November :)
Hello there friends,
Well here we are, mid November, with Halloween and Bonfire Night behind us, as we stare forwards towards the festive season. Much of my time is now being taken up with planning and prepping for my many Christmas markets over the next 6 weeks. My Christmas cards are selling well, with my ‘festive Schnauzer’ being the most popular so far. Do check out the offer I have online for multipacks- They are guaranteed to put a smile on any dog lovers face!
‘‘Festive Schnauzer’’
I’m excited to announce that I will be having a Black Friday Sale at the end of November, with 15% off my whole range, including my original paintings. So, if you’ve had your eye on any of them, or feel they might make the PERFECT Christmas gift, then this will be the best time to snap yourself up something special. Further information regarding this sale will be emailed out in the next week or so.
Do you remember some of the photos from last months blog from my trip to Spain? Well, Ive finished a little painting that was inspired by these photos. It a thankful nod to the natural beauty that’s out in the world. This particular sunset came after a day where I was very brave and I felt very lucky to witness it. I still need to varnish it and have a think about which frame might complement it, but I like its simplicity and its feeling of calm. I’m not sure whether to make some prints of it, but if there’s any interest, do let me know.
‘‘Zen Skies in Andalucía’’
I’ve not only been painting dogs and horses as commissions this month but also glorious wedding bouquets! It was very exciting to be asked to oversee this special piece, which was commissioned to be a wedding gift for a very lucky couple. The bouquet itself was a marvellous mix of colour, which made it very fun to paint. I love the blue background watercolour wash, as it adds a certain fragility against the intense, bold colours in the bouquet. The client was thrilled with the end result- hooray! I love taking on unusual commissions, alongside pet portraits and look forward to seeing what else gets booked in throughout the next month as we run up to Christmas! If you have anything particular in mind, pop me an email to discuss the possibility of having it captured in paint :)
Wedding Bouquet Commission
And finally, Ive finished my oil painting study of the Cotswold lavender farm at Snowshill, Broadway, Gloucestershire. I think it captures the bright summer day when I visited back in July. This one will be framed in a thick cream frame and will be up for sale at online soon. I can almost smell the lavender in the air!
‘‘Cotswold Lavender Farm’’
Upcoming Markets
*Saturday 16th November- Arts and Crafts Market- Cornhall, Cirencester- 10am-4.30pm
*Sunday 17th November -Arts and Crafts Market- Cornhall, Cirencester- 10am-4pm
*Sunday 24th November - Arts and Crafts Market- Cornhall, Cirencester- 10am-4pm
*Monday 25th November- Arts and Crafts Market- Cornhall, Cirencester- 10am-4pm
*Saturday 30th November- Arts and Crafts Market- Cornhall, Cirencester- 10am-4.30 pm
*Sunday 1st December- Arts and Crafts Market- Cornhall, Cirencester- 10am-4.30 pm
Saturday 7th December- Craft Market- Witney Corn Exchange- 10am-4pm
Sunday 8th December- Arts and Crafts Market- Cornhall, Cirencester- 10am-4.30 pm
Monday 9th December- Arts and Crafts Market- Cornhall, Cirencester- 10am-4.30 pm
Friday 13th December -Market & Mulled Wine event- Retreat and Rewild Studios, Cirencester 6pm-9pm
Pop by if you’re in the area to see what new work I’ve got on offer.
As always, thanks for your support and hope to see some of you at my markets soon :)
X
Hello September :)
Hello friends.
now we’ve waved goodbye to August, there’s a definite chill in the air on my early morning dog walks. I’m all for it; September is a wonderful month, and the start of very BUSY season for me, with the run up to the Autumn and Winter (and dare I mention Christmas) markets. So, before things really ramp up, Ive been focusing on creating as much as I possibly can, whilst I’m feeling the creative flow from the summer months. My latest little watercolour piece ‘Cotswold Lake Tranquility’ has just been finished, and was inspired by the many fabulous hours I’ve spent swimming with friends in the lakes by my home. The original painting is now listed here on my website, and A3 signed prints are also available here.
Cotswold Lake Tranquility
I spent a fabulous weekend camping in the New Forest at the end of August, and boy oh boy were we lucky with the weather. Glorious sun, ponies everywhere, a campsite that had sour dough pizza AND a bar, and to top it all off, the beautiful purple heather was in full bloom. I had every intention of doing some sketching but instead I walked and simply enjoyed soaking up the rare beauty of a sunny British weekend spent outdoors with friends. I’ve taken some lovely photos though, which I intend to use as painting references in the future.
