David Raison's Art Blog

Stunning

2012-01-29T14:36:00.000Z

I went with my wife to see the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition last Friday. It was fabulous, despite the crowds. I can't get over how well the works on paper have survived for 600 years! Even my wife, who doesn't really like exhibitions thought it was great.

Next up is the David Hockney show at the Royal Academy. I am going alone on 8 March and with my wife on 6 April - really looking forward to that.

On a different topic, we went to see Midnight Tango, with Vincent and Flavia. Stunning dancing and music. Highly recommended.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T13:22:00.002Z

I'd like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and my best wishes for the New Year.

Surprise

2011-12-08T11:30:00.001Z

I was checking my viewing stats today when I noticed a rather intriguing link, so I took a look. It turned out to be a human-edited directory. What a nice surprise.

http://www.ubound.info/Top/Shopping/Visual_Arts/Painting/Artists/Impressionism

Cafe scene #2

2011-11-28T16:20:00.001Z

I thought I'd drop the cafe in question an email announcing the arrival of my painting. Guess what - the email bounced! I don't think that they're too well up on web publicity yet (is this another opportunity...).

Cafe scene

2011-10-25T14:04:00.000+01:00

Well, here's the picture I promised. It's up on my website if you need more information: http://www.davidraison.co.uk/landscapes/291195_the-garden-room-guildford.html

One down, one (or more) to go.

2011-09-10T14:51:00.000+01:00

I think I've just finished my cafe scene (well, I signed it!). Next up is the picture of Guildford Castle from the castle grounds.

I'll post a picture of the cafe scene once I get round to taking a photo...

Making progress

2011-08-31T10:16:00.003+01:00

I had a couple of extra days off over the Bank Holiday, so I was able to develop my cafe painting. So far, it's going well. I had a crisis of colour when I realised that everything was looking rather pink but I've worked through that problem and am now able to get down to refining the structure and content.

Watch out for a photo in the next day or so.

New painting under way

2011-08-22T16:08:00.001+01:00

I've just started a painting of a cafe scene in Guildford. Early days yet, as I've only sketched in the major components but I hope to have more to show after the Bank Holiday weekend.

I have the follow-up picture in mind already. It's a moody view of Guildford Castle with a tree (of unknown description) in the foreground casting some beautiful shadows.

I'd better press on with the cafe scene then...

SOLD - Serpentine Bridge

2011-07-29T09:31:00.000+01:00

I've just sold my oil landscape of the Serpentine Bridge in Hyde Park.

Click the link to see the picture: The Serpentine Bridge, Hyde Park

BP Portrait Award

2011-06-27T09:56:00.001+01:00

Went to see the BP Portrait Award on Saturday. I found it much more interesting than last year and not just because of the nudes!

I still don't get the ultra-photo-realism bit though. I don't really see any interpretation or insight in such works.

Recommended, although it was rather busy.

Just an update...

2011-06-22T14:32:00.002+01:00

Well, my painting didn't sell at the SAN exhibition, so it's back home with me.

I've been working on an abstraction of an existing painting (Looking out to sea) and will pop a work-in-progress up when I get a moment.

That's all folks!

New painting

2011-05-31T11:35:00.000+01:00

I've managed to get get my head around a new painting at last. I had an idea for an abstraction of an earlier picture, "Looking out to sea". I managed to paint the major parts on Bank Holiday Monday but need to make a few adjustments before adding the final touches.

I'll pop a photo up when it's done.

Distant relative

2011-05-27T10:11:00.002+01:00

I've just found out that a distant relative in New Zealand is also an artist. You can see his works HERE.

On the site!

2011-05-17T14:43:00.001+01:00

Well, I've taken the photographs and uploaded the best one to my web site (and Artweb). Why not take a look? This one's called "Evening, South of France #2"

At last!

2011-04-26T09:25:00.000+01:00

At last I've finished a reworking of "Evening in the South of France". It seems to have taken ages and proved much more difficult than I thought. Perhaps it's because I was painting one of my own pictures. Still, it's all done now and ready to photograph for my website.

Private View

2011-04-11T14:12:00.000+01:00

My wife and I attended the Surrey Artists Network 2nd anniversary exhibition private view on Friday. It was a real treat for me to see one of my paintings hanging with those of my fellow network members. Plenty of wine and nibbles on offer; let's see how the sales go.

Woo-hoo!

2011-04-05T17:50:00.000+01:00

I've had my painting Waterloo Sunset accepted for the Surrey Artists Network 2nd anniversary exhibition. Dates are 9-30 April at the Otters Pool gallery in College Road, Guildford.

Here's the painting:

Here's hoping...

