Tuesday, 9 February 2010

FROM THE SCRAP BOOK.........


Last night while I was reading through some of my favourite blogs I was reminded of Sir Edwin Landseer's stunning painting "The Monarch of the Glen". A friend of mine has a print of this work hanging in her hall and I love looking at it, in fact it moves me to tears (those, I'll never be able to paint like this tears), even in the print you can see the delicate work that goes into sculpting the stags face and yet it is a powerful painting positively oozing with testosterone. Landseer painted a lot of deer on the hills of Scotland and I was actually looking for another of one with hinds on the hillside but sadly haven't found it. Wyoming artist Gary Keimig is planning a painting of a herd of deer he and his wife found when on their journies. And this is what made me think of Landseer, wish I could have found the painting with the hinds to show Gary how Landseer tackled it but I'm looking forward just has much to see Gary's rendering of the subject. The other painting is also a Landseer at it is of a Newfoundland which he is also well known for depicting. In fact the dog's are also know as Landseer dogs.
Well I'm off to do a wee landscape as Aberfeldy will be needing images for the Spring Exhibition Catalogue next week and I'm also planning a large mares and foals painting (which will take a bit longer)....must be Spring fever setting in..lol. I actually was supposed to up at Perth today but had a change of plans when Mr B's horse Do It For Dalkey was entered by Lucinda to run at Sedgefield this afternoon, finger's crossed for him but more importantly a safe return.
Thanks as always for looking in and have a great day where ever you are.

Sunday, 7 February 2010

LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME.....




Corgi
Acrylic image size approx. 13x11
Offers
copyright Elizabeth McCrindle
This wee corgi has been hanging at the top of my stairs for quite a while and as I'm just about to start decorating he's really looking for a new home. Can't say why no one love's him cos he is quite a handsome fella. When I started painting full time I painted him to take to dog shows along with paintings of various other breeds to help drum up commission work but while all the others have been long sold this wee orphan remained unwanted.....can you hear the violins in the background...smile.
There really has to be someone out there who either loves Corgi's or collects dog paintings or even contemplating starting to collect. This is his last chance before being relegated to storage unseen and unwanted but definately too good for the dreaded paint over...totally house trained, won't chew the furniture and doesn't need walked......make me an offer :) Sorry about the hazy photos he's under glass which has made it a bit foggy.

Friday, 5 February 2010

LOW CLOUD ON NORTH BEACH ACRYLIC 16X16

Low Cloud on North Beach
Acrylic 16x16
£500-
Available all enquiries should come to me.
copyright Elizabeth McCrindle
A promise of Summer to come that will chase away anyone's winter blues. The photo really doesn't do justice to this beach scene, of the rough grasses in bloom on the North Beach at Ardrossan. The clouds are sitting low in the sky with dark clouds coming in from the sea holding rain that never fell.
Thanks for looking in from where ever you are, come back soon, and bring your friends.

Thursday, 4 February 2010

SOMETHINGS JUST MAKE YOU SMILE.....

Now I know I was a bit of a misery guts this weekend but believe it or not I'm a smiley person. Loads of things make me smile, a song on the radio, an advert on TV, a quote, favourite film, a good book, a breath taking view, I could go on and on the list would be endless. But there are seven things that REALLY make me smile, a warm glowing smile that starts somewhere in your heart and spreads out, heating your whole body so that you can't stop yourself smiling. Family, close friends, my pets, horses, art and Robins I won't believe anyone who sees a little robin darting backwards and forwards doesn't smile. And yes I know that's only six but there are somethings I like to keep just for myself, but they know :)
This wee guy is so fast it's normally so hard to get more than a quick shot at him with the camera but this morning he was virtually posing for me, showing off actually would be better. In fact if I had an SLR camera I would have got the most amazing photos of him landing at my feet then scooting over to the dogs and dancing around them but he was too fast for this one.


