PaintMyPhoto Quarterly Newsletter - Issue 13

Spring Edition 2015

Paint My Photo

13

‘Spring’ Photo by Andre Van De Sande

PACKED WITH ARTICLES YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS...

Congratulations to Janice Cook, our winner of the January Monthly Challenge.

Her winning painting, ‘Stained Glass Window’, takes pride of place on our front cover.

Where Photographers and Artists Meet

Original reference photo provided by Glennis Weston

[1]

EDITOR’S WELCOME

Spring Greetings Greetings PMP friends! Please accept my apologies for this edition being a little late.

In this edition, Ro has worked hard to put together a wonderful showcase of reference photos that I’m sure will inspire you! As usual, we have a variety of articles that we hope you will find interesting.

There is change in the air... At present, Roy, the founder and owner of PMP, is working towards finding a new home for PaintMyPhoto where the site can continue to grow and improve be sure to read Roy’s article to find out more about what will be happening this year.

Cherub

Due to the substantial changes that will be taking place during this year, the next edition of the magazine may be published a little later than usual, but we’ll make sure that it’s a bumper edition when it arrives!

Ruth Archer

If you aren't a member of PaintMyPhoto, then please Tommy’s Eye

have a read of our newsletter and see what you are missing. Are you are a photographer who would like to contribute good quality, copyright-free reference photos for our artists to use for inspiration? Are you an artist (a complete beginner or a professional, it really doesn't matter) who would benefit from being able to use copyright-free photos? Perhaps, like me, you are a bit of both! Membership is free and you will find the site a very welcoming and friendly community.

Water & Wine

[2]

Glennis Weston

MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Glennis is a very talented artist and photographer who lives in the UK. Visit Glennis’ gallery on PMP to see more of her photos.

Go to Glennis’ PMP profile to contact her.

Glennis Weston

‘Heavenly Blues’

Dave’s Passion for Wildlife Shines Through in his Amazing Photos First and foremost, on behalf of all members, may paintings, came after a workshop with Frances Whitman, we thank you for your generosity in sharing your who has a studio near Cheltenham, a great wildlife artist. wonderful photos! Can you tell us how you first discovered Paint My Photo?

What type of camera and equipment do you I was looking for free reference photos on the use for the photographs that you post on web without the worry of copyright and PMP Paint My Photo? came up in the search, for which I am eternally grateful. This site has been so The camera I use in the main is a FinePix inspirational for me and so many wonderful A303 - I also have a Bridge camera too, I subjects to paint. don't know too much about the technicalities of using these cameras, as I mainly point and shoot. I think if I hadn't What is your favourite photography subject? have taken up artwork I would probably have gone into photography; my camera is always with me, This is a difficult one, as my two favourite subjects are just in case. almost neck and neck - animals and flowers. If I have painted an animal then I usually have to follow with a flower because the need is there to try and create the What, if any, photography/image software do you delicacy of some of our beautiful flowers, and I do like use to manage your photos? leaning to the side of botanical.

I have recently purchased a less expensive Adobe I love the work of Billy Showell and my dry watercolour Photoshop Elements 12 and I think I need to go on a pencil work, which I use with some of my animal course to use this! Mainly I use Microsoft Office Picture Manager, which is quite easy to use.

[3]

GLENNIS WESTON

If you had to choose just one photograph that you have posted on Paint My Photo, which one would it be and why?

My favourite photo must be of Tigger, our Rough Collie who sadly went off to 'Doggie Heaven' over a year ago. He was a rescue from Manchester aged 6 and we had him for just under 9 years. For his breed, he was a loving companion; he would walk around a puddle rather than through it, as with most breeds, and always seemed to have his nose in the air, a bit of a regal old boy.

Finally, we’d love to know a little more about you, do you have a personal website (or other online presence) where we can see more of your work?