2011-04-04T15:51:00.000+01:00

Last Friday I submitted one of my pictures, Waterloo Sunset (see at this link: http://www.davidraison.co.uk/landscapes/78161_waterloo-sunset.html) to the Surrey Artists Network for their 2nd anniversary exhibition. I'm hoping that it's accepted, so watch this space...

Water Colours

2011-03-23T17:17:00.000Z

I went to Tate Britain on Saturday to see the Water Colour (sic) exhibition. Although I paint in oil and always have trouble using watercolour, I did find the exhibition interesting and took away some useful information.

The exhibition is not hung in chronological order but is grouped more by subject matter, which makes for a more interesting viewing experience.

Recommended.

What's going on

2011-02-26T12:54:00.000Z

I've given up on the rework of "Evening in the South of France" for a while, as it wasn't working out for me. Instead, at my wife's request, I'm working on a flower painting for the bedroom. That'll teach me not to redecorate!

I won't be taking part in the 2011 Surrey Artists Open Studios, as I don't really have enough new work to show. I'd also like to make my garage more suitable for showing paintings on a regular basis, so some work is required there.

I'm also reframing a picture belonging to my Sister-in-Law. I made the original frame but it recently fell off the wall and smashed. That means a new frame of about 3'x2', mount and glass.

Work in progress

2011-02-24T14:19:00.000Z

Well, here's where I'm up to with the bedroom picture. It's on a 20x16 inch board and in oils.

Under starter's orders!

2011-02-05T15:07:00.000Z

She Who Must Be Obeyed tells me that I'm going to paint this picture (for the bedroom). I know my place :-)

Getting there...

2011-01-12T11:21:00.002Z

Well, still no painting. My only excuse is that I've been updating the door handles and locks in my house; not difficult but time consuming. Also, my current job leaves me feeling drained at the end of the day.

New Year's Resolution - get the painting space cleared and start working again!

Rolf - an inspiration

2010-12-30T11:00:00.002Z

I watched the Arena programme on Rolf Harris last night. What an inspiration! Although the billing indicatated that we would be seeing Rolf creating scenes from A Midsummer Night's Dream, the programme was so much more, covering Rolf's life story. It was also interesting to see how he interacted with his four models; Lily Cole, Dervla Kerwin, Lizzie Jagger and Emer Kenny (who I thought was really lovely).

It was nice to see Alwyn, Rolf's wife featured as well. After all, they've been married for 52 years, even longer than me!

Overall, the programme has given me the impetus to get back to the easel again and splash some paint around.

Thanks Rolf.

New BBC competition

2010-12-01T11:04:00.000Z

I've entered for a competition on BBC TV called "Show me the Monet". Let's see if I get selected...

Showing me the way

2010-11-01T09:52:00.001Z

My 3 year old granddaughter came to stay for the weekend and she loves painting and drawing. Granddad supplied paper and coloured pencils and we had a fun time together. I hope this gets me over the block I'm experiencing!

Site changes

2010-10-01T10:47:00.002+01:00

I've updated my web site so that you can view my paintings as a slideshow. Do let me know whether you think it's better or worse.

Facebook

2010-09-24T16:15:00.001+01:00

You may have seen my Facebook presence under "David Raison Fine Art" (davidraisonart). However, I really need to replace the cover photo with something else. Hang on, that means getting the camera out and thinking! Let's see what happens...

Open Studios

2010-09-15T15:49:00.001+01:00

Well,it looks as though the Surrey Artists Open Studios event will go ahead in 2011 despite the threat of cuts. I expect that I shall take part again but with a much more intensive marketing campaign. The only trouble is, it all takes so much time!

Facebook - davidraisonart

2010-09-01T13:30:00.000+01:00

With some encouragement from Artweb (who host my site), I'm setting up a Facebook presence for my art. It's early days yet, as I need to apply copyright images to each picture I load up.

As ever, it's finding the time to do the work. I still have a full time day job to bring in a few pounds and there always seems to be work to do at home.

Competition anyone?

2010-08-09T14:17:00.002+01:00

Well, there I was, eating my lunch (ham salad sandwich, jam scone and some rasperries), when the phone rang and a nice lady asked whether I'd be interested in an art competition related to Guildford. What else could I say but "yes"?

The competition seems to be quite interesting but I haven't read all the details yet, so watch this space.

Getting going

2010-08-02T14:19:00.000+01:00

Well, the unexpected happened this weekend; my wife suggested I spend some time painting!

I've done some more work on one of the South of France pictures and, just as I was clearing up for the day, I noticed some inconsistency in the sizing of foreground objects. Ho-hum, just need another session.

I suppose I'd better post the works in progress so that you know what I'm on about!

