Strength, Courage & Sophia

You are the light in my dark... my Eternal Flame

2009-07-20T16:10:00.005+02:00

'Eternal Flame'

60 x 80 cm

Acrylic, Gesso & Glitter on Canvas
You are the light in my dark... you are my Eternal Flame. Together we burn brightly to eradicate cold existence.

Work in Progress

2009-07-17T11:05:00.003+02:00

Recognise the pose? I've changed it around a bit and when I find some time... maybe after baby is born and our big move, I'll finaly be able to add a bit of xXluvinlifeXx to it!

Well Toned

2009-07-17T10:36:00.003+02:00

'Watercolour Nude'

24 x 32 cm

Watercolour on Paper
This piece was drawn from a reference picture of a real model. Mixing the colours for the skin tone was quite easy. I love playing with colours! My first thought was to add the dark shadow in the background but I didn't like the dark atmosphere. Her pose is quite graceful and romantic and I wanted that to stand out.

Portrait Study

2009-07-17T10:09:00.004+02:00

'Deep in Focus'

21 x 30 cm

Charcoal Pencil on Paper
I set myself a life drawing study and decided on portraying 'hubby'. As he wouldn't keep still long enough (bad model), majority of his features are out of place or under scaled. Better luck next time. Or maybe I'll try a quick one while he's sleeping!

All Skin and Bones

2009-06-04T18:15:00.005+02:00

'Copy of a Male Nude'

21 x 30 cm

Charcoal on Paper

I'm quite surprised at how quick I managed to draw this. All while babygirl was taking a nap! I think I'm ready for a live model... Where's hubby at???!

Out in the garden...

2009-06-04T18:12:00.002+02:00

'Flowers of Blue'

24 x 33 cm

Watercolour on Paper

Loved going with the flow on this piece! It soothed my watery soul! Awaiting the next free moment I have to play with this medium.

Oh no not a naked lady!

2009-06-04T18:08:00.003+02:00

'Copy of a Female Nude'

24 x 33 cm

Charcoal on Paper

We have been studying the human form at class recently and this was one of my productions. Hope you like. Not a bad start if I do say so myself!

The One & Only 007

2009-06-04T18:01:00.004+02:00

'Connery... Sean Connery'

35 x 50 cm

Pencil on Paper

Yes he's my fav Bond! A fine actor along with Anthony Hopkins, wonder what they'd be like in a film together?! A bit like putting Al Pacino and Rob De Niro in a mix. Haven't seen their latest but it's on the DVD list! Hope I done Sean some justice with my portrail of him!

"I'm a model you know what I mean..."

2009-04-18T18:43:00.002+02:00

'Male Model'

24 x 33 cm

Charcoal on Paper

Taken from Sarah Simblet's 'Anatomy for the Artist' book. I chose this model for the specific shadows around his face. I will be studying this book closer in future as it's a fantastic reference. Thanks to meeting Chuck Collins on my Redbubble site, he recommended the book to me!

HRH Piano

2009-04-18T18:26:00.002+02:00

'Fit for a Princess (Oil)'

35 x 50 cm

Oil on Canvas

Many hours were spent starting and stopping on this painting. It was taken from a sketch I had previously drawn in sanguine. I am very pleased with it as it shows my progression and understanding of oil paints which are fast becoming a favourite!

Copycat!

2009-04-18T18:18:00.004+02:00

'Version of Caspar David Friedrich's Original'

20 x 20 cm

Oil on Canvas

My interpretation of Friedrich’s original ‘Boat on the River Elbe in the Early Morning Mist’. I happened to like the painting while scanning through my art tutors reference books. Friedrich obviously had more patience than I did for the folliage in the foreground. First time doing a detailed mini painting and I got bored fiddling with the leaves, but it works quite well me thinks!