The girls in their element!
Some big news since my last blog is that I’ve now finished my oil painting of Cirencester Abbey grounds- I absolutely LOVE its vibrancy and intensity of colour. I’ve had some professional scans taken of it and will be producing some high quality A2 and A3 size signed Giclee prints in the next couple of weeks, on gorgeous 300gsm paper- If you would like to preorder, please send me a message. The 20’’ by 16’’ Original oil painting is currently at the framers and, once framed, will be listed on the website and will be hung at my upcoming exhibitions. I’d love to hear what you think of it :)
Cirencester Abbey grounds- Oil on canvas board.
Some more exciting news- I’ve had some professional scans taken of ‘Sun Shimmer’ and ‘Cornish Glow’ and will also be producing some high quality A2 and A3 size signed Giclee prints in the next couple of weeks, on paper of these gorgeous pieces- If you would like to preorder, please send me a message. These will be very limited edition and can come framed or unframed.
Busy framing up in the kitchen.
I’ve been very busy at craft markets recently, having some excellent days ay the Cornhall in Cirencester, and also in Swindon at the Craft and Flea makers market. I love connecting face to face with my customers and I shared some really special moments last month with people buying my artwork, who knew the places that I’d painted and who had their own special memories at these places.
My focus for September is creating before I get really busy for Christmas, but I have 2 big dates in the diary for September which I’m already looking forward to, and many more in October.
My upcoming market days for September and October are currently as follows:
*Saturday 14th September- Arts and Crafts Market- Cornhall, Cirencester- 10am-4.30pm
*Sunday 22nd September- Craft and Flea- Gloucester- GL1 Leisure Centre- 10-4pm
*Monday 7th October -Craft Market- Cornhall, Cirencester- 10am-4pm
*Monday 14th October- Craft Market- Cornhall, Cirencester- 10am-4pm
*Saturday 19th October- Arts and Crafts Market- Cornhall, Cirencester- 10am-4.30pm
*Sunday 20th October -Arts and Crafts Market- Cornhall, Cirencester- 10am-4.30pm
*Monday 21st October - Arts and Crafts Market- Cornhall, Cirencester- 10am-4.30pm
*Monday 28th October - Arts and Crafts Market- Cornhall, Cirencester- 10am-4.30pm
Pop by if you’re in the area to see what new work I’ve got on offer.
What a pair of cuties!
And finally, my pet portrait commmison slots are now open to book for Christmas 2024. A £50 deposit secures your commission. These are filling up fast so get in touch today to discuss further. For more information about sizing and prices, check out here. They make the absolute perfect and completely unique gifts :)
Right, I’m off now to unpack the car after a big market yesterday (it’s packed to the rafters with stuff!) - Its the WORST part of the market process! :)
Thanks for reading and hope to see some of you at a market soon!
x
Is Summer finally here?!
Hello friends :) I’m writing this on a day where the sun is shining (it’s 27 degrees!) and I’m feeling ever so happy and summery! The downside to this weather is that the conservatory that I call my ‘Studio’ is currently 39 degrees and impossible to paint in!! When I know that really hot weather is forecast, I get up super early and try to get a few hours of painting in before it gets too much to cope with. It’s got to that stage now, so its an excellent excuse to write my blog!
I’ve been working hard on my oil painting of cirencester Abbey grounds and now at the stage where I’m adding the last shadows and highlights here and there. It’s been a really fun process and a nice change to the usual seascapes I love to paint- mixing up lots of different greens has been very soothing. I feel there’s still quite a way to go before its finished (next focus is a little bench to be added in the foreground) but I’m pretty chuffed with it so far. I’ll be selling the original oil painting when its finished and also making some limited edition prints, so do let me know if you’d like to secure one :)
I took myself off to the Cotswold Lavender farm at the end of July, with the aim to take some new reference photos for a painting. I enjoyed painting my last lavender piece so much, that I want to recreate another, with a different perspective, incorporating the different range of lavenders on show there, from pale lilac, to white to the deeper, intense indigo. You will not believe how many photos I took, but I’ve got some real crackers and just know that they’ll help me to paint something pretty special. My phone is absolutely packed with reference photos, but I’ll keep adding to them, as you never know what might feel ‘right’ to paint and its great to know I have so much inspiration at the touch of a button.
