sea blue sky abstracts

A beautiful day here in St Ives, from start to finish, the moon shining brightly as it set in the West before dawn this morning until rising again, bold and full, early this evening, and barely a cloud to be seen in between.  Yet this is January, mid-winter in the UK - and roads just a little way inland began the same day frozen, fringed with trees whitened by a blanket of frost. Click the pics to enlarge for a better view of the moonlight reflected in St Ives Bay below. My day at Art Space Gallery, no hardship at all spending time in the sunniest, warmest spot in St Ives! I didn't spend all day in the sun honest! My wall at Art Space.  We'll close for a couple of weeks from Sunday, to clean and decorate, before opening again in early February, 2011.

Dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st Century I have nevertheless embraced new technology a nano step at a time - way behind everyone (and I mean everyone) else of course, so humour me and sympathise! Anyway, too 'tight' to buy an Apple ipod - I first bought a Sony Walkman MP3, then a 'dock' (because those headphones really hurt) and more and more adventurous, daring even, decided to bite the bullet and download Apple iTunes, which I love!! I still marvel at how easy it is to buy favourite pieces, classics, from way back, right up to the present day, single tracks not a complete album, which often includes music unwanted or downright depressing. Latest downloads have included the wonderful track entitled 'Nothing Ever Hurt Like You' by James Morrison, click the YouTube video in the previous post.  Great voice, great blues, somehow redolent of 'Heard it through the Grapevine'.  What do you think? Think I'll have to ration iTunes usag

Wet and windy today in this part of the world.  I had cause to pay a visit to Porthtowan Ecopark and chose to return via the coast road to Hayle because, even though the conditions were dark and wet, everything looked so dramatic and elemental! Note to self:  Always take the camera!!! We passed through Portreath and glimpsed turbulent seas under the dark, imposing headland before dropping a gear and climbing up to the straight stretch of road above North cliffs, where the clouds were low, the puddles reflected the sky, bracken glowed deep, rich, red-brown and low trees on the edge of Tehidy woods bent away from the sea. On past a deserted Hell's Mouth, the cafe closed and car park empty and then the panoramic view of Gwithian beach from above, the long line of surf providing a gleaming brightness.  Wow! Wish that you could have been there and I'm sorry that there are no photos!  Please accept the (slightly shaky) pic below as a substitute - it shows Porthmeor Beach in the

I'm shamed into publishing today having seen Carolyn's most recent post on her beautiful textile blog, click here to view.  Being lucky enough to possess two of Carolyn's handmade Christmas cards and two of her tree ornaments, I really must share these pictures with you - taken this evening. First here's this year's card - look above to see Carolyn's handmade crystal snowflake ornament. This is the card that Carolyn sent last year, complete with newly added beading. And below is the decoration originally placed on last year's card, it's so pretty - apologies for the quality of the photo.    Click to enlarge.  Time to go now to do the job I hate, taking down the Christmas Tree - everything looks so bare afterwards.  Have a lovely evening. x

Here are four more of my 'budget' range of original paintings, each one approximately 12.5 x 12.5 cm square and rendered in oil on primed board. 'Northerly Gale'.   SOLD 'Quiet Winter Sea'.   SOLD 'After the Storm'. SOLD 'Man's Head Squall'.   SOLD And here they are in their frames - click to enlarge - currently for sale at Art Space Gallery, St Ives, priced £85 each. Happy New Year to one and all! x

New Year's Eve 2010 - time to put the events of the past year, good and bad, behind us and to look forward to what the coming months will bring. Thinking of you all and sending wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous 2011, Lesley x

At long last, the Giveaway Draw has taken place - only a week after closing - must be improving he he (smile).  Each name lovingly written on a rectangular piece of paper and folded over and over before being placed in the lucky red bowl - well, lucky for one person - as you know, I wanted you ALL to win! I closed my eyes, giving the papers a good old mix and shuffle, before taking the plunge and picking the winner.  Then came the tricky bit, opening eyes - that was easy enough - whilst operating the camera with the other hand to record the occasion. Moment of truth.............and the winner is Milla at Country Lite !  Congratulations Milla (please email your address and I'll get the prints posted to you asap) many thanks to all who took the time to visit and comment and take part in this first Giveaway at Sea Blue Sky Abstracts. x

Just posting quickly this morning before heading off to Art Space - hoping for a busy time there today!  Anyway, I have not forgotten the Giveaway, which closed on 23 December and the names are all written, the papers cut and folded and results of the draw will be announced sometime tomorrow - towards the end of the day probably.    The photo above was taken on 14 December, 2010 a beautiful frosty morning captured as I headed over to Penzance on the 'back road' (B3311) for more Christmas shopping.  Looking West from the hamlet of Cripplesease.  Click to enlarge.  See you here again soon. x

This year I have painted 7 original Christmas cards in oil on primed paper.  Again they were fun to do, but also very time consuming.  Click here to see last year's collaged cards.    Click to enlarge.  Copyright Lesley Ninnes.  Please remember to check giveaway in the previous post. x 

There should have been a giveaway to mark reaching 100 posts - but there wasn't.  There should have been a giveaway to mark the first year bloggiversary of Sea Blue Sky Abstracts - that didn't happen either!  The intention was there but the moment(s) passed -  so here at last is a Giveaway!   The prize is two mounted prints of my original artwork.  Both prints will go to one winner - that way they can be placed 'face to face' and posted anywhere in the World if necessary, with minimum risk of damage.  Click pics to enlarge. 'Laid Up' image size 19 x 19 cm, mount dimensions 33 x 33 cm.  Printed with Epson Durabrite inks on Epson Heavy Duty Matte paper. 'Riverford Pears' image size 18.5 x 18.5 cm, mount dimensions 32.5 x 32.5 cm.  Printed with Epson Durabrite inks on Epson Heavyweight Matte paper. Click here to view shots of the original Riverford Pears painting on this blog. The giveaway is open to everyone; regular readers, lurkers, visito

The photo below shows 'For the Love of Colour' oil on deep edge canvas, 25 x 25 cm framed. 'Bygone' oil on deep edge canvas, 20 x 20 cm unframed. 'My Favourite Plate' oil on canvas, 46 x 41 cm framed and 'For the Love of Colour' below. 'Beside the Sea Wall' acrylic & oil on deep edge canvas, 76 x 51 cm unframed. All of the paintings in this post will soon be listed on the Paintings for Sale page - see side bar.  Click to enlarge.

Readers may have noticed that a new page has been added to Picture from St Ives, entitled 'Paintings for Sale' -  please take a look, any feedback is welcome. x 'Stormy Breakers' a very tiny painting on primed paper, 8 x 10.5 cm. 'Low Water' oil on primed paper, 8 x 10.5 cm.

Sunrise and clear skies caused the snow to start to thaw this morning for a while, but what is left is frozen hard and treacherous underfoot and the stiff North East wind makes it feel very, very cold! A lovely pink light. My neighbour's clothes line and pole below - beyond is the top rugby field, with flood light and dugout visible. A very different scene from what was recorded yesterday at around the same time. Click to enlarge.  Copyright Lesley Ninnes.