Treats!

I won something! Yes! Me! Lucky lucky me! I entered a giveaway over at Silver Pebble and when I won, lovely Emma let me choose the colour of my prize....
Isn't it just the most delicate and delicious pendant? Thank-you Emma! I'm tickled pink. It is beautiful. And I also love the lavender bottle which was in the parcel. I used to make these with the flowers in my grandma's garden, I would use ric rac braid and spend afternoons winding round and round to make the bottles for hanging in the wardrobe. Wonderful memories.
And yesterday I had another treat! I took myself off to the castle for an exhibition I have been desperate to see and for which I have only just found the time!
If you are able get there do take the opportunity! Much of the work is in private collections and so it is very rare to have such a treat as this! I was able to see two of my most favourite paintings! The lady with a bunch of Sweet Williams' which always makes me smile so I have a clipping of it on my pinboard in the workroom.
Isn't that so funny! And this beautiful picture, The apple pickers feast...
The notes at the exhibition were simple comments from Mary and added so much more to the pictures for me. And being able to see works full size is always a joy. She has a way of capturing the essence of what she sees, the movement, colour and stillness of her surroundings...
I would say her work is quintessentially English; for me she is up there with other creative women I admire; Winifred Nicholson, Vanessa Bell, Mary Fedden, Mary Wesley... can you guess that if I had ever had a little girl she might have been called Mary?
Whilst at the museum I took the opportunity again to make some quick sketches in their excellent applied arts galleries.
I only had the paper bag which came from the shop when I bought an exhibition catalogue but these are only scrappy notes; colours, forms, content.
I have been thinking of the things I have not made time for and wondering if I might make time between now and the next Fair in August.
This, this this and these little owls have all been neglected and I am itching to see them through! Added to which I've mentioned before that hubby is always lamenting that I stopped painting. I occasionaly have the guilts when I spy my inks hiding in a cupboard corner...
Each box holds up to a dozen little bottles of vibrant colour wanting to be meet paper!
So busy is what I shall be! Busy as a bee!
But first I am working hard to sort out my new online store! Thank-you to everyone who has asked about this. I shall have it up and running very soon. Photography is proving tricky - it's driving rain or full sunshine here! Often within 5 minutes of each other!
If you would like to be notified when my little shop opens, just drop me an email to hello@teenavallerine.co.uk
and I'll drop an email back to you when it does!
Have a lovely weekend everyone! t.x

Comments

Anonymous said…
Beautiful paintings! no wonder you are so inspired to start again. I used to paint more too and have many bottles of dr martins inks and various gouches and acrylics knocking about. Sadly the quilting is elbowing all other hobbies well out of reach for the time being!!
pinkfairygran said…
Thank you for telling us about the Mary Newcomb exhibition. I have seen some of her work before... the sheer silliness of the Duck Farm always amuses me... so little brush work to convey ducks as well! But the Apple Pickers I like too.. she has been called a 'country artist' hasn't she, which only seems to cover part of what she did, some of it is quite domestic in a way, like the one about bees, can't remember the name. Anyway, I shal pass this info on to another friend, an artist, who lives in Norwich, but has been in Peru recently so may not have seen the ads. There is a lovely book about Mary Newcomb as well, almost £50, a bit too rich for my pocketsies.
Oh and I gave your vintage lovers fair a quick plug on my blog (three R's) this morning, hope that was OK.
M x
meplusmolly said…
Thank you for introducing me to Mary Newcombs' work, I'd never seen it before and it is beautiful!

Good luck with all the buzy bee-ing! There never seems enough time or enough pairs of hands to make/create everything we want to!

can't wait to see your online shop, and hopefully some of your painting with inks too! ;0 x
bex said…
thanks for the tip off! the pictures look fab...and good luck with the unfinished projects and setting down to some painting!
x
Faded Splendour said…
We're off to the Castle! Just read Marys Newcombs obituary on The Guardian website what a beautiful life.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2008/mar/31/2
Bobo Bun said…
You are a very naughty lady, but of course I will let you stroke them!

I know what I'll be doing Tuesday Afternoon. The exhibition looks amazing. Really enjoyed the Vanessa Bell and others (names gone from memory) exhibiton last year.

Lisa x
Yet another one (me) who hadn't heard of Mary Newcomb. Thank you so much, the paintings are wonderful. As I tap this message out I am looking at my own redundant paintbrushes, watercolours, acrylics etc and thinking how much enjoyment is sitting there untapped. x
Zoe said…
It was nice to meet you too, Teena. Sophie has named her puppy, Andrew!!!!

Oh we were in Norwich yeterday afternoon. If only I had known about the exhibition.

What a delight to see those lovely inks and boxes that you have.

Have a lovely weekend. Zoe and Sophie x
hens teeth said…
Firstly congrat on winning that lovely pendant.
Thank you for introducing me to Mary Newcomb ~ sublime work.
Please get the inks out, if only for 15 minutes!
Serenata said…
What a beautiful pendant - lucky you winning that. I enjoyed looking at the artwork and look forward to seeing some of yours - do make time to do some! ;-)
lottie said…
What a great prize you won. Also what a fantastic exhibition you went to - 'right up my street'.

Oh you stash of paints - drool - I can't wait to see what you come up with
Twiggy said…
Emma makes beautiful stuff doesn't she? I've got a lovely bracelet she kindly made me. Gorgeous paintings, it's great when someone else inspires your creativity. Let me know when your shop opens can't wait to see your work.
Twiggy x
Jo said…
lovely prize, well done!
the paintings look great, I hope you decide to start painting again.
I've only ever painted the once, the picture is my blog - June 2008 - Derwent Dam.
Josie x
Sara said…
love your very pretty win, well done! x
Lyn said…
Thank you for stopping by at my blog and leaving a comment, nice to meet new friends!
Love
Lyn
xxx
Pretty, pretty artwork! I can't wait to see what you come up with when that ink DOES meet up with paper!
Helen said…
Lush paintings . . so still you are right, but they capture a moment beautifully, well done on your win quite a wonderful stash you have there . . .
Love Helen
Have not come across Mary Newcombe's work before your blog and really like the three shown. Good luck with your owls - they're going to be great!
Lesley
Congrats on winning that beautiful pendant. I love the paintings especially the apple one. Thanks so much for visiting Beach Vintage and leaving a comment xx
Clever Emma.. a beautiful necklace.. and clever you for winning it!!
I love that style of painting and have vowed that when I grow up I am going to collect only beautiful things.... could take a while mind you.... as the essential part of this ambition is money.... Oh and I will never grow up!

Hope all is well at Maison Pink?
Michele xxx
Olga said…
These colours are just lovely! What a beautiful blog! :) please drop by mine too! :)
monique said…
You really won a great prize!
The paintings are wonderful!
Have a lovely sunday.