well it's finished!

Well it's finished it seemed like a mammoth job but I did it and boy did it feel good!. I love the finished article, the colours, the textures and the hint of flowers mix in with all the swirls . I have always know that all colours are made from the three primary of blue,yellow and red but what made the theory come alive for me was my experiment. I find it strange that some times I know things but have not connected them to!!! reality maybe?
I have not put two and two together and made five I have just noted part of the equation and ignored the vital point ,THE ANSWER. I am pretty sure that's what I have done lots of times through life, I have seen the problem but not equated the answer, if there ever was to be an answer.

Any way back to the painting, I have used techniques that are strange to me pouring paint, cling film, salts and most defiantly different part of my brain as I was really thinking in an unusual way to normal. What allowed this painting to develop was the fact that I had to stop after each stage. I therefore had lots of time to watch as the paint and colours played their merry dance on the paper. It is incredible to watch as yellow slides it's way into blue to give birth to green, miraculous how red can renew it self with orange then take it to the extreme and renew in to purple. I truly could have watch all day and some times I did.
I really would love to hear what you may think of my "Angel petals" (There is another story about the title ) for another day maybe.

moving into scary worlds.

Moving into scary worlds is a bit of a dramatic statement but as I am so comfortable with what I paint and could most probably paint with my eyes close as each stage is ingrained in my brain, to change tack and to move towards new techniques and remove the CONTROL element within my work is a difficult process for me .

So here we go, I thought that it would be quite good to chronicle my processes.   This fist element I poured on the paint just using the three primary colours . I then let it dry with cling film and salt. May be you can just see what is emerging (or may be not)

Number two.

 I started to paint in my roses I did not want them to be too distinct so I kept the tonal values similar to the surrounding areas. 

Number three. 

This took some time to do but it seemed to arrive at the result I was after.

Number four. 

Finished the roses now the fun starts I want to build colour and depth but not totally sure what I'm about to do. so fingers crossed.xxxxx

                                                                       Number five.

I poured the three primary's over the painting again in the hope of developing some depth, I feel that it worked ? I will now bring back the roses again and  see what happens, maybe add another layer of poured paint .

The last few are still in the process so I will post shortly.

Stranger things have happened at sea

Monday evening I was feeling a bit low, long story but I am sure one day I will get around to mentioning it all to you, but as for now, It just seemed to be one of those weeks.Late evening I jumped on to my emails to just check, I wonder if I am the only one in the world who does that, just checks in case some miraculously fantastic event  has arrive in my mail box between dusk and dawn, well am I??????.
daaaaa raaaaaa it had, all those times of 'just checking' had  been worth the late night stares my miraculous fantastic came to fruition.
There was a e mail in my box with the heading " INVITATION TO EXHIBIT" 
This is what it said.
We have been on your website and are very impressed with the high
caliber, outstanding quality,and wonderful mix
your art offers. Your art is the reason we are contacting you.

ArtMonaco is the only contemporary art show of the Cote d'Azur held at
the Grimaldi Forum, the most prestigious convention center.
Galleries and artists participate by invitation exclusively.
I would like to extend a cordial invitation to you so that you can participate.

ArtMonaco reached 27,000,000 people, in 52 countries last year.
The best galleries and art collectors worldwide attended.


Now ! although this is what I have been waiting for with my moonlight email checks, something about it did not ring true to me. ME THEY PICKED ME!!!! no MIke ( my husband) you need to check this out I bet it's a scam. So poor Mike religiously does search after search on the net every thing seemed to be fine, but I am still saying me! why me! until we gave up looking for incriminating evidence of scams and sat down to have a last cup of tea (water for me ) before bed. when out of the blue on sky adverts came a whopping big, long advert  for ARTMONACO 011
well I'm blowed!! speechless, looks like they do want me after all!!!!!!!!!. HOW FANTASTIC!
What a boost to the old confidence I have rarely felt so excited and yet in such denial at the same time. Please forgive me if I am going on but just now and again one gets the feeling that people are actually  looking at what you are painting and this is one of those moments. 
Any way to end this mammoth tale I emailed them back saying just how grateful I was for their invitation but unfortunately I would not be going due to lack of funds. I know a bummer !!! But I received a lovely reply saying that they were sorry I could not attend but they would leave a place open for me for next year soooooooo MONACO HERE I COME 2012 best start dieting and saving.

