Tuesday, 29 October 2013

Happy Halloween!




I don't expect these to be to everyone's taste but there, Halloween is what it is. The graveyard scene was done a fair while ago now, it's one of those from a pile which normally would stay firmly put away, I've re-touched it here and there and posted it purely due to the season. The pen and wash picture is the result of another sleepless night and is inspired by that brilliant short story "Oh, Whistle and I'll Come to You My Lad", by the incomparable M.R.James. Both pictures are from my dark and dusty  imagination. I had a terrible tussle with the figure in "Whistle" and I'm shocked at how rusty my drawing skills are at the moment. More practise required!!  It's been a strange few days. Due to lots of encouragement from my better half, I took some work to a new gallery in town in the hope that, if I caught them on a good day, I could maybe sneak one or two pictures onto their walls. They wanted NINE!!!! Elated as I was, reality soon reared it's pumpkin head. The deadline is very near and none of them are even mounted let alone framed. Then there is the fact that I've done nothing so sensible as to paint pictures which will fit into "off the shelf" mounts. Oh no, not little me.  Literally hours after arriving home I went down with a ghoulish viral infection. I am now in the process of cutting mounts and finding frames to fit.  And the clock face lears and clicks it's teeth, tick tock tick.......  A frantic but happy Halloween this is turning out to be and, as is usual where life is concerned, not without it's witches brew of irony. Wishing you all a real scream of a season!!!

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24 comments:

  1. Catharina Engberg29 October 2013 at 09:13

    Well: There is a huge step from flowerpaintings to these two!! ;) But I must say; I LOVE them both!! And as you said yourself; they fit the season! "See" you!

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    1. Kev's Art29 October 2013 at 21:03

      Ha ha ha! Yes they are a bit different from previous posts!! I'm really glad you like them Catherina. Thank you!!

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  2. Joan Tavolott29 October 2013 at 11:57

    Congratulations on having pieces selected by the gallery!!! Your wife is a wise woman. I like both of these for seasonal pieces...I love the dark of the church contrasted with the ghostly light in the graveyard. And you hatching in the second piece adds nicely to the mood.

    I usually try to do paintings and sketches in standard sizes just so they are easier to frame. I have been doing some that are more panoramic and they are a real pain to mat. I can find frames but never mats.

    Have a hauntingly good Halloween!!!

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    1. Kev's Art29 October 2013 at 21:14

      Thanks Joan!! You speak wise words, I've learned my lesson and will paint mostly to pre-cut sizes from now on. I'm merely paying for my generally chaotic approach to everything. It is frustrating though that our choice of format can cause problems if it is a little out of the ordinary, it doesn't exactly encourage variety!! Yes my wife is very wise. She's always right!!

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  3. Pat O'Driscoll29 October 2013 at 18:44

    Wonderful Halloween images. I like the graveyard painting, perfect mood with the mist rolling in.
    Congratulations on the new gallery Kev.
    Happy Halloween

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    1. Kev's Art29 October 2013 at 21:31

      Many thanks Pat. I'm pleased and intrigued to know that you got the mood from the graveyard. These things are so subjective. Believe it or not, I originally painted this picture for fun. I suppose that says more about me than anything else!!!

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  4. Judy30 October 2013 at 01:56

    Congratulations, Kev, on the gallery! And I love your Halloween paintings!
    I try to paint in standard sizes too, as Joan says, after all the problems I had with unusual sizes. Happy Halloween!

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    1. Kev's Art30 October 2013 at 02:23

      Thank you very much Judy. As I said, I've learned my lesson, although it seems I'm one of the last to actually "get it". I knew I was slow but this is daft even by my standards!!!!

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  5. Catharina Engberg30 October 2013 at 02:45

    Oh I forgot! Congratulations for the chance to hang your painting at the gallery!! :)

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    1. Kev's Art30 October 2013 at 09:54

      Lol! Thanks Catherina, that's very kind of you. It's a first for me. I know that you have had your pictures hung before, I bet you paint pictures of a sensible size and shape too!!!

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  6. Victor Errington30 October 2013 at 04:16

    Hi kev.
    Both paintings are absolutely brilliant, and from your Dark and dusty mind, well done kev. They are truly imaginitive paintings. I would think they are sellers mate. Cobgratulations on having your paintings accepted by that Gallery. All the best.
    Vic.

