Monday 28 November 2011

LAST ORDERING DATES FOR CHRISTMAS DELIVERY!

 How time flies!!! Can't believe I'm posting a final order date already!

I will be jetting off to sunny climes for a week in December so final dates are below:

FRAMED PRINTS: 5pm Monday 5th December
CARDS & MAGNETS: 5pm Friday 16th December

I will be away from Friday 9th December - Friday 16th December - any online purchases of cards & magnets in that week will be posted on Monday 19th December by 1st class mail.

NO print orders will be taken from 5th December - sorry.

Friday 25 November 2011

A WEE CHANGE

This is a bit of a hush hush job but here is a very rough pic of the finished painting.

The white should really be white but the inclement weather today is wreaking havoc with my lighting!

Top pic is a detail and lower is the overall painting ... although it's nicer cropped in ... and maybe a bit of a sage green second mount ....

Wednesday 23 November 2011

PAIR OF ANIMALS - SOLD!!!

Another 2 original paintings sold this morning to a collector in Edinburgh!

The Pair of Animals have gone to join the Anniversary Shoes and the Wedding Shoes in their new home.

Monday 21 November 2011

DEVIL'S DESIRE - SOLD

 Gone to a lovely new home in Aberdeenshire - Devil's Desire sold yesterday at the Country Living Fair in SECC.

New owner kindly sent a pic of the painting in it's new home.

Many thanks Anika!

Wednesday 16 November 2011

COUNTRY LIVING STAND - B17 SECC


Well, today was the big set up for Country Living Fair and I painted my (3m high!!!) stand in classic red - worth the pain as the Pair of Animals paintings look fabby against the red walls.

I am however, similar in colour and looking like an extra from Carrie!

Pics are a bit out of focus but you get the drift!

Pop along & visit stand B17, SECC from Thursday (tomorrow) till Sunday 10-5pm

Monday 7 November 2011

LIVING NORTH STAND

 Here's a wee pic of my stand at Living North Christmas Fair last weekend.

It's good for me to look at it and see what will change for the Country Living Christmas Fair in SECC, Glasgow on 17th-20th November. One key change is the missing The Holly & the Ivy.

However ... I have plans to squeeze in another new painting or two before the show ... grand plans indeed!! Although for me, The Holly & the Ivy is one difficult painting to replace!

Having had requests at Newcastle for ballet shoes, boots, clogs .... and lacy bras(?!) ... who knows what I might start!!

Mistletoes or Dancing Queen will probably take centre stage at next one ... and have learned that people want framed prints and not unframed! It's a learning curve.

See online for more paintings - perfect for Christmas pressies! www.gillianpark.co.uk/shop

Saturday 5 November 2011

THE HOLLY & THE IVY .... SOLD!!!

Well, my baby has gone to a new home in Tyne & Wear.

ahhhhhhh

Wednesday 2 November 2011

DANCING QUEEN ... ready for Living North Fair

I can't believe how quickly this has come round: Christmas Living North Fair in Newcastle Racecourse starts tomorrow!

Final blog before packing up and heading down to set up - stand A35 in the First floor of Gosforth Park Suite ... come say hello!

This is the finally framed Dancing Queen hanging on my wall, matching the sideboard and candlesticks perfectly!! I couldn't have planned it better myself!

Dancing Queen, Devil's Desire, Mistletoes and THE painting of the year (for me anyway!) The Holly & the Ivy will all be for sale for the first time at the show. Hopefully find some good homes for them.

Friday 14 October 2011

RED SHOE COLLECTION

Well, it's done ... and it's been a long hard slog!

My first painting of 3 pairs of (grown up) shoes - red shoes and leopard print have always been big favourites ... in fact are the biggest selling cards I have, so hopefully this will go down well.

No name yet for this one ... or a frame ... but will keep you posted.

Click HERE to visit the website for more Red Shoes

Tuesday 4 October 2011

THE HOLLY & THE IVY - PROGRESS OF A PAINTING

Well, we did it for Mistletoes ... here's how The Holly & the Ivy came to be ....
Initial drawing ... note lack of leafs ... felt I had to get the shoes right before draping & taping the greenery.
... and now some holly & ivy ....
Now some red and a bit of ochrey gold for the inner.
Bit of depth and drama.
Better get a hint of leafs in here before I get carried away with yet more red!
Get the pen out! Looking a bit bare so went back into painting a bit more here.
And finally ... sit staring at it on the easel for a few days before deciding 'yep, that's it'


This painting is now framed and on sale (and also been made into cards, tags & prints!) - CLICK HERE

Monday 3 October 2011

DEVIL'S DESIRE - NEW IRREGULAR CHOICE PAINTING

Have gone back to painting my some of  my IC shoe collection - these are called Devil's Desire and are just screaming to be painted!