Ok...check out my wings I can hold them behind my back

Right get the breast now...and a little profile of my face


He actually followed us back to the car.......think this was the competition of who could hold their breath the longest.... he won LOL. It certainly made my day and I'm still smiling while typing this....hope it made you smile too.


http://www.e-mccrindleart.co.uk

Wednesday, 3 February 2010

MMMM....MAYBE SPOKE TOO SOON


copyright 2010 Elizabeth McCrindle

You have my permission to tell me too shut up and just get on with it. Though in defence I did say the more you paint the more you learn. Having nothing to lose I decided to broaden between the eyes and the nose and I feel now I've got more of a likeness, so that said I'll plod on a little longer with this and see how it turns out...no patience that's my problem, I want it finished yesterday. Worked more on the eye as well and I'm better pleased with that, the eye is very important to me which is one of the reasons I start there normally when the eye its right everything else falls into place. Well that's my theory :)

NOT QUITE RIGHT WITH WIP...BUT

Worked a little more last night on the painting and although I'm enjoying it there was a niggle coming in my head that it wasn't quite right. Slept on it and knew for certain when I looked at it this morning it wasn't the mare I'm supposed to be painting. She's a lovely big solid Thoroughbred broodmare while this is a little too delicate, so it's back to the drawing board, sift through the reference photos and come up with a better angle. Going to carry on with this one as someone might love it when it's done and more so cos practice makes perfect and you always learn something with every painting.
Another chilly morning (-5) but enjoyed my walk with the boys, felt like we were the only one's left on the planet even the birds were hiding this morning. Off course had my camera with me so you could enjoy some of the sights with me..........


More frosted corn but with a little more colour too it this morning.

These mini cones caught my eye in the passing, so pretty with their dusting of frost.

There are drains on both sides of the country walk to catch the water coming from the fields and I just loved the icicles hanging from the grasses looks like a mini chandelier :)
Well best be off for now much to be done. Thanks as always for looking in :)
All photographs and images are the copyright of Elizabeth McCrindle

Tuesday, 2 February 2010

WORK IN PROGRESS BAY MARE....

A lot happier now working in colour still a longs way to go but I'm pleased with how it's coming on. Probably finished for the day now as it's time to re-stock the cupboards so the Supermarket beckons. Though the temptation as always of the easel might just tempt me again this evening. Be back tomorrow :)

WORK IN PROGRESS BAY MARE...

Just started a new portrait of a lovely Thoroughbred mare. Had started to do a rough draft in ultra marine and sienna but stopped and I'll now got back to my normal mode of getting the eye in first and working my way out. I know I should try something different and go 'out of the box' but there's also something to be said of staying in your comfort zone and going the easy route. I'm also thinking about including some smaller studies but wondering if that would make it to crowded......I'll think about it. Feels good to be painting :)) will hopefully update some more progress this evening but if not I'll be here tomorrow.

http://www.e-mccrindleart.co.uk
http://art-fromscotland.blogspot.com/


Monday, 1 February 2010

BETTER FRAME OFF MIND....


Today I feel in a much better frame off mind, walking most definately helps when your mood is a little dreicht. Well it certainly helps to improve mine. Yesterday was cold but sunnier and the wind had gone....that made a huge difference, cheeks were just rosey instead of burnished lol. Took myself off to see my wee herd of Highland coos, they are always able to lift my spirits with their shaggy but sweet hairdos...smile. Had a surprise to find that the herd has had new additions which includes a wee bull he's the top photo...just gorgeous.

Another sharp frost this morning but no sunshine, not much light for photographs but I did like this clump of corn which is growing outside of the field....love the texture, colour was much better in real life but I quite like the photo.

This guy was causing great commotion amongst the other birds particularly the crows. He's a huge buzzard, I've been trying to photograph him for weeks and typically when I've got my camera he's too far away to snap. Take my word for it he's magnificent to see up close. The reason the crows were getting so hot and bothered as yesterday he nabbed one of them, swiped it clean of the hedge it was sitting on...warned Spike and Josh to stay close lol.
Well I've got a board on the easel waiting for me to start and my heart feels ready to create thanks for looking in and pop back soon.

All images are copyright of Elizabeth McCrindle

http://www.e-mccrindleart.co.uk/

http://art-from-scotland-gallery.blogspot.com/

Saturday, 30 January 2010

BIT OUT OFF SORTS.....



