tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36440800909929223202023-07-18T01:28:09.802+01:00The Story Behind the ArtRalphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.comBlogger329125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-10771166753972834242016-09-13T08:00:00.001+01:002016-09-13T08:00:13.689+01:00Father.<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dW9LS1RY0D4/V9ehGKe3h_I/AAAAAAAACsE/vet5808nZ-8QACyLQwo8spAJWf-P3QV_ACK4B/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dW9LS1RY0D4/V9ehGKe3h_I/AAAAAAAACsE/vet5808nZ-8QACyLQwo8spAJWf-P3QV_ACK4B/s320/IMG_0927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This little scene is just outside the site I am on now. I walk along past this each time I leave the site. The water yesterday was so calm as I crossed the bridge I could watch the fish swim against the stream. Nature in all its wonder.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is a young child on the site who seems to have caught the bug of being interested in all around him. He spends most time pointing at things on the ground and turning over stones. How I wish I could let him see the bird that is sitting about ten yards from me right now. It is sitting on a nest looking down at me its little eye catching the light.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The wonder of nature indeed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This reminds me of another little boy. He was continually asking his mother all sorts of questions about the things that caught his interest. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One day while in the garden he asked his mother where babies came from. The mother thinking he was too young to understand took a little seed from a flowerhead. She told him that her and his father had got a seed just like this and put it somewhere safe until he had grown.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The little lad seemed happy with that a moved on to another subject and the mother felt happy.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Later that day the young boy took a seed and hid it under a stone.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Two or three days later he returned to the stone and gently lifted it. A large black beetle crawled out from under it. The little boy looked at it and said, "Oh you are so ugly. If I was not your father I would stand on you."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first lesson in the beauty of nature is to take our share of its ownership.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Have a good day, enjoy.</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-25751436915724445082016-09-12T10:16:00.002+01:002016-09-12T10:16:51.317+01:00Boating.<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFee4cwi6XQ/V9ZvDBO22LI/AAAAAAAACr0/ejv9On_4Cvk7Wbrm1tMlHTZmVAKwD-XAACK4B/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFee4cwi6XQ/V9ZvDBO22LI/AAAAAAAACr0/ejv9On_4Cvk7Wbrm1tMlHTZmVAKwD-XAACK4B/s320/IMG_0134.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I did enjoy my stay in Paris. It was so lovely to meet up with friends from the years ago, lost and rebound never I hope to lose again. I had three hectic days of sightseeing and late night at the Palace of Versailles fireworks music and fountains.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But how nice it is also to get back into the land, into the country. Today I walked along La Cher a river that passes through the little village I am now in. We walked through the village and up into the woods through a little path it would have been so easy to miss. It was beautiful so peaceful with just the birds and scents.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Back down through the ancient village and back along the river edge. There I saw a lovely picture worthy of any painting. A man in his little boat standing fishing and reflected on the mirror water.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So different from the story of the woman who came to my mind.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was late spring and a woman was trying out her new boat. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Try as hard as she could it just would not perform for her. It would not turn or move forward, no matter how hard she tried.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After trying for three days she decided to seek help. Using a pole she eventually got it along to the local boat yard.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She asked if they could solve her problem?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Workers determined everything was working fine. One of the workers put on his wet suit and dived to see if there was a problem underneath.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He very quickly came back to the surface spluttering and laughing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Under the boat firmly in place was the launching trailer still attached.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Make sure before you start your day you carry no unnecessary burdens.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Have a good day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-78989620254860613362016-05-02T08:17:00.000+01:002016-05-02T08:17:36.557+01:00What is the Salary?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oG3QFVkSM68/Vyb-C8G_lAI/AAAAAAAACN0/PQORWvUU_Z0E3OHrWRFEjp9D4FOyMuxYACK4B/s1600/Screenshot%2B2016-01-21%2B07.37.42.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oG3QFVkSM68/Vyb-C8G_lAI/AAAAAAAACN0/PQORWvUU_Z0E3OHrWRFEjp9D4FOyMuxYACK4B/s320/Screenshot%2B2016-01-21%2B07.37.42.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday I was walking with a good friend. We were remembering when we left school and got our first ever jobs. My first job started the day after I left school. There thing for us no such thing as a gap year wages had to be earned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had no interview for my first job. I went and met with the boss, he told me what was expected of me the hours I would be expected to work and so on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then as if almost a last thought he told me what my starting wage would be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now there is an expectation that the employee might have some input into the agreed salary and the interview might even include a section at the end for input by the prospective employee. This is a great step forward and good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This reminded me of a true story I heard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The interview had gone well and was nearing its end.