News and snaps from my studio. Sometimes I write about new pieces that I’m working on that are not released yet. If I think of a tip or piece of advice that will help you look after your painting I’ll often share it here. If there’s something specific you want to find, there is a search box down below.
vibrant colours
Take a minute to get lost in this captivating painting of a cow basking in a sunny field. Painted in vibrant colours, explore nature's peace through this original artwork.
I am currently open for painting commissions and can work with you to create your own ideal Highland Cow painting with glazed colours tailor-made to your home. Lead time is approximately 4 weeks,
close-up details
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am obsessed with these cars! this is the first time I painted one though, and I have no idea why it took me so long! I have owned four (2cv and Dyane 6) in my younger days and I think its about time I had another. Unfortunately they are a bit more pricey thses days! In fact we all had one, My mum had a couple of white ones (Harvey and Alice) , My Dad had several including Jessica the first one who I then had as my first car after passing my test. My Nana had one , and I had a few :D
My last one (Suzie) collapsed in on herself as I got out of the driving seat, one day. There was a crease down the centre of the car and she folded inwards! Id still like another one though, perhaps with a galvanised chassis!
‘Glencoe’ new print now available i
‘Banchory’ print available in my online shop
If you're a fan of Scottish Highland Cows, you'll love these new prints! Available on premium fine art canvas in a variety of sizes, these prints are made with high-quality materials that ensure the colors are just as vibrant as the original painting. I had a blast creating these cheerful and fun pieces, and hope that you'll enjoy them just as much!
I wanted to put an everyday object next to her for scale :D
This is Rosslyn and she is huge! 120 x 150 cm and is sold.
Check out my ‘Originals’ page for newly available paintings, or ask about commissioning your own huge cow painting!
A new woodland oil painting. This colourful canvas is part of my new series ‘ Coming Back to Life’, this new oil painting is the third in the series.
2Absolutely brilliant day. Thanks so much Sue for your teaching style is as inspiring and fun as your art which I love. Lots of fun and laughter and art, all the art. 💞💕💞
This is a whole new medium style of painting and size for me, and you gave me the confidence to get stuck in and put my usual doubts away, not to be downhearted if I thought it was going wrong but to stand back and look through fresh eyes. I now know where I need to go to complete my handsome beast and my first set of acrylic paint are on order already. Lol
I couldn't think of any suggestions at the time but I have now... make sure we can book for the next one right there and then... I have now booked for the kingfisher... so you will have to put up with me again 😆”
“Had a brilliant day today learning all about a very different style of painting to my own. Thank you for a great day Sue.
Anyone looking for a fab day learning about painting wherever your imagination takes you should get booked in with Sue”.
Thank you Ian and Kirsty for your beautiful comments, it really made my day! If you want to book on one of my workshops in Leicestershire (Ashby) or Derbyshire (Swadlincote) check the workshop booking page here
There is a two day weekend workshop coming up in October too, for those further afield who would like to have an art mini break!
While our numbers were depleted due to Covid infections, we had a lovely day at the workshop yesterday. The sun shone and the paint flew!
I have been experimenting with mixing some new grey shades for my latest deer and hare portraits. I have always loved mixing greys to use alongside my bright colour palette, as they provide a foil and a chance to rest the eye. Plus they are ever such fun to make, you can make grey in some surprising ways. I would tend to avoid mixing the obvious black and white which we all know about, which would produce a simple but flat mid tone. I have used warm blues, cool reds, viridian, yellow ochre amongst others, to make greyed down mixes that are full of life.
This time I challenged myself to explore greys further using them throughout the pieces, to evoke a calming restful sensation. These paintings are both still in the creation stage but I’ll show you them.
I have been begun a series of woodland paintings this year, inspired by my daily walks. We live in the Heart of the National Forest, which is the most amazing regeneration project imaginable. Turning the old mining country from ‘black to green’. Around here there are miles and miles of trees planted on the land that was scarred by the mining industry, with country trails tying it all together. We are very lucky indeed. I’m adding a new page to my website which will showcase these paintings in a series entitled ‘Coming Back to Life’ The first of these pieces recently sold at Ferrers Gallery. This new painting us yet to be named and will be available for sale on this website shortly.
A kind customer contacted me today to show me a fake listing of my work on Amazon. Unfortunately, this is not a new issue, and whenever I have a spare 30 minutes, I report copyright infringements and remove the fake items. It seems to be a never-ending battle but Ill continue to do it. Not only is it thievery from me as they have stolen my image to use for their own greedy purposes. But the most annoying thing is that they produce terrible quality reproductions that are bound to disappoint the innocent purchaser. This is because they don’t have any access whatsoever to my proper high-quality high-resolution files, so the rubbish-quality prints they make are highly pixelated. I hate to see the feedback they get describing poor, blurry images. Of course, they don’t care, they’ve got their money and they couldn’t care less about building a relationship of trust with their customers. They don’t care. But I do, so I’m just letting you know it’s always ok if you want to check in with me if you’re considering purchasing a print and you’re not sure if it’s authorised merchandise. I’ll be happy to take a look and let you know.
This one above is a typical fake. Cheeky devils have even named this ‘The Night of the Rabbit’! The original of this is in fact called ‘Magic by Moonlight’ and is my original oil painting, sold in 2020. I will endeavour to get these people reported immediately.
Flash of Gold 61 x 91 cm original Kingfisher oil painting on canvas
My latest Kingfisher painting is finally ready, incorporating many layers of beautiful translucent oil paint in glowing colours, to create this atmospheric piece. This painting in 61 x 91 cm and ready to hang.
Here is a new painting in progress, after the second layer . Ill just add some back lit grasses to complete this one.
A new colourful hare painting in progress. I do enjoy and love hares, which makes them one of my favourite painting subjects.
UPDATE*This new hare is now finished and available at Creative Fine Art, in Marlborough
My studio and my work is a welcome distraction from the dark events going on in the world today. It is important to be able to get away from the news and focus in order to be able to work, difficult as that can be.
A new expressive painting featuring one of the many lovely views here in the English National Forest project . This is a scene from last May, with bluebells and sunshine along the way.
Two new Kingfisher paintings which I am hoping to have finished by the end of the week. I love painting these super colourful, tiny birds!
im getting ready for my Alpaca art workshop on the 13th March, this is going to be a lot of fun. Spaces available-see my workshops page.
This new piece is really full of glossy colour, with quite thickly applied intense colour. This big bovine beauty is sold, however, you can see newly available cow pieces of art on my website ‘Originals’ page here.
Managed to catch the gallery in a rare quiet time this Saturday, its looking lovely-and I really appreciated the fire! Then it was off to pay a visit to Humphrey and his friend in the field.
The girls and I went in search of the first snowdrops in the local woods here this morning , and here they are in all their glory. We feel lucky to have these beautiful nature reserves and managed woodlands to explore right on the doorstep.
