sea blue sky abstracts

The Sunday before last was a real scorcher in this part of the world, spurring my sister and I to head to the beach in the early evening (having been busy in the daytime).  She's on the left in this photo, which was taken by her partner - we're not saluting him - the sun was still  dazzling at 6 pm. I'm holding the wooden surf board that I first used from about the age of 10 - it's a bit scratched and beaten up but still works a treat!  Wetsuits are essential - the days of braving UK sea temperatures without adequate insulation being long gone. In fact, prior to buying the wetsuit (and boots) I hadn't ventured into the sea for years - what a worthwhile investment that particular purchase has been, a real 'passport to fun'. Conditions were lovely - nice breakers, with a gentle off shore breeze to lift spray from the waves, and not a cloud to be seen.  We're on Gwithian beach on the other side of St Ives Bay, with Godrevy Lighthouse in ...

'Porthmeor Rocks' oil on primed board, 12.5 x 12.5cm. SOLD 'Gwithian Cliffs and Rock Pool' (below) rendered in oil on primed board, is larger, measuring approx 29 x 29cm. SOLD Paint has been applied with knife and brush.  Both pictures are framed and have been submitted to the Society's 'Small Picture Show' which continues until  3 August 2011.  Hours of opening are 10.30am - 5.30pm Monday - Saturday; 2.30pm - 5.30 pm, Sunday. Click to enlarge.  Copyright Lesley Ninnes

Remember 'Riverford Pears' below?  Well, it has been included in the Bath Society of Artists 106th Annual Exhibition , currently showing at the Victoria Art Gallery, by Pulteney Bridge, Bath, until Saturday 16 July, 2011.  Hours of opening are Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, Sunday 1.30pm-5pm.  Closed on Monday.  And best of all, admission is free! The catalogue front cover (below) features 'Hedgefund Predators' by Jim Connelly. And this last photo shows the centrefold of the catalogue, with Riverford Pears illustrated alongside other works selected for the exhibition.  Click to enlarge.  Have a lovely weekend.  Lesley x

Two weeks to the day since getting together for tea and cakes at the Beachcomber Cafe, on The Wharf, in St Ives - catching up, chatting and generally enjoying the company of three like-minded people - here, at last, is my post to mark the occasion!   First to arrive were Diane 'Heart-Shaped' and Noelle 'Sew On and Sew On'  followed a little later by Carolyn 'Love Stitching Red' It was lovely to see Carolyn, who lives locally and Diane, who holidays in the town as often as possible, again - and to meet Noelle (who also lives in St Ives) for the first time!  The sun shone too, of course. What a clever trio they are - I am in awe of their stitching and creative textile skills. This first photo shows one of Carolyn's beautiful 'Gardening Hearts' - luscious shades of blue, contrasting fabrics and tiny ultramarine beads.  A mixed media card using sequins, wax resist and iridescent colours. And a selection of her hand-made beads - just look at those...

'Porthmeor Evening' oil on primed board, 12.5 x 12.5 cm. SOLD 'Porthmeor West' oil on primed board, 12.5 x 12.5 cm.   SOLD 'Sea Mist & Sunset' oil on primed board, 12.5 x 12.5 cm SOLD 'Sea Mist at Clodgy' oil on primed board, 12.5 x 12.5 cm.   SOLD 'Sunset Sea' oil on primed board, 12.5 x 12.5 cm. SOLD 'Wet Sand Reflection' oil on primed board, 12.5 x 13 cm. SOLD Soon to be framed and offered for sale at Art Space Gallery .  Click to enlarge.  Copyright Lesley Ninnes.

A lovely day, crowned by a beautiful evening - there's no wind and lots of insects, which means that the bats will arrive soon, around 10 pm, at dusk....... Honeysuckle, with Giant Hog Weed in the background.  The scent of the honeysuckle at night, especially if there's a dew, is so much more fragrant than during the day. The next photos are cropped to avoid showing clothes lines and also goal posts and flood light poles in the top rugby field! Photos taken outside again now - so pretty isn't it?  'Whisky in the Jar' playing on Radio Cornwall as I upload this post - and a 'life is good' moment. Click to enlarge.  Have a wonderful weekend. x PS  A sliver of the palest crescent moon has just become apparent low in the West as the sky darkens (9.55pm).

This little painting is small and chunky, measuring 4 x 5 inches by 1.5 inches deep.  Should it be framed?  Maybe not.  It looks quite good placed on a shadowy shelf, which heightens the dark drama of the subject, whereas the painting's small dimensions might make it seem lost on a wall - unless part of a group that is.  I've placed it for sale on my page at US based Absolute Arts here . Click to enlarge.  Bye for now. x

All small paintings, in assorted sizes, rendered in oil on primed board. 'Dark Cloud' 11.7 x 12.5 cm. SOLD 'Sea Light' 11 x 12.5 cm.  SOLD 'Sea Sky Reflections' 12.5 x 11 cm. SOLD 'Sea Surge' 12.5 x 12 cm SOLD 'Surf and Sea Spray' 12 x 13 cm. SOLD 'Wild Porthmeor' 12.5 x 12.5 cm. SOLD The paintings have reproduced with a slightly greenish hue that they don't possess in 'the flesh'.  Think it may have something to do with the scanning!  Click to enlarge.  Have a good weekend. x

