Monday, June 7, 2010

Painting with children around

Hi! Welcome to my blog where I plan to talk about my art and show off my latest creative efforts and how they came about.
I welcome your comments and feedback.

I did a drawing session near the start of the year and ended up with a very quick sketch of a friend, Cushla, reclining on the couch. During the last school holidays I came across a canvas whose size immediately made me think of Cushla. My 5 year old daughter joined me in preparing the canvas and helped me glue on the papers. When dry, she doodled chalk drawings in the background while I painted in the body in 'maybe' colours. These have evolved and I like the colours Fleur used and ended up using that mustard colour in the background as a result.

On the more detailed painting session I set Fleur up with a decent size canvas and she chose her palette and we painted together in concentration for quite some time. The final tweaking of lips (3 times), hand (twice), hair and top of couch I did over a few evenings while cooking tea and Glenn played with Fleur. The varnishing was done after tea on the final night. Yes the house was a bit of a shambles that week but I was very happy to have a finished piece. Cushla looks self-satisfied and relaxed on the couch. It's not perfect and it's not technically correct and I LOVE it!

The Margaret River Bookshop has agreed to hang it above their counter for the month of July. I really want people to see it. This is new for me. Usually I'm not sure.

When I saw what Fleur had done on her canvas that day we painted together I was amazed. She stood back and said 'I'm done', then ran off to play with something else and left me to it for awhile.

A very satisfying painting experience. MY TIP
Try not to be too "precious" about your painting with a child around. Get messy, have fun and don't think about the end result too much. If the picture or materials are precious, save it for another time.


4 comments:

  1. How relaxed does she look!! Makes me want to come out and recline at your place with a nice wine, good company and peaceful surrounds. Well done Kerry and will pop in to see "Cushla" in July...Jodie

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  2. Congratulations on starting your blog & on having Cushla on display! Your art is wonderful. I can't wait to see more. This post is really good too. As a new mom I wonder how artists manage to be creative and work while their children are around.

    Thanks for visiting & commenting on my blog! You're right & I will move my subscription links to the top of my sidebar. I just added those recently & didn't like the look of them at the top of the sidebar but it's better to have them their for convenience so I will move them. Are you enjoying flying lessons? I'm loving it!

    Nice meeting you!!

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  3. Hi Kerry, This painting is wonderful. I love how she's lounging on the red pillows, the blue pants are a great contrast, and the background color makes the whole picture POP. The blog looks great. It's nice having all these new people to fly with thanks to Flying Lessons!
    Shishi

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  4. Hi Kerry,

    I love your painting, can't wait to see it on display. It's great that Fluer lent a hand too, it looks beautiful!

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