The Changing Season

I love springtime. At the moment with winter turning into spring it's lovely to see things growing as the days are getting longer. 

Seasons, nature, travel and the environment inspire me to create.

I also love colour, it is probably the most important and continuous inspiration for my paintings. 

Here is a documentation of a 40x40cm acrylic on textured canvas. 

The creation of Blue skies:

I started on a black gesso background. Applying thin layers of colours to create a texture and rythm to build upon.

A meadow with a small bit of sky started to appear. GOLDEN high flow and fluid paint is used for thin but opaque layers and marks.

White details are over painted with transparent washes of acrylic matte medium and GOLDEN* fluid paint.

More detail is added on an blocks of colour defining the fields, sky and trees.

The final outcome.

Fresh bright greens and little pink flashes to catch the eye and lift the heart.

This painting was sold before the paint have dried

Prints are now available on https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/EsteMacLeodDesigns

An A3 print will be given away to someone on the mailing list. 

To join the list either go to http://www.estemacleod.com or sign up on the top right hand side of the page.

Winner of the print will be emailed.

I'm currently working on the content of an online painting course. In September a two weekend long workshop exploring colour will be offered. Students will get to experiment with new acrylic painting techniques as developed by myself in my practise. Using paints such as FLUID, HIGH FLOW, HEAVY BODY and OPEN along with painting medium, it's bound to be engaging, fun and informative.

Spaces are limited to sixty students.

If interested please email este@estemacleod.com

The Creative process

I am regularly asked about the way in which I work and my creative process. How I plan the painting beforehand, and the application and use of colour. As a painter I do not work in mixed media generally, I paint exclusively in acrylics, Golden artist materials in particular.. This is s wonderful material with a high pigment content in the paint and a wide selection of mediums and pastes to create texture and variety.  I used to paint in oil paint, but find this a better alternative with paints ranging from Heavy Body to High flow. Paintings mostly start off with a black gesso surface occasionally mixed with a texture paste such as pumice gel or moulding paste. At the moment I enjoy working quite freely by applying colours to the surface in a selection of flowing patterns, organic geometric shapes, drips and marks. There is some planning involved and colour sections are kept relatively clean and defined. These marks and shapes inform the next process of finding the correct composition for the artwork as it comes to the fore from a the busy background. There is some structure to this, I add some painterly brush marks and an interesting surface as this helps to create interesting areas to work with.

Once I have figured out the direction I want the painting to go, I use the colour and marks to guide the process. I find this way of working create a different kind or energy and use of shapes other than the marks I would normally create when making a painting and planning a composition before I start, I use this way of working for still life, landscape and more design led paintings.

The painting develop further as layers of paint is applied mixed with a matte painting medium.

More layers  and colours of paint are applied.

In this case I finalised the painting 'Sunday morning' with a dry brush technique using Golden' titanium white fluid paint.  If you would like to see a time lapse video of a painting being created sign up to the mailing list. If you are interested in doing a two weekend long e-course focusing on colour, creativity and mark making, sign up as well. More detail to follow next week. The course will take place in the second half of 2015. 

Blueberries.

Here's another painting's progress:

Starting with coloured texture areas that allow me to 'see' objects and let the painting flow from there.

I continue to fill in the negative space.

More detail added

And the final outcome

Blueberries 30x30cm acrylic on deep stretched canvas. 

Both paintings are deep stretched on canvas and available.

See other available paintings and prints: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/EsteMacLeodDesigns

Spring is in the air..

..and so is love.

For this week ending with Valentine's day, I have been creating some paintings featuring hearts.

A bit of love and colour in these paintings to brighten up your day.

I'll also be picking a winner of a print of a brand new image. 

To go into the draw just leave the number you guessed in the comments box. The question is:

'How many hearts shapes can you seen in the painting 'Spring is in the air'

Winner picked from all entries next Saturday 14 February, regardless of the answer.

'Spring is in the air' 40x40cm acrylic on linen. Original available, limited edition of 50 40x40cm prints available on https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/EsteMacLeodDesigns

Two 22x30cm deep stretched paintings are available as well from my studio.

Pink bird 22x30cm Acrylic on deep stretched canvas. Available 

'Canary' 22x30cm acrylic on deep stretched canvas. Available.

New work on ETSY

One of my aims for 2015 is to create more art as paintings as well as designs.
I love creating these ones featuring birds and flowers. These will become textile designs as well.
New prints and a few paintings have been added to my page, available with a 10% discount offer this week on all items.

Have a look in ETSY

Bird and Butterflies. 40x40cm Acrylic on deep stretched canvas. Original and prints available

'A blanket of snow' A new print available on Etsy.

New year, new ideas.

