Something Different 'Comma' 6" x 8" oil & 24 carat gold leaf on canvas

 

Whilst I was away at the EWA exhibition last weekend I was demonstrating my artwork alongside my stand.I looked for a small subject to work on as I wanted visitors to be able to see progress during there visit and so I decided to try and paint a butterfly.Ive never painted one before so it was a learning exercise and having photographed a Comma butterfly in my garden last month I thought it would make the ideal small-scale subject.I prepared a small canvas 6" x 8" and applied 24 carat gold leaf,leaving some distressed areas and then painted the butterfly whilst working on my artstand.
I'm pleased with the resulting image which had some very favourable remarks from visitors and will frame it in a small float frame and hang at my next exhibition.

Our World Imagined exhibition

I am taking part in this mixed exhibition featuring the work of 18 artists at the Sir Harold Hillier gardens near Romsey in Hampshire until the 15th august.

Exhibition of Wildlife Art (EWA) 28th-30th july 2016

 



I will be taking part in this amazing exhibition of wildlife art along with 68 other artists.I will have a stand displaying a range of original artworks including works in pencil,oil and gold leaf.There will also be a limited number of prints available to purchase.It promises to be a fantastic event so I hope lots of you will come along and watch demos by exhibiting artists and view the stunning work on display.Even if you cant make it to the show all the entries can be seen and purchased online at the events website www.ewa-uk.com

'Bullfinch study' 9" x 10" oil & 24 carat gold leaf on canvas

A new little companion piece to my goldfinch painting completed this morning.Ive enjoyed creating these little garden bird studies on gold but next its time for something new....

'River Jewel' 11" x 13" oil and 24 carat gold leaf on canvas

This is my latest completed painting depicting a beautiful Kingfisher poised on a branch ready to dart off after its fishy prey.
As with many of my recent artworks this piece features extensive use of 24 carat gold leaf which makes this painting(and indeed all my gold leaf paintings) unique and a one-off as its not possible to create prints.
This piece and other similar paintings can be found on my website www.clivemeredithart.weebly.com

Field trip to Morar,West coast of Scotland june 2017

                                                         Heron with prey isle of Muck

                                                              Oystercatcher Morar

                                                              Oystercatcher Morar

                                                         juvenile Wagtail Morar

                                                                     Redpoll Morar

                                                                 Meadow Pipit Morar

                                                              Meadow Pipit Morar

                                                         juvenile Wheatear Morar

                                                             Ringed Plover Morar

                                                              Ringed Plover Morar

                                                                  Sandpiper Morar

                                                                           seals Eigg

                                                                          Seals Eigg

                                                           Manx Shearwaters  Eigg

One of the essential aspects of being a wildlife artist is actually getting out from behind the easel to view wildlife in its natural surroundings.I love getting out in nature but still the opportunities are not as frequent as I would like otherwise I'd never get any artworks completed.
However for two weeks in june this year I managed to get away to one of my favourite places the west coast of Scotland,staying in a cottage overlooking Morar Bay and the outlying islands of Muck,Eigg,Rum and Skye.
At low tide the bay was a vast expanse of white sands but at high tide the birds were crowded onto the rocks lining the bay and the small remnants of beaches giving great photographic opportunities.I also took advantage of my proximity to the islands by taking wildlife cruises to Mull,Eigg and Muck where I got some great shots of seals as well as a lovely sighting of a raft of Manx Shearwaters,a bird ive never seen before.On Skye I visited the Cuillin mountains which were spectacular and toured around the island obtaining some lovely background reference photos.
The whole trip was over much too quickly as usual but I have lots of fabulous references to work from and great memories to keep me going until I can visit again.

Two small songbird paintings

                         'Robin' 12" x 10" oil & 24 carat gold leaf on canvas

            'Goldfinch on teazle' 9" x 10" oil & 24 carat gold leaf on canvas

These two little paintings are my latest studio offerings,both subjects that ive never painted before for some reason!
They will be heading off to the framers shortly and then available to purchase.Do leave a message if you'd be interested in purchasing these or any other of my original artworks,more of which can be found at www.clivemeredithart.weebly.com
Unlike traditional oil paintings which can be scanned and printed these paintings incorporating gold leaf cannot be scanned or reproduced and so each piece is unique.