Ch…ch..changes!

October 14, 2024October 14, 2024 | Sara Glendinning - Watercolour painter

Change is afoot – we have relocated to Gaborone, Gabz, GC. Not an easy transition – think of velcro firmly enmeshed, then trying to peel it open without too much noise. I have been slowly bringing things to Gabs for the last 6 months and now have a bright spare room for painting and wall space for hanging pictures. I had an energetic burst of painting and decorating (green seems to be a recurring theme with me), bought far too much paint and feel obliged to use it throughout. I like it but others may get queasy.

Anyway – to studio stuff. I’m trying a new way of stretching paper. I love Arches gummed blocks but I am very wishy washy with paint so the paper buckles. I can’t remember the artist who did this but you soak the paper, and paste it at the edges onto boards cut to size. He prepared a few at a time, separated them with newsprint and they dried out slowly staying taut and flat for subsequent painting. One day the name will come to me – in the meantime I am happy with the result!

I’ll be posting on FB and Instagram when it’s done!

New paintings!!!!

May 16, 2024May 16, 2024 | Sara Glendinning - Watercolour painter

Actually, no need of a fanfare. There are bound to be new paintings since the last time I posted. It is more of an annual event than a blog post.

Anyway- I have managed more than a couple since I tidied my studio in 2021.

Buffalo in the early morning with egrets.

Amsterdam Albatross – not found in Botswana!

Sometimes I just don’t have much to say.😂

I have transferred most of my studio to Gaborone where I can teach and hang out with other artists. Hopefully more painting, more blogging will be the result – if not I daresay you’ll hear from me again in a year or so…

Note to self….. This is no way to build a career in art!!

All tidied up ready for the next mess!

April 16, 2021April 17, 2021 | Sara Glendinning - Watercolour painter

There comes a time in an artist’s studio practice when there is nowhere to work. All surfaces are occupied, references are piled on the floor and there is a very real danger of spilling coffee on the masterpiece or putting the mug down on top of a very nice little sketch. Don’t ask me how I know!

The amount of time spent in preparation and mental manoevres to get to a flow state is often greater than the time spent painting. I have been gearing myself up to working in oils seeing as most of my watercolour paints have rigor mortis – they lie twisted and dried up in an After Eights tin. Hence a massive clean up and a rummage in the tool box for a spanner or pair of pliers that will get the tops off oil paint tubes.

I am struggling already with oils as they have no mind of their own and need me to place every blob and stroke. Oil paint sits on the surface like a tiny turd and I have to resist the urge to saturate it in turps and spread it over the canvas like a watercolour wash. It does not work like that, and so I feel like a complete beginner again! Thanks to YouTube and a million art tutorials I am more confused and frustrated than ever and remind myself that this is the life of an artist. I am far from cutting off my ear, but slashing the canvas and throwing my brushes at the wall is a recurring thought.

Enjoy these images of tidiness and clearish surfaces. A rare treat!

Finish what you start!

March 25, 2021 | Sara Glendinning - Watercolour painter

I’m afraid I don’t have much staying power – the initial thrill of painting wears off as I get into difficulties and there is always something new and exciting in the garden (or over the fence!) that I want to paint. However, I think I must revisit some of these unresolved masterpieces. I have the finished pictures in my head – I just don’t know how to get them onto paper!!