Light the South - 'Solent Ships'
2024

During 2024 I was involved in the 'Light the South' trail, held in Southampton and Cowes, UK. It consisted of a large number of plaster 'lighthouse' casts which were sponsored by local companies to allow local artists to design and paint their design on the them. The lighthouses would be displsyed for the summer season on the streets of the city, followed by an auction in the autumn. The object of the project was to raise money via the Southampton Hospitals Charity, for the Southampton Children’s Hospital.
40 full scale sculptors were shown on the streets of both locations with 40 mini versions, mainly produced by schools, and shown indoors at public buildings.
My sculpture is called 'Solent Ships' and shows various types of craft to be seen either now or in the past, including some aeroplanes. To add some interest the bottom half showed the underwater world. Here could be seen a submarine, a sunken galleon and a giant squid!

 still life painting 16

A very well known type of vacuum cleaner, a 'Henry' was used as the model for this alla prima still life, painted in January 2023. Its done in oils on cardboard sized at 12" x 9.5".

Plein air painting 96

Painted in the New Forest, Hampshire near to the city of Southampton. The area is Fritham, with this abode being situated near to the Royal Oak Pub. Lyndhurst is the nearest town.
It was painted on mounting board sized at 12" x 9.5 in oils, during 3rd May 2023.

Plein air painting 92

Completed during mid November 2022, a view containing a muddy path running through part of Southampton's 'Old' cemetery is pictured here. Originally the painting had been started a few weeks previously, but rain forced me to stop at the time. I timed my return visit to complete it so that the weather/ light would be similar, including a wet ground. Fortunately it didn't rain the second time. It was interesting to note just over those few weeks how the foliage on the trees had changed or disappeared.
This oil painted scene was done on cardboard sized at 12" x 9.5.

Plein air painting 97

The old ruins of Netley Abbey have caught the attention of artists over the centuries. It is a late medieval monastery, near the town of Netley, Hampshire. Situated very close to Southampton Water the ruins are a protected ancient monument, overseen by English Heritage. 
This was painted during a paint out day with the Southampton Urban Sketchers on the 13th May 2023. Its sized at 12" x 9.5" and done in oils on mounting board.

Plein air painting 94b (Unfinished)

Done on the same day as the previous post (13th April 2023) was this unfinished scene of one of the boats at Eling marina ( Hampshire), a few minutes walk from the previous location. Unfortunately the painting was abandoned due to a heavy downpour. It is sized at 9.5" x 8" and done in oils on mounting board.

Head painting exercise - 'Anderson' 01

Head painting exercise - 'Anderson' set 01

A collection of some puppet characters from the world of Gerry Anderson. The subjects are not the most famous character for each program, but still popular. The 'stars' are left for another time!

Each one painted in oils on cardboard sized at 12" x 9.5", during various points in 2023.

top left - Dr Venus (Fireball XL5), top right - Phones (Stingray), bottom left - Captain Black (Captain Scarlet), bottom right - Sam Loover (Joe 90).