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2b2b2d; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Human Resources person asked the young engineer fresh out of university, she asked "And what starting salary were you looking for?"</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2b2b2d; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Engineer said, "In the neighborhood of £45,000 a year, depending on the benefits package."</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2b2b2d; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The interviewer said, "Well, what would you say to a package of five-weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, company matching retirement fund to 50 percent of salary, and a company car leased every two years, say, a nice Land Rover?"</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2b2b2d; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Engineer sat up straight and said, "Wow! Are you kidding?"</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2b2b2d; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the interviewer replied, "Yeah, but you started it."</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2b2b2d; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2b2b2d; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a great day.</span></div>
<br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-86655774538693469962015-10-27T13:04:00.000+00:002015-10-27T13:04:09.528+00:00Dudley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5IKmHXbkC7k/Vi90Nd1ulyI/AAAAAAAABio/9G8qp1Qh5-8/s1600/IMG_0973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5IKmHXbkC7k/Vi90Nd1ulyI/AAAAAAAABio/9G8qp1Qh5-8/s320/IMG_0973.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I have painted a few of these dog paintings never two looking the same. I have enjoyed using the many different colours to paint them,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It all began when my son bought a wonderful little dog with a great big personality. This made me think of him in terms of colours and not the all black dog he is. They have been very popular and have sold well for me. So grateful for this I did another one just two weeks ago and donated it to the Coniston mountain Rescue team. They put it on their website and asked for bids. it looks as if it will make them some much needed money. I hope the person who in the end gets it gets as much pleasure from it as I did painting it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Somebody got in touch saying could I not paint a happy dog. So this is my next dog challenge.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-3772926536574065422014-02-11T11:14:00.001+00:002014-02-11T11:14:33.556+00:00Hands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s9PYOdF0XmU/UvjuhxjXw3I/AAAAAAAABf4/5Yz0ZUCPTgM/s1600/Screenshot+2014-02-10+14.57.08.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s9PYOdF0XmU/UvjuhxjXw3I/AAAAAAAABf4/5Yz0ZUCPTgM/s1600/Screenshot+2014-02-10+14.57.08.png" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><span id="goog_906484840"></span><span id="goog_906484841"></span>I am sure everybody knows this painting, it is so very well known. Hands are very difficult to paint so I thought I would have a try at painting my version of Durer's hands. There is nothing wrong with learning from the masters, either in art or in thinking. I spend some time each day listening to the words of the greats of thought.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg, lived a family with eighteen children. Eighteen! In order merely to keep food on the table for this mob, the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by profession, worked almost eighteen hours a day at his trade and any other paying chore he could find in the neighborhood. Despite their seemingly hopeless condition, two of Albrecht Durer the Elder's children had a dream. They both wanted to pursue their talent for art, but they knew full well that their father would never be financially able to send either of them to Nuremberg to study at the Academy.</span><br />
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" />
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;">After many long discussions at night in their crowded bed, the two boys finally worked out a pact. They would toss a coin. The loser would go down into the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy. Then, when that brother who won the toss completed his studies, in four years, he would support the other brother at the academy, either with sales of his artwork or, if necessary, also by laboring in the mines. They tossed a coin on a Sunday morning after church. Albrecht Durer won the toss and went off to Nuremberg.</span><br />
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" />
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Albert went down into the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, financed his brother, whose work at the academy was almost an immediate sensation. Albrecht's etchings, his woodcuts, and his oils were far better than those of most of his professors, and by the time he graduated, he was beginning to earn considerable fees for his commissioned works.</span><br />
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" />
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;">When the young artist returned to his village, the Durer family held a festive dinner on their lawn to celebrate Albrecht's triumphant homecoming. After a long and memorable meal, punctuated with music and laughter, Albrecht rose from his honored position at the head of the table to drink a toast to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice that had enabled Albrecht to fulfill his ambition. His closing words were, "And now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue your dream, and I will support you."</span><br />
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" />
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;">All heads turned in eager expectation to the far end of the table where Albert sat, tears streaming down his pale face, shaking his lowered head from side to side while he sobbed and repeated over and over, "No ... no ... no ... no."</span><br />
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" />
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Finally, Albert rose and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He glanced down the long table at the faces he loved, and then, holding his hands close to his right cheek, he said softly, "No, brother. I cannot go to Nuremberg. It is too late for me. Look ... look what four years in the mines have done to my hands! The bones in every finger have been smashed at least once, and lately I have been suffering from arthritis so badly in my right hand that I cannot even hold a glass to return your toast, much less make delicate lines on parchment or canvas with a pen or a brush. No, brother ... for me it is too late."</span><br />