Whilst I was at the lavender farm, I took the opportunity to do a bit of painting outside; just a simple half hour watercolour ‘sketch’ of the glorious wild flower fields that were in full bloom. To have the sun on my back, and to be surrounded by flowers, was heaven and almost allowed me to forget about the maddening crowds everywhere (note to self..do not go on a weekend again!). I’ve set myself a challenge for the next 6 months to sketch every single day, even if it’s just for 5 minutes. Being able to sketch simply, quickly and accurately is so important but can so easily get overlooked (particularly when I’m itching to get painting or to start a brand new piece or to respond to orders..walk the dog..make a coffee..the list goes on). so, I’ll be posting my daily sketch on my Instagram account to hold myself accountable. Why not join me and sketch a little bit each day too? I’d love to be tagged in any sketches you complete :)
I’ve been doing my regular weekly Monday market at Cirencester’s Cornhall this month and have been painting whilst I’m there, to drum up interest and to also stop me from getting bored during quiet periods. During these market days I’ve been working on 2 acrylic paint pieces; one called ‘Porthmeor at dusk’ (on the left) and a rock and sea study too. Painting whilst being watched by passers by has been a real experience and has allowed me to have some really interesting discussions with people.
And finally, did you know that August is ‘Happiness Happens Month’?!
Once upon a time, a real group called the Secret Society of Happy People (where do I sign up?!) decided to dedicate a day to the pursuit of happiness. Members of the society wanted to let happy feelings linger inside them every day. In 2000, the Secret Society of Happy People expanded the celebration to Happiness Happens Month in August.
Happiness is a choice. Remembering happiness does not mean you are problem free. That kind of life doesn't exist. As the Stoics of Ancient Greece observed, happiness is all about the quality of your thoughts. Happiness is not a destination, but rather a life-long pursuit. Joy can be anywhere at any time. Don't limit yourself to searching for pleasure. Enjoy everything and anything that makes you happy- For me that’s painting, being outside in nature and seeing the joy my artwork brings to others.
To help celebrate all things happy, use code HAPPY10 when checking out on all unframed prints on my website for 10% off Another little reason to be happy this month :)
X
A month of exhibitions and seaside trips..
Hello friends,
How are we nearly midthorugh July?June flew by for me!
I’m excited to be able to show you a new oil painting I’ve just finished, focused on an insanely vibrant sunset down in St Just, Cornwall. I’m still thinking of a name for it- Any suggestions out there would be welcomed! The next step will be for it to go to my framers, to complete the look and then it will be listed on the website for sale. At the moment though I’m enjoying having it hanging in my living room for a bit :)
It’s been a really busy time, with 2 exhibitions running at the same time during June. One in the gorgeous town of Nailsworth at the Hobbs House Bakery and the other in the Cirencester Information centre.
Hobbs House is a gorgeous, light and bright space and I think my pictures really popped on their white walls! I put up a mixture of framed prints and a couple of my watercolour and sea salt originals ~ Namely ‘Candy Floss Skies’, ‘Glorious’ and ‘Turquoise’.
The month whizzed by and last week I took everything back down. I had some wonderful comments from people and lots of traffic to the website, so it was an exhibition worth doing! I hope some of you enjoyed taking a look if you were in the area :)
*Hobbs House Bakery~ Nailsworth
My other exhibition is currently hanging at the Cirencester Information centre based on the ground floor of Bingham House in the Market Place. An absolute mine of information and should definitely be the first port of call for anyone visiting the town. Do pop in and take a look at my work on the walls. ‘Sunset Showdown’ original is there, along with ‘Cornish Blues’ original and some beautiful framed prints.
Cirencester Information Centre
For the latter part of June I was based in Norfolk, in the little village of Winterton on Sea. This is where my grandfather, Peter Rowles Chapman lives (and where I grew up!). He’s a spectacular artist, with a studio in the garden filled with dreamy Norfolk oil paintings alongside absolutely wacky (and sometime terrifying!) creations dreamt up from his imaginations. He really is the most creative person I know, always tinkering away at something new! If you are ever in the area, his studio is open most days and he loves taking people round on tours! He’s well known for his tattooed camper van that sits on the lane opposite his house- Fabulous!
The stuff of dreams and nightmares!
Gramps hard at work, tinkering away at a new creation.