Orange Pansies

About me - I am retired and a self-taught artist; I’ve always loved art and drawing in the main. It wasn't until I retired that I had the time to concentrate on producing any worthwhile artwork. I love realism and find abstract art very difficult to read. My favourite medium is watercolour and I like the transparency that can be achieved for the floral subjects I paint. I also love pencils’ detail and accuracy, they are easy to pick up and pack away quickly, which suits my lifestyle at the moment. I attend a local art group on a Wednesday evening and we exhibit locally twice a year where I sell some, which is always good. I am a member of the SAA - Society for All Artists and my artwork can be seen on their web page.

Tulip

Visit Glennis Weston’s Gallery to see these and many other fabulous reference images and paintings.

Glennis’ Choice ‘Tigger’

Camelia

Colesbourne Park (2)

[4]

GLENNIS WESTON

Barn Owl

Best Mates

Lavatera

Pink Rose

Gloucester Old Spot

Ready for the Beach

Pink Blooms

Camelias

Basil

Red Pansies

[5]

Tulips

GLENNIS WESTON

Pink Camelia

Handsome Beast

Tulips

Pink Hydrangea

Nature’s Beauty

Eagle

Still Life Clematis

White Camelia

Owl Called Thumper

[6]

Poppies in the Sunlight

GLENNIS WESTON

Cute Bunny Off for a Paddle

Poppies

Violas

Young Retriever

Hydrangea

River View

Grey Squirrel

Colourful

Barn Owl

[7]

Austria

Robyn (Ro) Lovelock View Ro’s gallery on PaintMyPhoto.

Contact Ro using her PaintMyPhoto Profile.

RO’S HIDDEN TREASURES

Robyn Lovelock ‘Greece (229)’

Ro’s Been Busy Finding Hidden Gems in the Gallery...

Tea Time by Thomas Habermann

East Anglia Skies by Roy Davenport

Late Fall Day, Evening Light by Rosemary Clark

First Steps by Janina Suuronen [8]

RO’S HIDDEN TREASURES A Mixed Special Ro’s Been Busy Finding Hidden Gems in the Gallery...

Summer Days by Rosemary Clark

Red by Sanaz Sani

Wisteria Arbor (7) by Marita

Tulips by Monika Stokowiec

Just Urn by Janina Suuronen [9]

RO’S HIDDEN TREASURES A Mixed Special Ro’s Been Busy Finding Hidden Gems in the Gallery...

Hydrangea by Nicola B

Karma by Karyn Krajeski

Orchids 2 by Nicola B

Calla Lily by Charlotte Yealey

Kirche in Thuringen by Thomas Habermann

Village Cat by Elize Bezuidenhout

[10]

Bluebird on Post by Rosemary Clark

RO’S HIDDEN TREASURES A Mixed Special Ro’s Been Busy Finding Hidden Gems in the Gallery...

Ripples in a Water Tank by John Dyer

Cottage in Wandiliong uploaded by Robyn Lovelock

Children and Horses 1 by Janina Suuronen

Windmill uploaded by Robyn Lovelock

Alpaca by Marita

Spring by Andre Van De Sande

[11]

RO’S HIDDEN TREASURES A Mixed Special Ro’s Been Busy Finding Hidden Gems in the Gallery...

Golden Pathway by Irini

The Traveller by Ruth Archer

Crocus by Marita

Twilight Heritage by Ruth Archer

Foggy Morning 2 by Ruth Cox

Daffodils in Blue Vase by Nicola B

Tulip by Monika Stokowiec [12]

Fuschia by Marita

CHANGE IS IN THE AIR...

Roy Simmons Roy is the founder and owner of PaintMyPhoto.

View Roy’s Gallery on PMP. You can contact Roy by visiting his PMP profile page on PMP.

Roy Simmons ‘Irini Turner and Roy’

PaintMyPhoto is Moving...

I have some very important and exciting new to share with you!

The membership of PMP is blossoming and we are seeing many wonderful reference photos and artworks being added to the site - little did I realise when I first set up PMP what a fantastic resource it would become! However, the current platform PMP is hosted on is not able to grow with the site and is restricting its development.