Flying fish acrylic on linen, AVAILABLE

New beginnings!

2014 was a great year for me and I have got some exciting plans for a busy and eventful 2015.
More of my paintings will be turned into textile designs and surface decoration.
Next week 50 of my current designs will be on show at Printsource in New York 13-14 January, I am represented by Cultivate Art Collective.
In January a few more small paintings will also be made available directly from my studio via ETSY
In July I will be doing an interactive painting project over four days at Art in Action more on this later.

Sign up..
More details about Art workshops, demos and events coming up soon, as well as possible short e-courses towards the end of 2015.
I am an GOLDEN paint artist educator, and workshops and demos will focus on some techniques and methods I use for creating my paintings.
Sign up to the mailing list via Este MacLeod or this page and receive a newsletter with fresh information, special offers and links to demos every six weeks.

Felix - sold painting, prints available via ETSY

Buttons and Birds SOLD prints available via ETSY

Wintery landscapes

Its all wintery and grey where I live in Berkshire, England, so I have made a few paintings to celebrate the season.

Blanket of snow is a 1mx1m painting in GOLDEN acrylic on canvas. Their fibre paste was used to create a texture reminiscent of watercolour paper.

A limited edition of 50 prints are sold through ETSY

A few more landscapes are also available as prints.
Melting snow available as print.

Early winter is now sold but available as print.

Young fox a 12x12" painting in acrylic available.

Some smaller 8"x8" paintings SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

New work and products

New Paintings also available in print and textile.

During 2014 I've rediscovered my love of pattern and surface design and the options of digital printing to create textiles.

Four designs have been turned into cushions and one will be given away tonight 14 December at 9 pm to someone who's voted for their favourite 

The winner is Shelley Grant!

https://m.facebook.com/EsteMacLeodPainterAndAppliedArtist

New designs will be added in 2015.

Bright and colourful paintings are turned into textiles and prints

http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/este_macleod

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/EsteMacLeodDesigns

www.estemacleod.com

Paintings as Textile Designs

My original arts training back in the late 1980's was in textile design, pre computer aided design, so very old school. I am thankful for that grounding, and my specialism of silk screen printing, but today I am amazed at just what can be printed digitally on fabrics of all descriptions.

This week I entered a competition. Pillowfight is an online competition, view my four entries here. Anyone can buy my designs as pillows as well, and I am having a GIVEAWAY.

One of these cushions will be given away!
To go into the draw to win a cushion just mention which is your favourite, the image with most votes will be given away to anyone who've left a comment either on this blog post, or on my facebook page.
Winner announced on EsteMacLeodBlogspot on 1 December 9pm.

A Colourful day.

Birds of paradise

A Bit of Magic

Summertime

Auction of two paintings for Starfish Greathearts

I've enjoyed working with a floral theme and created two drawings for a charity I support.
Starfish is an AIDS charity and two 12"x12" paintings are used to fundraise.
Via https://www.justgiving.com/este-MacLeod1 justgiving Two Birds is being raffled. By donating as little as £1 you could be in line to win this painting, worldwide shipping included.

A guilded painting featuring a poppy is also being auctioned. Starting on Rememberance Sunday, Red Flower will be sold to the highest bidder via online biddings to conclude on 13 November at Starfish's Care to Taste event.

More paintings available via Este MacLeod

The Question Mark Creative Challenge: info and guidelines.

The Question Mark Creative Challenge: an Este MacLeod Creative Community Project in association with #TheBigDraw, Family Arts Festival, Derwent pencils, Jackson's Art Materials, Windsor Contemporary Art Fair, South Hill Park Arts Centre and Norden Farm Arts Centre.

Here is the template to be used by over 1000 children during the #TheBigDraw month:

 

The basic guidelines to teachers and tutors

• Firstly: name, school and age on sheets in pen please
• The Doodle can be used in any direction. The symbol is irrelevant - it's just a starting point for the drawing and need not be prominent once completed.
• Derwent Inktense pencil and template provided to local schools and clubs. For everyone else please download the template and print A3. Draw using black pencil, thick felt tip or crayon (HB graphite too thin and faint).
• NO RUBBING OUT. Will smudge, and intuituve drawings encouraged.
• NO COLOUR. Line drawings without shading, it is important to show the drawing clearly.
• Maximum of 30 minutes allowed per drawing in school time (it should go faster than this though)
• Indicate with an 'X' on reverse if children don't want their artwork to be used in potential collages, animations or publications.
• Indicate chosen theme (1, 2 or 3 - see below).
• The purpose of this exercise is to connect with our own creativity, to show the importance of drawing in a modern world, to be part of a bigger community project and something positive and fun.
• By using the different themes there is something for everyone to draw, from an elaborate drawing to a simple shape. Children are encouraged to make whatever they draw unique and original. If two children draw something similar, e.g. a love heart, look at ways of making it their own (by adding shapes, patterns etc.)
• Drawings might not fit into the square box. If children want, the reverse can be used my repositioning and tracing the question mark doodle.