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" />
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;">More than 450 years have passed. By now, Albrecht Durer's hundreds of masterful portraits, pen and silver-point sketches, watercolors, charcoals, woodcuts, and copper engravings hang in every great museum in the world, but the odds are great that you, like most people, are familiar with only one of Albrecht Durer's works. More than merely being familiar with it, you very well may have a reproduction hanging in your home or office.</span><br />
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" />
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;">One day, long ago, to pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed, Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother's abused hands with palms together and thin fingers stretched skyward. He called his powerful drawing simply "Hands," but the entire world almost immediately opened their hearts to his great masterpiece and renamed his tribute of love "The Praying Hands."</span><br />
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;">There are some things that others do for you that no words can ever express your thankfulness. Artists are so fortunate that they can express there inner feelings in what they produce with their hands.</span>Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-82298000770671840382013-03-22T14:28:00.002+00:002013-03-22T14:28:32.195+00:00Crail Harbour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qiVtHDOs3Mk/UUxqKt-OVRI/AAAAAAAABdk/AiygMUABYnE/s1600/DSCF3555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qiVtHDOs3Mk/UUxqKt-OVRI/AAAAAAAABdk/AiygMUABYnE/s320/DSCF3555.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Crail Harbour </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It is some time since I posted a blog which is very remiss of me. My only excuse is that I have been in considerable pain in my foot and nothing would give me any comfort, even sitting at the computer I found painful. At last I am now having some relief thanks to my doctor whom is determined to keep me running. I am now back running regularly and walking almost daily.<br />
<br />
My art has been ongoing though much more slowly than previously. Standing at my easel became impossible. I have been trying some work using pen and ink. The wonder of this medium is how easily it can be left and returned to with little problems about keeping paint wet or matching the colour.<br />
<br />
Amazingly those have become fairly popular and I have been able to sell more than a few.<br />
<br />
I have been looking at most of the blogs that I follow and if possible have made a comment or two.<br />
<br />
I am very very fortunate to live in the part of the world that I do. In about a mile from my home I am out in the country and can walk the coastal path. In the County of Fife where I live there are many very beautiful Coastal Villages. I so enjoy walking through these and watching the fisherman at work with creels and nets. Most of the villages have been maintained and unchanged over the years. Where changes have been made, building made to look "Better?" by being painted white, I have done some little research and found the original colours of the roofs and buildings.<br />
<br />
THis little village remains unchanged. I found that walking through the harbour took me back to my youth. I am aware that this is a sign of ageing but what the heck I enjoy those memories.<br />
<br />
I took about three days to complete this one. I drew it first in pencil then took up the pens and painted it again with Chinese Ink. To finish it I added just a little colour on the tiles of the roofs and sky and sea. No too much I hope but just enough to take the viewer into it.<br />
<br />
This harbour is painted frequently but usually from a different angle.<br />
<br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-70138427269543623512013-01-08T11:59:00.002+00:002013-01-12T12:04:32.841+00:00Edinburgh Castle from Castle Street.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TDqSs5TX-rI/UOwHfrBhk9I/AAAAAAAABac/aZqah4sXllQ/s1600/Edinburgh+Castle+from+Castle+St.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TDqSs5TX-rI/UOwHfrBhk9I/AAAAAAAABac/aZqah4sXllQ/s320/Edinburgh+Castle+from+Castle+St.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Edinburgh Castle from Castle Street.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Some time ago I shared with you a painting of Edinburgh Castle. That painting sold very quickly, for which I am always pleased to know that others get some joy from my work.<br />
<br />
One of my good friends and fellow blogger made comment that although he liked the painting he felt that it did not convey the total majesty of such a building. So, Jerry, here is another attempt at that majestic building in the heart of Edinburgh the Capital City of Scotland.<br />
<br />
Painted almost from the same angle but of course not taking in the complete castle, rather just an aspect of it as it towers above the main shopping street of Edinburgh.<br />
<br />
At the New Year Celebrations some 75,000 people gather below this castle and from its ramparts the fireworks display is tremendous.<br />
<br />
Painted in Pen and Chinese Ink it is 16" x 20" and framed in a light oak frame.<br />
<br />
Will it sell like the earlier version of the castle? We shall see.<br />
<br />
<b>This blog is linked to my other.<a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Finding a Heart.</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>It is my intention to no longer publish this blog but to incorporate it into my other blog. I will leave this one here for some time just in case anybody comes across it and may wish to join the other blog</b>. <a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/somethings-are-very-obvious.html#comment-form" target="_blank">My Other Blog Is Here</a>Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-18597432930826634222012-12-21T11:41:00.003+00:002012-12-21T11:41:59.212+00:00Dunfermline Abbey and Palace Ruins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X13wa9aCb1o/UNRIhAAccHI/AAAAAAAABaE/GVyDlY5bTss/s1600/Abbey+and+Palace+Ruins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X13wa9aCb1o/UNRIhAAccHI/AAAAAAAABaE/GVyDlY5bTss/s320/Abbey+and+Palace+Ruins.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dunfermline Abbey and Palace Ruins</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The above is a Pen and Ink using only black chines ink produced by grinding the ink block on a stone. Was ground and collected it is applied with a dipper pen and a small brush.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Of all the paintings I have produced this one has had the most hours of time spent on it. I am glad I have not been clock watching. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Not far from where I live is the City of Dunfermline. Dunfermline used to be the Capital of Scotland. Now the Capital City is Edinburgh, Dunfermline still has its beautiful Abbey building but the once Palace is now ruins. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