At present it is not possible to separate reference photos and artworks, which makes it difficult for members to find what they are looking for; I appreciate how frustrating this can be. I have been investigating how we could improve this on the current Ning platform but to no avail, so further time has been invested in looking for alternative options.

The growth of PMP is due in very large part to the membership and, of course, our amazing admin team who have facilitated this growth, and are now working with me on the setup and configuration of a new site.

[13]

CHANGE IS IN THE AIR...

Roy Simmons

PaintMyPhoto is Moving...

I have identified another company that can offer a good platform for PMP and have been working hard with them to develop its functionality. The priority for me at this stage has been to improve the management and retrieval of reference photos, and of course the artworks. This is now in place and is currently being tested. It will be possible to migrate our members and all the photos, groups etc., and although we will have a lot of work to do once moved, I believe there will be a considerable improvement in usability in the long-run. The new site will also enable more freedom to continue to develop and improve PMP for its members.

This will also be on our own server, which of course costs more but improves our functionality and ability to grow.

So, it looks as if we are going to see a lot of change this year. Once the site has been migrated, there will be a considerable amount of work to do to bring the site up to speed, but I’m sure that the move will offer much more for members in the long-run and I want to thank you all in advance for your patience while I work with the admin team to settle the site in.

I am hoping that I will be in a position to move the site in the next few weeks and will keep all members informed as progress is made. I'm excited about this opportunity to make improvements to PMP and I hope you are too!

Watch this space...

Roy Simmons Founder & Owner of PaintMyPhoto

[14]

MOUNTAIN MEDICINE

Ian Quigley View Ian’s Gallery on PMP. You can contact Ian by visiting his profile page on PMP.

Ian Quigley ‘Sunset in Hope Cove’

Sometimes You Need To Go To The Picture...

Ian is a doctor and keen photographer. Last Autumn he and his wife, Tracy, spent three months in the remote Tibetan village of Manang in Nepal. In between patients he took photographs of people, animals, landscapes and sunsets.

Photographing a horse race, a wedding and the slaughter of yaks, he recorded local culture in all its drama, its beauty and its grisliness. While in Manang he wrote a blog, which he has published on Kindle.

Ian has generously shared some reference photos with PMP, which we think will offer inspiration to artists. We have shared an excerpt here for you to read, and some of his images that we think you will enjoy.

If you would like to purchase Ian’s book, please visit

www.amazon.co.uk where it is available for purchase. It is a fascinating and well-written book, which is receiving excellent reviews!

[15]

A book by Ian Quigley

MOUNTAIN MEDICINE

Sometimes You Need To Go To The Picture...

There was no public address, no adjudication and no published timing. Racing starts when the boys are ready. The first thing we were aware of was a drum beat from the hotel overlooking the HRA. We crossed the field by the finish line to watch the preparations on the hotel steps. Each rider had brought his horse and tethered him while he got ready. We found a dozen small horses corralled by the fence. Two or three of them had saddles but for the rest there was a colourful but uncomfortable looking arrangement of soft furnishings to sit on. There was a quilt placed on the horse’s back and, in lieu of a sturdy leather saddle, the rider sat on two or three rugs laid over it. A single strap around the horse’s belly tried to keep it all in place. There was a bridle but most had no stirrups. It looked like the equestrian equivalent of go-cart racing: basic, intimate and rough on the backside.

The young men of Manang got dressed in traditional ceremonial robes which they covered up with fake North Face down jackets to keep out the cold. One man sat on the ground outside the hotel beating a double-ended drum while the riders finished getting ready. They drank sweet tea, had a smoke and then it was time to go. They mounted up and milled around for a few minutes and then, preparations done, cigarettes finished, they sprinted to the start line beyond the stupa.

We waited by the finish line. Not much happened for about 20 minutes. The beautiful evening light which had lit up the horses in the corral disappeared and everything started to look a bit grey. Shame they’d waited so long. An hour earlier and the pictures would have been better but this was their timetable not mine.

The horses and their riders were out of sight.

