works on paper, a new muse, gardening and sourdough!

Exploring works on paper, a new muse, gardening and sourdough!

Happenings over the summer.

Summer???? well that didn’t really happen up here in Scotland, there weren’t 2 consecutive days of sun during July into August. One day our hopes would rise with the sight of blue sky but then it would be dashed the next day as the wind brought in the clouds and drizzle. However, I wasn’t complaining as I spent most of the time in Arran, where everyday I am grateful to be surrounded by such beauty and quietude.

Works on paper

Whilst the rain fell and the gales rocked my caravan I happily painted inside, on paper instead of panels or canvas. I looked at photos that I had taken for inspiration, however I found that what I was painting was coming through subconsciously. I have spent so many hours walking along the shoreline or gazing across the sea that the designs transfer from my memory to the page. It’s a lovely mindful activity to just get the paints out and sweep strokes across the paper…..and see what happens!!

Then when I got home I framed them with card mounts.

I’m really pleased with them and exhibited them at the ‘Now and then’ show at Dalkeith palace, where I sold one of them!

I have some more paintings of various sizes that are just waiting to be framed in the same way, which I will let you know about before I put them on my website.

Is that all?

Well seeing as you asked (!!) I also had a play around with creating some collages in my sketchbook, using papers that I had previously printed on with my gelli plate.

I really love these little contemporary abstracted landscapes and these could possible be something I explore more in the next series of work.

Another island muse.

As many of you know I created a whole series inspired by my love of the Holy lsle, seen from the shores of Lamlash in Arran.

But whilst exploring over the summer I found the beautiful village of Kildonan where you can gaze across to the far away Ailsa Craig, as well as the closer isle of Pladda, which you can see on the right.

So I made a few sketches which I then used as inspiration for the next collection of paintings.

These 2 are hanging in Saltwater Gallery, in Arran, ready to purchase. They are a longer format than I usually do and are just of Ailsa Craig.

However I am just about to finish a couple of square ones that also include Pladd . They will probably wing their way to the same Gallery too.

A few other of my favourite things

I have been redesigning my garden over the summer, creating some areas where I can grow a few vegetables and salad amongst the flowers. I have spent a lot of time perusing garden centres to source perennial flowers and have ordered some beautiful bulbs that I must get around to planting soon.

I adore all the colour that these flowers bring, which might even lead me to creating some paintings on this theme.

I have also had a go at making my own sourdough rye bread. Having always bought it from the supermarket I couldn’t believe how expensive it was getting.

However now I appreciate just how much work is involved! But I’m sticking with it as it’s always enjoyable to eat something you have made yourself, knowing that there isn’t any hidden additives included.

What’s next?

I have been asked to take an art class, over on Arran at the beginning of October. I will be sharing my techniques of how I create these charcoal drawings of people’s pets.

I must admit I am a bit nervous,but I’m sure the fellow artists will be kind!

Please do contact me if you would like a portrait of your pet, or maybe you want to gift a drawing to someone special.

Many thanks for taking an interest in my work, it really does mean a lot that you have opened and read this email.

If you think someone else would like to read this then please don’t hesitate to forward it on to them.

Go well, until next time

Lisa

www.lisaderrick.co.uk