MOIRA LADD IMAGES

show me the reject entries.

2012-02-11T15:21:00.000-08:00

lovely page on facebook at the moment calling all artists that sent work to the SHOW ME THE MONET programme, but didnt get in. It is called SHOW ME THE REJECT, by someone called art crytic. There are lots of pictures by some very talented artists, & I entered my painting there. A nice feeling to be in the same boat with everyone else, & makes you wonder what exactly the panel of judges are looking for!

STOURHEAD & who to contact?

2012-01-31T13:24:00.000-08:00

ARTIST'S TIP OF THE WEEK. - A good thing to do is to keep all your ice lolly sticks. If you use paint in tubs they are good to scoop out a little to put on your pallet. particularly when you are using white. I am notorious for just dipping my brush in, & it ends up with an array of colours in it, because i am too lazy or in too much of a hurry to wash out my brush. My other half goes mad, especially when he wants to use the paint too. So just scoop it out, & wipe the stick with kitchen towel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Well here goes the next one.This is a close up of part of my latest creation. Stourhead Gardens, in the late Autumn sunshine. At the moment I am having big trouble with the tree on the right. I just cant seem to get it sorted out, but I will continue, & come back to that part later. The "bigger picture" so to speak is at the bottom of this post. unfinished of course.

I was feeling a bit down, -

(as I entered another open exhibition, & didn't get in.)

I don't think they pick my work because it is so bright,

it doesn't sit next to the traditional watercolours.

Maybe it frightens the traditionalists.

But there again art galleries & juries, are supposed to be on the look out for new talent, & new styles of work.

I wonder if I should return to watercolours, & do house portraits again, although I really don't want to do that, as this style is much more exciting. Any comments on this style would be very greatly received, then I know if I should carry on pursuing this for a bit longer.

I will carry on, & trawl my way through the Artist & Illustrators yearbook, till I find the right person to send these paintings to. I still think they would make wonderful travel posters. So, if they are too bright, at least they would be eye catching enough to advertise. Who to contact? well that's a different matter. Any ideas out there?

My Body Of Work So Far

2012-01-24T08:45:00.000-08:00

Here is my body of work so far-

LOOKS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE WHEN THEY ARE ALL ROUNDED UP LIKE THIS...

For more info on particular pieces of work please scroll down.

Please click on the pictures for larger images.

Brighton pier

2012-01-09T12:55:00.000-08:00

Well I have finished it at last, Brighton pier.

After a spell of illness over Christmas it took some time to complete. You can see the different stages to this painting below, and I had to break it into sections to help it make sense.

I love the way the colours perform on a black surface, so I give the canvas several coats of black gesso, rubbing them down between each one. this leaves me with a suede like finish to work on, and helps the paint flow more easily.

As you can see, I then draw the image in,with a conte crayon, - for smaller more detailed parts, or a large piece of chalk. I have a lovely box of chubby stumps, (the big fat ones for children.)

They are great for large work, and help to free the hand up so much more.

Then it is a case of filling it all in. Some colours need 2 - 3 coats of paint as they need to be quite strong on the black. Hope you like it.

Alba Rosareum

2011-12-08T06:12:00.000-08:00

This painting has now been sold.

I am so pleased as I was starting to doubt whether I should continue to pursue this style of work. I think we all get a bit down with it sometimes, especially in this economic climate so a nice piece of news before Christmas.

picture measures 60cm x 46cm

ROWING BOATS

2011-12-02T07:46:00.000-08:00

This is the set of boat paintings I have been working on.

They are 8 inches square, i am keeping the originals at the moment.

They are available to buy as prints on canvas.

currently at The Cygnet, swans yard, shaftesbury

BEACH DAISIES

2011-11-02T10:49:00.001-07:00

BEACH DAISIES

80cm x 30cm / acrylic on box canvas

This was a very straightforward painting to do.

It is Seaton beach, in Devon. I just loved the way the Daisies

were struggling up between the pebbles.

