Phew!

*Exhales*

It's been a very busy couple of months of late, what with setting up multiple online gallery/shop spaces and entering several exhibitions locally. On top of that I've been writing applications for various jobs, plus one university course that I would very much like to get on. I came to the process relatively late, so doing my research and getting everything organised has been a little bit hectic.

I've also been working away on a commission which is due for completion very soon. It is of a pet dog called Ella and is intended as a surprise birthday present for the husband of the commission maker.

As soon as it's completed I'll upload a scan here. In the meantime, here's a photo of a lion mug. ROAR!

Available to order at all good LukoStores!

Officially a Professional?

Great news, I've sold my first painting. In fact it actually sold a few months ago. I'm now working on another. Stay tuned.

It's flattering to know that people are prepared to part with their hard-earned in order to have something I've created. It also provides a nice confidence boost and incentive to keep doing more. Hopefully, quicker, better and more often.

Finished Lion Portrait.

I should have made this post a couple of months ago, but the lion painting has been finished, framed and exhibited. As always I felt like I could have done with another week or so to fine tune it, but never mind. With any luck someone will like it enough to buy it.

"Lions"

A friend of mine wrote a poem once, entitled "Lions". The poem went as follows:

"...
...
...
...... Lions!
...
...
... "

The pause and delivery were integral to the poem's success. Obviously it was better in real life than it is on paper, but to this day it remains the only poem I can recite off by heart. And that, I think, speaks volumes.

It was with this poem in mind acting as a vast well of unending inspiration, that I began my latest painting.

That last sentence is not true. I painted a lion cos I like lions and thought it would be a fun subject. I've only just remembered the "...Lions" incident as I write this.

The painting in its state above is probably about 95% complete. There are a few little bits and bobs I want to tidy up, but as always with painting this could go on indefinitely. The painting is acrylic on canvas, approximately 12 by 9 inches in size. I like the mixture of fine details with broader brush strokes and blocks of colour.