BASICS...

continuing with the theme of still life, I’ve always loved the simplicity and form of basics, of everyday objects. Look back on this blog and you will see some earlier works of variation in shape and size of basics like condiments and everyday bowls. Here are two pared back still life works encompassing the loveliness of the everyday.

STILL LIFE...

my career has been about creating objects and form and the application of pattern. I’ve covered, apparel, homewares and even car interiors. Silhouette is an integral part of design and the process. As I paint fore, I like to explore these silhouettes as two dimensional forms, often as negative space.

INKY KINGDOMS.....

the inkiness feels just like january, stormy with rain and cold. the image of the kingdom through the dunes in the last painting is towards the future… or is it the past?

THE FIRST FLOWER OF 2025......

It’s been freezing here, with the coutry crippled by low temperatures and ice. I’ve been spending the time planning spring gardens and thinking about wildflower lawns.

LAST OF THE YEAR...

its with all good intentions that, back in august when our new home had more than two chairs and a bed ( our container of earthly possessions arrived!) that I was going to post weekly. alas that did not happen. change has been good and challenging aat the same time. the most consistent thing has been the weather, the damp, the fog. visually its suited me well and some of my paintings last year almost seem like a premonition. I’ve always loved the fog and what it does to the scenery, making the familiar obscured and strange. so here’s the last post of ‘24 and big hopes that the resolution of a weekly post becomes reality.

THINGS TO COME...

Lots of changes are on the horizon, there will be much more content here, on my instagram account and also prints and original artwork available at saatchiart.com stay tuned for more updates.

BY RAIL...

most of my scenics come from memory, and in particular are about momentary glimpses of fields and farmland. Often featuring low morning mist and hedgerows, they depict a solitude of the Welsh and English countryside seen fleetingly through a train window. The color palette somewhat conveys the seasonality. The scenes themselves hold a promise of the land or sea beyond the window view.

HAITUS.....

painting doesn’t happen on command, and although to exercise those muscles daily is best, sometimes.. it just doesn’t come. I’ve ended what seemed like a long pause ( I hope) It involved a lot of pondering and frankly, over thinking. Enough said. returning to favorite themes of fog filled fields.

LOST ART.......

mark making; the foundation of any process and calligraphy or script handwriting has a unique beauty and rhythm that fits into this world. I’ve started incorporating cursive lines into some pieces lately and to explore some different mediums and combinations.

ACCIDENTAL.....

seredipity is always at play and today was no exception. I had reprimed and repurposed an old canvas, quite large 30” square. the piece was pot aside, i just turned around to see surface bubbling and drizzle. It definitely enhanced the piece and made me think of how I can do this in more of an anticipated way… but does that spoil the beauty?

PAINT SKETCHES........

new, over at saatchiart.com this week, some smaller pieces are up for sale. these are paint sketches, studies and experiments in form, materials and mark making. I’ll be adding to them occasionally, often they work as pairs or close friends.

AN INKY PAST..........

I started a number of pieces recently that are evocative of old script and handwriting. it’s not something that’s new in my work, but as usual, it takes time for me to layer ideas together.. and these compositions are starting to be appealing. This piece entitled “Scribe” has a strange energy between romantic script and expressive mark making. It evokes romanticism along with youth and rebellion somehow. The piece is for sale at www.saatchiart.com or for purchase as a print ( also on saatchi)

ANOTHER LONG JANUARY......

the end of the month is here and as usual january seemed twice as long as any other month. there have been two highlights on consecutive weekends, museum shows of Matisse and Modigliani. both artists’ retrospectives show: that it’s good to experiment and that it’s inevitable that your peers will influence you. but ultimately you find your personal voice through the journey. I came home and picked up a bunch of brushes I rarely use and started painting/ traveling and taking that journey.

TECHNIQUE.......

it’s always a good time to explore and develop mew techniques. I see so many fellow artists and designers experimenting with everything from Ai to Z as it were. my aim as I continue painting is to be more free less constrained…today was a beginning…

THE LITTLE THINGS........

many tasks, ideas and plans for the new year and sometimes it’s the little things that give us pleasure. I spend the majority of my work time designing everyday objects: mugs, bowls and gadgets and inevitably they feature in my work. now available through Saatchiart.com, prints of “condiments’ and “everyday”.sizes are, small 8x10”, or up to 20x25” plus options for framing. only prints of these pieces are available currently, but see the studio page for other for sale original artworks.

https://www.saatchiart.com/search/artist?query=bernice%20Kelly

FROSTY LANDSCAPE............

It’s been a super cold week here with frigid temperatures. when I think of winter weather I tend to think of fog, mist, moist air and usually rain. painting this week took me to a place that’s a little greener than the current climate.

MERGING.........

often in my design world, I end up merging or collaging ideas to make the compositions more interesting. I’ve tried this a few times with painting, working linear botanicals on top of scenics. I am not totally convinced I like the combination, maybe the nature of the botanical needs to evolve… but its an interesting part of the process.

HOUSEKEEPING..........

a day of organizing today. Reviewing paintings from a while ago and at last setting them into frames. Visiting some old favourites… see the detail from one.

INTRODUCTION TO COLOUR......

In an attempt to infuse more color into my work, and life! I purchased a pack of japanese sumi-e gouache pans. I love their strength and sticky consistency. Although semi means black ink these pans are marketed as sumi-e. The calligraphic ink style painting heavily influences my work, and although not quite as I’d intended the color to work or be applied, I’m liking this look as a beginning.