Motivation

2010-07-28T10:32:00.001+01:00

So, I have these two paintings on my easel, neither of which I've touched for days. I just don't seem to have the time and when I do have time, I'm cream-crackered. Maybe I need a holiday (look out France, here I come!) to recharge my batteries.

The small matter of where I paint can also be a barrier. I use the rear of my garage (the front when my wife's car is out) and I usually have to get everything set up to work off my workbench. We often think of moving house and I'd like the luxury of a garden or spare room that I could use as a studio. However, I don''t think that oils would be welcome indoors...

I went to view the BP Portrait Award on Saturday. My favourite was a small painting in the Florentine/Venetian style of a young woman. I feel that too many portraits are just photo-lookalikes and don't reflect the painter's art at all well. If you want a photographic representation, take a photograph!

Painting again...

2010-07-14T14:01:00.001+01:00

Well, I started to recreate an old painting of mine (my first sale) but wasn't too happy with the way it was going. After several days of working on the picture, I decided that I was getting bogged down and started on a new canvas. Much better! Now I can see where I was going wrong with the first attempt.

By the way, I visited Art Matters in Earlswood, near Redhill in Surrey. This is a facility providing art therapy to those with mental health issues (stress, anxiety, depression etc.). I was amazed at the high quality of the work produced under the guidance of the manager, Mark Cremmen. They always take part in Surrey Artists Open Studios and are also planning an event to mark Mental Health Week on 8 October between 1:30 and 4pm. Why not go along and be surprised.

Open Studios

2010-06-21T13:23:00.001+01:00

Only 9 visitors! That's half of what I had last year and with more publicity. Was it the World Cup taking its toll, or is it the economy? Answers please.

Open Studios

2010-06-14T09:23:00.001+01:00

Well the Open Studios event is going down like a lead balloon. Over two weekends (three days), I've had a total of five visitors. That's only a third of last year and I've only a day to go!

One of my Facebook/PCG pals suggested I use Facebook Events. Turns out I already had but nobody seems to have looked or booked.

Next year? Maybe, maybe not.

New picture

2010-06-07T20:22:00.001+01:00

Only a couple of visitors to Saturday's Open Studio event, so I had time to complete a painting of the Balcombe Viaduct (now up on my website). I'll be open next weekend and on the 19th as well, so hopefully, some more visitors/buyers!

Here are pictures of the painting and my "studio" on the day. As you can see, it's all a bit Heath Robinson!

Open Studios fun

2010-06-02T15:52:00.000+01:00

I'm being very lazy about getting my garage/studio ready for Saturday.

I had hoped to hang my paintings from hooks on the wall but I have the additional problem of how to hang an unframed canvas panel. I tried making a loop from double sided tape but that fails after a short while.

Tonight's effort will involve contact adhesive and some string. If all else fails, it's back to the Heath Robinson model from last year; a stand made up of pieces of timber that I can stand the paintings on.

Now how does this picture upload thingy work...

2010-05-28T15:20:00.001+01:00

Well, here's a view of my latest painting (other than the one on my easel at the moment!). What do you think? It's from a photo I took at Snowshill Manor in the Cotswolds earlier in the year.

Open Studios

2010-05-27T13:43:00.000+01:00

Argh! I realised in the middle of the night that Open Studios is only a couple of weekends away and I haven't done any preparation! Mucho work to be done before 5 June, I think.

It's arrived!

2010-05-24T14:49:00.002+01:00

Woo-hoo! The new Nikon has arrived and so has the memory card. We went to the Isle of Wight for the day on Sunday, so that was a good opportunity to get acquainted with the new beast. Let's hope it helps me with my creativity!

New camera coming!

2010-05-19T20:57:00.000+01:00

I've ordered a new camera, a Nikon D5000. This model suits me, as it has a moveable screen, which I like to use when snapping my paintings.

I've been using a Nikon Coolpix 5700 since 2004 and it's produced good pictures but it's s-o-o-o slow. I have been used to film SLRs in the past (Pentax et al), so this should work a little better for me. At least I'll be able to produce images of my paintings large enough to sell as prints.

New ideas

2010-05-14T10:51:00.000+01:00

I've had an idea for a new painting! I went to New Zealand on a work-related trip with 22 others and thought I might paint a group portrait (just head and shoulders in a "cloud").

Watch this space!

Leatherhead

2010-05-12T13:42:00.001+01:00

Just popping across the road from work to view the Leatherhead Art Group's exhibition. It's in an empty shop and in the town centre, so good for them!

Panic starts to set in...

2010-05-05T10:04:00.002+01:00

I need to organise some display stands for my Open Studio event. Last year I cobbled together some Heath Robinson structures from odd pieces of wood, trellis and garden chairs. This year I hope to make things look a tad more prefessional!