OUR WORLD is the Big Draw 2014 theme.

• To aid visualisation there are three sub themes:
• Natural world - anything found in and on and above the earth, fauna and flora, animals, fish, trees, plants etc.
• Small world - insects, creepy crawlies, bugs, butterflies etc.
• Imaginary world - think out of the box: what do you see? A portrait, profile,  prototype, pretty pattern ... Be original, it's your choice.

Outcomes

• Local schools - once finished please cut off the information on the right hand side. Children should give this to parents as  it has information on venues and where all work will be exhibited.
• Drawings collected from schools by 6th November for selected display at the Windsor Contemporary Art Fair.
• Even though this is not a competition, originality and creativity will be rewarded.
• Exhibitions
• Work will be shown at the Windsor Contemporary Art Fair, other local venues and at a curated show with larger artworks at the Norden Farm Arts Centre.
• During this time, hands on art workshops for KS2 teachers from the primary schools in Berkshire taking part will happen. More info to follow.

International participation

• Schools, organisations and individuals - it is possible to take part wherever you are.
• The target group for is ages 5-14, but other ages can join in as well (adults are also welcome). Please state group on any drawings submitted.
• The black and white template can be downloaded from Dropbox, or email este to have the file sent to you.
• Please let me know if you take part, as this will be used in a map to be exhibited in January.
• Follow the same guidelines for drawings and send images of outcomes to este or share via instagram: #thequestionmarkcreativechallenge

More info at THE BIG DRAW

Apart from the project in schools, there will be options for all ages to join in the making of larger artworks based on the same idea of the Question Mark Creative Challenge. By visiting various venues and events children 5-14 will have a chance to make drawings on the printed templates, and all ages will get the chance to be part in creating a large interactive artwork around the same idea.

Dates: 
Craft Coop  on Saturday 25 October 10-3pm 
Afrovibes Festival at South Hill Park Arts Centre 
1 November 10-3pm
The Windsor Contemporary Art Fair
8-9 November at Windsor race course. (two for one ticket offer)
Jackson's art materials 10% discount offer 1-14 November.
 Coupon code NOVEMBER10

Let's Draw!

• 

The Question Mark Creative Challenge!

Join in this dynamic Drawing event, part of Big Draw 2014.

An exciting project involving schools, children in arts groups in the UK and globally.
Art has the role in education of helping children become like themselves instead of more like everyone else. Sydney Gurewitz Clemens
Dates:
23-24 October UK schools 
25 October Craft Coop Maidenhead
23 October-2 November Global participation.

First option: Primary schools in Berkshire and surrounds: 
Berkshire Primary schools are invited to take part in this drawing challenge.
Children aged 7-11 will make drawings based on the challenge. 



All Primary schools in Berkshire and surrounds are invited to register (Deadline 3 October).
How?
 An A3 sheet printed with guidelines and a template of a question mark doodle plus a Derwent 'Inktense' pencil supplied to be used for drawings.

Drawings are created starting with a question mark doodle printed on a sheet.
· Project will happen during school time 23-23 October, 30 minutes allowed for drawing.
Fee: £1.50 per participant.


Big Draw 2014's theme is Our World, the challenge use the subthemes to add guidance.

1.Natural World: 
Living things found in the sea, sky and land. Things with wings, flippers, beaks, claws and paws.  
2.Small World: 
Bees, bugs, butterflies, mini beasts, creepy crawlies.         
3.Imaginary World: 
Weird and wonderful: Pretty Pattern, Portrait, Profile, Prototype, Peculiar Invention - Your choice. 



Outcomes:
 

Exhibitions: Drawings shown at Windsor Contemporary Art Fair and Norden Farm Arts Centre.
Possible additional outcomes:
 Prints, a Publication and an Animation project. 
FREE dedicated arts sessions offered for KS2 teachers for all participating local schools.

Second Option: Let's Draw at Craft Coop on 25 October 10-3pm.Part of the Families Festival and Big Draw. Everyone welcome to make Question mark related drawings on sheets and large boards to be documented. 
Drop in and join in creating a visual outcome en masse.
Free. 

Third option: Global participation.
Involving youth art groups, schools an anyone aged 4-14 anywhere to create drawings by either downloading the Questionmark guide sheet or alternatively improvise and make a question mark inspired drawing relating to Our World. 
Dates: 23 October and 2 November.
Share Drawings via Instagram #?uestionmarkchallenge to be added to blog later, or used in Norden farm exhibition slide show.

