CHAMELEON ARTS BLOG

Embroidery from June

2011-08-30T19:11:00.001+01:00

This was made as a thank you card in June. Machine embroidery on a number of different fabrics including taffeta, silk and linen. Based on a photo of the Achensee in the Austrian Tyrol, viewing the Dalfazalm, the Rotspitze and surrounding range of mountains..

Between the Woods and the Water

2010-07-04T14:24:00.000+01:00

Solo Exhibition opening Tuesday 24th, at 6.30pm, with special guest, artist Sam Fleming.

I've been busy working on all the content for this show for the last month or so - it's about 3/5s paintings to 2/5s textile work, all with my 'signature' vibrant colours...

"Between the Woods and the Water" is the title of a book by Patrick Leigh Fermor, and an apt description of not only where I grew up but also the mindset in which I was brought up. The book itself is the second part of a trilogy, as yet unfinished, which describes the authors journey, on foot, across Europe from the Hook of Holland to Constantinople. He was 18 when he started... (he is currently in his late 90s)
From the small locale that I adventured in as a child, to the county it is within, both woods and water are predominant; along with bogs, and low 'mountains'. The colours of these landscapes, the peace to be found in them, the whispers of wind through leaves or over waves have informed the way I view the world over the last 25 years, and I hope will continue to do so over the next 25. Needless to say, the subjects within the exhibition pieces vary greatly - from sailing to morris dancing; but each piece has been informed by that mindset, and each relates somehow to the theme.

Meanwhile, an example of the textile work I'm completing at the moment - this piece is being submitted to a show in North West Ireland later this month...

The Wanting of You is based on the song of the same name by Melissa Etheridge, which looks at the rules we impose upon ourselves, restricting our own freedom to love.

Linen dyed with cold water craft dye, embellished with machine embroidery (rayon threads) and hand embroidery (silk floss)..

With best wishes, (and multicoloured hands from dying!)

Website Updates...

2010-04-26T13:31:00.000+01:00

Busy working on paintings and sculptures at the moment - and preparing for the upcoming exhibition "Uncharted" at Cregah Rd Library - opens 6th May.. But not so busy that I haven't been updating the official website..
http://www.c-arts.co.uk/

Meanwhile, here's a taste of some of the photographs I'll be exhibiting in Uncharted:-

I've been exploring reflections in windows and water, in my photography recently, and it is this work that I'll be exhibiting - makes a change from paintings!

And somewhere, between the painting, sculpting and freestyle embroidery that I'm also doing... I've got to find time to get the boat sanded and repainted, and back in the water!

Fair winds,

Danielle

Bits, bobs and others.

2010-03-10T10:22:00.000Z

This is a piece from last year that I'm still quite fond of, for the colours and textures. Acrylic and oil pastel, on cream A1 card.

w.i.p/commission - about 1/3 done... oil on canvas

T'internet is being abnormally slow, so will leave it at that. Busily trying to get caught up on my notebooks for all three hnd modules - this week has been given over to gardening (veg) and spring cleaning, as I have finally got some energy back... even with nighttime temps of -11. (so says the local weather watcher, and I believes her... v.cold.)

Best,

Paper Dreams, Paper Trails - An Artist's Book

2010-02-01T14:37:00.000Z

Inspired by The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by CS Lewis; made using pages from my first copy of the book (paperback) and acetate slips. I collaged my own drawings and prints (dry point, on copper) with the original illustrations of Pauline Baynes.

For More images, check the facebook Page Photos!

I'm now working on some vibrant landscapes, figurative sculpture and hopefully some more Equine drawings soon. Updates will follow as I can...

HPA commissioned work

2009-11-30T16:53:00.000Z

Work commissioned a couple of weeks ago, for what sounds like a fabulous event occuring next May. Hopefully it is accepted.

I will update with photos of the exhibition soon, when I have time to upload the pics. Got to get back to work now.

Best,

Ladies - finished...

2009-11-22T17:24:00.000Z

So glad to get this done in time, didn't think I'd manage it.
Going into exhibition in North Down Museum, starting tomorrow, Monday.

Morna

2009-11-13T11:36:00.000Z

Finished this morning, for display in North Down Museum, starting the 24th November.
Ladies has a bit more work done, but lots to do... lets see if I can get it done on time!!

Current W.i.Ps

2009-10-29T13:45:00.000Z

'Ladies' and 'Morna' two canvasses I'm working on at the moment. Morna is a beautiful 89year old yacht built in Dickies of Tarbert, and I have had the pleasure of sailing on her a few times. On this occassion though, I was on my own boat, and able to take some shots of her. 'Ladies' has Master Frank, Morna and Granuaile, 3 boats that are a familiar sight in the Irish Sea/Northern Ireland.
I've been feeling a real need for vibrant colours at the moment, hence the deep colours used. I'm a big fan of Dorothy Bruce, a painter living in Scotland. The way she uses colour has been very inspirational to me.
Hopefully I'll get more done on these at the weekend, before I head back to college.

And on an exciting note, I sold a mug with the Hogwarts Castle doodle on it the other day! I always find it bizarre when pieces that took little or no thought or effort become firm favourites... Still, very happy about that.

