TORRANCE GALLERY CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION 27TH NOVEMBER - 30TH DECEMBER

"Weather Coming In"

Acrylic 6x6

£150-

"Harvest Colours"

Acrylic 6x6

£150-

"Changing Colours"

Acrylic 6x6

£150-

"Autumn On The Riverbank"

Acrylic 6x6

£150-

I'm sorry if I seem to have been neglecting my blog these past fews days just a little busy. It's not that I haven't been producing I am but all are commissions so I can't even let you see them as works in progress. I will try to fit in a few small paintings in between everything else that seems to need doing. My new system that I was going to be starting hasn't I think I just have to content myself that everything will eventually get done and just relax. Funny how you never think of yourself being stressed until something set's you off. Last couple of days I've beeen having trouble with my internet connection....there is nothing that can raise your blood pressure like not being able to get on line or best still getting part way through doing something and losing a connection. Everything it would seem is back to normal, the dogs have come out of hiding and my brother feels safe to speak LOL.

The above paintings will be off to "Big Reekie" (Edinburgh) a week tomorrow for the Christmas Exhibition at the Torrance Gallery. The exhibition starts on the 27th November and runs until 30th December, it's a charming family run gallery and well worth a visit where Brian, Jo and Ian will be only to happy to make you welcome.

Walking in the clouds,mystical lakes and walking in Rabbie Burns footsteps

Drove up to Aberfeldy once again to deliver paintings this time for the forth coming Christmas Exhibition which starts on Saturday. Tossed a coin to see if I should attempt the Sma' Glen route at this time of year........as you can see the Glen won and as always it didn't disappoint. I know I've said this before but I wish I could show you just how huge and breath taking this glen is.....I know this probably looks like fog creeping in but it was actually clouds you'll see it better on the photo looking down into Aberfeldy.

Last time I passed there were fishermen out on the lake but today it was quiet, just me and the lake. There was a definate chill and I could almost feel the fingers of the lady of the lake reaching out to take me in...certainly wouldn't have been surprised if Excalibar rose from the centre lol.

Occassionly you manage to take a photograph that's quite special....I think this one is.....this is moisture from the clouds resting on the grasses alongside the lake...faerie tears...smile

Looking down into Aberfeldy as I came down the braes you get a better idea of how low the cloud is here.....don't you just love stane dykes :)

This is one of the falls at the Birks of Aberfeldy I didn't have time to walk up to the Falls of Moness but I'm told that it's breathtaking if what I saw was anything to go by then JRR Tolkien must have visited here because this is as near to Rivendell as you'll get, the woods are truly mystical and I swear you can hear then whispering :) ....oh and off course The Bard Rabbie Burns sat here and wrote the poem The Birks of Aberfeldy.

ABERFELDY GALLERY CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION NEWS

"Last Light"

Acrylic 6x6

£150-

"The Scraggy Tree"

Acrylic 6x6

£150-

"RipeningCrops"

Acrylic 6x6

£150-

"Dull and Overcast"

Acrylic 6x6

£150-

The invitations for the Aberfeldy Gallery's Christmas Exhibition will be popping through the doors of the gallery's client list today. I know cos I received mine today not that I'm a client, the four wee paintings above will be in the exhibition. The exhibition has an opening weekend on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th November and runs until Saturday 3rd January. Looking at the images on the invitation it's going to be a lovely exhibition and if anyone reading my blog can manage they won't be disappointed. There will be a large selection of the works on show on the gallery's website from this Saturday 7th November....worth a look www.aberfeldygallery.co.uk.

I also received in the post my invitations from the Torrance Gallery to send out to clients I haven't decided quite yet what I'll be sending there but will let you know in due course. So this evening I'll be putting addresses on invites and writing a couple off notes to clients who bought some paintings. I truly appreciate my clients if it wasn't for them and the motivation they give me I wouldn't be able to continue with the best job in the world :)

Thanks for visiting you all encourage me to paint everyday.