Beyond the stupa the road bends to the right and there are buildings in the way. We could see nothing but we could hear. Drums started up from beyond the stupa and two riders dashed past us towards the finish. For the next hour or so riders came and went. They raced both ways, in twos and fours, seemingly at random. A horse shied and ditched his rider. He landed neck first on the only lump of concrete on the course. He got up and dusted himself down, neck intact. Novice riders and difficult horses zig-zagged their way along the course while the experienced riders galloped with a fiercely competitive professionalism.

[16]

A book by Ian Quigley

MOUNTAIN MEDICINE

Sometimes You Need To Go To The Picture...

I found a corner by a building to crouch with the camera. Two of the better riders came straight for me. Mr Jangzong, my host a few days back, overtook his rival on the inside. Accelerating through the corner and closing on the apex he almost killed me in the process. You have to get close to get the picture!

Don’t forget to purchase Ian’s book if you’d like to read more!

The images displayed with this article are available as reference photos for PMP artists.

Please visit Ian’s gallery if you would like to view these and other beautiful photos that he has generously shared.

[17]

ART IN THE MAKING

Ruth Archer To view more of Ruth’s work, visit her PMP Gallery Ruth can be contacted via her PMP page.

Ruth Archer ‘Breath of Wind’

Child Of Poseidon Most of us have been there at some point in time; desperate to create some thing but bereft of inspiration, unable to get anything at all to spark the imagination and get the creative juices flowing.

I’ve had a really bad spell recently, but after participating in the the wonderful monthly challenge, which helped me regain my focus, I was back on track and decided to write an article about how I take an idea and develop it into a painting.

I decided that I’d take some of my favourite things and use them to produce a painting: Greek mythology, horses and the sea. I had previously been mulling over an idea along these lines, and had already earmarked Janina’s stunning photo of Romero as a wonderful reference photo for what I had in mind.

As is often the case, I’d already decided on the title before I started the painting - Poseidon, being the Greek God of the sea and the creator of horses, conjured up the words ‘Child of Poseidon’ in my mind.

Janina’s wonderful image gave me an excellent starting point, which then allowed me to develop the composition of the image further. I wanted to include a flowing mane and have the horse rising as part of a wave, so created a separate drawing at the size of the canvas I had decided to use, rather than drawing direct on the canvas.

[18]

ART IN THE MAKING...

Demonstration by Ruth Archer

Child of Poseidon There are 2 reasons that I do this: • I want to preserve the drawing, which I have spent sometime getting accurate. I may want to try the idea in more than one medium, or if I make a terrible mistake that cannot be rectified, I can use the drawing again.

• I don’t want the canvas to become grubby from erasing.

The other thing that I often do is create my drawing straight on to tracing paper as can be seen in this image (I have overlaid it on white paper to make the drawing more obvious). My reason for doing this is that I can use it to transfer the image immediately onto my canvas. I can also overlay it on my painting at any point if I feel that I’m losing the composition and need to check it.

I used Paperwave Tracedown to transfer the image onto the canvas.

When I transfer the image, I don’t use use a pen or pencil as this will damage the drawing. Instead I use a blunt-ended embossing tool, but anything with a blunt point will work.

To make life a little easier when tracing onto a stretched canvas, I pop a small book underneath to support the canvas.

So, with the horse’s head traced onto the canvas, I then used an ultramarine blue pastel pencil to further develop the drawing and show my darkest areas. I then added in a few lines to indicate where the waves would be. I didn't require a reference image for this as I spend a lot of time in a marine environment and I am familiar with the subject.

Once I’m satisfied that the drawing is OK, I used some fixative to set the pastel drawing.

Now to decide on the colours...

[19]

ART IN THE MAKING...

Demonstration by Ruth Archer

Child of Poseidon I decided on a limited palette: Acrylic paints • Cobalt Turquoise • Cobalt Blue • Ultramarine blue • Indigo (Blue-Black) • White I used Atelier’s painting medium to help the paint flow.

An assortment of brushes were used, but I tend to like working with smaller ones.