I spent lots of time painting with him, listening very hard to his helpful suggestions and criticisms and I learnt such a lot. I feel very lucky to have such a mentor :).
Of course I also spent as much time as I could walking on the glorious coastline whilst I was in Norfolk too, taking lots of photos to help guide a series of paintings for the future. As the landscape is so flat , the skies seem huge and create a wonderful composition.
Stormy clouds over Winterton beach in June 2024.
My focus for the rest of July has been on pet portraits commissions as well as working on a first for me..an oil painting of Cirencester! It’s been on my to do list for a very long time, so I’m excited to finally be making a start on this- watch this space!
I’ll be at a makers market at the Bibury village hall on the 14th July, as well as at the Cornhall in Cirencester on the 22nd July- Pop by and say hi :)
I feel you are all now well and truly caught up, so toodles until next time!
Charlotte x
2 Weeks painting in St Ives = Happy me :)
It’s only been 6 weeks since my last trip down to Cornwall (Where I was based near Mousehole and the wilds of Lands End) but my itchy feet have won and I’m back down in my favourite place, St Ives, for a 2 week working holiday.
The glorious light here is just immense and so inspirational and exciting for artists. My first week Ive been wandering the cobbled streets, admiring the multiple art galleries here and seeking inspiration from other established artist’s work. My most admired artist at the moment is Neil Pickett; His ability to paint light is spectacular. I was lucky enough to be able to visit the Cornwall Contemporary gallery in Penzance and meet Neil, during an exhibition of his. What a feast for the eyes! The gallery itself is a beauty, with multiple floors of Cornish artwork. I could easily spend a day there just admiring everything.
*Setting off to Porthmeor beach for a morning of sketching and painting en plain air = big ol’ grin on my face!
My second week was spent sketching and painting en plain air, capturing some inspiration to take back home with me. Finished 2 nice little watercolour pieces which I’ll use as references for when I get back to the studio and can work in oils. I like working outside, as it teaches me to work quickly and to try and only capture the real defining features of a scene.
All in all, its been a wonderful 2 weeks by the sea, and I feel recharged and ready to create!
March madness!
Hello lovely people!
March has been a BUSY one! Ive been selling my work at quite a few art markets, alongside working on a big new oil painting (It’s going to be my most colourful YET!). My most exciting news is that 4 (yes 4!) of my original paintings have sold- ‘South West Coast Path Dreaming’, ‘Cornish Gem’, ‘Cotswold Winter’ and ‘January Breeze’. I’m over the moon that they are now hung in their new homes, all over the country.
Buying a piece of original art really is special- You can see every brush stroke, the true vibrancy of the paint, and know that the piece hanging on your wall is completely one of a kind. I’m so grateful to my customers and thankful to have the opportunity to paint things that people love and want to keep for themselves forever.
*Cornish Gem- original painting
Im feeling happy happy happy! :) Here’s to a successful rest of March!
My first blog— Eeee :)
We all have to start somewhere..so here’s my first blog!
I’ve been meaning to have a regular blog for a good while, as a way of documenting my progress as an artist and so finally here we are! You’re welcome to join me on this wild ol’ ride!
The run up to Christmas 2023 was very busy with craft markets (a first for me!). these markets were a brilliant opportunity to launch myself and my brand out into the world and so I made some fancy flyers to display next to my work. I’ve gone for a clean neutral look (quite different to my actual bright colourful artwork!) and made sure im not covered in paint for once! Smart hey?! :)
Now that we are well and truly into 2024, I’ve been setting myself monthly goals to help me focus and ensure that I split enough time between marketing/selling and actually painting/creating (my favourite part!). I found it a tricky balance last year. Mondays are market stall days, where I sell my artwork locally in Cirencester (come and say hello to me at the Cornhall market if you’re in the area!), Wednesdays have become my admin days (broken up by lovely stomps with Sybil the dog at lunchtime of course) and then the rest of the time I try to focus on creating.
Weekly art market in Cirencester at the Cornwall.
January and the beginning of February have been taken up by a very exciting oil commission, which I can’t wait to share with you all. It was particularly detailed piece, with gorgeous colours that really pop! A run of very limited edition prints of this will be available soon- Watch this space! Tomorrow I’ll be taking it to the framers and then it’ll be posted off to it’s happy owner!
Right, time to sign off, make a cuppa and crack on with a huge acrylic snow scene I’ve just started- exciting!
x