Added my latest promo video to this blog hope you enjoy it. or pop on to my web site and take a look www.artmayo.net

Looking for the excitement and the thrill

I have provisionally book my self for the Kilkenny art fair in August 2011. I am really excited but also a touch nervous, not having done this kind of art fair before. Life is far too short and I think it is about time I took the bull by the horns and attempted something unnerving and scary.

I am also taking part in the R.D.S. art fair Dublin. Did this last year and I was buzzing for weeks after. It was the best thing I could have done meeting people, hearing comments. Taking on board peoples feeling about my art was so brilliant. I just wanted to dance all week, If it had not been for the fact that we had no money and we were eating McDonalds for the week I think I would have been dancing (I got too heavy with all the burgers)

     Painting can be such a lonely "job" I have put job in brackets as I feel I am so lucky to be able to do something that I love so much and "sometimes" get paid for it. If we all had a job that we loved as much as I love painting then the world would be a much better place. I digress, I was saying lonely, as I spend most of my day in my studio painting, I don't come out much and don't really see Mike much when I am working. I think what I am trying to say is that I loose touch with reality I loose touch with the reality of trying to make my paintings a business. I have just had a wonderful conversation with an arts officer about the need, and she stressed need, to put time aside for paper work and computer thingies. Thingies being the operative word. I sort off pass the buck and ask Mike to take on these type of "thingies" as you may guess, I'm not the best at them. May be I am a bit late but I think a new years resolution is on the card to start to believe that my art could be a business and a good one at that and take the time to develop my sites as well as I have tried to do with my painting. May be it's time for the "thingies" to get a name???????

I would love you to have a look at my web site just click on the link www.artmayo.net 

Classes to bring enjoyment to theses winter days.

The excitement really is mounting as I start on this year plans for workshops and classes. Lots of messages are coming through by email and phone requesting workshop places for 2011. The excitement of working towards something special for me can be so enthralling. I do so look forward to planning exciting and interesting workshops and classes and I want the same enthusiasm to rub off on my students and for them to go home wanting to just paint and paint.

 It is so fantastic to know everyone is eager to hear about this year’s sessions.

Classes are so enjoyable to me, I love the company of others who enjoy and are enthralled buy the same elements of colour and shape as I am.

I change my classes all the time as I find it gives me and my students more of a challenge.

By changing my classes every single time I learn so much, It teaches me to go over things to re invent my techniques and ways of painting to simplify for myself. So as you may have guessed when reading this I am not just teaching class I am teaching myself as well.

This years classes start on

Tuesday evening February the 8th @ 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

And

Friday morning February the 11^th @ 10am to 12noon

In

The Curam centre

Claremorris

County Mayo

Curam centre phone number is 094 9362202

Or just mail me

************

 “Working with Glass” workshop on Saturday May the 21 st.  is a must for all who love exploring .

.  “Hot and steamy with reds” work shop Saturday Junes 11 th will amaze you with its talents.

A full material list will be given beforehand to ensure a brilliant fun filled day.

I am tied up with a few gallery exhibition early on in 2011  so please Don’t worry too much if it takes me a little while to answer your mails I will do and in order.

For full information if you wish to be added to my workshop/ mailing list please contact

a.emsenwest@gmail.com

********************

Out with the old and in with the new " or there abouts."

I find the process of putting genuinely heart felt feelings difficult to put on to paper,  I am a doer not a writer and I am so used to the actions of  hugs and smiles.  I think as with my painting, practice makes for better paintings and better blogs.
 As this year progresses I feel that I would  benefit if I wrote about my day and the people in it. Not sure it will work but who knows? and I am not sure if you the reader would benefit but there is always a chance that something may strike a cord.
I took a great deal of interest in Johanna Spinks on face book who took on the mammoth task of 365days of drawing thank you Johanna for sharing this with us all on FB  http://www.portraitartist.com/spinks/
So I though because I have difficulties expressing myself on  paper I would attempt 365 day paint and diary nothing special mostly about my life I am sure sometimes it will be boring but I am sure that sometimes it will be quite interesting.  I feel that it would be better done in dairy form so Ive bought a large drawing book and will draw and write on a page a day. I don't think I will post all of my ramblings may be one a month we will see.
With all of this in mind I would really like to wish all of you a very happy and prosperous new year may your God go with you and help you on your way.

 I would really like to hear from you and what you may think of this little adventure I am about to dive into.