That's determination for you! A bit like me I suppose.

this painting is currently @ cygnets, swans yard, shaftesbury

Please click on "Comments" to contact me

show me the monet/ rwa Submission update

2011-10-07T12:29:00.000-07:00

I entered this painting on the

"Show Me The Monet" .(This was the show on bbc 1.)

Of course I didnt get picked as usual.

I am starting to get used to it now, & after putting

my work & some comments on painters online

facebook page, & artist & illustrators page,

I have had some really good comments telling

me to carry on pursueing my style.

Also to take them down the illustration route.

This is something I always wanted to do.

I just have to find the right place now for them. .

previously -

Well after all the excitement of getting pre-selected, then taking the painting to the RWA in Bristol, & unfortunately it didnt make it through to the final, I was a bit sad, & of course disappointed, but as everyone says, it is quite an achievement to get through anywhere, out of 7,000 people. I think it is sinking in more now, & I'm sure I will try again next year. I am quietly pleased that it even got noticed.

Symonds Yat, Wye Valley

2011-09-26T11:12:00.000-07:00

SYMONDS YAT

Acrylic on Box Canvas - 80cm x 30cm

This is something I have been playing around with recently. I am pushing the boundaries of composition with this one, trying out different formats, just to see how they work. I thought you might be interested in what I am up to. The subject ot this picture is a gorge, with the river wye flowing through. It passes through three counties. - Gloucester, Herefordshire, & Monmouthshire. It is a very beautifull part of britain. Im pleased with the result, and think I would like to try some more like this, maybe of Dartmoor, or Bodmin, if I can get up high enough to get decent pictures.!

HAWTHORN BAY

2011-09-08T06:39:00.000-07:00

Hawthorn Bay. - 60cm x 46cm

(Sharkham point, Brixham,Devon

Here is my finished version of Hawthorn Bay.

I love the colours, so restfull.

Petunias

2011-09-08T06:33:00.000-07:00

Picture measures 49cm x 49cm

Inspired by a row of hanging baskets, hanging from arches & pillars, opposite a church in Totnes, Devon. I loved the way the bright colours shone out against the more quieter colours of the stonework, & the challenge of capturing the sunlight on the leaves. This was quite an intricate subject which is worked, as usual on box canvas, so that I can display them unframed, I prefer to let the customer deal with that part themselves, so they have the choice.

I am really pleased with the effect. I hope you like it.

Stourhead Open,

2011-06-19T12:11:00.000-07:00

MMMMM -How to look good with Wine & nibbles,

& maybe a bit too much free wine! This was the preview evening of the Stourhead Open Exhibition. Something I have not entered before. I didnt sell anything,

but it was nice to just be seen by a slightly wider audience.

As you can see, there is my painting of the gothic

cottage In a nice position. Shame about the wet weather, but lots of people still made it.

Some really good work on display.

Magnolias

2011-06-13T10:25:00.000-07:00

A small picture I did for the art trail.

measuring 10 inches square, acrylic on canvas, this was something that inspired me after my trip to Stourhead.

I think you will agree with me when I say it has a definite feeling of victorana, or the Art Nouveau movement. This was not intentional, but just the way they turn out.

available to buy @ cygnets,swans yard, shaftesbury

pictures from the art trail.

2011-06-07T04:12:00.001-07:00

Just a selection of pictures from the art trail.

It was interesting to hear the feedback, & see who liked watercolours, & who favoured the new style of acrylics.

People said it was so nice to see something new, and different.

Feedback from other artists was good to hear too.

I think next time, I will join forces with someone else who can help with chatting, or taking money, although my other half was a really big help.

A bigger venue would be good, as I dont think they were displayed well enough, in my my house. But it was a learning curve & I am glad I did it.

Many people said i should do illustration work, and its very magical, I need someone to write me a story I think. Dont think I have time to do that as well.

thanks to all who made it out here to visit.