I did actually buy them to wear but haven't had the opportunity as yet ... but here they are, preserved in watercolour and ink for eternity ... am liking it but possibly a bit off course for the mainstream customer.

Visit the website for more shoe paintings: www.gillianpark.co.uk and buy originals, prints, cards and gift vouchers online at: www.gillianpark.co.uk/shop

Thursday 29 September 2011

SOLD! ORIGINAL PEEPSHOW PAINTING

Well, am pleased but sad to see it go ... I loved Peepshow, it's one of my favourite paintings to date ... although the Christmas paintings done last month only just topped it for me!

Very pleased to hear it sold yesterday to a lovely family in Edinburgh for their new home.

Wednesday 14 September 2011

PARTY SHOES FOR MINI IMELDA


This is a new format for me ... and thoroughly enjoyed it! I feel a whole series of these coming on .... starting with red shoes!

Lovely wee baby shoes all lined up for Mini Imelda to choose which suit best for her party!

Visit website for many more shoe paintings, prints & cards: www.gillianpark.co.uk

Tuesday 13 September 2011

MISTLETOES - PROGRESS OF A PAINTING

Thought you might like to see how the Christmas paintings took shape. Here's the first: Mistletoes .... and some nice shots of my thumb!

STAGE 1: this obviously is NOT stage 1 as there's already paint on it! It was later in the process that I remembered I should record a few stages of progress ...

STAGE 2: barely touching the board with paint here ... I liked it at this stage ... and left it for the night here as am nervous about painting in greens and blues for some reason!

STAGE 3:A bit more turquoise paint on there - was going ok ... and then ....

STAGE 4: Hated what I'd done at this stage and washed a bit off!
STAGE 5: actually there were a few stages missed out here - with some washing off and repainting to get something that I liked. But this was the last stage - which I like - the pen ... and some nice mistletoe berry highlights which really jump out.

I will blog the final painting in frame and the new Christmas cards, prints & tags later in week ... think this is enough Christmas for now!

This painting is now framed and on sale (cards, tags & prints also available): CLICK HERE

Tuesday 6 September 2011

SOLD! ORIGINAL STARGAZERS PAINTING

I have been neglecting the blog recently but good news to start off again ... the original watercolour painting 'Stargazers' has just been sold in Edinburgh!

Great news - it's the first sale of the autumn season and has hung in Clifton Hall coffee lodge for a whopping 3 days before being sold!!

More original paintings, prints & cards available in the web shop: www.gillianpark.co.uk/shop

Friday 19 August 2011

MATCHING PAINTINGS!

I think I should call these 'A pair of animals' ...
Its come to this: making matching paintings! Although I have to say, they do look quite quirky sitting together ... a couple of nice black frames: sorted!

Thursday 18 August 2011

FIRST POST-HAZEL NON-SHOE SKIDDLE


That's an odd title for a blog I know!

I went off on a bit of a watercolour workshop with the fabulous Hazel Campbell in the hope that I can attempt to paint something OTHER than shoes ... it was a fabulous few days but as always, you need to put into practice what you've learned .... so this is my first non-shoe attempt post Hazel's workshop (hence the name!)
Bought some lillies, settled down with watercolours and no fine line pen for change and had a bash. It's certainly a bit looser than normal but could be doing with a bit more white paper in there ... will keep trying ... in between shoes!

Thursday 11 August 2011

THE HOLLY & THE IVY

Well, have been too nervous to start the planned Christmas paintings, especially after my dodgy zebra shoe effort yesterday!

But the ivy and holly were going to die if I didn't tackle it now.

It's very vintage and not so full on as Deck the Heels but hopefully be a good Christmas card!

Only one more to go .... Mistletoes .... eeeeeek

Monday 1 August 2011

POTENTIAL EMERGENCY CARD!

I need help - but I need it kinda now!

If I were to print some emergency Ailsa Craig cards for an event this weekend - which style do people prefer?

A - with white border
or
B - all over image

Please do email or comment with your preferred - huge thanks: gillian@gillianpark.co.uk

Friday 29 July 2011

STORY OF A BABY SHOE COMMISSION

Here's a recent baby shoe commission from conception (ahem) to completion ... although I've missed out the halfway painting bits, I thought it might be nice to see where a painting comes from.