It was his day but he made it mine also! XxxxX

2009-04-18T18:05:00.003+02:00

'From You to Me'

20 x 30 cm

Oil on Canvas Board

This is my ‘have a go’ attempt at an oil painting done at the very beginning of this year from a ref. photo. From a distance it looks great, the rose that is, the bottle and leaves I’m not completely thrilled about but I think it shows what I’ve learnt over the last couple of months about oil painting.

Clowning Around

2009-04-18T17:51:00.002+02:00

'Kiddie Clown'

48 x 33 cm

Felt Pens on Paper

I was asked to design something to stick on a homemade ‘Penyata’ (excuse my spelling) you know the toy donkey children smash to pieces to get the sweets hiden inside! Fun to do!

Un Cafe Anyone?

2009-02-05T23:11:00.002+01:00

'Caffettiera'

24 x 33 cm

Graphite Pencils on Paper

So wasn't in the mood when I started this. 2.5 hours later and it was a different story. Being creative certainly heals my soul.

Study VII

2009-01-27T22:47:00.002+01:00

'Fit for a Princess'

24 x 33cm

Sanguina Pencil on Paper

This sketch is in the process of being made into my very 1st oil painting on a larger scale. I surprised myself with the result of this one. I draw what I see.

Study VI

2009-01-27T22:41:00.003+01:00

'Rose Tinted Glasses'

24 x 33cm

Soft Pastel on Paper

Once back in the comfort of my own home, hubby out of the way at work and babygirl tucked up in bed for her nap, I decided to get out my coloured pastels and set up a glass still life.

Study V

2009-01-27T22:37:00.004+01:00

'Gesso Study'

24 x 33cm

Soft Pastel on Paper

The same still life set up was used but this time I concentrated on the vase. After doing the charcoal study, I found this one a breeze and finished well within half an hour!

Study IV

2009-01-27T22:32:00.003+01:00

'Carboncino Study'

24 x 33cm

Charcoal on Paper

Quite pleased with this piece. My art tutor showed us how to define shade and light. I can't tell you how over the moon I am to be finally learning how to use all my materials that have never or seldom been used.

Study III

2009-01-27T22:24:00.003+01:00

'Cocco e Castagna (Carboncino)'

33 x 24cm

Charcoal Pencil on Paper

It looked so good in sanguina I just had to do it in charcoal!

Study II

2009-01-27T19:54:00.004+01:00

'Cocco e Castagna (Sanguine)'

33 x 24cm

Sanguina Pencil on Paper

I reminder of the Christmas indulgences. "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."

Study I

2009-01-27T19:43:00.004+01:00

' Still Life Fruit Study'

29.5 x 21cm

Pencil on Paper

With the guided help of my art tutor I was pleased with the result of my 1st still life in YEARS!

My talent is there but it doesn't harm to enhance it, I'm learning so much more and will continue to learn and experiment!

2008-12-04T16:29:00.002+01:00

'Merry Christmas 08'

21 x 29.5 cm

Oil Pastels on Quality Coloured Paper

Aaaaah yes! This took me back! Anyone remember doing this at school? I just had to do it again in my ripe old age of 30! I'd coloured the paper about a week before scratching it. I had no idea what I was going to do with it but I wanted it to be simple as my inner child wanted to doodle. I played with the contrast a bit to get this luminous effect and then I added it to Redbubble so anyone could purchase as a card! 'Babygirl' soon got her hands on it and made a few designs of her own, luckily I'd already saved the image to the PC! Now she's having as much fun as I did!

Have a good one, and whatever you're doing... MAKE IT MERRY! xXXx

Something for the weekend?!

2008-12-04T16:10:00.002+01:00

'Don't Make Me Beg'

33 x 48 cm

Charcoal on 110gsm Rough Grain Paper

This was done mid November, only adding it now since I've been a little lazy with my blog and got a little hooked with my Redbubble site! Anyways, this was a very quick sketch, (20-30 mins), taken from a photo hubby took of me a couple years ago. My smallest piece of charcoal was too big for detail so not everything is where it should be. It was a nice experiment with a new material I hadn't used since school so expect more testers to appear.