The trail goes on @ www.wvat.co.uk

Gothic cottage, stourhead, in Wylye valley art trail.

2011-06-01T11:31:00.000-07:00

This is for all the people that are admiring this painting, during the wylye Valley art trail all this week up to 5th june.

A number of people wanted to buy it, but it is unfortunately entered for the First View Gallery, open exhibition, at Stourhead. I would have gladly sold it, & it was very tempting, but I dont think i could produce another one like that in a week! - & I've filled out the forms & sorted out the entrance stuff now.

The art trail is still going well, lots of people out & about. We are enjoying the weather, as it is bringing lots of people our way.I couldnt have done this without the help of my freinds & family.

First View Gallery, Spreadeagle Courtyard, Stourhead Gardens.

18th - 26th June / 11am till 5pm

Dartmoor Stream.

2011-03-06T13:29:00.000-08:00

Here is the Dartmoor Stream painting finished at last. Hope you like it. some people have said it actually has an oriental feel to it. Others have said it should say "WELCOME TO DEVON" across the bottom like the old railway posters. I discovered a world war 1 artist, by accident while I was looking through a book at a car boot sale the other day. His work was very much the same style as mine.

I had not heard of him before. His name is C.R.W. Nevinson.

I have also seen things about him on a blog recently which was very interesting. It said during his later life, he was trying to break away from his restrictive style, and work in the traditional way, but found it very hard to get that work accepted.

it's a great shame, as I have said before on previous blogs that people like to spot a certain style. Maybe we get stuck in that style, - as we are trying to impress galleries, & strive to be recognised. There are so many of us trying to stand out of the crowd it is very difficult to know what to do.

Picture measures 46cm x 60cm

acrylic on box canvas.

PLACES OF INSPIRATION

2011-02-12T07:52:00.001-08:00

These are a few of the images I am inspired to paint. Various locations, devon, cornwall, & Bristol cityscapes. Just to show that I also do traditional work. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR OTHER POSTS OR CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO SEE MORE.

3 sisters, the latest offering

2011-02-09T07:13:00.000-08:00

Ok, so this is the latest offering from my collection of modern style tree paintings. 3 trees that took my fancy, while I was on one of my wanderings, with the dog. I noticed them standing on the corner, overlooking a fork in the road. They look a bit like they are pointing the way. It is acrylic on canvas & of course, as you can see, took me quite some time. It was hard to get the sunlight to shine through without the subject looking too busy, which is still something i worry about when I study it for too long. there is always a danger of picking too much.

Porth Gwarra, nr Land's End, Cornwall.

2011-02-01T17:17:00.000-08:00

this is just in case you all think i only paint trees.-

Porth Gwarra, nr Land's End, Cornwall. One of my favourite places in Britain.

I was moaning to a fellow Friend and artist that i should paint what people really like, & gear it up for certain exhibitions. This of course is not at all possible, as you will know from my past blogs.

She said you must try to forget the outcome of the painting, and just enjoy the journey. Paint what you love, and feel that passion. So i got out my canvas, turned it up one way, then the other, until something came to mind that would sit on that size comfortably. Then the eureka moment came, - and i do really enjoy painting rocky coastlines. So off to the studio, and after many hours, where I just couldn't leave it alone, & she was right, i felt the passion, and connection to it, I had a pretty good piece of work. Well I thought so. although, yes you guessed it, no sale.

So at the moment, it resides, behind the sofa, as it is so big. I must find some wall space for it. the trouble is then you get used to it being there, ( on the wall that is) not behind the sofa! , and just a tiny bit attached, but it would be really good to sell it. I'm running out of storage space, as i have other work around as well. At least a good stock pile for the Wylye Valley art trail this year. wvat.co.uk.