As a young lad we used to dare each other to run along the ramparts, a foolish thing, but the way of youth. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
When I first became a minister of religion I was invited to preach in the magnificent Abbey Pulpit, under which lies the body of King Robert the Bruce. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It is not often that I say I am proud of a painting but in all humility I today say, I am proud to have painted this one. I am sure as I learn this new medium I will do better, but for now I offer this one to you. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b>This blog is linked to my other. <a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Too Busy...</a></b></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-56361591964986386762012-12-20T09:16:00.003+00:002012-12-20T09:16:47.629+00:00St Peter's Church Inverkeithing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_jm7rBx07R8/UNLVIyUiP_I/AAAAAAAABZw/8juHOaeOmWI/s1600/DSCF3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_jm7rBx07R8/UNLVIyUiP_I/AAAAAAAABZw/8juHOaeOmWI/s320/DSCF3486.JPG" width="264" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
St Peter's Church Inverkeithing</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This is another of my pen and ink paintings. I am blessed to live in a part of Scotland with many interesting and historical buildings. In the village I live there are so many that locals often hardly notice the beauty of them.<br />
<br />
I have taken some delight in looking at them again. This is my second version of this one. The first one was purchased before I had even had time to take a picture of it. It is to be given as a Christmas present.<br />
<br />
It has been bought by the son and daughter in law for the mother. It was in this building that the daughter in law first sang solo. So the building has happy memories in the family. I hope it brings them joy.<br />
<br />
This one is hanging in the little inn in the village where I meet my friends once a week. Within about 100 yards radius of where it hangs there are at least six historical buildings, so plenty to consider.<br />
<br />
This church plays an important part in the life of the village in many ways. A recent heritage protection project has ensured it will stand in the village for many years to come.<br />
<br />
<b>This blog is linked to my other. <a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Silence Only Comes</a></b>Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-6427892809287648192012-12-19T10:48:00.002+00:002012-12-19T10:50:11.066+00:00Edinburgh Castle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AywrQmuVya8/UNGXYXAhs9I/AAAAAAAABZg/WdrLunr6MYI/s1600/Edinburgh+Castle+Framed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AywrQmuVya8/UNGXYXAhs9I/AAAAAAAABZg/WdrLunr6MYI/s320/Edinburgh+Castle+Framed.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Edinburgh Castle</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
My daughter recently returned home from a visit to Burma. She brought with her many little gifts for me, all the little kinds of things that bring me much joy. A lovely lying Buddha, a bracelet of jade. As she shared the experience she had I found myself searching out some of the things I had bought while in China.<br />
<br />
While there I had bought some ink blocks and grinding stones. These beautiful ink blocks are so well made, each with symbols and pictures. It seemed to beautiful to grind that this is maybe why I had never used them.<br />
<br />
It seemed such a shame. Somebody had gone to the time and bother to produce this beautiful ink block to be used to create lovely calligraphy. I decided to put them to use.<br />
<br />
The grinding of the ink on the stone with water, such a peaceful way to spend time , and the beginning of any future artwork..<br />
<br />
I have been using them to produce Pen and Ink artwork mostly of local places of interest. I will put some of them on here in the days that lie ahead.<br />
<br />
The one on this blog is the second version of Edinburgh Castle, the first one having sold on the day I painted it.<br />
<br />
I have kept to a very limited palette and mix the inks to create the colour I seek. Three primary colours and a black one. I am using an old pen and nib to produce the initial drawing. This every time reminds me of the days sitting in school with a dipping pen and an inkwell. The large ink bottle was out in the corridor so that each class could find it to keep the inkwells full.<br />
<br />
Edinburgh Castle is possibly the most famous of all Scotland's Castles. Every year it hosts the Edinburgh Tattoo, where people from all over the world watch the spectacle.<br />
<br />
It sits in the very midst of Edinburgh and can been seen from almost everywhere. I live just a few miles from this Castle but in the last few weeks I have learned more about it than ever before..<br />
<br />
I have to say that I am enjoying these Pen and Inks. My son on the other hand wonders when I am going to get back to real art.<br />
<br />
<b>This blog is linked to my other. <a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">I Am Making Progress</a></b>Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-19093926514859301442012-11-15T11:09:00.003+00:002012-11-15T11:09:56.579+00:00Life Does Not Always Turn in Black and White.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N4EIVNg8TYU/UKTKKzVAqqI/AAAAAAAABZE/uGVyaLpvyec/s1600/Not+All++Liife+Turns+in+Black+and+White..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N4EIVNg8TYU/UKTKKzVAqqI/AAAAAAAABZE/uGVyaLpvyec/s320/Not+All++Liife+Turns+in+Black+and+White..JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Life Does Not Always Turn in Black and White.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Since I was last able to write a blog much has been happening in my world of art. I went through another of those deep black places where I painted nothing for a time, then I was invited to hang four paintings in an exhibition with some of Scotland's well known artists taking part.<br />