Was still in the doldrums this morning when I woke, can't think where this has come from but whatever it is has had me in a black mood these last few days. Not in a grumpy way just like something is weighing you down, squeezing your heart...winter blues, hormones don't know but after wiping out three try's at a painting yesterday I decided today a long walk was in order. Been a lot milder off late but this morning we have dropped back to minus five with a wind chill of much lower. So with camera slung round my neck, collars zipped up, hat pulled down and gloves on I marched along the country walk, determined to shift the black cloud....with two rather disgruntled wee dogs tagging along in my wake, they don't like to be hurried, you can't smell and hurry. Read somewhere that walking is one of best aids for lifting your spirits, have to say they could be right, still not a hundred percent but do feel a little brighter. Well I will when or if I ever get feeling back into my face lol. Camera helped too I find I relax when I'm shooting away......took these on my 'march', my favourite has to be the bottom one of the wee sparrow, he looks a bit like how I feel....smile.
Hopefully I'll be back soon chirpier than ever, till then have a great weekend where ever you are and thanks for dropping in.

Thursday, 28 January 2010

EYE BEEN A LITTLE DISTRACTED.......

A doodle from the sketchpad

Been a distracting couple of days when everything I seem to touch goes belly up and my concentration is all over the place.......except where it should be. Had a sudden urge to clear out stuff that has been needing cleared for long enough.....I think Spring must just be around the corner and I'm in a tiding up my nest mode...lol. Should be back to normal soon as I've got a wee board on the easel ready to do a landscape and another board primed and stained to start new commission. EYE'll be back soon...:)))

Sunday, 24 January 2010

HURRICANE JACK WIP FINISHED........

Hurricane Jack
Oils 24x20
There comes a time in a painting when you or I should say I have too stop... my Mum used to say "Less is more", and that is something that should be remembered when painting, it is so easy to over cook, and it won't be the first or probably last when I'll do that. My other famous war cry is, this has been a begger to photograph and is a little darker in the flesh so to speak than what I see on my screen. I am happy with the painting and it's been a joy to do, but we shall have to wait and see what Jack's owner thinks.
Been a productive week painting and behind the scenes work. Have managed to get my website, that would be the website that I managed to lose not once but twice back online. It is still under construction but at least there is something to see. Other thing I've been trying to do is go through my whole blog and organise the labels.......thing was a mile long and I'm trying to put them into easier subjects. That should make it easier for everyone to find there favourite subject.
I've also changed the wording in my header a little, instead of Diary of a Scottish artist it now reads Journal, after all my promises to do a daily blog didn't materialise seemed more appropriate to be a journal than a diary....bet I post every day now lol.
As always thanks for popping in for a visit and I appreciate all your comments.

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

CRACKING ON.....

Hurricane Jack (work in progress)
Was up bright and early this morning (mind you I always am) and was so keen to get back to the painting that I haven't cleaned out the horses......boy will I get grumpy looks when I go up in a mo. It's strange though you start to get to a stage where your almost frightened you're going to do something really stupid and make a real plonker of it. My concentration has started to wane a little so it's time for a step back, lunchtime anyway :). Better have some lunch....food for the mind and also better go and clean out the stalls.
You know there are times when I REALLY love my job :)

Monday, 18 January 2010

WEE BIT FURTHER ON WITH JACK......

Hurricane Jack
Oils
Work in Progress
I know it probably doesn't look as if I've done much, but there is a lot of subtle work been done that you won't see unless your standing at my shoulder watching me paint. If truth be told I should have been further forward but I took a couple of days off to re-charge from the computer drama lol. There's even the possiblity that it would have been framed and ready to head to it's new home if the computer hadn't frazzled me. But what if's don't cut it, you have roll with the punches and get on with it.
A wee rest now and again can't do any harm so I made the most of the my time off. Managed to get back onto the country walk with the boys as all the snow and ice has well and truly been washed away, it blew a few cobwebs away and the boys re-acquainted themselves with forgottten smells :)
Still not sure why I lost my web pages but I'll get it up running again asap but my priority at the moment is to get the outstanding commissions completed, everything else will just have to wait :)
As always thank you for looking in.....come back soon and bring a friend :)
........just noticed I've had just over 7000 visits to my blog in a year, guess your already bringing some friends along :)))

Saturday, 16 January 2010

ARRRRGGGGHHHH......