Series Sketch

2008-11-14T16:57:00.003+01:00

'Eternal Flame'

A5 Sketch Pad

Pencil & Ink

Yet another vision waiting to be born. I literally grabbed my pad and blurted this out. More to come as I'm feeling the black, gold and silver combo. Soon to be on canvas!

The Texture Touch

2008-11-10T15:56:00.004+01:00

Out of the Blue

(33 x 26 cm)

Acrylic & Gesso on Canvas Board.

For about a month I had this vision floating around in my head. I intended to just paint it but felt it needed to stand out more. Using gesso gave me the volume I wanted. Love feeling it.

Close Up for Effect

2008-11-10T15:36:00.003+01:00

Out of the Blue 1

(18 x 13 cm)

Acrylic & Gesso on Canvas Board

Texture was created using a palette knife.

Close Up for Effect

2008-11-10T15:30:00.002+01:00

Out of the Blue 2

(18 x 13 cm)

Acrylic & Gesso on Canvas Board

Texture was created using a plastic fork.

Close Up for Effect

2008-11-10T13:41:00.003+01:00

Out of the Blue 3

(18 x 13 cm)

Acrylic & Gesso on Canvas Board

Texture was created using a palette knife.

Close Up for Effect

2008-11-10T13:33:00.003+01:00

Out of the Blue 4

(18 x 13 cm)

Acrylic & Gesso on Canvas Board

Texture was created with bubble wrap plastic.

Going on all abstract!

2008-11-10T13:07:00.003+01:00

'It's Personal'

60 x 50 cm

Mixed Media on Canvas

This piece represents something I needed to get out of me. I started it back in May by just painting the canvas in a favorite colour and it progressed from there. It's been months in the making. All glitter work done by brush in hand! No magic pen business!!! I piped coloured gesso to separate sections and used gold and silver leafing which are all varnished for protection. Just the left side of the painting is varnished in high gloss for effect. Really a must see in the flesh. I'm proud of this work because of it's symbolic meaning.

With a little help...

2008-10-08T16:40:00.003+02:00

'Amy Winehouse... A Star Not Wasted'

(21 x 29.5cm)

Oil Pastel on Coloured Paper

You can read the title of this piece in two ways. Either way it's a positive message. I love this girl, she's bold, brave, speaks her mind and is passionate. I pray she gets the help she needs to continue her success with her unique talent. But like the naughty drug Amy... you gotta want it baaaaaad!!!

xXXx

Lil' Girls Room Idea

2008-10-08T16:32:00.003+02:00

'Goddesses'

A5 Sketch Pad

Pencils

Another from the realms of my imagination. This time I was listening to R.Kelly 'TP2' and she was the result. An addition to the other idea which form a part of the bigger idea that is still brewing.

Lil' Boys Room Idea

2008-10-08T16:19:00.003+02:00

'Gods'

A5 Sketch Pad

Pencils

All from my imagination. Not my ideal man as the hair does nothing for me! I was listening to Rhianna 'Good Girl Gone Bad' and he appeared. Just an idea for another idea that's brewing.

Painting Idea

2008-10-08T15:56:00.002+02:00

'Beach Dreamer Sketch'

A5 Sketch Pad

Pencils

Finally a day at the beach paid off with a model who was able to stay in the same position long enough for me to capture the moment! Weirdly enough he woke up just as I had finished! He looked so restful with his newspaper gently flapping in the cool breeze. Of course I showed him and his wife before they packed up to head home and they both seemed happy with it. "Bello e grazie" were his wife's words. I was the one who was thankful. I found a more appropriate background to the left side of the beach where it showed the calmness of the sea.

I think I'll enjoy expressing it on canvas!

