29 October 2024

Painting Inspirations from my garden

Where do you get your inspiration from? My work has always been inspired by nature and the world around me. And, even though my paintings are abstract artworks, this is still the case,

Many of the colours I use in my abstract art are inspired by colours in my garden particularly in spring. 

At the moment there is not much colour around as the garden waits for winter. I am already looking forward to spring. Living in a warm and arid climate (southern France) my garden springs to life in spring - literally. After the rains of winter, March, April and June sees a passing parade of colours from the daffodils, tulips and dutch irises through to the blues of the agapanthus, scattered around the garden, from mid June. and we mustn't forget about the the purples, pinks and whites of the aliums, the whites of the flag irises that stand proud and tall, and the red poppies which have seeded themselves everywhere. 

Every morning I open the door of my studio and step out into the garden do my daily inspection, dead heading and pulling weeds and just stopping and drinking it in. This ritual connects me to nature and lifts my soul. I find it a perfectly relaxing way to start the day before picking up the paint brushes. 

How do you to get ready to start the day? Please share in the comments below.

Shown above is Things Unseen and Transfixed by the Light

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08 March 2024

The Essence of Wandering
Oil and Cold Wax on canvas


 

I switch between working with acrylic and oil and cold wax  (OCW) to stop me getting bored with one medium. My work looks different depending on the medium. My acrylics are smoother and have more luminosity, while my OCW paintings have more texture which I love.

The painting above is an example of one of my oil and cold wax paintings and you can see the texture.

Currently I’m working on two new works using oil and cold wax with a limited palette of yellow, red (in the form of magenta and alazarin crimson) and purple plus black and white. For the first time, I’m using Arches oil paper as the substrate because the paper is easier to store.

 I am not a fan. The paint doesn't move nicely for me and I’m finding it hard to to get into the flow and 'zone'. I miss the grip of the canvas and I can’t get much texture going. apart from where I carve into the paint for some of the line work. I’ve used a lot of paint so far but I’m hoping if I keep going, maybe it will get to the sweet spot. Share your experiences using OCW on paper in the comments below.

 

Works in Progress OCW on paper

30 January 2022

FREE WORKSHOP

 

 

40cmx40cm (16x16inch) oil and cold wax on box canvas
 
Need to re-invigorate your art? Want to start your art journey? I highly recommend this free workshop by Nicholas Wilton.

Nicholas Wilton is the founder of the Creative Visionary Path (CVP) which launched me in a different direction when my art was stagnating and I needed to try something new and aim to improving my art. Coming across Nick and his CVP program coincided at a time I wanted to investigate and dig deep into abstracts.

But, it's not all about abstracts it also applies to all genres of art.

Yes, he introduces you to the CVP program, but he gives out a lot of information in this workshop.

He gives this free 3 day workshop once a year and I participate every year and always find something that spurs me on or helps me improve. So whether or not you are a complete novice, or more a more experienced artist, you will find this workshop invaluable. I highly recommend it. 

Click on the link below to join up.

  FREE WORKSHOP 

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Keep up to date with the latest artwork by Marion

CONNECT WITH ME
Keep up with my latest paintings and works in progress
on Instagram @artbymarion

 

08 April 2021

Inspirational Walks during Lockdown

 

 

ROAD TO UNSEEN DESTINATIONS and HINTERLAND SPIRIT 

These two paintings make a great duo and really shine against this unusual dark background.

Both are 30x30cm acrylic and mixed media on deep canvas.

Inspired by my favourite walks up on the plateau of our nearest mountain Col de Vence which is just on the right side of our 10km limit for exercise during the current lockdown here in France.

Turquoise and orange is one of my favourite combinations of colour and a combo I keep returning to. There is something uplifting about these two together that evokes a happy and 'satisfied' feeling in me.

The colours, although bright, have been harmonised with a hint of the other colours in each which stops the colours being overwhelming.

Tell me what your favourite colour combinations are in the comments below.

Both are available on my Artbymarion website

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29 December 2020

What Better Way to end 2020 than with an Award

After such an awful year, I'm ending 2020 on a high.

I received this email yesterday evening:

Dear Marion,

Congratulations! Your painting, "Breathe in the Silence", was an award winner in the November 2020 BoldBrush Painting competition.

"Breathe in the Silence" was awarded the honor The BoldBrush Award for Abstract by Damian Lechoszest.

Here is a link to the competition site

As you can imagine I have been on cloud nine since receiving this.

With thanks and gratitude to everyone who has supported me on my art journey. 

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04 October 2020

Sunday Photofunia Fun...

I like to use photofunia to play and enlarge my paintings, just to imagine how they would look large.

I have never painted this large, but a commission would be interesting ...


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Keep up with my latest paintings and works in progress
on Instagram @artbymarion

24 September 2020

Edges of Illusion Special Merit Award

 

EDGES OF ILLUSION
40X40cm (approx 16"X16") x 4cm deep.
Oil on canvas
Framed in a simple black tray frame
£600 plus shipping
View Here

Awarded a Special Merit award in the Patterns and Forms competition by Light, Space & Time
 
This was a complete cover-up of what went previously. I was struggling and going around in circles and getting frustrated. Eventually I got out the oils and cold wax. From there on, the painting just flowed. 

Thank you to Light, Space and Time for the honour.


CONNECT WITH ME
 
Keep up with my latest paintings and works in progress
on Instagram @artbymarion