The Scraggy Tree
Acrylic 6x6
£150- SOLD
copyright Elizabeth McCrindle

I know in the great scheme off things my problems this week are just pebbles in the pond. I can't begin to comprehend what is happening to the poor people of Haiti...such devastation...they are in my thoughts and prayers :(.
For me everything seemed to start off ok but then seemed to spiral downwards.....started with niggling problems with my computer, something I obviously did cos as you know it's new, those seem to have been fixed with a system restore. But and there is always a but, in doing the restore I lost my Flashxp that I use to load my website....no problem just download it again.......I'm taking a deep breath now so that I won't swear on my Blog, most unlady like and something I never do :). For some reason unknown to me while uploading new detail on my website I have managed to lose my website. That would be the website I have been painstakingly rebuilding....just as well you can't see the steam coming from my ears. But more importantly than that it has been all the wasted energy spent working on these omputer problems and not painting. So I've had enough I really don't care anymore if my website is not up and running, I've also had my fill of Twitter and Facebook is sailing close to the wind, I have no doubt that some find them good for promoting work but I find they just take up time that could be better spent......so that's my rant for the day over and I feel the better off it. Going to have some lunch now take a deep breath then paint some......oh nearly forgot one good bit of news sold The Scraggy Tree (above). Well, hopefully I'll be back soon in a better mood, thanks for taking the time to listen to my grumbles....don't be put off and come back soon when I'll be in a better mood and will have something to show from the easel :)

Tuesday, 12 January 2010

NOTHING AND NO ONE STOPS AT ARLARY HOUSE......

Silver By Nature
copyright Elizabeth McCrindle

Hurricane Jack (work in progress)
copyright Elizabeth McCrindle
The thaw is on at last, mind you with it comes trouble. With all the snow gone we’re left with nothing but solid ice, a bit like walking on a glacier in parts. The last couple of days I’ve been breaking up the afore mentioned ice and sweeping for Scotland, so there hasn’t been any production at the easel. I really shouldn’t moan because I’ve been following Lucinda Russell’s website and she and her team having been doing an amazing job keeping things moving at her Arlary House Stables in Kinross. Lucinda is a leading Scottish Racehorse Trainer and she trains both Silver By Nature and Hurricane Jack (above). I felt more than a little guilty about moaning after reading their news page on the website, check out the photo on 10th January....amazing.
Well I’m off to get ready for a dentist appointment ....what joy..lol ....never mind spring is just around the corner....well the wee guy below thinks so :)

Youthful Exhuberance
Acrylic 8x8
SOLD
Private collection
copyright Elizabeth McCrindle



Saturday, 9 January 2010

WORK IN PROGRESS OIL ON BOARD....


Worked quite a bit on Jack's portrait this afternoon, been a wee while since I've painted with oils and I forgot just how good it feels and how smooth they flow. Don't get me wrong I enjoy the speed of working with acrylics especially when things are to a deadline but you seem to be able to manoeuvre oils....like sculpting with paint. Over this year I hope to be revisiting the mediums I have used in the past, so I'll be dusting off my box of pastels,but, I'm ashamed to say it's been so long since I used watercolours I shall have to renew them.
It's being something of a challenge with the portrait. Jack has odd markings which I'm trying to capture but I also have to take care to show his bone structure. Being grey his markings will disappear with age and his coat will become paler and eventually white but his owner wants him painted now while you can still see them.
I would normally just work on one portrait at a time but I think I might try having a few on the go, one to see if I can do it and two to make it a little more interesting for those who are looking in....can't be much fun watching paint dry :)
Thanks as always for looking in.

Thursday, 7 January 2010

WORK IN PROGRESS OIL ON BOARD

Work in progress
oil on board
copyright Elizabeth McCrindle
Had meant to have a lot more of this done today but have had a migraine which of course alters my sight somewhat, will go for the complete sympathy vote with, I've got ear ache too. Definately down to the wintry weather we've been having off late. Seems we are in for more of a big freeze but guess we will just have to grin and bear it. They're are loads getting it worse than us with having power cut off and a lot of farmers sheds roofs are caving in with the weight of the snow...think I can suffer a bit off a sore ear.
Think I might have made a boo boo with the drawing on this will know better once I've blocked more in, hopefully will be feeling better after a good night's sleep, and raring to go tomorrow.
Thanks as always for the visit.