Once, I’d decided on the colours I wanted to use, I loaded them onto a stay-wet palette and started to lay in an initial wash of colour onto the canvas.

At this stage I’m simply trying to establish the lightest and darkest areas, which then helps me to see the mid-tones.

I haven’t used any white in the first application of paint, as I want to use the white of the canvas to help create luminosity.

I let this initial layer dry and then took a step back to gauge how I felt the painting was emerging.

After a well-earned cup of tea, I decided that it was time to start adding some stronger paint and really get to work on the tonal values.

[20]

Demonstration by Ruth Archer

ART IN THE MAKING...

Child of Poseidon I used thicker consistency paint at this stage to start to form the waves and details in the horse’s face.

Work was completed on the flowing mane by deepening the based of the hair to give it illusion of cresting upwards.

I started to add in the mid-tones on the face, trying to take care to balance it between the lightest and darkest areas of the whole painting.

More dark paint was glazed in the darkest areas of the underneath part of the neck.

This is my critical point in any painting - should I keep going or consign it to the bin?

I decided not to give up and continued to build up the tones by adding more depth to the crest of the mane and finer work on the eye.

I’m starting to feel happier with the progress now. I added bolder brushstrokes to the waves.

I started working in the texture of the coat on the face of the horse, trying to preserve the light and width of Romero’s noble forehead.

I darkened the crests of the waves to build in some base darks for the foam - one of the great advantages I find with acrylics is the ease at which it is possible to work from dark to back to light at any point.

[21]

ART IN THE MAKING...

Demonstration by Ruth Archer

Child of Poseidon At this last stage, I worked heavy impasto paint into the crests of the waves and started pushing the foam around the front of the horse.

Now it was a case of softening edges and continuing to develop the coat of the horse using paler hues over the darks in fine stroked with a small brush.

The eye was refined a little more and then I felt it was time to leave well alone.

The Final Painting: Child of Poseidon

[22]

Franklin You can see more of his wonderful paintings and photos in his PMP Gallery.

REMEMBERING FRANCIS KLINKEMALLIE

A Tribute to a Gentleman It is with great sadness that in February 2015 we learned of the passing of one of our members, Francis Klinkemallie (known as Franklin on PMP). He was a true gentleman who had time for everyone, and was known and loved by many of PMP’s members. We felt it only right to celebrate his outstanding paintings and photography in the magazine. We hope you enjoy looking at his photography and artwork. R.I.P., Francis, we miss you.

Sunrise at Palma

[23]

REMEMBERING FRANCIS

Bear Fisherman

Windmill

Old Building in Provence

Washing Hands

Hibiscus

[24]

REMEMBERING FRANCIS

Sunflower Field

Lavender in Provence

Old Front Door

The Little House in the Lavender Fields

Street of Apt

Not Tuscany but...

[25]

REMEMBERING FRANCIS

Vaison-La-Romaine

Clarinet

Cereste, Provence

Carriage in the Streets of London

Forcalquier, Provence

Rainy Days [26]

REMEMBERING FRANCIS Francis’s Wonderful Artwork

You’ll Never Walk Alone

Street of San Remo

Piazza San Marco, Venezia

Having a Coffee in Bologna

Bar “Le Troquet” in Apt

[27]

REMEMBERING FRANCIS

Cafe Scene in Alcudia

Venice by Night

Pears Under Candlelight

Doorway of Apt

Christmas Shopping

[28]

REMEMBERING FRANCIS

Valencia, Spain Let’s Have a Drink - Barcelona

Aix-En-Provence Dijon Street in France

Francis’s photos and artwork will be remaining on PaintMyPhoto. If you would like to see more of his artwork, or take a look at the inspirational collection of reference photos that he shared,

please visit his gallery.

It is wonderful to think that he will live on in others’ artwork.

[29]

JANUARY CHALLENGE: - BITS AND PIECES OF COLORFUL LIGHT

Janice Cook To see more of Janice’s work, view her gallery You can contact Janice on her profile page on PaintMyPhoto.

