April 16th, socialising digitally

“Enjoying the Weather” was a suggested theme for this week and we certainly had weather to enjoy.  A wonderful opportunity for early season plein air painting? - Except that we are limited to our gardens.  Click to enlarge groups of pictures.

Jackie sent in a very accomplished painting of her kitchen cupboard - before engaging herself in some spring cleaning.  
Jane shows some illustrated correspondence with her niece.  Isn't that super and inspiring!

Sally writes:  "Hope you are all well.Haven't we been having some wonderful weather. Things could be worse, we could be in lockdown during the winter months, how awful would that have been! Sunny weather does lift the spirits.
This week's suggestion (for next week’s painting) is "Keeping healthy, staying safe".

 "I will continue with my series of paintings on newspapers. I must admit I have it planned already......on a roll.... This lockdown has been good for my art! 
Good health and keep safe,  Sal"

"May I pass on my tip of the week, - when faced with a previously unloved and unfinished churchyard scenario, bung in a flowering cherry tree, thus finishing the picture and at the same time making use of that languishing tube of Opera Pink! Win,win!"   says  Sally L​.

Before

Cynthia's note says:  "Rough sketch of my nearest neighbour - a ring dove who sits on her twiggy nest outside my window, watching me watching her."
Ian has found little time for art as he has been doing a lot in the garden and in his shed, but he has managed to finish a 24"x16" oil painting started a while back, which brings back to him memories of the Yorkshire Dales.
Avril has expanded her conga by adding Ric the Vic teddy bear, made by Avril herself and famed apparently for abseiling off the church spire, with parachute, to raise funds.  

We met Carolyn's cycling friend when he modelled during last year's visit to her garden.  The squirrel came close to a window, perhaps collecting moss for a drey.
Sally T completed her oil still life painting and began an idea for silk screening.
Noreen did not find pastel working very well on her multi-purpose Paint On paper.

Frances's oil painting is based on a sketch and photo from a recent walk.  She has been enjoying doing this while listening to her Bob Dylan CDs!!!  She ​was not happy with the hare lino print, to which she added ink, but preferred the one used on a newspaper photo.  

I heard from June that she felt very frustrated after two goes at trying to do a self-portrait in charcoal from the mirror and not achieving anything like a likeness.  She may Google for help on her iPad.

That's all for now, folks.  Will add any more that come in.  
Keep healthy, keep safe (that's the suggested topic for next week)!
​Noreen

And here's another one, from Hannah, who has abandoned her Chinese lanterns for the moment, as they had become tight and unpainterly.  She has started something new, from a photo of spider lilies in Borneo last year - wonderful patterns and great contrasts of light and colour.  It seems to be going rather better than the lanterns, she says.

Hannah, you have the sense to abandon something that isn't going as you wish.  I must take a leaf .....  Noreen

​PS  Frances has just added a comment, click below.