N.B. - MY SISTER SAW THIS PAINTING & FELL IN LOVE WITH IT. SHE BEGGED ME TO LET HER HAVE IT FOR HER BIRTHDAY. SO IT NO LONGER RESIDES BEHIND THE SOFA, IT HAS A LOVELY NEW HOME. ( very large painting in her lounge, but I said she could put some sea sounds, meditation music on, & pretend she was there! Marvelous!)

differing styles

2011-01-19T12:46:00.000-08:00

Here are 2 completely different styles Both using watercolour.

on the left is watercolour woods, something i enjoyed playing around with, one wet afternoon in front of the fire. - which enabled it to dry between washes.

the other on the right, is Gold hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset,looking upwards for a change. The view, seen by the poor boy in the Hovis bread adverts, whilst pushing his bike up the hill. If you are old enough to remember that!

Solo Exhibition, Shaftesbury Art Center - Nov 2010

2010-11-24T02:07:00.000-08:00

thanks to everyone who managed to get to my exhibition. it was a good turn out. lots of really interesting feedback. Much of it from other artists, which was really helpfull.

I was pleased people managed to brave the weather, and also after the art centre had a break in early one morning, I was so glad my paintings were not touched. I sold a lot of cards and prints, and unframed originals, so i think we broke even. Not rich yet, by any means. But its getting the work shown, and being noticed that counts.

Thanks again to everyone who popped in for a chat, and a look round, and of course to those who bought something from me.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, chatting to everyone, (and of course thanks to my long suffering, other half, for making me coffee, and hanging all the pix for me. )

Below are just a few of the pictures of my exhibition november 2010

ONE OF THE WINNING PAINTINGS

2010-08-20T15:59:00.000-07:00

Sherrington watercress beds, wylye valley. This painting has just been picked from a competition run by warminster tourist info centre. It is one of 12 selected, amongst other artists, to be made into a calendar of pictures around this area. it will go into print, & also be sold as cards in the tourist info shop. The remaining paintings will be available to buy, in the shop, for at least another month, they are unframed, and will be kept in a browser. Im so glad to get the exposure, and cant wait to see how it turns out.

Updated psychic art....

2009-06-02T09:30:00.000-07:00

Here is a selection of some of my more intriguing work. I find that whenever I paint trees, I find faces, or people forming in the paint. I started doing this in watercolour, and word started to get around that people could see things in my work. I never noticed it while I was working on them, but it was pointed out to me several times after I stood back and admired my work from more of a distance. This first one, Fairy Trees, has a lot of them if you look carefully. There is also a profile of a man's face in the top let hand corner which formed as a watermark.

unfortunately some of the images do not enlarge, i did not realise this and i will try to sort them out soon. I am having problems with the main pc, (the mother ship) so using a net book at the moment.

I have sold a lot of prints of the watercolours, people seem to like them to meditate on, or hang in their healing rooms. some people just buy them cos they like them, oblivious to the fact that everyone else is playing spot the tree spirit.

I decided to try some with acrylics, on canvas. Just to test out the "Fluke" that I was creating. But again, it still happens. I even went onto a local radio programme to talk about it. They had someone there who saw my work, and thought it was really interesting.

About 4 years ago, when I was a single lady trying to find someone to share my life with, I painted Hollow willows. This is a watercolour, with a row of willow trees standing in a Field. I was just drawn to them.

As soon as I had finished the first tree, the one in the foreground, people were coming up to me at the local art group, saying "you've done it again, cant you see it.?" it looked like a woman, with her arms above her head, half naked, being hugged by a man behind her, with his head resting on her shoulder. You can almost see their faces. I remember telling a Friend, I knew my future partner was out there, and he was getting closer. I also said he would be good with his hands, as in the picture these were very prominent. Six months later my soul mate came along. He is a builder, he also paints & is very creative. Since meeting me 3 years ago he has pursued art with a passion, something he never really thought about before, & he has a natural ability for it. He is also very supportive, & without him I wouldn't have my blog, or be where I am with my work. There are other figures in this painting too. But I will let you try and find them.