"SEA THE STARS" ACRYLIC

"Sea The Stars"

Portrait of a Champion

Copyright 2009 Elizabeth Mccrindle

Acrylic

6x7

£130- unframed

or

£150- with custom frame

The ideal Christmas gift for horse racing enthusiast

Enquiries to me or purchase with Paypal on my gallery blog

Managed to get it finished and photographed before we lost the light. It's the one thing I don't like about the winter months and when it's a wet day it's even worse, but after the shortest day on the 21st December it starts to get lighter.
I plan to do a larger portrait of Sea The Star in oils, you'll see it when it's done but probably be on the other side of Christmas as i have other fish too fry at the moment.
Thanks for visiting I hope you enjoy :)

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WORK IN PROGRESS "SEA THE STARS" PORTRAIT OF A CHAMPION

Have been so engrossed this morning on this wee study. Going in and out of the uglies at the moment but had to photograph the progress now as there won't be enough light later. Theres so much I see that needs to alter but thats the beauty of acrylics they dry so quickly. Some days I love my job :))

LITTLE RELAXATION....

After a night of rain this morning was bright and sunny so after seeing to the horses me and the dogs took a long walk. There is nothing too brighten the spirit than being at peace with nature.....enjoy part of the walk with us :)

Haven't a clue what this is but it was growing alongside the wee burn

Love the texture of these wet leaves

Now you might think there's nothing too special about this leaf but it was actually perched on the the twig and must have fallen from above it caught my eye rocking back and forth.


The Charolais were waiting for the farmer to come and top up their winter rations all cosied up together


Doing a little sun worshipping...smile

Winter coats and woollie ears

Hope you have lovely relaxing weekend where ever you are and that you have a not too scary but fun Halloween :)

WIP SEA THE STARS PORTRAIT OF A CHAMPION

Sorry not very good quality used the flash, thats me finished for tonight but look in again tomorrow for update :)

WORK IN PROGRESS "SEA THE STARS" PORTRAIT OF A CHAMPION

Little more progress this afternoon. As always when doing portraits I try to capture the eye first, once that's done everything else falls into place......most times :)

WORK IN PROGRESS PORTRAIT OF A CHAMPION "SEA THE STARS"

I honestly can't remember when my love affair with the thoroughbred horse started but when my friends were filling their bedroom walls with posters of their favourite hunks mine were filled with famous racehorses of the present and the past. I've got past covering my bedroom walls but I still collect photos and clippings and although I can't manage to many race meetings these days I still enjoy following racing on TV. The word superstar over the years gets banded about but this year a 'real' superstar brought racing to the fore not only to the racing crowd but also captured the imagination of the public not only in the UK but worldwide. Tall dark and very handsome, perfect manners, cruise control and a blinding turn off foot is what helped make Sea The Stars the superstar he is, that and the sprinkle of moondust....smile. Couldn't resist painting him.

"HARVEST COLOURS" ACRYLIC 6X6

"Harvest Colours"

Acrylic 6x6

Copyright 2009 Elizabeth McCrindle

£130- unframed

or

£150- with custom made frame

Available from my gallery blog using the paypal button or contact me by email

At last I was able just to sit down and get on with my art work today. I really enjoyed losing myself in this wee landscape, shutting out the world for a wee while. The reference's for this were taking a few weeks back when there were still leaves on the tree (its actually a group of hawthorns that has been allowed to sprout). I just love the shape of it, bent and ragged with the wind that whips across the fields in the winter. The fence itself could also do with a little straightning but I think that adds a little charm to the painting.

As always I'm grateful for you stopping by, come back tomorrow to see what's been happening in the studio.

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DOMINO EFFECT........