<br />
At the same time three of my paintings left me to go and hang on the walls of other people. It is always uplifting when others are happy enough to hang your art in their homes.<br />
<br />
I have painted one or two paintings in a very short space of time which I will share on here for your thoughts.<br />
<br />
This painting is in a reminder, to myself, that things are not always black and white. Good or evil. That there are other colours in our lives all the time and even the dark moments are often just a shade of grey and not as bleak as they look.<br />
<br />
This is the second painting I have done with a very very limited palette of only four paints in one and three in the other. This one has no texture other than that caused by the interplay between the brush and the paint. The other one has much more texture.<br />
<br />
I hope the title conveys the meaning of the painting. It is painted on a box canvas 40" x 16" so fairly large.<br />
<br />
Painted using acrylic paint in black white and red with the very smallest touch of yellow.<br />
<br />
<b>This Blog is linked to my other: <a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-leap-of-faith.html" target="_blank">The Leap of Faith</a></b><br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-77456496423097323802012-10-21T14:39:00.003+01:002012-10-21T14:39:59.413+01:00The Maze Of Adventure
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>138</o:Words>
<o:Characters>787</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Ralph Garage Art</o:Company>
<o:Lines>6</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>924</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xV8GbFcF3sQ/UIP4dYRzqkI/AAAAAAAABYY/4eckvnCwUq8/s1600/DSCF3440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xV8GbFcF3sQ/UIP4dYRzqkI/AAAAAAAABYY/4eckvnCwUq8/s320/DSCF3440.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Maze of Adventure</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
This
painting is very similar to a smaller one I did. The more I looked at the
smaller version the more I felt it would look better on a larger canvas. So
this canvas is more than twice the size of the other one. It is a box canvas 40”
x16”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I am
still in that moment of inner peace after my time of reflection. This painting is as the last about the inner
thoughts we have. We have a mind full of all sorts of positive and negative
thinking. Dark places and golden moments. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Further
reflection on this and the prompting of a dear friend made me aware that we
often miss out on some golden moments because we keep ourselves boxed in
because of our fears of the unknown. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
This
painting has places where one colour explodes softly into another. We sometimes
have to step out of our inner fears and into the light of experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
hope this painting conveys this. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Painted
in acrylic. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b>This
blog is linked to my other.<a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Adventures and Not Fears</a></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-57587317895018663482012-10-17T12:06:00.000+01:002012-10-17T12:08:17.136+01:00The Cutting Edge<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>101</o:Words>
<o:Characters>580</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Ralph Garage Art</o:Company>
<o:Lines>4</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>680</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQZXxz09j0g/UH6OhbHa-JI/AAAAAAAABX0/n2MMqOBI2FQ/s1600/The+Cutting+Edge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQZXxz09j0g/UH6OhbHa-JI/AAAAAAAABX0/n2MMqOBI2FQ/s320/The+Cutting+Edge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Cutting Edge</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am showing two versions of this painting. I am not going
to ask you to tell me which is better, one or the other. They are different.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What this does show is that the inner mood of a person can
so easily affect the finished artwork. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do prefer one to the other but not by a great deal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These paintings were the first and the fourth of the
paintings that arose from my musings on deep and big questions. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One is painted on a standard canvas 40” x16” and I intend to
make a frame for it. The other is on a deep box canvas ready to hang, again 40”
x16”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am hoping that one will sell and the other I can give to
my son for his new office. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pvt2Q3rEXcA/UH6QsfIqflI/AAAAAAAABX8/QKGP84dl7II/s1600/Constructive+Thoughts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pvt2Q3rEXcA/UH6QsfIqflI/AAAAAAAABX8/QKGP84dl7II/s320/Constructive+Thoughts.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Constructive Thinking</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
A good friend suggested that these two paintings could very easily be made very personal by hiding the initials of the owner in the midst of it. I kind of like this idea.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>This blog is linked to my other. <a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Warrior and The Cat</a></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-27454931382605230582012-10-14T11:45:00.001+01:002012-10-14T11:45:15.372+01:00The Categorical Imperative
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>137</o:Words>
<o:Characters>787</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Ralph Garage Art</o:Company>
<o:Lines>6</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>923</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/---AzvPU0Ns4/UHqVY-9TTxI/AAAAAAAABXg/SeX919BtxkQ/s1600/The+Categorical+Imperative.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/---AzvPU0Ns4/UHqVY-9TTxI/AAAAAAAABXg/SeX919BtxkQ/s320/The+Categorical+Imperative.JPG" width="318" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Categorical Imperative</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the second of the Abstracts I have painted since my afternoon
in the Buddhist Temple.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My son, who is my greatest critic does not like this one.