Janice Cook Our Winner!

‘Metal Faucet’

An Interview by Suzanne Wallick with Janice Cook, Winner of the January Challenge 1) From your profile bio on your PMP page I see that you are a really inventive person, with your "hand" in all kinds of creative work , from planning room makeovers, to painting furniture, to creating art for the walls of a newly designed interior space!! Do you always have ideas going around in your head, and if so, where do you get your inspiration?

Yes, I have to tell my mind to “stop it” sometimes, the ideas are always going ‘round. It comes in very handy though when I am facing a project that needs figuring out. For interiors I look at Houzz and Pinterest, there are a lot of great ideas there. For artwork, I get plenty of inspiration at my Thursday Acrylic Artists Group. We have been together for at least 5 years, painting, encouraging & supporting, Monarch Butterfly and helping with problem solving and technique. I search for inspirational photos on the PMP site almost exclusively now, since the Photographers have so graciously allowed us to use their photos. It’s so much fun and I can even sell my paintings without fear of violating a photographers rights.

[30]

JANUARY CHALLENGE

An Interview with our Winner, Janice Cook

An Interview by Suzanne Wallick with Janice Cook, Winner of the January Challenge 2) How did you find out about PMP, and what do you like about it the best? What enticed you to enter a painting in the January challenge, Bits and Pieces of Colorful Light?

My Mom first introduced me to PMP. She is an excellent watercolor artist and has been an encourager to me. I say I got my creativity gene from her, but I have to say that my Dad is a wonderful woodworker who designs beautiful furniture and used to build custom homes and do finish work.

The January challenge was intriguing to me because I love color in my artwork and I had never done a stained glass design. I really want to do every monthly challenge, but sometimes I just don’t have time, so my hope is to submit something each month. We will see if I can do that.

3) When you were looking for a reference photo on Black-eyed Susans PMP to create your stained glass entry, were you looking for something in particular, or did you just see Glennis Weston's photo and think, "That's the one!" Did you have a hard time finding something out of so many great photos that are in our main gallery? What was your first reaction when reading that you had won the challenge and would have your art on the cover of the PMP Spring E-magazine?

Turtle

I was looking for colorful, cheerful, flowers and when I saw her beautiful photo, I thought it would work great for a symmetrical design. I knew that symmetry was pretty traditional in stained glass, so I thought one of the less conventional designs would win. But, when I saw the votes come in for the people’s choice, I was pleased that people were voting for my art. It was uplifting and exciting. I knew the judges would be choosing the finalist, and I was sure that one of the other paintings would win; I did not expect to win.

I was surely shocked to see my name there as the winner of first place and I couldn’t believe it at first. I shouted to my husband upstairs “My painting won the challenge!” He shouted back, I know you told me you tied r first. I said “No, the judges voted me first place also”. Then, I told my Mom and posted it on Facebook to share my excitement with my friends.

[31]

JANUARY CHALLENGE

An Interview with our Winner, Janice Cook

An Interview by Suzanne Wallick with Janice Cook, Winner of the January Challenge 4) Have you ever created a stained glass work, using actual pieces of glass and leading? Would you be tempted to try and design a real stained glass window based on your colorful and springlike entry?

Many years ago, I took a stained glass class. I am actually just remembering that this minute. I cut the pieces put copper paper on the edges of glass and then melted metal onto it, I think. I found it very tedious, so I did not continue it.

5) Can you tell us a little about how you became an artist...did you study in art related courses in a trade or college institution.....or are you a self taught artist? Are any of your family members involved in the arts, or perhaps, following in your footsteps?

Yes, in college I took art classes, drawing, oil painting, acrylic painting, watercolor, ceramics, pottery wheel, glazing...you name it. I wanted to major in art, but my parents were not sure I could support myself doing art, so I eventually decided on Architecture and that was my field of work for my whole career. While working and raising children, there was not much time left over to do art regularly or take classes, so it was on hold for several years.