A Present for D'Aquila

2008-09-07T14:53:00.006+02:00

'Un Regalo'

35cm x 50cm

Acrylic on Canvas

This was a special present to a very friendly beach club we stumbled across. The family who own it are just as mixed up in colour blind love as we are! They made us feel welcome and most important of all, comfortable to walk, play and rest under their wing! It was a little nerve racking as it was the first time I'd ever given a painting away. I loved it and the small changes I made. (A few added sparkles to the wave here and there!) I know it's in a good home!

Something Borrowed

2008-08-21T15:47:00.005+02:00

'A Negro No More'

A4 Paper

Chalk and Charcoal

The original 'Head of a Negro' was beautifully drawn by Antoine Watteau around 1715. At the ripe old age of about 10/11, having been exposed to 'Roots' and receiving my first Art Source Book which contained this image, I decided to draw her in a much happier light because for me the original showed sorrow in her eyes and a shackle round her neck.

Something New

2008-08-01T19:52:00.004+02:00

'Devil's Saddle (Green)

20 x 40 cm

Acrylic on Canvas

Not a colour I would wear or decorate the house with, but I like it on canvas!

Something New

2008-08-01T19:41:00.005+02:00

'Devil's Saddle (Pink)'

20 x 40 cm

Acrylic on Canvas

A favourite colour to play with!

Something New

2008-08-01T19:32:00.007+02:00

'Devil's Saddle (Yellow)'

20 x 40 cm

Acrylic on Canvas

I liked the original so much that I visioned it in contrasting colours with glittering waves. Although I'm not intirely happy with the way the white reacted to the purple, hubby likes it and prefers this painting out of the collection. It was a fun study of yellow tones!

Something New

2008-08-01T18:01:00.007+02:00

'Innocence Is Bliss'

(Happy Bday Mr Nelson Mandela)

30 x 40 cm

Acrylic on Canvas

I started this a while ago but finally got round to finishing it! Just so happened to be the day of a great man. So a tribute to you...

Mr Mandela!

xXXx

Digi Cam Problems!!! Grrrrrrrrr!!!

2008-07-10T16:59:00.002+02:00

'1st Self Portrait'

A5 Paper

Pencil

I done this about 18 yrs ago. I hated the way I drew my arms. Short with witchy hands and over grown nails so you won't be seeing them here, you'll have to use your imagination! The original stays quite happily in it's portfolio.

I'm not a happy bunny at the mo since the battery for our camera has decided to give up after less than a year, so the new 'work' I wanted to display will have to wait until I've dealt with the latest hurdle!

"Soon Come"

xXXx

Something Old

2008-07-07T15:28:00.003+02:00

'Chasing Waterfalls'

A3 Paper

(School Paints)

I can't remember exactly what year this was done but I do know it was in Mrs Sherrif's art class Baylis Court '90' - '94'. We were studying oriental art using just 2 basic colours. Dunno where I got the translation for my name but I was feelin' the theme!

Art and pottery were the only classes that held my REAL attention! I also made a baby in pottery with Mr Marks! LOL! We always joked about what people would say when they asked what I'd done for the day. He was a damn good teacher very funny and down to earth! Unfortunately the baby I made was somehow misplaced! It was part of my exam and had to have a contrast so ironically I painted it half black and the other white!

Something Old

2008-07-07T15:20:00.003+02:00

'My Mate Missy'

A4 Paper

Pencil

This sketch is around 17yrs old. A tribute to the cat with all my secrets who sadly passed this time last year at the ripe age of 18. R.I.P Moggy Moo!!!

xXXx

Something Old

2008-07-07T15:08:00.003+02:00

'The Lady in the Make-Up'

A5 Watercolour Paper

Cosmetics

I was about 11 or 12 when I got the idea to use actual make-up to create a beauty. So I raided my mum's old, when I say old I mean OLD make-up bag. There where eye-shadows of pale blue and pale green in there so on a black woman we're talking 60's here!!! Til this very day I still love it. May try it again some day with my M.A.C!!!