His opinion is it is far too cluttered and possibly even a bit harsh. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He may well be right about the clutter, but then as I have
already told you these three paintings have grown from the thinking of that
afternoon and the on-going thinking in the days that have followed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having been both a minister of religion and a teachers of
Philosophy, obviously some of that thinking and questioning has been about some
of the, “Big Questions.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we turn to those my mind is indeed a clutter and a
turmoil. I hope you can also see that it is not dark but
bright and full of life if sometimes in the clouds. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The title I hope does not confuse but in fact add to the
thoughts behind it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Painted in acrylic on a box canvas 50cm x 50cm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>This blog is linked to my other. <a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Things Are Not Always As They Seem</a></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-27809950171887166492012-10-11T12:03:00.001+01:002012-10-11T12:04:18.334+01:00Structured Thinking (Or As Close As I can Get)<br />
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Na_m0E5_J0/UHai6ghTyjI/AAAAAAAABXM/kAr09dXm3vU/s1600/Structured+Thoughts+%2528+Or+as+Close+As+They+Come%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Na_m0E5_J0/UHai6ghTyjI/AAAAAAAABXM/kAr09dXm3vU/s320/Structured+Thoughts+%2528+Or+as+Close+As+They+Come%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
Structured Thinking ( Or As Close As I Can Get)</div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px;">
If you read my other Blog you will be aware that I have been spending more time than I normally would just quietly thinking. I found the need to get my thinking back to some sort of normality. My head is so often a spin of ideas, thoughts and theories. Some of these thoughts are happy and joyful and lead to much laughter and pleasure. Others can be self-destructive and I need to hone in on those and stop them from causing myself and those around me hurt and harm. </div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px;">
It is in these thoughts that are so often born the beginnings of the art I produce. Not surprising then that so much of it falls far short of what I desire. </div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px;">
So often when I return from my mountain holidays I am full of ideas and nature paintings. On this last holiday I felt barren and empty of such. </div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px;">
I thought it was to be another long time of conflict with paint. Now in the last week and a half I have painted three abstracts. Abstracts that I fully understand why I painted them, and amazingly those who have seen them seem to like them, even those who normally do not like abstract art. </div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px;">
The painting I have here today was in fact the third one I painted. I think the title gives a large pointer to what I am trying to say in the work. The red parts are those area of my life I need to keep in check The other colours go from the deep of purple to the golden moments. There are places where I cannot keep them under control and they infuse one into another.</div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px;">
As I say, I am not unhappy with them, but I do wonder if they will ever hang on another person’s wall?</div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px;">
This blog is linked to my other where you can read of the birth of these paintings.<a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">What You Really have</a></div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-78065136647312899342012-09-13T12:42:00.000+01:002012-09-13T12:42:48.424+01:00Poppy Abstract<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9coxWIo-MfQ/UFHEOZTWN7I/AAAAAAAABW4/9K_bFc_cT9c/s1600/Poppy+Abstract..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9coxWIo-MfQ/UFHEOZTWN7I/AAAAAAAABW4/9K_bFc_cT9c/s320/Poppy+Abstract..JPG" width="253" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Poppy Abstract.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I enjoyed doing the last large canvas, Floral Abstract. In spite of the fact that my family to a person say they do not like it, and some even stronger words, I do like it. I can see it on a fresh while wall making a colourful statement. It may not happen but that is the picture in my head today. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">With that in my mind I reached positively for a smaller canvas, one that can easily be framed, and painted a second version of it. Again my family are not at all impressed with it, but again I feel happy with it. Maybe it has something to do with this time of year, when we turn our thoughts to poppies and remembrance. This played a very important part in my calendar when I was a minister. I always made a very special effort on that Sunday because I was aware of what it meant to so many people. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am aware it is very similar to the last on though much smaller. 16" x 20' again in thick acrylic.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am going to hang this painting in the inn where a great many old soldiers go. I am going to allow visitors to make offers rather than me price it. The highest offer will have the painting and the money raised will go to their special fund. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>This blog is linked to my other. <a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">A Few Things I should Know</a></b></div>Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-4843513279856530282012-09-10T14:35:00.000+01:002012-09-10T14:35:32.363+01:00Floral Abstract.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hCI0J_jTHx0/UE3qyP3hYeI/AAAAAAAABWk/a7BqO1TwD6o/s1600/Floral+Abstract..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hCI0J_jTHx0/UE3qyP3hYeI/AAAAAAAABWk/a7BqO1TwD6o/s320/Floral+Abstract..JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Floral Abstract.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I am not sure where my art is taking me but it is for sure taking me down roads and avenues I had not thought I would travel.<br />
<br />
My first love has always been abstract art, followed closely by seascapes and mountains. Yet recently I have found myself painting actual places from research and memory.<br />
<br />