But now that I am only designing a few homes per year, I have the time and the desire to paint. I love to look at everyone’s art, especially in my group, on the PMP site and local art shows. Everyone has their own style and way of presenting art, and it’s so fun to spend time with other artists. In many ways I am self-taught, but I can’t discount my training in Architecture and Interior Design for shaping me.

And of course my Mom is involved in the arts as mentioned, and her pursuit of excellence in her art has been instrumental in my desire to improve and perfect my art skills.

Duchess of Satira

My brother makes beautiful wine bottle cork creations. One example is a full sized guitar. And he was also a custom home designer for his career.

My sister has done beautiful painted tiles for her house, has done lovely cross stitch pieces and is an expert interior decorator, too.

[32]

JANUARY CHALLENGE

An Interview with our Winner, Janice Cook

An Interview by Suzanne Wallick with Janice Cook, Winner of the January Challenge 6) Do you have a special place in your home for creating your art, such as a studio, or spare room turned artistic haven? If so, what is it like? You state that you also love music - do you often listen to music when you paint or create other crafts or types of art?

Here is a picture of my “Artistic Haven”. We moved into a new home last fall and when I saw this room I called “dibs” on it for my Art Room. As you can see there are three large windows letting in lots of light and I have my little Bluetooth speaker set to Pandora stations of my choice. I’m a pianist, so love to listen to piano, but I listen to POP music too and some of the oldies but goodies from the 60’s and 70’s. Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’ is great painting music.

I didn’t think I was a hoarder, but when we moved in my closet quickly filled up with the picture frames that I have collected at garage sales for “future paintings”. I have just made a pact with myself not to buy any more until I have filled every frame) 7) If you were going to describe PMP to a prospective new member......what would you tell them?

I am PMP’s biggest fan, I tell every artist I know about the site and my photographer friends too. I keep finding different features, like the drawing grid and the pre-made searches. The monthly challenge will surely be a way to grow as an artist, so I would definitely tell a prospective member about all of these things.

Janice’s Winning Painting - it takes pride of place on our front cover.

[33]

A CALL FOR ART

Cheryl Nielson

Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

To see Cheryl’s work, view her gallery You can contact Cheryl on her profile page on PaintMyPhoto.

Cheryl Nielson ‘Molly & Calvin’ by Judith Haynes Levins

A Very Worthy Cause!

In early 2014 while browsing through the gallery here on PMP, I had a brilliant idea. I could put out a ‘call for art’ to all the artists to see if they would donate art pieces for a calendar. I am a member of the BSPCA, Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and I am always thinking of ways to fundraise.

So, that’s how it all started. I had Roy send out a letter to the members, I opened a discussion and the emails flooded in! After several months and 100s of emails between myself and the artists, I had many beautiful art pieces donated to our animal cause.

The decision process was most difficult! I had never produced a calendar before and the art pieces were all beautiful. But, with many hours of work between myself and the print artist, I had the finished calendar in hand. And boy, what a beauty it is!

The level and quality of the artistry is second to none. The artists and I have received so many compliments from the public that they are too numerous to mention and has been quite overwhelming. Any of the art I have collected from the artists that was not used in the calendar, will be saved and used for other things such as greeting cards, mugs, and an e-book.

[34]

A CALL FOR ART

BSPCA Cheryl Nielson A Very Worthy Cause!

Almost a year has passed since then, and I am happy to inform everyone that we have sold 100s of calendars and raised much needed funds for the BSPCA and its charges.

I have a fundraising event that artists can donate for at this time: An Art Auction is to be held at the British Embassy in May 2015, here in Bahrain. I am requesting original art pieces for this event, to be shipped to me here in Bahrain. The art piece can be any medium, any subject (except no nudity please) and any size. We held this event in 2014, including original ‘kitty’ computer-generated art pieces and it was a great success!

An email will be sent out to members that will include a discussion address for all the particulars of donating.

On behalf of the BSPCA, I want to thank all the artists and also Roy Simmons for their generosity and I wish a creative 2015 to all.

Thank you so much,

Cheryl Nielson

[35]