Latest paintings

Being on adoption leave has many advantages, one of which is that I finally get to attend one of Brian Campbell's painting summer schools; something I have wanted to do for some time. I had one painting which needed to be finished but my main painting came from a photo taken only a few days earlier during our trip to Allonby beach. I expected that this painting would take me most of the three days I had booked, so I was very surprised when I managed to start and finish this in two days, leaving me a day to start another.

Flying a kite (finished):

You can see how it developed here.

Four on the beach:

Source photo

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Development

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Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

Finished

So, having unexpectedly finished an entire painting, I needed to start another. This time I decided to really challenge myself, choosing an image which has lots of fine detail. The final picture is where I got to by the end of my final day. It still needs a good couple of hours work on it.

Mayesbrook pond:

Source photo

Development

Development

Development

Wigton Windows

Back in 2009, St Mary's Church in Wigton received three new stained glass windows, donated by Melvyn Bragg. He was a choir boy in the church as a child and gave the windows in memory of his parents. He was very specific about the details that he wanted to include in the window's designs and these included scenes from town life including the famous horse auctions and the Market Cross.

He commissioned two local artists to design and make the windows: artist and designer Brian Campbell and stained-glass artist Alex Haynes.

Since the windows went in, I have been meaning to go and see them and today I finally got around to it. I read the Cumberland News story and saw the photos in Cumbria life, but photos don't do them justice - they really need to be seen, and they are stunning. The fairly plain exterior of the church does not give a hint to the gorgeous designs inside. The other windows are really worth a look too if you ever get the chance. Below are my quick snaps of the windows. Please click on an image to enlarge.