Life's Palette

Printing

2012-01-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

I have recently started to re explore the technique of lino printing. It is such a wonderfully physical way of working, and can produce some very dynamic results.

It is so very different to working with watercolours, restrictive in some ways, but also offering many new possibilities.

This image was created for the book cover below

Narrative

2012-01-08T07:37:00.000-08:00

Over the last year my style has developed and become more directional. Of course, selling art has always been wonderful but this in itself is not a goal and can actually be a distraction .Therefore, having refocused on my artistic priorities, my current aim is to succeed as a visual story teller, a conveyor of atmosphere, mood and emotion.

I have found myself intensify shadows in an attempt to emphasise light and concentrated a great deal on a number of things.

A sense of place.

A sense of character.
A moment in time.

Thus, the story of my year begins.

Experimentation

2010-09-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

I am always inspired by the idea of using a new type of media, or a new technique.

Recently I have being exploring the possibility of combining watercolour and gouache.

The opaque nature of the relatively substantial gouache contrasts fantastically with the delicately translucent washes of watercolour.

At times,when layering dark watercolours over areas of pale gouache the effect can almost be that of a masking fluid.

These are some recent images I have reinterpreted by incorporating this mixed media technique.

Returning

2010-08-08T06:25:00.000-07:00

How to return to creative work after a long absence?

After months consumed by OFSTED, RE inspection, an end of term show and general fatigue returning to painting is a daunting, and problematic prospect.

A half completed portrait has lain, neglected on the drawing board for weeks as I was left needing an injection of enthusiasm and inspiration.

Thankfully this came in the shape of a wonderful holiday in Craster with loved ones.

Recent Diary entries, I hope, document my journey back to creative productivity.

Joe's Eye View

2010-06-07T08:55:00.000-07:00

My son is eleven years old, and the most joyful person you could ever wish to meet. Joe has Fragile X Syndrome and Autism, and is a totally fascinating and unique young man.

As Joe has very poor fine motor skills, he is unable to write or draw very well, and I have often found myself wondering if he were more dexterous and able to paint, how would he depict the world.

Recently on a visit to Durham I found myself preoccupied with the days shopping list, and believed Joe, walking by my side, would be thinking of little more than when, and where we would be eating lunch.

Suddenly Joe stopped and looked towards the boathouse.

This is a view we have seen so many times and in fact I did paint it about two years ago.

Sometimes over familiarity blinds us, but perhaps this is not the case for my son.

After watching the scene below him he just said,

"Take a picture."

Of course I did ,and proceeded to paint from these images on our return home.

I'm so glad I did because there is such life, colour and beauty captured in that instant.

If Joe could paint perhaps these are the things he would portray.

Identifying Characters

2010-04-18T07:39:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about my most recent painting for some time now, but due to a technical hitch, was unable to write a blog about it. At last here is

" Cafe".

This is an imaginary scene, collaged from different sources, but I hope it is possible to recognise some of the characters I have identified.

The Thinker

The Follower

The Loner

The Reader

The Listener

The Outsider

The Watcher

All manner of people in a single scene, and yet, is it not possible to identify with some, if not all of these individuals?

Journeys

2010-04-03T09:37:00.000-07:00

I have discovered that it is of no consequence when, or where a journey begins,

and the final destination is not always significant.

What are of paramount importance however, are the observations and discoveries made along the way.

The concept I have recently reconsidered is that it is not always necessary to physically move in order to travel a great distance in the mind.

Durham, Pointing The Way. (for sale £90)

People and Places

2010-03-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

A beautiful view is always appealing, and most of us enjoy the spectacle of a dramatic landscape, but my latest endeavour is to see beauty and drama in the ordinary.

Durham Shoppers (Detail)

I hope that the incorporation of figures in my latest compositions will act as an invitation to the viewer, to share this beauty.

Durham Shoppers(Detail)

Recognition and familiarity should enable a swifter passage into the world of the painting, and indeed, into my world.

As I encourage others to delight in the theatre of everyday life, I also hope to express just a little more of myself.

Durham Shoppers (Detail)

Painting is a very personal activity and I always aim to give everything I do a certain hallmark, but now want to be more intimate and searching.

Durham Shoppers (for sale £90)

Power Within

Beginnings and Endings

2010-02-21T12:34:00.000-08:00

The last commission is complete and I am trying to look forward to new artistic challenges.

More Snow!

But in this bleak ongoing winter season, full of endings of one kind or another, it’s hard to identify an appropriate path to follow.

Book cover design for The Easington Writers

(If you would like a copy of this book I illustrated, it is available through all good bookshops (ISBN 978-0-9564823-0-3) OR through AGNES FRAIN . Email her at agnesfrain@hotmail.co.uk)

I am hoping to create much more personal images with something of the domestic in them, but of course, I don’t want to disregard this fantastic area of the country, of which I am so proud.

Dunstanburgh Castle (painting for sale)

So back to basics- a visual diary and lots of sketching.

Any inspirational ideas would be gratefully received!

How do readers of this blog overcome an artistic block?

Thank You

2010-02-07T09:21:00.000-08:00

I am so grateful to all of those people who attended my exhibition at the end of last year.

Photograph by Alan Marron.

My time since then has been a whirlwind of Christmas, commissions and schoolwork! Portraits are extremely intense things to work on, and a number of these have devoured great chunks of my days.

"The Naughton Boys"

With the last commission on the board, and half term fast approaching, it is time to venture forth and look to future artistic challenges.

Encouraged by the many constructive comments and ideas I have received, I am inspired to combine people, places, objects , and an element of the ordinary and the domestic. a tall order perhaps? Any thoughts would be most welcome.

Intimacy and Disconnection

2009-11-23T10:20:00.000-08:00

Creating artwork is a very intimate activity, and I constantly endeavour to put something of myself into my paintings.

