I’m pleased to offer the Moon and Stars artwork for sale.

Moon & Stars ©Erin Richardson

This painting is currently drying from a final varnish application.  It will be ready to post on Friday.

Moon & Stars Artwork 30×40 cm Unframed on hardboard.

Mixed media: (collage, acrylic, oil paint, graphite)

£79 including UK postage (elsewhere, Contact Me for a postage quote, I ship globally)

The painting is initialled on the front. Signed & dated on the back.

It will come with a Certificate of Authenticity.

I offer a 14 day money back guarantee – if you’re not delighted with this painting, just Contact Me and return the artwork, in the condition it was sent to you.

Moon Detail from Moon & Stars ©Erin Richardson

The moon was a watercolour I produced years ago.

It was still stretched on the panel, as I left it.

I sat here with a new painting surface, wondering what to do, my eyes drifted over to the Moon watercolour..

Once I decided to use the Moon watercolour, the painting idea just all came together.

Face Detail – Moon & Stars ©Erin Richardson

Several factors in the Moon & Stars artwork, are new for me: the red, my method of applying the background acrylic in order to achieve the texture, the moon & cat.

It was inspired by the red polka dot collage paper – which is largely covered with paint, but it fuelled my imagination & I repeated the red dots (mostly with my fingers).

The red tiles in her top, just seemed to want to be painted… That sort of thing happens a lot in my artwork.

Oblique angle view – Moon & Stars ©Erin Richardson

This is a mixed media painting.  The surface is textured, and uneven, due to the collage elements.

Check out all the textures and patterns within this painting.

Cat & Stars detail – Moon & Stars ©Erin Richardson

I love cats.  It seems obvious, to introduce cats to my artwork.

I considered painting more detail in the cat, but felt it worked better in the painting, as a shape, rather than a centre of focus.

There was plenty of rubbing down with sandpaper to create the texture within this painting.

This painting is varnished & drying.  It will be ready to post on Friday.

Payment is through PayPal, which gives you the option to use all major credit cards as well.

To purchase the Moon & Stars Artwork, For Sale – click the Buy Now Button.

Moon & Stars Original Artwork

Moon & Stars 30x40 cm Unframed on hardboard. Mixed media: (collage, acrylic, oil paint, graphite) £79 including UK postage (elsewhere, message me for postage costs, I ship globally) The painting is initialled on the front. Signed & dated on the back. It will come with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Available Qty: 1

Price: £79.00

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Erin Richardson Artist, UK - Whimsical Art with Heart

 The February Art Wallpaper is now available.

February 2013 Art Wallpaper – “Make Time For Yourself” ©Erin Richardson

If you hadn’t heard – I am creating/giving away a new Desktop Art Wallpaper each month, aimed at people who enjoy my artwork.

Each wallpaper will include:

An image of my Whimsical Artwork, a Calendar & an Empowering Message.

The Free Art Wallpaper is only available to Subscribers on my Email list.

I use the wallpaper myself,  both on my mac and android.

To receive your Whole Year of Free Art Wallpaper Downloads, just enter your first name & email address, then hit the “click to submit button”.  You will receive an email with a link for the Download.

Sorry – Offer and Link Expired!  Come back next month.

Of course, I keep your info confidential.   I do not share with anyone else.   You are given the option to unsubscribe, each time I send you an email.

✩  ✩  ✩

What else is happening with me?

Artistically:

Lots of new artwork in progress.  YAY!  My art is developing and becoming more of what it wants to be (as always).

I’m understanding my art more, and creating images that have been nudging at me for a while.

I have so many paintings I’m working on, all at various stages of progress.

Unfortunately, when I do ‘new’ things, it sometimes takes a while for me to figure out what next.  If that makes sense?

I have to:

• Admit I don’t know how to proceed & get clear on what I don’t know.
• Wonder  how can I resolve this.
• Enlightenment – I have to let the answer to come to me, without rejecting it, or deciding it’s weird, not my style, etc
• Do it! – which usually means side stepping my fears of: What will people think?  Will that be too weird? Will I like it? etc

I will share these finished works, when I’m able.