Pic 1 - is the photo taken by my customer and emailed to me.


Pic 2 - I've taken the supplied pic into photoshop, brightened the image and removed the background so I can see the shape of the shoes better. Also have moved the right hand shoe a wee bit closer to the other one to create a better composition as the customer wanted it within a loose box.


Pic 3 - This is the scan of the painting sent to customer to make sure it's ok - asking if she'd like anything changed or added. A tiny hint of a butterfly was added to the left shoe strap at this stage.


Pic 4 - Final painting framed - with matching gift tag made from painting and personalised with name ... and a girly bit of pink ribbon!


Pic 5 - An arty-farty squint shot ... just because!


Pic 6 - Certificate of Authentication - which will be signed and dated ... just in case I go mad, slice my ear off and become famous in years to come ... then it can be sold for squillions of pounds!

ha ha ... for Baby Shoe Commissions, visit the webshop: http://bit.ly/oqUW7J

Wednesday 27 July 2011

*NEW* PERSONALISED FRAMED PRINTS & MATCHING TAGS


I know, I know  - it's been an eternity since my last blog but you know ... holidays, work, weans ... they eat up my blogging time! Anyway excuses out of the way ...

Today I have added a BRAND NEW product range to the webshop. PERSONALISED FRAMED PRINTS ... so far I have added only the baby/childs framed prints but there will be more to come ... soon ... I promise!

Very easy to order:
STEP 1 - choose your favourite image/painting the website - I can personalise ANY of the paintings.
STEP 2 - email me with your choice of image & with the name or short message you'd like added
STEP 3 - I will email you a pdf for you to approve (& to check my spelling!)
STEP 4 - Your print will be framed & posted to you with matching gift tag on ribbon
STEP 5 - Bask in glory of giving personalised, original gift ....

Click here to order http://bit.ly/oq1e8Y
ONLY £30 with FREE p&p to UK (can be posted directly with message)

Tuesday 28 June 2011

HOLIDAYS

Well, we're off to sunny ... France!

From Thursday 30th June until Sunday 17th July, the online shop will be closed ... you can still order online but any purchases made in that time will be dispatched by 1st class post on Monday 18th July.

Au revoir!

Thursday 16 June 2011

PEEPSHOW!

Bit different in style for me but I love these shoes and I love this painting ... currently hanging in my bedroom but now on sale in the shop: http://bit.ly/iWr5q1 .... £110

Cards and prints in production as I type!

BRIDAL SHOES - on wall

Thought I'd post a pic of the actual framed original painting of Bridal Shoes hanging on the wall - gives a better idea of the colours and how it looks in situ.

Painting is hanging on a magnolia wall ... unfortunately living in a new house I haven't yet had my wicked way with some Dulux!

Painting would make a lovely wedding gift if you're struggling to find something unusual - for sale at £135 in online shop:http://bit.ly/kCtUZj

Prints also available from only £10 (until Monday!) and currently in the process of printing cards just in nick of time for wedding season ... so watch this space.

Monday 13 June 2011

BRIDAL SHOES - new print

The new bridal shoe painting is looking pretty nice surrounded by a white mount and a cream keyline and using sepia ink and text - a wee bit softer than the usual.

Lovely wedding, engagement or anniversary gift.

Fits standard 10" x 12" frames - other sizes available.

Special offer this week, £5 off: http://bit.ly/jgedn6

www.gillianpark.co.uk

Wednesday 8 June 2011

SOLD!

I had a fabulous start to the day when I heard 2 original paintings sold in Edinburgh yesterday!

Kingfisher Waltz and the French Fancies (one of my particular faves!) have gone to new homes - I hope they'll be very happy, and bring lots of joy to their new families.

If you have bought an original, please let me know - email me a photo of the painting in situ - I'd love to hear from you! gillian@gillianpark.co.uk

Tuesday 7 June 2011

RED SPOTTY PEEP TOES ... 1

These are the babies I've been wanting to get my teeth into!

Did this over an hour and a half this afternoon - got a bit carried away as I just love them!

Bit looser than my usual shoe portraits but was just enjoying myself and seeing what happened - this will be the central pair in the middle of 3 pairs I think - same shoes in 3 different poses - all sitting in one long row ... we'll see how it goes!

Here's the first anyway and the initial line drawing on board before I hit it with every shade of red! I had planned on taking pics of each stage along the way from beginning to end but am afraid I did get carried away and didn't stop for photos!