Of course there are times when an element is quite literally part of my life. In this picture I wanted a focal point in the foreground, and included an image of my husband and son, in an attempt to draw the viewer into the scene.

However,in my opinion, every mark and brushstroke should identify me as the artist. I always hope each piece will reveal a tiny part of me.

Having worked with such intensity, it is often hard to look at my own work objectively.

Recently seeing my work reproduced in a calendar gave me some opportunity to view certain images through fresh eyes.

But with my exhibition fast approaching I have bundled all of my framed works away, and will not look at them again until they are hung on Thursday.

I now hope to feel sufficiently disconnected to view the gallery walls at my exhibition with pride and satisfaction.

Fiona Naughton

The Spennymoor Settlement

Preview Evening Friday 27th November 2009

7pm to 9pm

All are welcome!

Breaking the Rules

2009-11-02T01:47:00.000-08:00

I was once told that my paintings must celebrate the media I use with their fluidity, and should be devoid of line.
How I try to be a purist, but sometimes the temptation of mixed media is just too much!

Watercolour with bold inky lines.

Pastel and pencil gaudily streaked across a wash.

An indulgent combination.

The Vibrancy of rebellion!

Low Force, Teesdale

My website has recently been updated thanks to JPH.

See what you think.

http://www.fionanaughtonartworks.com

The Story Behind The Image

2009-10-16T04:17:00.000-07:00

Working towards my exhibition preview on November 27th, I don’t often take as much time as I should for reflection. However Yesterday I had the opportunity to share my portfolio with a friend, and we discussed the inspiration behind various different pieces.
Now I am left questioning whether it is the process of making art, or the memories evoked by the process, which brings most pleasure.

Two recent works were inspired by a wonderful holiday my husband and I shared in Seahouses about three years ago.

We spent one bright autumnal day, during our visit, walking between Seahouses and Bamburgh along the beach.

This is such a well known view of Inner Farne, but I hope it does evoke something of the stingingly fresh air on our faces, and the merest hint of sea spray . For me it also brings back the memory of the inviting warmth of the pub at the end of our journey, and the fantastic hand cut ham sandwiches washed down with Guinness!

On a practical level this picture reintroduced me to the joys of masking fluid, and the spontaneity of working with a toothbrush.

The second walk during that stay found us exploring Holy Island. My husband has spent a great deal of time on the island in the past and was able to direct us to the most breathtaking of places. We stood for a long time on this rock as P. tried to capture the thrill and exhilaration of the crashing waves with his camera. I have endeavoured to do the same with water colour, and have discovered the ruthless but nevertheless exciting effects of household bleach on wet watercolour.

Which is greater: the joy of experimentation; the joy of creating; or the joy of memories?

Discovering More of the Durham Coastline

2009-10-04T10:10:00.000-07:00

When invited to produce some illustrations for The Tall Tales Project, by the Easington writers group, I could not have envisaged what wonderfully inspiring views I would encounter.

Obviously, as ever, I was drawn to the coast…

But a knowledgeable guide revealed so many interesting locations, with fascinating tales attached.

This is certainly an area my husband and I will visit and revisit.

PS To leave a comment – or just say hello - click on 'Comments' below. Write your comment in the box and, if you don't have a website, choose to click on Anonymous and leave your name (or nom de plume) at the bottom of the message. Then hit Publish

A Big Splash

2009-09-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

My current fascination with water is all consuming. It is such an elusive element to capture. Yesterday’s wonderful walk along the Easington coastline only inspired me further to continue my endeavours to capture the ever changing character of the sea.

Easington Coastline

I have studied rivers,

River Wear

River Tyne

Canals,

Bruges

Harbours ,

Seahouses

And calm waters. However, here is my first splash!

Not perfect, but sufficiently satisfactory to offer encouragement.

At Last

2009-09-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

I have finally finished my coastal view which has been languishing on the drawing board for far too long!

It’s hard to find time to paint now that the school term has begun, but with an exhibition fast approaching I must get some of these images from my head and onto paper.
My preview night will be Friday November at the Spennymoor Settlement.

Chance Happenings

2009-09-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

I was struck today, whilst painting, that the aspect of my work which most excites me is the ability to introduce an element of chance.

St Cuthbert's Island and the sort of atmospheric sky I strive for

There is something quite thrilling about the fact that the final image produced could, to some extent, be beyond my control.

These are my favourite tools for introducing chance, and encouraging random effects

Crumpled and folded cling film.

Water colour flows along tiny transparent veins before drying.

Sea salt.

It absorbs pigment in the wet water colour around it resulting in a wonderfully organic pattern.

Surgical spirit.

Applied sparingly, this slices through wet paint like a knife, leaving a ghostly trail behind it.

I am greedily trying to incorporate all of these techniques in this reworking of a costal view. The work is still in progress.

Beach banks between Easington and Horden.

For more examples of my work check out my website at www.fionanaughtonartworks.com

Killing the paper

2009-08-30T07:35:00.000-07:00

For me it is impossible to relax when there is an unpainted sketch stretched on my drawing board.
The white paper teases and taunts me, daring me to make my mark.

The first bold stroke of wash kills the paper.

I am in charge, or am I?
Of course the very reason I love water colour must be something to do with my impatience.

It is necessary to work quickly with no time for hesitance or regret.

Am I satisfied with my achievements?
Never, however there is always another piece of white paper calling.

The End Of A Holiday And The Start Of A Blog.

2009-08-27T03:26:00.000-07:00

As the holidays draw to a close, I am off in search of more inspirational images, by the Tyne.

One final week of indlugence, surrounded by my artistic tools, before returning to school.

However, my experimentations with watercolour will continue, and I will endeavour to document them here.

Some Recent Works