Don't you find that no sooner do you say your going to do something that the opposite happens. Today should have been the start of my new system whereby painting get's priority for the first four days of the week. How many paintings did I do or even start today.......NONE. Yesterday found me starting to clear stuff from the studio to give me more space and I have to say that I made good headway but.....one of the things I really need too dispense with is my old computer but before I could do that I had to make sure that everything I wanted was removed onto discs....namely reference photos, poor thing must have been choking with them. So, instead of being on the easel I was sifting through what and what not to keep. I THINK that's everything and now can begin disconnecting all the wires that ermmm never seen to get dusted, just getting rid off the moniter will give me more space ahhhhhhhhhh. Mind you the dear old thing owes me nothing while I owe it a lot for opening up a whole new world to me, some sadness but lots of laughter it deserves it's rest.

Did manage to prime some boards ready to start work tomorrow.....off course I have to go to Rozelle in the morning and I have an appointment in the afternoon......new system yeah!!!!! lol

Nearly forgot the photographs top two were on my walk this morning and the highland calf I took few weeks ago, those who follow will remember the Highland coos from back in June/July he's fairly growing :)

BRITISH SUMMERTIME ENDS AND A NEW SYSTEM STARTS IN THE STUDIO.....

This weekend sees the end of British Summertime and the clocks slip back an hour. The weather today seems to agree, on my walk this morning the sky was a deep duck egg blue and the leaves of the trees were whipping in the wind and filling the path before me. Joshua just ploughs through them whereas Spike his more refined brother tries to tippy toe through the spaces it's a delight to watch them. I noticed for the first time that the swans are starting to gather in what was the barley field, they and the soon to arrive geese come every year to graze. The Charolais family have developed woollie coats and their cream coats are starting to muddy with the damper weather, won't be long till they disappear into the winter sheds. Was annoyed with myself for not having my camera for I missed a photo shoot of two handsome greyhounds being walked by their owner, hopefully I'll meet them again.
Time to take stock in the studio which badly needs a good clearing and a possible move around. If I could get away with it I'd like to paint all day long but I really have to find a way to get everything done. My idea at the moment is to work four days where painting takes priority and three where all the other things like keeping house take priority. So this coming week my new system commences Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday are painting days and Friday, Saturday, Sunday is house keeping e.t.c.........seems so simple when you see it written down, wonder how long it will last lol.
Have a super weekend whatever your doing and thanks for looking at my blog :)

"GUS" ABERDEEN ANGUS ACRYLIC 6X6

"Gus"

Acrylic on board 6x6

£130- unframed

or

£150- framed

SOLD

Managed to get "Gus" finished last night but was too dark to photograph the painting so I had to wait until this morning. starting to feel I should have went with a different background colouring which would have complimented the portrait more, will try that with the next one. My next one on the easel is the stunning black Arabian stallion TDR White Stone (Peter to his friends) from the Three Day Ranch in California, I'm so grateful to Xena for allowing me to paint him. Will be doing a few studies of Peter and they won't be hurried so there will be some other paintings in between times......something to look forward to :))
Thanks for looking in, your visits are much appreciated, what's an artist without an audience :)

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WORK IN PROGRESS ABERDEEN ANGUS "GUS" ACRYLIC 6X6

Still working on "Gus" but not much more too do and then wer'e done. Have to say I've really enjoyed seeing him come to life he's a wee sweetie :)
Thanks for taking the time to look in :)

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WORK IN PROGRESS "GUS" ACRYLIC 6X6

Managed to get a good start on this wip this afternoon and quite pleased with how it's working out. Hoping to get a bit further this evening, little landscapes I can generally rattle off in a day but animals are different. I just seem to pick more at my animal portraits trying to capture the character of the animal I'm painting. This Aberdeen Angus bullock has a softness about him......he's definately found his feminine side. Think the wash looks a bit calmer as well lol. I really admire these artists who can rattle off animal portraits in a day, it's hard work. I joined the group of artists on Daily Painters International Art Gallery last week and I'm hoping I haven't bitten off more than I can chew.

Thanks for visiting come back and see how he turns out :)

WORK IN PROGRESS "GUS" ACRYLIC 6X6

Firstly I'm sorry about the quality of the image and the probable need for sunglasses. I had actually sketched out the head first as usual but obviously the ultramarine wasn't dry when I hit it with my rather over bright wash but I'm sure you can get the drift off what's coming.

I know I said (well maybe I said it to myself) that I wouldn't be doing anymore works in progress after the last disaster but really the whole point of this blog is a journal of my work for myself as well as for whoever comes across it. Originally back in January I started this with a view to promoting my work to the masses, well maybe not masses but for a bigger audience. I now realise that it will be a useful tool for me to watch progress and developement in my work, and, to do that you can only grow from your mistakes as well as success.

Although I've been a full time artist since 1996 my painting has had to take a back seat for a few years due to my Father's death at a point when things were starting to go well. I won't go into details of the following years where I also lost my Mother but my art which had always been my comfort left me and I couldn't paint. Over the last two years a change has begun and the hunger to paint has started to come back, it's up to me to continue to feed the hunger, because your only as good as your last painting.

Thanks for dropping in for a look.

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"DO NOT DISTURB" ACRYLIC 6X6

"Do Not Disturb"

Acrylic 6x6

£130- unframed

Available to purchase with Paypal on My Gallery Blog or contact me by email.

A little change today from landscapes with this little painting of an Aberdeen Angus. That look says it all she had found a nice dry spot and wasn't moving...quite right too I got my reference and left her in peace.
Thanks again for dropping in and having a look.

"DULL AND OVERCAST" ACRYLIC 6X6

"Dull and Overcast"

Acrylic 6x6

Click here for purchase information or contact me

This painting is just how I feel at the moment dull and overcast....not too mention a bouncing sore head. Looks like it's clearing in the distance so hope the paracetemol will brighten me...smile.
Thanks as always for popping in your following is appreciated :)

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SAVE THE CHILDREN ART EXHIBITION.......

"Sweetheart"

Acrylic 8x8

£200- SOLD

I finally managed some time off yesterday to go visit the Save The Children Art Exhibition at the Maclaurin Galleries, Ayr. The show is doing very well and people have generously been purchasing many of the lovely works on show, considering the so called credit crunch. I'm delighted to say that "Sweetheart" above has found a new home and I hope it will give it's new collectors many years of enjoyment, plus adding a little to this most worthy cause. "The Roosted Gate" is still to find it's forever home but the exhibition still has a couple off weeks to run so I'll keep my fingers crossed :))

"The Roosted Gate"

Acrylic 16x16

£500-

"WEATHER COMING IN" ACRYLIC 6X6

"Weather Coming In"

Acrylic 6x6

Click here for purchase information

I've been enjoying working on these wee 6x6's and this one is no exception. A typical Ayrshre landscape of rolling fields and big skies. No painting tomorrow as I'm going to view the Save The Children Art Exhibition at Ayr with a friend. We'll also have lunch at a really nice Garden Centre and have a browse around the shop while were there....not too mention be talking for Scotland lol.
Hope you have a lovely weekend whatever your doing and thanks for looking in :)

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"CHANGING COLOURS" ACRYLIC 6X6

"Changing Colours"

Acrylic 6x6

Click here for purchase details

Was difficult to get the colouring right on this one, the distant blues are more of a black blue but it's still quite a nice wee painting. Another one captured on my visit to Aberfeldy, this is looking across the fileds to the mountains.....sadly I don't know the name of this mountain but a couple of minutes after this it was shrouded in mist. Here a quick burst of sunshine was washing across the lowland make the white of the houses in the distance jump out.....typical Scotland the conditions cange in a blink of an eye.
As always thanks for taking the time to visit my blog.

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"AUTUMN ON THE RIVER BANK" ACRYLIC 6X6

"Autumn on the River Bank"

Acrylic 6x6

Click here for purchase details

A wee study from my visit to Aberfeldy of autumnal trees on the bank of the River Tay. The trees were just beginning to change, Perthshire is well known for it blaze of colour in Autumn. I took my dogs for a walk along the bank and have to say there isn't much space between you and a dooking in the Tay, was quite a wind whipping up as well but worth it nevertheless.
Thanks for looking and hope you enjoy the view.

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LIKE BUSES....

"Distant Hills"

Acrylic 8x8

SOLD

Selling paintings is a bit like buses, nothing and then two or three come at once. Not that I'm complaining in anyway in fact I'm over the moon and long may it continue. It's something you have to be prepared for as a professional artist and hope that the lean months balance out with the fruitful ones.
Now I should have been working like a trojan at the easel but I really needed to weed at the front of the house as tomorrow rain is forecast...it's done and all in all has been not a bad day :)
Hope yours is a good one and thanks for looking in.

Something Good At Last.....

"Summer Hedgerow"

Acrylic 6x6

SOLD

At last a bright spell to the week sold "Summer Hedgerow" one of the paintings I took up to Aberfeldy last Sunday. It doesn't take much too lift the spirit of an artist but selling something you've created always hit's the spot and the disaster's that have been coming from the easel are swiftly swept aside....we're a fickle lot lol. Other good news I've been able to get my printer running on this stinky Vista, getting used to new laptop slowly but surely.

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LAST WORK IN PROGRESS.....

Well this work in progress didn't come along the way I would have liked. Mostly I think it was a concentration thing for my part...or lack of it. Have had a busy week with one thing or another and never got my usual run at this painting.......I know excuses, excuses lol anyway this is how it finished......will be better luck next time.

MORNING IN MAXWELL PARK.....

This weekend I've got three paintings in the Retail Trust Exhibition being held at Pollockshields Burgh Hall in Glasgow and today I took them up for the handing in. The paintings I'm exhibiting can be found in My Vitual Gallery . Was a lovely crisp sunny morning and although I've been exhibiting here for quite a few years this was the first time I actually took time to visit the Maxwell Park where the building resides. It was a breath of fresh air and well worth the visit, could hardly believe I was in Glasgow. Had my camera with me so thought I'd share some of the things that caught my eye.......I was particularly delighted with the charming little Mallard who was letting everyone in the park know how wonderfully happy he was to be alive :))

WIP CALF STUDY ACRYLIC 6X6

Have to apologise my heart hasn't really been in my work today and this is a dismal work in progress. Not much done and definately at the ugly stage hopefully there will be something worth looking at tomorrow.

NOTE:- Have just read on Carol's blog The Writer's Porch that she hasn't been able to post on my blog. You have my apologies if you having been trying to leave a post and couldn't, thanks to Carol this has hopefully been solved :)

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MORE PROGRESS ON THE CALF STUDY - ACRYLIC 6X6

Had fun this morning working up this study of a calf. Using Burnt Sienna and French Ultramarine I've been building up form and establishing where my light is coming from. Have an appointment this afternoon but hopefully I might get started on colour this evening.

Enjoy your art where ever you are :)

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WIP STUDY OF A CALF

This is a rough sketch of another wee calf study, should have been further along with it but got held up with my new laptop. Everything is in the wrong place, worded differently and it's being a proper tease at times. Add to that some of the software on my old computer won't work with Vista including my printer grrrrrrrr. Never mind better than having no computer at all :)
Off to walk the dogs while it's still dry.

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IMAGES FROM ABERFELDY.......

Had a lovely day in Aberfeldy yesterday, was up delivering work to the Aberfeldy Gallery but had my camera with me as usual and took a few snaps........well more thean a few but haven't had time to sift through them all....the river was pretty high and running fast but I was brave and took the dogs along the bank..... not too brave when it comes to water.

