Art Fair update

After my anxious rant last month I thought you might like to know how the Bath Art Fair went. Well I suppose it depends on one’s measurement criteria. In financial terms it was okay if you don’t count my time or my poor husband who helped me all day! I sold one oil painting of the lovely Dipper, a mini canvas of a lemon on a blue plate and a handful of other things. We felt it was a bit quiet but going by other stallholders we actually did very well. As I am new to all this I get the feeling that artists use the Fair more as a showcase so next time I might change tack. I have an idea brewing for my next one in August but don’t know if I will have the time to do it.

Having said a fond farewell to my Dipper, I thought I’d show some of my bird paintings starting with the Kingfisher. We have one down by the river here but I’ve only managed to spot it twice. Painting the ripple was extremely satisfying!

The four paintings above (apologies for the poor quality of the photo) are all inspired by my trips to Wales. There are a pair of nuthatches that visit right outside my cottage and the first stonechat I ever knowingly saw was perched on a fern looking like he was dressed in black tie with a wing collar! The Dipper was in the stream nearby and the yellow Siskin was a real thrill to see for the first time by the lake.

A more exotic bird now that I see in Egypt, the Pied Kingfisher (black charcoal on white and then white charcoal on black paper). I love the way they hover above the water and then dive straight as a spear…

And finally a jaunty cock pheasant in watercolour and an owl done in more of a modern style with inks and tea and wine (yes, tea and wine - I think it was a Malbec but I can’t remember ). I like the owl’s eyes but not happy with the rest but it was an interesting experiment.

I actually participated in and filmed a Tawny Owlet rescue a few weeks ago with a passer-by. It was by a footpath in a wood nearby and when we rang the Owl Trust they recommended moving it up to a nearby tree out of the way of inquisitive dogs. I put the film on my Instagram - here’s a link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtYxkH9vr3O/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

I tried in vain to capture the fluffiness of this little chap so I will have to try again sometime.

That’s all for now. If anything above is of interest please contact me directly. Thank you for your support. Do get in touch with any thoughts or suggestions. Have a great July!

Susan