Brown polished leather shoes, horses saddles, beeswaxed wood, tree bark, chestnuts, speckled bird feathers, seed pods and of course Autumns leaves as they age on the earths carpet.
Times past, I used to paint much darker. I used a lot of brown in my paintings and the paintings themselves had a much darker feel to them.
This picture below was painted by me many many moons ago. I have a soft spot for it as it gained me an award of 'Best Student Illustrator' at the Benson and Hedges Gold Awards. It also won me £1000 for myself and £1000 for my college at the time.
It was based on the theme of 'Magic' for Angela Carters book The Magic Toyshop.I have decided to make this available as a print in my Etsy shop for anyone that likes slightly darker things.
So, was it because I'd been looking at this old painting or that Autumn has arrived here, that my palette took a turn to brown once again this week?.....
Autumn inspired scene painted on a wooden heart...
Soon to be for sale in my Etsy shop!Sorry I'm a little late this week posting this.
I blame it on blackberrying!
Posts
Hi Karen, I saw you had a new post from your Twitter message, so just had to see what you've been gettting up to lately! I love that toyshop illustration, it's right up my street (so to speak!) Those browns are so inspiring and make autumn all the more welcoming :)x
ReplyDeleteI love the the autumnal heart - perfect for this time of year.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I love the folk art heart so very much! It's just gorgeous. :) Hope you are well...Theresa
ReplyDeleteHello Karen! Just popping in to say I enjoy reading your posts. Love the magic toyshop painting and I can see why you won the award. It's brilliant! I really enjoy Angela Carter's work and your work here is so inspired and inspiring. Keep creating! x
ReplyDeleteAs all your work and this one is no exeption !
ReplyDeleteStunning piece of art, perfect for autumn.
the heart is very warm....I love autumn !
ReplyDeleteAutumn is my favorite time of year..I love the contrast of the fiery leaves with the browning of the everything else. The heart is lovely and I really enjoy the darker piece as well.
ReplyDeleteOh I am a lover of brown as well. It's one of my favourite colours to wear. I can see why your painting won the contest. It's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThese are both really wonderful Karen :)
ReplyDeleteHooray for all mudgy colours I say :)
Your artwork is just so beautiful! I love brown too. I want my hair to be the warm brown color of chestnuts(like it used to be) Haircolor is a poor replacement for nature :)
ReplyDeleteI love brown in all it's shades too, and I love Angela Carters work even more, Nights at The Circus especially!
ReplyDeleteOMG, I love that heart!! I'll keep an eye out for it in your shop :)
ReplyDeleteYour writing is beautiful. I love brown too- it's so warm and full. Your picture is fantastic! It must be wonderful to have such artistic talent.
ReplyDeleteI love this past painting Karen. It just has such a mysterious feel to it. Something about the weather changing does seem to change the colors I use too, not that I've been up to much lately. The heart is great as well with all it's lovely shades of autumn.
ReplyDeleteOooh how beautiful! I love the painting & the heart!!!
ReplyDeleteI am liking brown myself at the moment & am really enjoying painting some brown Butterflies (Speckled Wood butterflies I think they are called) in my latest piece of art. It gets you in the mood for Autumn doesn't it? hehe...
what a beautiful post and the magical music from chocolat...bliss I love your painting....I must send you a link to a wonderful french illustrator that you may like...but I cant remember her name off hand...
ReplyDeleteLovely! I adore earthy colors. :-)
ReplyDeleteDear Karen
ReplyDeleteSomehow I have not discovered the mermaid shop! But I've just looked at their website and I must visit. Now I will be desperate to go back just to see it!
Thank you for this tip
Denise x
lol blackberrying has a lot to answer for here too! i love how autumn has sidled into your work, beautiful *ruthie*
ReplyDeleteI love your wooden heart. Earth tones in the fall are so relaxing and warm feeling. Great to see your creativity again, I look forward to browsing through your blog to see what you have been up to this summer.
ReplyDeleteSo much to look at in the toyshop picture. One's eye goes round the shelves and all over the place. Even the shadows are fascinating.
ReplyDeleteHaunting, really.
Lucy
I love the darkness of the first picture and the Autumn colours of the heart are so soothing and warm.
ReplyDeleteWhat music is on your playlist, it's fantastic?
kx
Thankyou everyone for all of your sweet comments :)
ReplyDeletex
Yarrow...
If you click on the 'Get Tracks' on my Mixpod music player. You can view my playlist :)
I absolutely love your heart! My favourite colours and my favourite season in such a wonderful piece of art work.
ReplyDeleteGillian
Hi, I found your blog via 5 precious things. Your illustations are gorgeous. I'll definitely be back! Shirl x
ReplyDeleteYour brown heart is wonderful, I like the tall house and all those creatures, perfect for autumn.
ReplyDeleteI love your award winning piece, it has such atmosphere! Your new autumn heart is so magical .. I love this time of year!
ReplyDelete