I have often returned to nature and poppies, but always with intent. This painting happened. I started with wonderful bright thoughts of nature and vivid colourful thoughts. Somewhere along the way poppies crept back into the picture.<br />
<br />
If you read my other blog you will be aware that I and friends have had much debate of late about the planet and nature and our place within it. So maybe this is where the influence comes.<br />
<br />
A large box canvas 40" x 16" using acrylic.<br />
<br />
<b>This blog is linked to my other. <a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">A Drop Of Water.</a></b>Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-16155351218682442262012-08-31T11:59:00.003+01:002012-08-31T12:07:36.349+01:00Isle of Iona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I8hyS2IuJ9A/UECWrii-zuI/AAAAAAAABWM/ATzcLpI10sE/s1600/DSCF3403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I8hyS2IuJ9A/UECWrii-zuI/AAAAAAAABWM/ATzcLpI10sE/s320/DSCF3403.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isle of Iona</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I lived on the beautiful island of Iona for a year as I got my life together and tried to catch up on all the studying I had not done while at school. In return for giving of my labour I was allowed to have a room in the Abbey you can see in the painting. I was also given food and more importantly the abbey had a library where I could sit at nights on my own and read.<br />
<br />
One of the things I did on the building that year was to help in the construction of a circular staircase. So under the bottom stairway in a bottle lies concealed a message from myself and something of my hopes and dreams.<br />
<br />
I loved this island, all 3 miles by 1 mile of it. Its beaches and coves. The abbey and its inspiration. The daily acts of worship, in the summer with a great many visitors in the winter just the eight or so of us who continued to live in the abbey.<br />
<br />
Do I like the painting? As usual I am very unsure. Am I happy? The answer to that is on my other blog.<br />
<br />
<b>My other blog can be found here</b>. <a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Chasing Happiness</a>Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-64585109850962099782012-08-24T15:59:00.000+01:002012-08-24T15:59:58.265+01:00Millport<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UHDWHSkRB10/UDeUlD_yo-I/AAAAAAAABV4/ncxEeq5RgAU/s1600/DSCF3396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UHDWHSkRB10/UDeUlD_yo-I/AAAAAAAABV4/ncxEeq5RgAU/s320/DSCF3396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Millport</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I was asked to do a painting of a place I had never been to, Millport.<br />
<br />
I learned a great deal from this experience. The first thing I learned was that in spite of all the walking I do there are still little hidden gems of my land , Scotland I have yet to discover.<br />
<br />
As an artist who paints from the heart, more about the atmosphere and the feeling of a place than the reality of the place, this was a real challenge. I spent ages looking a pictures of Millport trying so hard to get a feel for the place.<br />
<br />
I learned that here was a place I so desperately need to visit.<br />
<br />
I took all the picture I had seen and let them sink into my inner being. This is what I painted.<br />
<br />
I have been shocked to discover that the person who asked me to paint it wants to own it. But more than that I have had more than four other people from all over the world wanting to purchase it from me.<br />
<br />
<b>In the light of my other blog that is linked to this one this is a joy and an uplift. <a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Why Do I Care</a></b>Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-87251760789941646312012-08-13T12:18:00.001+01:002012-08-13T12:20:14.671+01:00Along the Firebreak.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0fK9elrQgHc/UCjgkm3f5xI/AAAAAAAABVk/I1nr1ehA6Dw/s1600/DSCF3380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0fK9elrQgHc/UCjgkm3f5xI/AAAAAAAABVk/I1nr1ehA6Dw/s320/DSCF3380.JPG" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Along The Firebreak Newer Version</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gD4R3sSsPbg/S5zdd3iUPQI/AAAAAAAAAQA/d27f17wyclM/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gD4R3sSsPbg/S5zdd3iUPQI/AAAAAAAAAQA/d27f17wyclM/s320/IMG_1208.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Along The Firebreak before Retouching. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #fffaf5; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">As a walker and runner I often walk and run along the firebreaks of the forest. here where the light can reach the earth nature takes back its own and the grasses and the flowers reach to the light. Refracted and direct light create differnt feelings colours and moods. This picture was taken with a light in the room, without the light we have another painting all together with cooler feelings and moods, so two paintings in one. </span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #fffaf5; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Those who have followed this blog over the years will have seen this painting before. I was going to overpaint it but instead decided to make some changes. I hope you can see the changes in the two paintings above.</span></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #fffaf5; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I may yet over paint it but in the meantime I am going to give it one more exposure.</span></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #fffaf5; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Painted on canvas 16" x 20" and framed. </span></div><br />
<span style="background-color: #fffaf5; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: #fffaf5; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>This blog is linked to my other. <a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sadness and Joy</a></b></span>Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-74435125220948340112012-08-05T10:38:00.000+01:002012-08-05T10:38:05.026+01:00Homeward Bound.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XFiZW3HG5Z0/UB485YPHpgI/AAAAAAAABVQ/XNGaM7J4XCY/s1600/Homeward+Bound.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XFiZW3HG5Z0/UB485YPHpgI/AAAAAAAABVQ/XNGaM7J4XCY/s320/Homeward+Bound.JPG" width="317" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>This painting is one of the nine that last week I hung in the local inn after the repainting of the dinning area.<br />
<br />
I remember saying at the time that I was somewhat nervous about having so many of my paintings in one place and no other artist but me for people to view and critique.<br />
<br />