"Something got me started"

2010-05-04T13:13:00.000+01:00

Well, I managed to get some painting time on Bank Holiday Monday as expected. I've started a picture that shows the railway viaduct outside Haywards Heath in a landscape, rather like some of the Victorian painters. However, given my style, this will be much less detailed showing more of an impression than the actuality.

Watch this space for more updates and maybe even a photo of the work in progress.

Talking pf photos, I tried to buy a new camera on Sunday (well, it was raining!) but the shop was out of stock! Bah-humbug :-)

What's next?

2010-04-30T11:09:00.000+01:00

I hope to get some quality painting time in over the Bank Holiday weekend but have still to decide on a subject.

A while ago, I took some photos of the railway viaduct outside Haywards Heath in Sussex. It makes a good subject in the landscape, so I expect that's what I'll paint.

Get it straight!

2010-04-29T12:03:00.002+01:00

One of my paintings on a canvas board has curled up due to poor stacking - grrr. Currently, it's sitting atop a small box with three other canvases on top to gently re-bend it back into its original form. What a pain!

New paintings

2010-04-24T16:00:00.000+01:00

I've just uploaded a few paintings to Google to get initial thoughts from some colleagues. Soon to appear on my web site I hope!

Look at my pictures!

2010-04-22T13:17:00.001+01:00

Why hasn't anyone looked at my new painting that was uploaded to my website several days ago?

What to do!

2010-04-20T20:19:00.001+01:00

I have the chance to (possibly) show one of my pictures at a pre-SAOS event but with 40% commission on sales. I have a picture in mind but stand to lose out on the cash should it be sold.

Surrey Artists Open Studios

2010-04-19T09:00:00.001+01:00

I have to plan how to present my work for SAOS in June. That probably means some frenzied frame making and begging for the loan of some display panels!

Good feedback

2010-04-16T15:45:00.000+01:00

I've just given my rejected portrait to the subject, who was mighty pleased with it. That gives me a lot of encouragement, as it was only my third attempt at a portrait!

Better luck next time...

2010-04-15T13:26:00.000+01:00

I collected my picture from the BP Portrait Award yesterday; not good enough this time. Still, that just spurs me on to do better next year (if I can afford the entry fee!).

New beginnings

2010-04-14T14:58:00.001+01:00

I've renamed my blog, as there are any number of "David's Art Blog" entries out there.

Ho-hum.

Back on the air again

2010-04-13T13:25:00.000+01:00

I've given up with my Stumbleupon blog, as I can never find the way in!

Since my last post on this blog, I've entered the BP Portrait Award and been refused and entered the 2010 Surrey Artists Open Studios event. Let's hope that this year is more productive than the last. I hope to borrow some display panels to improve on last year's Heath Robinson attempt; i.e. bits of wood screwed together.

Keep watching this space for more news.

2009-03-22T12:56:00.000Z

I'm starting to get worried aout my Open Studio event in June. I haven't really prepared anything yet, as I've been concentrating on finding work.

What ho!

2009-03-10T16:48:00.000Z

Hello everyone. This is my first post on blogger, so it may take me a little while to get up and running.

I'll be making postings about my painting progress from time to time, so do keep an eye out for what I'm up to.

David

David Raison's Art Blog

Stunning

Merry Christmas!

Surprise

Cafe scene #2

Cafe scene

One down, one (or more) to go.

Making progress

New painting under way

SOLD - Serpentine Bridge

BP Portrait Award

Just an update...

New painting

Distant relative

On the site!

At last!

Private View

Woo-hoo!

I've had my painting Waterloo Sunset accepted for the Surrey Artists Network 2nd anniversary exhibition. Dates are 9-30 April at the Otters Pool gallery in College Road, Guildford.Here's the painting:

Here's hoping...

Water Colours

What's going on

Work in progress

Under starter's orders!

Getting there...

Rolf - an inspiration

New BBC competition

Showing me the way

Site changes

Facebook

Open Studios

Facebook - davidraisonart

Competition anyone?

Getting going

Motivation

Painting again...

Open Studios

Open Studios

New picture

Open Studios fun

Now how does this picture upload thingy work...

Open Studios

It's arrived!

New camera coming!

New ideas

Leatherhead

Panic starts to set in...

"Something got me started"

What's next?

Get it straight!

New paintings

Look at my pictures!

What to do!

Surrey Artists Open Studios

Good feedback

Better luck next time...

New beginnings

Back on the air again

What ho!

I've had my painting Waterloo Sunset accepted for the Surrey Artists Network 2nd anniversary exhibition. Dates are 9-30 April at the Otters Pool gallery in College Road, Guildford.

Here's the painting: