sea blue sky abstracts

'Sea' colours on the palette. When working on small paintings, I mix Liquin Impasto with paint applied after the first layer has been put down and dried. And frequently scrape paint residue and deposit at the top of the palette, wiping the rest of the board to create room to mix more colours as needed. Here are some paintings in progress, with labels showing how many times each little board has been worked on.  Some working has been more prolonged for example, the painting on the top right has had a lot more labour than the centre pic (red ground) which has had paint 'pushed' onto the surface on two separate occasions, without any thought to pictorial composition so far. 'Late Sun, Porthmeor' oil on board, 12.5 x 12.5 cm. SOLD 'Late Sun, Shadowy Beach' oil on board, 12.5 x 12.5 cm. SOLD Click to enlarge.

Two recent paintings below, both rendered in oil on board.  The first has been framed and is currently part of the 'Small Picture Show' which continues at St Ives Society of Artists until 3 August, 2011.  Entitled 'A Choice Spot, Gwithian', the image is 30 x 30 cm square, framed size 50 x 50 cm.   SOLD 'Godrevy' below, when mounted, will also be offered for sale at the Society.  I forgot to measure it - but dimensions are approximately 20 x 40 cm. SOLD Click to enlarge. Click here to see more paintings.

These three are the first finished of several paintings that I have been working on - the others are at various stages of completion - some 'almost there' and others with further to go!  Inspired by Porthmeor Beach, St Ives (both sides) and Gwithian, St Ives Bay. 'Pink Sky & Surf' oil on primed board, 12 x 12.5 cm. SOLD 'Gwithian Cliff Top' oil on primed board, 12.5 x 12.5 cm. SOLD 'Rock Reflection', oil on primed board, 12.5 x 12.5 cm. SOLD Click to enlarge.  Copyright Lesley Ninnes.

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