To be part of this event please email este@estemacleod.com for detailed info, or leave a message below.

*This project is an Este MacLeod Creative Incentive*.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtube_gdata_player&v=sMwZBBenjlk
 http://estemacleod.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/the-uestion-mark-creative-challenge.html
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzw4GGGmBbY· https://www.facebook.com/EsteMacLeodPainterAndAppliedArtist?ref=hl
http://www.thebigdraw.org/event/The_Question_Mark_Creative_challenge./3947

'Look Closely' New Painting now available as print.

This fantasy painting is now available as A3 (40x30cm) sized giclee print. 

Prints are not signed or limited. 

Bigger sizes are available on request.

Prints also available at £39 on

shop.estemacleod.com

***PRINT GIVEAWAY***

To go into the draw for the giveaway find the animals (and insects) in this artwork, leave a message with the total in this blog page or on my Facebook page.

Winner announced 14 September!

Embracing Digital Technology

'Midsummer' a painting I completed last July was one of the winners in the Bags of love's silk scarf contest recently. Even though I am a full time painter now, my original training was as a textile designer specialising in surface pattern design and silk screen printing. It is remarkable how our lives are influenced by digital technology, and even though I do not do much designing on computers at this point, I just love the fact that a 1mx1m painting can be photographed and the image used for a mulitcoloured crisply printed textile.
I see wonderful options and ideas blossomming for applications of my paintings and designs. I am selling through Spoonflower as well, and the range will expand further in September.

This is a towel printed with the 'Midsummer' design.

Silk scarf printed with 'Midsummer' design.

Lilla Rogers Global Talent Search Contest entry.

This is my entry for the contest: Theme 'Little Terrariums'

Brief: A 7x9" Wall based artwork (print) relating to the theme of little terrariums. Audience: adult or chilren.
After considering this, I thought I'd make an artwork that covers both, adult and children, and I looked at artist who's work I admire, with a whimsical style. Miro, Klee, Chagall and Kandinsky fall into this category.

What did I want my Terrarium artwork to achieve?
It has to draw you in, colours to be lush, rich and somehow soothing. I am a colourist, and this is what I thrive on really, colour as supposed to the subject matter.
Colour interior trends for 2015 and using shapes and icons that I feel resemble my style in general had to be kept in mind. I relied heavily on my training as an (old school) textile designer to make something commercially viable, yet true to my own style.
Oh yes, words, it had to contain words, as a rule I do not like using words in art. 'Look closely, the beautiful may be small' Immanuel Kant qoute. was used.

So I ended up with an artwork I can imagine as a print, in something like a kitchen or conservatory. Possibly a playroom...Something you can get distracted by, playful, a bit of escapism.

Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainty. Erich Fromm

I'm taking part in a Blog hop, being invited by http://gabriellabuckingham.blogspot.co.uk/. The questions posed for this posting are the following: What am I working on? How does it differ from others in this genre? Why do I create what I do? and How does my creative process work>


What am I working on?

I am working on paintings for a selection of galleries and exhibitions, I am also working on a drawing project involving children 7-11 as part of an incentive to happen alongside The Big Draw event.



I'm focussing on Fantasy and Floral paintings at the moment. Being affected by seasons, the work seem more summery right now.





How does it differ from others in this genre?

Mmm, difficult to answer since I cannot be objective, for one I am basically a full time painter with a strong design foundation. With extensive training as a textile designer, my paintings are stylised with an emphasis on colour and shapes. I am also a designer with work being licensed for prints and products. I like to apply myself in different ways, apart from Textile design training, I have a BA honours degree in Ceramics with Glass, and an MA in Jewellery design, so I enjoy an element of applied arts as well. Predominantly I do however see myself as a painter.



Why do I create what I do?

I've been an artist for as long as I can remember, I've never wanted to be anything other. As I get older I use the experiences in new experimental ways. I realised that just because one is trained in a certain specialism it does not mean you cannot adapt and diversify. For example, I am a painter, but now after 25 years I am able to once again create designs usable for textile and surface decoration, derived from paintings. Technology allows new ways of application, and this is very exciting.

Happy Day, a painting also used as a textile design.
http://www.spoonflower.com/designs/2682566

How does my creative process work?

Well, as mentioned I fall back on experiences gained from being a full time artist. Playing with form and colour and happy accidents offer new ways of creating paintings and designs. Not being too precious about what you have created so far. In short, I agree with Erich Fromm: Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainty. Wonderful things happen when you do.



Still life painting evolving into a fantasy painting.