Monday, 4 January 2010

Isn't it typical........

Isn’t it just typical….yesterday’s post was all about what I was going to be doing in the studio and how I was going to post everyday. Well I am posting, but sorry, no work in progress, not even a sketch. I actually should have been to Edinburgh to pick up my work from the Torrance Gallery but this awful weather we’ve been having put the shebang in that. Not that the roads were too bad, the problem is still no running water at the stables and I’m carrying water up three times a day……I’m starting to resemble Clyde the Orang-utan just about the arms off course. Mind you I did have a tidy in the studio, I can actually step quite a bit away from the easel now, without fear of falling over anything and I organised some of my reference photographs. I also cut some MDF and even gessoed some so that has to count for something…preparation. Most likely though it will be the grey lad above I’ll be working on tomorrow…..you’ll remember him from previous posts, he‘s a bit errmm overdue.
Before I go I’d like to let you know about a beautiful new Gallery that has just opened it’s doors called The Dancing Light Gallery (isn’t that a wonderful name) it’s situated in the Scottish Borders and it’s a new venture for it’s owner Helen Bell.
Well I’m off to make a wee cuppa tea…still got some shortbread left Linda :))

http://www.e-mccrindleart.co.uk/
http://art-from-scotland-gallery.blogspot.com/
http://imagesandwords-from-caledonia.blogspot.com/

Sunday, 3 January 2010

2010

"Did I Hear My Name"
Acrylic 12x12
Private Collection
copyright Elizabeth McCrindle
Well that's it, the decorations are back in the loft packed away with the memories of the years gone by and the holidays are over. It’s time now to concentrate on the year ahead and the goals, I know I mentioned resolutions in an earlier post but I’m not really a resolution person, no sooner are they made than they’re broken.
Focus is a better word, this year I’m going to be focussed on being a better artist and to be better means more time not only at the easel but getting back to the basics of drawing. I seem to be a collector of sketch pads with nothing in them, lovely, scary, white virgin pages too good to put a mark on….not anymore, they are going to be doodled on till they’re full to bursting.
I’ve managed to get my website back online so I’ll also be developing it throughout the year. I had started a Gallery Blog when I lost my website (when my trusty old computer died) but I think I’ll keep it going as you can’t have too many avenues for people to see your work. This is my main blog, you could say my studio diary. I am going to try my very best to post everyday (I will, honest), not a painting a day as I can’t handle the pressure of that, just the news about that days work, a sketch, a work in progress, news of commissions or exhibitions and off course images of finished pieces.
“Do one thing, do it the best you can”, was sound advice given to the American artist Booth Malone. Horses are my thing and I’m never happier than when with them or painting them. I want to concentrate on them this year to make them breathe and in order to do that I have to improve in other not so easy to do subjects…namely their two legged companions, that’s my challenge this year. Off course I’ll also be doing my little rural landscapes, dogs and one or two wee coos. Hoping to get into one or two new galleries and maybe submitting work to one or two of the Federation of British Artists open exhibitions at the Mall Galleries.
It’s a brand new year an exciting one…….hope you’ll be looking.

Friday, 1 January 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.......

"Chesnut with the Blue Silks"
Acrylic 8x8
£250- SOLD
Copyright Elizabeth McCrindle
Wishing everyone who pops in to read my Blog a very Happy New Year and a big thank you too for taking the time to visit, especially those of you who leave comments. I have a feeling that this year is going to be a good one and I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of creating after the holiday break. I have a few commissions already in the pipeline but the more the merrier so if anyone is wondering where to channel the money gifts they recieved at Christmas, why not invest in Art. The little study above is sold but I can easily create something similar but always unique and this is a good starter size for a new collector.
Well I'm off to watch some TV with some shortbread and a cup of tea...perfect start to 2010.

Wednesday, 30 December 2009

New Year's resolution......People painting.....