New listings

2009-10-27T17:53:00.001Z

Posted three more necklaces on etsy - click here to take a look!

Meanwhile, I had to get a new camera last week as my old one died a death suddenly... Luckily, perfect timing, as a good friend was selling an Eos 350, which although not the newest model, is a much better camera than I had previously!

Just a few of the shots I've taken whilst getting to know it. My old camera was a compact, so it's lovely to be able to play more with focus, depth of field and zooming. Also, I have some macro lense, so I've been learning what they can do as well.

I'm also working on two new paintings, both sailing ones, in vibrant blues and greens. I'll post some WIPs soon.

I've also been doing photograms and enlargements in the traditional manner - that's been great fun! It's like magic to see the images appear in the fluid.

Good News!

2009-10-11T10:52:00.000+01:00

Just got an email through from the Art Wanted team:

"We are pleased to let you know that your artwork/photography has been accepted into the 2010 ArtWanted.com calendar! The date you will be featured on is: 9/26/2010

We hope you enjoy the extra exposure from being featured in next year's printed calendar!

If you have not already done so, be sure to pre-order your calendar ASAP. This will guarantee you get a calendar that features your artwork. The calendars are now being finalized and printed for November delivery.

To PLACE YOUR ORDER, please go to:

http://www.artwanted.com/ps/calendar/index.cfm?Action=Order

***
Well pleased about that, I must admit. The painting in question is Catchin' Up - possibly one of my favourite paintings.

Meanwhile, I'm trying to finish a 3000 word essay for my Historical and Contextual Referencing module...

Sketchbook work

2009-10-09T11:31:00.001+01:00

Haven't posted in a while, so here's a page from my sketchbook. Am looking at ships with a view to illustrating the Dawn Treader by Cs lewis for my Drawing module assessment... This took about 2 hours.

Good News and a link or two..

2009-08-31T13:08:00.005+01:00

I've had a mixed month artistically, but it seems to be ending on a high, which is good. I got news on Friday that I got accepted on to the Fine Art HND course I want to do - that starts on the 10th Sept, so I'm very excited about that. It's part-time, so I'll be able to continue working for myself as well. Saturday just gone, I attended a craft fair in my local town and did well at it. I also got to talk to a lot of community group organisers, and I hope some facilitation work will come of that. I'm very interested in working basic Human Rights awareness into Arts and Crafts classes, and there were a few people interested in that too, which is positive.

Meanwhile, I set up a Facebook 'page', to help promote my work. That's the weirdest part of working for myself as an Artist, actually, the self-promotion, but I think I'm getting the hang of it. So if you have facebook, please feel free to take a look! (and obviously, becoming a 'fan' would make me very happy!)

Lastly, my Official Website should be up and running soon. As part of the training programme I've recently completed, on running a small business, the students were offered a greatly discounted professional website & logo; so nothing to lose, I made use of the opportunity. It's http://www.c-arts.co.uk/ and should be live somewhere this week.

So a good end to a summer where it has rained an awful lot! (and it is still raining...)

Night time doodle.

2009-08-12T12:33:00.001+01:00

Hogwarts school, or in fact any castle with lots of towers + a dark forest! This is what happens when i'm bored in the evenings..

Other paintings, some a little older.

2009-07-28T18:13:00.003+01:00

Just thought I'd post some of my older works - have to get new camera batteries so I can put up new works.

Left is 'Catchin' Up', one of my personal favourites. It can be seen in a larger size at my DeviantArt gallery , as can other of my works.

Below are 'Norah' and 'Geromilena Church' (Greece); Norah is a Galway Hooker, a traditional boat from Ireland.
The little orthadox church above Geormilena is possibly the most southern Church in Europe. Although I couldn't really show it in this painting, the cupola has 4 green dinner plates embedded in it!

Thanks for looking!

Line drawing

2009-07-04T17:04:00.001+01:00

I always feel scared, if i don't draw for a few days, that i might somehow lose the skill in my sleep. In a 'if you don't use it, you'll lose it' sort of way. Been v.busy making cards + crafts lately, so i was glad to escape + brush up my draughtsmanship!

A better resolution photo at last!

2009-06-12T19:28:00.010+01:00

Finally, a chance to put up a few higher resolution pics!
The exhibition went excellently; I was left some beautiful comments in the Guest Book; many by people I've never heard of before (there's always a large collection of comments by students' family and friends). The come down is not getting to paint on that big a scale all the time now. I suppose I could, but it would drive me batty, and it's not a very realistic size, given my studio is a tiny space. So here I'm putting photos from the exhibition, the original reference picture and a painting I've completed since for a raffle prize at a sailing event. The winner was delighted with it, I'm happy to say. I also met a fantastic artist at that event - Alastair Houston - his watercolours are divine - a completely different style to my own, so delicate and refined; but with a real spirit to them.

(In order: Shadowfax and Snowmane, hung in the Higher Bridges Gallery, the original reference picture and Perfect Day, a raffle prize)

Not sure if I really have got a higher resolution image - but frankly, I've been 'futering' (a good Irish word) all evening with this thing, and I want my bed.)

