in the countryside. I know the farmers love it, but more than that it's watching the raindrops fall from the outside eaves, smelling the damp soil, and loving the wash all the plants are getting. Oh yes. One downside. Bridie's huge muddy paws!


"Sunflowers and Sunshine"
by Lynda Cookson
(Still available for sale)

 
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Saturday, July 25, 2015

La Joie de Wild Summers

I have a secret. I'll tell it's name but not what it is ... you'll have to wait for that for possibly even a year!!! Until I'm good and ready. It's been born but is still growing up, getting stronger each day.

It's called La Joie de Wild Summers .... it's not a painting, it's not entirely English, it's not entirely French, and it's gently baking, not ready for being delicious yet. And no, it's not food.

In the meantime, I'll just show you a new painting I did in preparation for a formal portrait painting I've been commissioned to do. I haven't yet been able to photograph it well ... hopefully tomorrow ... but in the meantime, here is "Sunflower Wedding", inspired by the works of Marc Chagall.







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Friday, July 17, 2015

"Blue Tea Pot" by Lynda Cookson

I collect tea pots. Well, I did, but have now run out of space on the dresser so tend to resist collecting anything these days!

Life is reflected in their rounded sides and it's that rotundness; their perfect design of handle, lid and spout; and the anticipation they exude of things like comfort, friends, light chat, good conversation and a relaxing break, which is so enticing I think.

Would you like a nice cup of tea?




"Blue Tea Pot" by Lynda Cookson
SOLD
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"The Egg Called Aspirations" by Lynda Cookson

I've recently been reminded of "The Egg Called Aspirations" - my contribution to The Big Egg Hunt charity drive in Ireland a couple of years ago. Since then, just after I emigrated from Ireland to France, a similar drive has been organised with Pigs as their subject.

I had loads of fun designing and creating "Aspirations", was very proud of her on display, and even more proud when she sold at auction. I never knew who bought her, so if anyone ever meets her somewhere in the world, please let me know where!
 

Clicking the image below will also take you to the video of her creation: 

Video of "The Egg Called Aspirations"






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Thursday, July 16, 2015

Pink Ballet Shoes

"Pink Ballet Shoes"
Palette knife oil painting on deep-edge gallery canvas
Unframed, the painting wraps around the edge of the canvas
€650 plus €45 Shipping Worldwide



Detail images of "Pink Ballet Shoes"









 My creative life began with dancing ... not ballet dancing, but ballroom dancing. Coming from an extremely conservative and chauvinistic beginning, although not allowed to take art lessons or ballet lessons, we were allowed to take piano lessons and learn ballroom dancing. From that I developed a great love of grace in movement.  Quite likely, because my experience of music, exquisite feeling and creative expression was so limited in my formative years, it became more precious to me than if it had come more freely. So now, two of my great passions in life (apart from painting!) are dance shoes and musical instruments - especially the piano.
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Friday, July 10, 2015

"Pond at the Edge of the Forest" by Lynda Cookson

Picking up the palette knife after months and months of not being able to paint, this past December, this painting is what emerged, from no inspiration other than what my right brain found while my left brain was listening to audio books.


"Pond at the Edge of the Forest"
by Lynda Cookson

 
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