In the first week I have had interest shown in this painting and positive enquires about two others. I have also had an email from Australia about a fourth of the nine.<br />
<br />
This on is painted on a fairly large box canvas the painting carrying over the edges.<br />
<br />
<b><i>So it seems that maybe this little venture was not a meaningless one after all.</i></b><br />
<b><i><br />
</i></b><br />
<b><i>See my other blog for the import of the above statement. <a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Chasing Meaningless Goals</a></i></b>Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-69925275543160631972012-08-02T10:14:00.000+01:002012-08-02T10:14:47.872+01:00Summer Evening France<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wq-Qee6dYj8/UBpDVQplzmI/AAAAAAAABU8/rE9Hk0xoZsQ/s1600/Summer+in+France.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wq-Qee6dYj8/UBpDVQplzmI/AAAAAAAABU8/rE9Hk0xoZsQ/s320/Summer+in+France.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>This is another of those painting inspired by my time in France. I ran early mornings and late evenings when it was cooler. So often I ran and never met another human being.<br />
<br />
This allowed me to just draw in the beauty around me in the silence of nature.<br />
<br />
How I wish I could describe this in words or in paint. I try but never ever feel that I manage.<br />
<br />
But this is yet another painting that tries to do just that.<br />
<br />
This is a very large painting almost the largest i have ever done.<br />
<br />
<b>This blog is linked to my other <a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Finding Silence</a><span id="goog_1579657068"></span><span id="goog_1579657069"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></b>Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-44942080992943360452012-07-26T13:23:00.000+01:002012-07-26T13:23:45.121+01:00Painting on Display.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3-lAoQh11Gs/UBE06PDaD3I/AAAAAAAABUo/UEhLNH0n6g4/s1600/IMG_0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3-lAoQh11Gs/UBE06PDaD3I/AAAAAAAABUo/UEhLNH0n6g4/s320/IMG_0028.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I feel reluctant to post this blog but a good friend said I should, if for know other reason but to make it possible to show to friends.<br />
<br />
One of the local inns I hang paintings in has recently been taken over by a new owner. The dinning area has been decorated and a larger number of my paintings now hang there. Ten in all.<br />
<br />
It never seemed to matter very much when it was just a painting or two but when there are so many it really does feel like putting yourself out there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F5ttPGG-N5c/UBEywKB7X3I/AAAAAAAABUg/NKbWE-ynZWI/s1600/IMG_0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F5ttPGG-N5c/UBEywKB7X3I/AAAAAAAABUg/NKbWE-ynZWI/s320/IMG_0029.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I feel both honoured and yet at the same time somewhat nervous about the venture.<br />
<br />
I apologise the pictures are not the best they could have been they were taken using my cell.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s-01PjpbmIg/UBE1B2KRreI/AAAAAAAABUw/RYFpKsTxXgY/s1600/IMG_0027+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s-01PjpbmIg/UBE1B2KRreI/AAAAAAAABUw/RYFpKsTxXgY/s320/IMG_0027+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I have added three I hope they give a feeling of the whole this and the place.<br />
<br />
<i>This blog is linked to my other and today importantly so please look at it here. <a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Words, Words and More Words.</a></i>Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-88456038987013928202012-07-23T12:24:00.000+01:002012-07-23T12:24:08.948+01:00A Scottish Landscape<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HlhNFyONNps/UA0xdfnOKhI/AAAAAAAABUQ/0o2XiBSmFYc/s1600/DSCF3360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HlhNFyONNps/UA0xdfnOKhI/AAAAAAAABUQ/0o2XiBSmFYc/s320/DSCF3360.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Scottish Landscape.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We have a marvellous few saying about the Scottish landscape and its weather. One is, "if you stand in the same place for too long you will experience all four seasons in one day." The other, "it is not bad weather it is just you who are wearing the wrong clothes."</div><br />
We certainly have an ever-changing and varied weather which in turn brings wonderful atmospheric landscapes scenes.<br />
<br />
I tried to capture this in this very abstract paintings. Abstract and yet obviously landscape in nature. I cover the canvas with texture before applying the paint. Normally I paint very fast but in this case i gave the texture a full day to dry. This meant I could look at it and get a feel for it.<br />
<br />
I then applied the paint slowly and colour by colour allowing it to mix on the canvas.<br />
<br />
As I look at it now I am thinking I might apply one or two small sections of purple but as usual full of doubt about whether it is finished or not.<br />
<br />
I also have doubts about how to hang it. In a frame with glass or in a frame with a deep coat of varnish which might show the texture better than behind glass?<br />
<br />
<b>This blog is linked to my other</b>.<a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">You can Sometimes try Too hard.</a>Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3644080090992922320.post-24615227642006141462012-07-20T07:22:00.000+01:002012-07-20T07:22:29.714+01:00Poppies in France<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JAjvl8Tyqfo/UAj3edtKpmI/AAAAAAAABUE/Amj9Ga-eqO0/s1600/Poppies+of+France.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JAjvl8Tyqfo/UAj3edtKpmI/AAAAAAAABUE/Amj9Ga-eqO0/s320/Poppies+of+France.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Poppies In France</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I showed this painting yesterday and then spent some more time working on it.<br />
<br />
It is a large canvas 40" x 16" so a fair amount of paint used. I have to say it was a great pleasure to be back in front of a canvas with a brush in my hands.<br />
<br />
I think I can now call this finished. There comes a point when I always want to add more and do more but on this I think I will stop.<br />
<br />
Is it good? That I have now learned from a good friend is not for me to say but others to decide.<br />
<br />
<b>This blog is linked to my other.<a href="http://thetoilsofbeinganartist.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Positive Thinking The Name of the Game</a></b>Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02099161160886274555noreply@blogger.com1