The two very small paintings are on primed oil paper supports and the 'quite' small are rendered in oil on primed board.  All four will be float mounted (matted) and probably be offered for sale at St Ives Society of Artists . 'Rock, Sea & Sky' oil on primed paper, 8 x 10.5 cm. SOLD 'Surf & Black Rocks' oil on primed paper, 8 x 10.5 cm. SOLD 'Storm Seas' oil on primed board, 10 x 12.5 cm. SOLD 'Bright & Blustery' oil on primed board, 11 x 12.5 cm.   SOLD Click to enlarge.

Source of endless fascination - how many times have I photographed the sky to the West from the back garden?  Light, shade, high contrast and movement.  This dramatic and beautiful skyscape will reappear in a small seascape later on no doubt! The above photo was taken yesterday afternoon - excuse the sloping horizon, there was a strong, unrelenting wind blowing - but what a spectacle, being in the midst of so much openness and space is such a buzz.  Click to enlarge.

Have just added some more small paintings to my other blog Picture from St Ives   Click the link and let me know what you think!

I have been a busy bee - here are four more small paintings - besides which, there are three others (not square) with final touches needed and four more in the early stages of creation!  Plus, work has commenced on two larger pieces and I'm thinking of more abstracts too, though would also like to tackle a reasonably sized watercolour - ooh, decisions, decisions........ 'Advancing Seas' oil on primed board, approx 12.5 x 12.5 cm.   SOLD 'Fine Weather Breakers' oil on board, 12.5 x 12.5 cm.   SOLD  'Serene Eve Sea' oil on board, 12.5 x 12.5 cm. SOLD 'Beach from Headland' SOLD  - this one is loosely based on the view from St Ives Head (The Island) across Porthmeor Beach to Clodgy Point, oil on board, 12.5 x 12.5 cm. Click to enlarge.  Have a good weekend. x

Heard the Khachaturian Masquerade Waltz (previous post) on Radio 2 whilst washing the dishes earlier on - it's so uplifting, graceful, exciting and passionate - makes me want to dance, dance, dance and it doesn't matter that I can't waltz, does it? Also a quote to ponder and yes, that really is his name! Jack Russell quote “Good things to do in life...Forgive, Love others, Praise, Be thankful, Give, Take opportunities, Show your feelings, Smile, Hug, Move more eat less, Pray, Write letters, Have you time, Travel, Touch nature, Help others in need.” (Will try, but may not always succeed!)

Trees are silhouetted black against the sky - a clear expanse unsullied by even one cloud - pink/yellow low in the West merging into pale blue and deeper, darker blue out into space.  The air is still in this corner sheltered from the cold North East breeze and tiny bats are dipping and diving for insects in ideal conditions. This is how Porthmeor Beach looked around an hour ago as the sun started to set - lovely, but very, very chilly!

'Wild Weather Porthmeor' oil on primed mdf, white wood frame.  Image size 19 x 15 cm, framed size 32 x 28 cm.  'Porthmeor - light late in the day' oil on primed board framed, image size 43 x 30 cm, framed size 60 x 47 cm. 'Wild Weather' has been painted over an earlier painting that didn't work and 'Porthmeor - light' is a new painting in an old (but very nice and too good to waste) frame.  Both paintings are destined for the Clare White Gallery in Barnsley.

There are more in the pipeline (well two works in progress - I'm going to have to get my finger out) but here is this week's solitary offering:  'Ground Sea, Bright Sky' 12.5 x 12.5 cm, oil on primed board. SOLD Next full painting day will be Sunday - I'd like to start a couple of larger projects as well as making a start on the small square seascapes. A beautiful evening here in St Ives - orange light on the wall from the setting sun.  Porthmeor Beach was tranquil and lovely earlier at low tide, with soft, deep shadows beneath the rocks and sleek water thinly coating the sand and reflecting the sky.

Have just completed a post intended for Sea-Blue-Sky-Abstracts on my other blog 'Picture from St Ives'.  Please click here to read - honestly, could I get much more absent minded?! Glorious in St Ives today, with sun, sun, sun, all day long on The Wharf - hordes of people enjoying themselves on the Foresand.  Tomorrow (Wednesday 20 April) is my day to work at Art Space Gallery, so why not pop in and say 'Hello'? x

So glad to be able to report that Art Space Gallery re-opened today and will remain open from 10-5.30 pm each and every day over the Easter period.  Tomorrow (Wednesday 20 April) is my day to work in the Gallery, so pop in and say 'Hello' if you're in the area - I'd love to see you! Now it's possible to buy canvas prints of my work (such as 'Always the Sea' above) direct from Saatchi Online  and I hope to add more later - though will need to get a more up to date camera to be able to achieve the large picture files needed!  Click here to see what's currently available.