"Irish Eyes" Oil on board 20x24
copyright Elizabeth McCrindle
This portrait is one of about five, six at most portraits I've ever done and I mean in a life time, ok doesn't include jockeys wearing goggles or teeny wee riders with featureless faces. I could make the excuse that it's because I've been so busy painting horses, dogs landscapes e.t.c. I don't have time, but I think it's more being really way out of my comfort zone. Could also lie in the fact that I'm not really a people person, I communicate so much easier with animals, I don't have the same empathy with people. So my New Year's resolution this year is to do more people paintings....my fingers trembled as I typed that lol......well baby steps first, I'll start with little studies first and work my way up, yep feel braver already :)
Not into the New Year just yet so I'm off to look for something safe to paint. Thanks as always for looking in, have a great day where ever you are.

Tuesday, 29 December 2009

"COLD LANDSCAPE" ACRYLIC 8X8

"Cold Landscape"
Acrylic 8x8
£250- SOLD
Copyright Elizabeth McCrindle
This painting is sold but if you are interested in having something similar commissioned, enquiries should come to me.
The snow has thawed a little since last week but not much and today a sharp wind has started to get up, fairly makes your cheeks pink. Have been trying to take things easy and relax, I'm not finding that easy and will probably find myself back at the easel tomorrow. It's all so confusing as I can't even think what day tomorrow will be lol.......oh for the 2nd January and back to some normality.
Have got my website back on line, but no doubt will play with it for a little while till it's jusat right :)
Thanks as always for popping in :)

Sunday, 27 December 2009

Relaxing, eating, watching TV and planning new Website

"Whiter Shade of Pale"
Pastel 12x14
Private Collection
Commission enquiries can come to me.
Well I hope you all had a lovely Christmas, I certainly enjoyed it, relaxed, ate and watched some tv. Yesterday I was thrilled to see top chaser Kauto Star make it four in a row in Kempton's Boxing Day King George. It was a breath taking display of faultless jumping, while all the others seemed to be running in wellington boots he looked as if he had a spring board helping him over each fence, sheer class.
From what I've heard the commissions have gone down a treat with lots of smiles all round....including me, it's always nice to hear the blood, sweat and tears have been worth it.
Have been working on a new website, my original kinda dying along with my old computer, have bought new software and have been finding my way through it......hopefully it will be up and running soon.
Well I'm off to put my feet up again before going to the yard to see if we can get the water running to fill up the water butts......my arms have stretched a good couple of inches these last few days carrying water containers. Hope your having a lovely time where ever your reading from, and thanks as alwaysfor looking.

Tuesday, 22 December 2009

GREAT DANE FINISHED

copyright 2009 Elizabeth McCrindle

Last Christmas commission finished so can relax a little now and look forward to the Christmas break and we really do have a White Christmas. Was lovely just sitting tonight all the Christmas scented tealights twinkling, watching the snow falling past the window.
Finished the Dane today and will frame it up tomorrow, fingers crossed they like it but have to blow my trumpet and say I do it's very striking.
Well I've had some lovely Danish cookies and a wee glass of Bailey's and I'm now off to bed. I hope the spirit of Christmas is warming you where ever you are and thanks for dropping by :)

Monday, 21 December 2009

GREAT DANE PORTRAIT WORK IN PROGRESS


Funny how things keep getting in the way when your on a deadline....weather is causing chaos...plus have a doctors appointment tomorrow and have to take my brother to the dentist Wednesday and off course all the other little niggly things that delibrately happen to annoy me....bah humbug.
All that said I'm enjoying painting this Great Dane....she's such a gorgeous elegant dog like a super model don't you think? She's my last Christmas commission and has to be ready for Wednesday, eek so I'll be back to the easel after this wee break. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they'll like the finished piece. It's nigh on impossible to work from the two photos I have and about the only thing I can make out is her markings.....I'm on a wing of a prayer. One of the reasons I like to meet my model and take my own photos. Anyways enough gabbing and get back to the easel.

FOAL STUDY WATERCOLOUR 12X14

"Foal Study"
Watercolour 12x14
Private Collection
copyright Elizabeth McCrindle
Another little darling from a couple of years back....I'm having fun looking back. This is one of my favourite subjects, not just equine but foals. It must be the baby thing like human babies, their smell, their unsteadiness, the sudden bouts off mad energy followed by the collapse in a heap sleep. This little guy is of on one off those mad dashes round his paddock, short sharp bursts of speed, by now he will ready to take those short sharp bursts of speed in another arena and I wish him luck in running.
Well must get myself back to the easel, thanks as always for looking :)

Sunday, 20 December 2009

"WAKING UP TO SNOW" ACRYLIC 12X12


"Waking Up To Snow"
Acrylic 12x12
£350- SOLD
copyright Elizabeth McCrindle
This one's sold but if you would like something similar enquiries can come to me.

We actually have woken up to snow this morning so I looked through my archives for a snowy painting and found this one. It's actually one of my favourites, you know the kind, that even if they never sell your quite happy for it to continue hanging on your wall. This did sell, which although sounds like I'm blowing my own trumpet, I knew would. I have no idea where it went, other than it sold at the Torrance Gallery. The draw back at times of selling through Galleries is that unless the person who bought it contacts you, you rarely know where they go. If by chance you read this blog I'd love to hear from you......I know a real stab in the dark.
Actually thinking about archives now that I've managed to get back some of my files from my deceased computer I might just post some for you all to see......oh whoopee I hear you all shout lol.
As I said at the beginning of the post we have snow, quite heavy actually and I wasn't sure if the car was going to make it up Busbiehill this morning....but we managed and the horses were happy to see me....mind you they always are....smile. As you can see from the photo not even a snow blizzard puts the mammoth of his food.
Well must go get the shovel out, have a great day where ever your reading from and thanks as always for looking in.


Tuesday, 15 December 2009

MISLAID LANDSCAPE AND MORE OF THE TEASER...

"Rain Gathering"
Acrylic 6x6
£130- unframed
£150- with custom frame
Slap my wrists for mislaying this little landscape, well not really mislaid I had forgot to photograph it before it journeyed up to Aberfeldy. I brought it back when I had been delivering to the Christmas show and in all the stir of Christmas commissions e.t.c. I forgot to post it. I know you've heard this before but it is much better in the flesh, the darkening rain clouds haven't been picked up properly. So if anyone would like a nice Ayrshire landscape you know where to find me.
Below is another piece of the jigsaw puzzle...aka the Teaser post a little further back. If you remember there was a problem with the ears well think I've solved that.....well I know I have cos I'm a bit further on than this.......just like to tease you lot and off course means your going to have to come back :)

Monday, 14 December 2009

SOLD....SEA THE STARS and on to last xmas commission


Sea The Stars
Acrylic 6x6
SOLD
copyright Elizabeth McCrindle


Busy day today.....sold Sea The Stars headstudy yesterday and I'm just about to put it in a frame, wrap it it up and send it off down south to a new collector. I'm down to my last Christmas commission a lovely Great Dane, her owner lives in Spain but is coming home for Christmas and this is a surprise from her family over here. Been held up writing Christmas cards so have to dash to the Post Office for stamps and send a couple over seas, fingers crossed they get them in time. Then maybe I can relax a little and hope I haven't forgotten anything.
Still working on pieces that aren't needed for Christmas so maybe manage some posts between now and January 4th but if I don't no need to worry I'll just be having some time out from the laptop.
I'm looking forward to next year and already my head is buzzing with some ideas. I'll still be doing my little landscapes and fingers crossed adding more galleries to my list but I would like to devote more off my time on equine portraits. Horses are in my heart always have been, always will be and I want to develop my skill on putting them onto canvas and spread that love about :)
Thanks so much to everyone who has visited my Blog this year and especially those who have taken the time to make comments, hope you'll continue to visit in the New Year and tell your family and friends to pop in too.

http://art-from-scotland-gallery.blogspot.com/

Sunday, 13 December 2009

ALMOST A YEAR AS A BLOGGER........