Thanks for looking!

Day 16

2009-05-15T19:46:00.001+01:00

Just about done! Still want to add a few moonlight highlights on grass. Sadly, don't think this pic shows detail. Will try to post a better quality pic next week. Also photos of the exhibition. Publicity shots were taken for local papers today as well. Now relaxing with well earned glass of wine! Have my sketchbook to update for monday (assessment day) over the wkend.

Day 15

2009-05-14T23:42:00.002+01:00

Worked mostly on grass/foreground today, with a little on texture + shadows on horses. Hopefully mostly finished tomorrow!

Day 14

2009-05-13T23:08:00.001+01:00

11.5 hours today... But getting there (and i didn't lose the plot! Yay me!) Worked on midground, foreground, forest, manes, tails, coat textures... Neck + shoulders are murder!

Day 13

2009-05-12T20:42:00.001+01:00

Hours worked:- 10. Plot lost:- 5. Oh dear. But progress has been made. Ground shadow, leg shadows, manes + tails worked on, and hooves. Knackered...

Day 12

2009-05-11T20:22:00.001+01:00

Another closeup. Worked 9-7 today, with very little break. Am bamjaxed. Shadows + texture mostly. Pleased tho.

Group piece

2009-05-10T18:37:00.001+01:00

This is my weekend work, the other piece for the exhibition. I'll probably tweak some of the canvasses a bit yet. Finding the right layout is hard: i had intended them to follow the vague layout of a horses body, but i think the colours will clash too badly. Going from small to big canvas + back again repeatedly has had my head in bits!

Day 11

2009-05-08T18:03:00.001+01:00

Just to verify the size! Worked on texture/detail today, gives it a chance to dry before monday. Also rubbed linseed oil into the back horse. 5 days work left, + i think i can do it...

Day 10 - close up

2009-05-07T20:25:00.001+01:00

Once again trying to show depth of glazes; also wanted to show that i've started on the hair texture. Worked on muscle tone a bit as all my glazes have blended a bit too well. Think i've got my 2nd wind on it today, i feel more like i know where it's going...

Day 9

2009-05-06T17:44:00.001+01:00

Trying a zoomed in shot to see if i can catch the depth of the glazes on the horses. Worked on both today, but most pleased with the work on the hind horse, finally getting the shadows in.

Day 8

2009-05-05T16:06:00.001+01:00

Time is passing! But the deadline for finishing painting has been extended into next week, thank heavens. Applied more white glaze today, worked on foreground texture + hooves. Must try + get a proper photo to show depth of the horses.

Day 7

2009-05-01T19:02:00.001+01:00

More subtle work today - put glazes on both horses, the fore horse now looking quite silver + the depth is more visible in the flesh. Hidden horse now with a tan hint as opposed to pink, but a few more glazes will see him 'grey'. Also worked on sky, but that might have been a bad idea as was in really bad mood so concentratim not great... Not in till tuesday now, due to bank holiday.

Day 6

2009-04-30T22:09:00.001+01:00

Didn't get as much done today, mainly because the canvas was too wet. Still, the mid + foreground needed starting, + at least i got that done.

Day 5

2009-04-29T16:10:00.001+01:00

Put another glaze on the fore horse - trying to match the description of silver! Almost wish i'd chosen a composition without hooves. Also, the photos i'm using as reference are of 2 bay horses - colour changing is awkward!

Day 4

2009-04-28T16:55:00.001+01:00

Worked on nearer hills, left hand forestry + the forward horse on the right hand canvas. Keep finding little bits i got wrong in the sketch - that'll teach me to rush in!

Day 3

2009-04-27T16:53:00.001+01:00

Worked on the mountains today, + put glazes on to the horses, mainly to escape the 'my little pony' comments! Should not have attempted the eye with 2 fool caretakers behind me making comments about king billy...

Day 2

2009-04-27T09:48:00.001+01:00

This was the result at 6pm on thursday 23rd. I'm going to work a little more on the cloud near the forward horses' mane when the paint dries a little. (I'm now working in oils) am pleased with the result so far tho.

Mearas day 1

2009-04-25T21:44:00.001+01:00

My final piece for the Foundation Art diploma. 2 6ft x 4ft canvasses, acrylic underpainting. This photo shows the progress at the end of day 1 (wed 22nd) + i'll hope to update every day with a new photo + any thoughts on how the piece is going... (Comments would be very welcome!)

Meryl Streep/Donna

2009-01-02T09:32:00.001Z

Just felt like doing some basic pencil work the other week. Guess who's been watching Mamma Mia!

Ceramics piece

2008-12-20T21:49:00.001Z

Stoneware shell glazed with a mix of translucent + opaque glazes. Presented as a necklace on a leather thong.

Textiles experiment

2008-12-05T13:25:00.001Z

Another textiles favourite, components as before.

Textiles piece

2008-12-05T13:21:00.001Z

One of my favourite textiles experiments, using acetate, threads, handmade paper, found material + cold water dye.

Gigha

2008-10-19T20:29:00.001+01:00

Painting of Gigha, scotland, A1 size. Completed 2/10/08