Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Society of Botanical Artists Madrid

 Tulipa 'Estella Rijnveld'
Tulipa 'Peaches and Cream'

The Society of Botanical Artists are holding an exhibition in a new venue next year. The Madrid Botanical Gardens in Spain. The exhibition is all about celebrating tulips. Those of us in the society who are taking part had to chose two tulips to grow and paint. It was coordinated so we all were painting different tulips. These photo's show my tulips growing in pots in my back garden. I was worried they would not grow or slugs would eat them. I protected them from all bugs and slugs as best as I could. They turned out to look nothing like the photo on the packet, but they were lovely colours and I was happy to paint them.
For a preview of one of the paintings I produced, have a look at my website www.sarahwoodart.com

Monday, May 15, 2017

Plein Air in Plas Newydd


On a recent visit to the National Trust's Plas Newydd #Garden on #Anglesey, in North Wales, I actually managed to do some plein air painting. It is a while since I have painted outside, but at last the weather is perfect. I had forgotten how much fun it is.

I have a small set of paints, brushes and paper that I keep with me in my handbag.
When my husband and I go walking, I usually take my art set and often don't get round to using it. This time we settled ourselves in a quiet area of the wonderful Rhododendron gardens. I painted while Mike read his book.

Away from the wind it was hot. Luckily I had my sunhat. It is no wonder I am always loaded down with stuff, I must be carrying a ton weight in my bag. Okay I am not all that organised; I did forget my seat pad! Maybe I need to pull around a small truck!!

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours



Some photo's of the Mall Galleries, on Private View day, for the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours Open  Exhibition.
Rosa Sepple, the president of the Society gave a well received speech, and the artist and print-maker, Norman Ackroyd opened the exhibition and presented the awards.
The whole gallery was crowded with people, and the walls were covered with beautiful displays of art. It made for a very exciting event and I was glad I was able to be part of it.

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Grosvenor Museum's 12th Open Art Exhibition

Opening night at Grosvenor Museum

Grosvenor opening
Open evening at the Grosvenor Museum's 12th Open Art Exhibition was packed with art and people. The exhibition is on until 21st June 2017.  There is a massive range of painting styles and subjects that make for an interesting display.

Running alongside, until 6th May, at Funky Aardvark, 61 Bridge Street Row East, Chester, is 'Not the Grosvenor Museum Open'. Both exhibitions are excellent and well worth a visit if you are in the area. I have paintings in both.
'Not the Grosvenor Museum Open'

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Snowdrops

I just cannot resist showing more snowdrops. They are a lovely site to come across.
At this time of year it is interesting to study the tree shapes. These photographs were taken at Storeton Woods on the Wirral.

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Brotherton Park



Some photo's of Brotherton Park, Wirral. It's a great place for a walk, and even in the winter there is colour and beauty to be found.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Fun with clay and flowers

What do you do with a ball of clay? What does every artist need?

I know! A paint brush stand here's this weeks step by step:

Make a sausage. Precision engineering is now required to create brush shaped dips. Fingers are good for this.

Paint!
Paint is important - you want to avoid your brush stand being mistaken for a bar of Toblerone.
When mine was completely dry I applied a couple of coats of dark green acrylic paint and of course a few flowers.
The flowers are not botanically correct.

And voila!

See what Sarah did with her paint brushes and new stand by visiting sarahwoodart.com or check out the latest prints available on Imagekind.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

New Beginnings



January is quite a gloomy time of year. Here are some photo's I took at Ness Botanic Gardens on the Wirral. New life and promise. It is great to see plants springing into life.

Monday, January 2, 2017

Delamere Forest




The winter colours of the forest are beautiful. Delamere Forest in Cheshire is a lovely place to go walking. I visit the forest more often in the winter than the summer. The forest is a very popular place and is a little quieter in the winter months.
I always find when I go for a long walk that it helps to concentrate my mind on finding solutions to any painting problems I am having. 
There is nothing quite like walking in a forest.