Copyright Elizabeth McCrindle

Sorry that posts have been scarce this month but I promise to make up for it next year....smile. Next year will be my second as a blogger and if it's as enjoyable as the year thats waning, then I won't complain. I had off course heard of blogs and seen some but it wasn't until I joined the Canine Art Guild that I started a blog of my own. As a full time artist who for family reason's hadn't been able to devote myself to my art for the last few years, it's been a case of getting back in the saddle this year, not helped by the economic slump but things have got better as the year has passed. I can honestly say that my blog has been a great encouragement to me, both as the impetus to work every day, even if it's just an hour and for checking out the wonderful artist's blogs I have found. There are too many to name on this post but if you take a look on the side bar of my blog you'll find them. There are three however I'd like to give a special mention to......firstly the young lady who got me started on blogs and a wizard with a pencil, only natural she's also a Scot, Sheona Hamilton, check out her work at Black on Grey on White. The there's Kim Santini check out her work at The Painting A Dog A Day Project she consistently climbs mountains everyday to bring us gorgeous dog portraits full of colour and character, and with the volume of work she gets through daily I swear she must be wired into the National Grid lol.....oh for half your energy Kim :) Last but not least Linda Shantz of Linda Shantz Equine and Animal Art, Linda doesn't know it but with following her beautiful work, photographs and stories of the horses in her care my passion for painting horses has returned ten fold and reminded me why I paint. So you've been warned there's going to be more horses on the blog this coming year. Thanks ladies for cooking my creative juices and stoking the fire within :))
Oh and if you don't remember the head study above, it was one of the first images I posted and is the young chaser Silver By Nature. Keep your fingers crossed for him on 28th December when he'll be running in the Coral Welsh National...exciting stuff :))

Monday, 7 December 2009

CONNECTION PROBLEMS GRRRRRR.....

Sorry folks but I am having internet connection problems at the moment and in the interest of my sanity and the life's of those near and dear I will be missing in action till it's resolved. Hopefully won't be too long till I'm back :))

Friday, 4 December 2009

A LITTLE TEASER........

Thought I'd give you a little teaser of the portrait I started today. This isn't spoiling anyone's surprise as it's the owner of this handsome grey that commissioned it for themselve and I'll only show you little pieces as I work through them. Quite large at 24x20 and it's in oils hopefully the finished piece will be quite striking. As always I start with a good drawing not really detailed but showing bone structure and the placement of the eye. For me the eye is the most important and thats where I always start, without fail, the eye makes it alive for me. Even at this stage I can already see alterations need to be made to the ears...you can't see them so you'll have to take my word for it that they're just a bit to big. But thats the thing about painting it develop's a little at a time. Going to be a challenge putting in his distinctive markings but that's half the fun.
Well I'm having a day off tomorrow going shopping and lunch with a friend. Christmas Craft Fair at Troon then to Dobbies in Ayr for lunch and check out the Christmas decorations.
Thanks as always for looking :)

Now accepting commissions for 2010.

http://www.e-mccrindleart.co.uk/
http://art-from-scotland-gallery.blogspot.com/
http://imagesandwords-from-caledonia.blogspot.com/

Still working on commissions......


copyright Elizabeth McCrindle
Sorry still no artwork to see....still working on commission's, thankfully, not all of them are for Christmas but some have been outstanding for a little while. I really wish I could be more organised or stay focused on the project to hand but I do find comfort in reading other artist's blogs and realise it is a disease that most of us artistic types suffer from. I reckon our brains are so full of creative ideas it can be difficult to single one out......thats my theory and I'm sticking to it. It definately has nothing to do with getting older and being less able to multi task.....:).
Well I better get myself back to the easel instead of babbling away on here......sending this wee red breasted chap so you'll have something nice to look at....smile.

http://www.e-mccrindleart.co.uk/

http://art-from-scotland-gallery.blogspot.com/

http://imagesandwords-from-caledonia.blogspot.com/

Monday, 30 November 2009

"SPLIT IN THE RIVER" ACRYLIC 6X6

copyright 2009 Elizabeth Mccrindle
"Split in the River"
Acrylic
6x6
£130- unframed
£150- with custom made frame
This is from one of my trips to Aberfeldy, the river splits here just before the General Wade bridge and makes the water a little rough which gives you a lovely play of light.
Well I'm looking forward to putting my feet up for the rest of the evening and watching some tv.
Thanks for looking in :)