Melisandre & Her Black Honey Bee

I have exciting news people! I've been busting to tell you!! One of my favourite places in Stirling, The Locavore, has kindly offered me a exhibition :) I am VERY excited. This will be my first true show of my work in a more formal setting (I don't really count my place of work and the beautiful trees of the Hills Secret Garden really because they were less formal and the focus wasn't really on me anyway). I will be hanging some of my most recent pieces, as well as a few archives and some new nude studies that will be nestled in the alcoves of this beautiful Hills restaurant. I think this is a big step forward for me and although I am scared silly of what people might say about my work I think it's really important for me to finally get myself out there.  

Anyway.....after a suggestion from my lovely Lucas to research the origins of the name Melisandre (the name of one of my latest fire twins), I came across some interesting stuff. Melisandre originates from the Greek 'Melisa' meaning Honey Bee and the name Melisandre represents strength and a strong connection with animals. I found this interesting as I have painted my twins surrounded by licking flames, a place where to me not many animals would survive.

 But I got a sudden inkling to paint/draw blackened bee's surrounding and swarming the main ladies 'shadow' (smaller girl in background)...I imagine them nestled in her hair, buzzing around her and disappearing into the flames. I don't know what this is meant to mean yet (if anything by the way) but I am now excited...Can't wait to get down the studio and hash it out now that her initial layering is done.

I have definitely been getting in to a little bit of a bee/bug/butterfly/general insect obsession recently. I've been sketching away and drawing tiny little insect studies all over the place. In fact I'm tossing up whether to call my solo show in September at the Locavore 'Lepidoptera' ~ which is the word for 'collection or order of various butterflies and moths'. I've made a mock flyer...what do you think?

xo. E 

My mock up flyer.....what do you think?

~ I N S P I R A T I O N ~

xo. E

Cheveux Blanc

This week I have been working on Daenerys a little bit, especially focusing on her lovely luscious locks. Her character in the show/books has beautiful white blonde hair with an almost silver quality to it, so I am attempting to replicate that. Cue dramatic music. This is much harder than I originally thought. I've decided I much prefer drawing hair than painting it ;) But no matter....These past few months have taught me it's all about confidence and exploration....Right? Right. I'll try to keep telling myself that. 

I am a little bit scared to push her too far so I am going to play around with her digitally using photoshop over the next few weeks, so I won't make any rash decisions that may ruin her forever. I was thinking of giving her a gold leaf halo, what do you think? It might all be a bit too much, but I just love gold leaf. Mmmmm :) I also have to make a decision on whether to add more bugs & insects or whether I should leave them as they are and start filling in her dress. This is another thing I am anticipating to be a bit of a challenge for me. I just have to do a lot of reading and exploration about how to paint material....something tells me it won't be a walk in the park though.

I also did some gold leafing and some quick speed drawing to get things flowing. It was really fun and I was quite pleased with the results. If I do say so self. Hehe. Drawing comes so much more naturally to me.

The more I am down playing and flitting around my little studio I realise how much painting, drawing, squishing paint around on wood....everything to do with art really, is just like a science. Constant equations to work out....what to mix with what, what will go on top of what, which colours will mix together.....it makes my head hurt sometimes! But in a good way. I have been feeling very invigorated & challenged recently...just in case you were interested. Everyone should try drawing or painting or shmooshing or frolicking & wondering and wandering about art. It is so fulfilling! Warms up my soul (and I need it in this bitterly cold hills weather).

Wheeeee! There's some food for thought. 'Till next time!

xo. E

~ I N S P I R A T I O N ~

xo. E