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    1. Kev's Art30 October 2013 at 09:59

      Many thanks Vic. I do like painting purely from imagination sometimes. Makes me wonder what else is lurking around in there!

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  7. stefanie stark31 October 2013 at 05:04

    Wow! Congratulations on having NINE pictures accepted by the gallery! Such a wonderful surprise to read these news! I feel so happy for you :) and so sorry for the viral infection - I hope you'll get well soon!
    Your Halloween pictures are scary beautiful! It's great to see how versatile your paintings are! I love both of them! The first one is wonderful colorful and it's so scary to look at the figures in the background getting out of the graves ... huuuuhhh ... and the second one reminds me of the stories of Edgar Allan Poe ... it's great! Good luck for preparing the pictures for the gallery!

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    1. Kev's Art31 October 2013 at 08:50

      Thank you Stephanie!!! I do try to vary things and I like to try something new occasionally. It's nice that you recognise that and that you like the pictures. I am a big admirer of pen and wash, I've seen some beautiful, refreshing work by other artists in this medium. If you haven't read M.R.James already, I thoroughly recommend his short ghost stories. If you are a fan of Edgar Allen Poe you will probably enjoy them.

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  8. minnemie2 November 2013 at 19:36

    I especially like the second one - your value changes are excellent! I hope you are making headway with the mounting etc... not my fav part of art at all:-/ But what a compliment (and one well deserved as well) that they wanted so many of your work! Keep it up!

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    1. Kev's Art3 November 2013 at 05:36

      Thank you so much! Yes, it was a real boost for confidence (as are all the lovely comments), which I always need. I agree with you completely about mounting etc, I find it really tedious but it certainly makes ones work look better. I keep telling myself it will be easier from now on!!!

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  9. Cora3 November 2013 at 08:43

    Hi Kev, I'm a bit late of congratulating you for the gallery where your nine works are to be hanged. You must be working hard in mounting them. You deserve the opportunity. On the paintings above, I like both of them especially the first one. Only that it is a bit scary there.

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    1. Kev's Art3 November 2013 at 10:02

      It's very kind of you to say I deserve to have my pictures hung, thank you Cora. I've never done anything like it before and it was a huge surprise when they wanted so many, maybe they had too much wine at lunchtime!!!! They are all finished and ready to be delivered now. "Phew"!!!!!

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  10. Wendy Barrett3 November 2013 at 16:42

    Hi Kev, I have just discovered your very entertaining blog. Both of these paintings are very atmospheric and beautifully done. I love your writing too!

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    1. Kev's Art3 November 2013 at 17:16

      Hi Wendy! Thank you so much for visiting, It's always a thrill to see new people!! Thank you also for your lovely comments about my blog. Positive comments drive me on to do better things and make it all worthwhile, I count myself lucky that I get so many, it's really appreciated!! Hope to see you again soon!!

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  11. Catharina Engberg5 November 2013 at 11:55

    I´m happy to here that you are ready with all the paintings now! Good luck!!

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    1. Kev's Art5 November 2013 at 20:16

      That's very kind of you Catherina, thank you so much. My wife drove me to the gallery last night to deliver them, the kids came along too. Big opening day Saturday..... Eeeek!!!!!

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  12. juliefordoliver.blogspot.com20 November 2013 at 06:28

    This is my first visit to your blog. I came over from Pat Driscoll's blog after reading a comment you made that I liked. Checked out the previous poppies - two versions and both impressive - read you were going in hospital (bummer) and came to this to find out ...drum roll... If you survived!
    Glad you did and your Halloween paintings are a kick. I like your versitality and the way you write. I gather you are a Brit from terms like daft and mate but as I am seeing this on the phone I do not get to see your profile. Will check at work.
    Congrats on getting into the gallery.
    I am not surprised. You have a good eye for color and design and can draw too!
    Love the way you include your wife in your ruminations. Say hello from a new follower.

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    1. Kev's Art20 November 2013 at 15:48

      Thanks so much for dropping by and for your fantastic feedback!! It's always a great thrill when someone new visits and your comments are really appreciated. Helen enjoyed them too and says "Hi". You have put a smile on this Brit's face!!!

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