Sketch Gallery

2008-07-02T16:40:00.004+02:00

'Earth Meets Water'
A5 Paper
Pencils

At the time I had something to prove. There was so much negativity outside of our 4 walls, the only place I felt safe was home with hubby!

xXXx

Sketch Gallery

2008-07-02T16:29:00.004+02:00

'Fresh from the Garden'
A5 Sketch Pad
Felt Pens

They were screaming at me to draw them!

Sketch Gallery

2008-07-02T16:18:00.005+02:00

'La Rosa di Pina'
A5 Sketch Pad
Pencils

Out of the bunch of whites standing proudly in the centre of the table, the one that caught my eye was the one that was blushing!

My Gallery

2008-06-30T18:04:00.001+02:00

'Devil's Saddle'

40 x 60 cm

Acrylic on canvas

A serious attempt at a seascape. I'm lovin' it!

My Gallery

2008-06-30T17:53:00.001+02:00

'Imagine I, II & III'

20 x 30 cm

Acrylic on canvas

Again playing with paint on yet another vision. Not just any old notes! This photo does them no justice.

My Gallery

2008-06-30T17:29:00.000+02:00

'With Love from Angels'

18 x 24 cm

Acrylic on canvas

This is one of my very first paintings. Playing with the paint and the vision in my head! Wasn't too happy when the varnish changed the colour of the wings. The colours were more subtle.

Lost but found...

2008-06-30T16:14:00.001+02:00

An intro to where I've been & where I'm at... NOW

Living in Italy as a black woman HAD been a blatant shock to the system. Born and raised in the UK I was never exposed to stares and whispers! So when I decided to follow hubby out to his country I thought nothing of it. I was and still am in love so why not?!

A year and a half had past and I totally lost my zest! 'Fun loving Sophie' wasn't so fun loving anymore. There is a stigma out here that sticks to black women that they're all prostitutes. While standing 2 feet from my own gateway a young man in his friends car drove past hollerin' "Quanto?"! (How much?) Thank God our baby daughter was too young to understand.

From January 08 I had been feeling like I was having an out of body experience. My heart and my head just wanted to head back to the UK. Trapped in endless thoughts and sleepless nights about how and when we were gonna get our family back to a society where we can feel free to walk the streets. Though it's still surreal in the UK to see a black woman with a white (beautifully olive skinned) man.

The bubbles had gone flat in my whole character. I lost myself and needed to find me again! Little did I know the journey I was about to take would bring me right back to me... the REAL ME! I'd been faking it for years playing the joker, the party goer, the hard core raver. Ever popular with... EVERYBODY!

EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON: My being here in Italy has been the time out that I very much needed. It's given me time for my family and more importantly time for myself! A time to grow. A time to breath...

The sleeping artist in me has finally risen! As a kid I used to draw things, anything all the time. Stare into space and capture detail and just draw, I even started my own fashion line! I remember when my mum bought me my first watercolour set I was about 10 or 11. To no surprise I was quite good but became blocked due to life throwing it's lessons and I lost interest in doing anything serious.

Once again Mummy Dearest bought me another paint set for my birthday this year. This time a whole acrylic artist's set with a box easel and quality brushes!!! (Kid in a sweet shop or what??? Should see me in an art and craft shop!!!) Took me about 4 weeks to eventually touch it, and when I did something only I can describe as magical yet spiritual happened! What a buzz! No really... I was buzzin'! It felt so natural! So me.

While on a brief visit to the UK, hubby and I started to plan our move back as we were both feeling so miserable and the living in constant negative energy was taking it's toll on our relationship. But, now that we're here, it's started to feel more and more like home. Maybe the break was exactly what we needed. A quick recharge and we're both walking around as carefree as we were in London! All I want to do is paint and hubby is very supportive! He's gonna get out of his 'dangerous, no safety measure labourer' job where everyone knows best and starts an argument for no particular reason, (it's in the blood!) We're gonna start something of our very own and go ahead with our plans for the future!

It's yet another risk but hey... what's a life without them?!

xXXx