These guys were an absolute delight and seemed to come from every corner of the river. Don't think I've ever come across 'wild' ducks that were so friendly....they even came out the water and followed us along the bank lol. As you can see Autumn has arrived in the gateway to the Highlands and the leaves are dropping from the trees.

Two shots from the Black Watch Monument, I love this statue and always when time permits come for a visit to it when I'm in Aberfeldy. I love too touch it which might sound odd but I think the whole object off statues or any kind of carving should be felt as well as looked at. As I'm sure you'll all know the Black Watch is one of Scotlands best known and gallant regiments and even though our government thought fit to amalgamate all our Scottish regiments into one i will always think of them as seperate.

OFF TOO ABERFELDY TOMORROW

Taking these three paintings up to Aberfeldy tomorrow to replace the three I sold earlier. Keeping my fingers crossed that the weather will be fine and I can get some decent images of the lovely Perthshire countryside. From the top they are "Bella", "Summer Hedgerow" and "Flaxen Hair".

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"THROUGH THE MIDDLE" ACRYLIC 8x8

"Through The Middle"

Acrylic 8x8

Click here for purchase details

You can just about see the turning of the colour to the landscape in this wee painting. The wee burn is winding it's way to the sea and will join the river Irvine further down the way. This view is taken from the old stone bridge on Southook Road. There used to be mines and a brickwork but all have succumbed to age, though yesterday I was watching them plough the field on the left hand side of this field and they had a boy scooting about picking up stones and bricks definate left overs :). Was a challenge for me too split the greens into their forty shades but I'm happy enough with the end result.

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WIP THROUGH THE MIDDLE.....

Well back at last with a new work in progress. Not very sure of my laptop having a problem with my screen after spending eight years looking at a screen ahead of me feels odd looking down. Also having to make do with the photo program on it for the moment....ok moaning over. I really enjoyed being back at the easel this afternoon. This landscape is off a wee burn (scottish for stream) that meander's through some farmland not far from my home. The different greens are going to be a challenge as well as the reflections on the strip of water.

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I'M BACK.......SORT OFF

Just a quick post to let you all know I've haven't disappeared into cyber space. My old dinosaur of a computer finally decided it had had enough of me and slammed on the brakes. Just in case you haven't already guessed I'm not the most tech savvy person on the block....it's a case of I can manage as long as it's going and being a creature of habit my old timer....well I knew where everything was. I've now got a new laptop....eeeeeekk and you'll have to bare with me as we get too know each other. Eight years down the road I'll have it off pat lol........will be back soon with some new work for you to see :))

"THE ROOSTED GATE" ACRYLIC 16 X 16

"The Roosted Gate"

Acrylic 16 x 16

Click here for purchase information

All done, I'm quite pleased with this one I like the rich colours and I have to say the photos don't quite do it justice. This is one of the paintings I'm sending to the Annual Save The Children Exhibition I receive an invitation to every year. The exhibition will be held from 28th September till the 25th October at the Maclaurin Galleries, Rozelle Park, Ayr, if you get the chance the show is well worth a visit. 40% off the proceeds from the sale off the paintings goes too this worthy cause.

WORK IN PROGRESS....."THE ROOSTED GATE"

Nearly at the end....if there ever is such a thing with a painting, there is always another little tweak to be done. Been happy with what I've accomplished today and now it's time for a little break before I tackle the foreground.

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ARABIAN HORSES.....LOOKING FOR MODELS

I’m hoping to start a series of paintings of Arabian horses and I’m looking for reference photographs too work from. Any owners out there who would like to put their horse forward can send images to me. Photographs must have taken by yourself and not by a professional photographer. Looking for anything head studies, full body, mares, foals, stallions e.t.c would love some in traditional costume. Those who love Arabians don’t need me to tell them that their beauty is mystical and they are an artists dream. I will off course give credit for the reference photos, the horses name, your name and your stud/farm’s name plus I’ll even give you first refusal on the painting…though this is definitely not a ploy to get you too buy. Thanking you in advance……Elizabeth