Website:

My website updates are going slowly – they’re tied in with the new work I’m producing.

Unfortunately, I can’t rush these things, or I’ll regret it later.

I will tell you, I’m planning a Special Sales page on the new site, which will offer work at special prices as and when available.

The idea of offering a Sales section on my website, feels quite exciting for me.

It’s unusual (if not unheard of) in the art world.

Times are changing.

The archaic gallery/artist system is giving way to the Independent Artist on the internet.

New opportunities are available,  for both Artists & Collectors of Art.

Personally:

My days are filled with constantly dealing with depression and the side effects of my medication.

This is why I am generally quiet online these days.

When I feel ok, it’s time to paint/create/dream of new artworks.

Enjoy your new February Art Wallpaper, and have a lovely Valentine’s Day.

Erin ❤

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Erin Richardson Artist, UK - Whimsical Art with Heart

The New Year brings 12 New Monthly Art Wallpapers for Subscribers!

January 2013 Art Wallpaper – “Align Yourself With Your Dreams” ©Erin Richardson

Personally, I enjoy using artwork as wallpaper on my MAC and phone (usually, other artist’s).

I’m delighted when I look at my phone, or desktop.  Thrilled that I can bring artwork that resonates with my heart, into life, whatever I’m doing.

I have several post-it notes and scraps of paper on the walls, in my studio – each with a meaningful reminder to myself.

After playing with the idea to offer a Monthly Desktop Wallpaper, I decided to combine these ideas -

My Artwork, a Monthly Calendar & an Empowering Message!

(psst… bonus for me, I get time playing with Photoshop, to produce this combo)

To receive your Whole Year of Free Art Wallpaper Downloads, just enter your first name & email address, then click Get Wallpaper.  You will receive an email with a link for the Download.

Sorry – Offer and Link Expired!  Come back next month.

Of course, I keep your info confidential.  I do not share with anyone else.  You are given the option to unsubscribe each time I send you an email.

✩  ✩  ✩

What else is going on with me?

Firstly, you may have noticed, the rest of my website is offline.  I’ve learnt SOOO much about myself, my art and my dreams, in 2012 – it’s time for a major update!  Exciting stuff, I can’t wait to share all, as soon as  the site is ready to go live.

I’m taking positive action to make the most of 2013.  To live my dreams fully (hence the message on the current Wallpaper).  All very exciting. I’ll share what I’m doing to achieve this very, very soon!  Expect another blog update this week ;-)

Personally? I’ve come through a year of adjusting to medication, working to achieve a level of stability in myself.  I’ve made progress in that area, and learnt more about how this illness affects me.  I know it is possible to achieve so much more.  I’m positive about the future, myself and it’s potential for the first time in … forever, I guess.  Dr’s appointment tomorrow may influence this for better or worse lol.

My cats – Schminkie & Green Tea are well.  Both little men are cuddled up to me, as I write this.

Andrex, my mare, is naughty, cheeky and plump as usual.  May she never change.

2012 brought me a new level of confidence and insight into my own creativity.   Another great subject for a blog post – again, watch this space ;-)

Wishing you a Magical 2013!

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Erin Richardson Artist, UK - Whimsical Art with Heart

Help! Sunflowers are invading my fine art pig painting on my easel hehehe…

Stage III of this fine art pig in progress.

In progress Stage III – still Untitled at the moment

Finding myself unable to sleep last night, I drew the Sunflowers at 1am, while sitting in bed.

I love the shapes and movement in the petals, I’ve created.

As I was drawing, and painting the sunflowers, I realised how years of classic art/drawing practice have paid off.

No reference photo or sketch was used.

My imagination created flowers that are going to sit nicely in this painting -

Every aspect of this painting is me, and that is where our artistic style comes from.

Learn the techniques, then make them your own.

Pig and sunflower detail

I’ve only had a chance to apply the first layer of colour in the flower petals and the seeds.

For the seed area, I’m applying the acrylic paint as if it were watercolour, using a wet into wet technique.

This involves applying various colour mixes at the same time, allowing them to merge without hard edges.

I then blot with a paper towel to create texture.

The bright colours I’m using in this area, are for under painting purposes, they will give the final layers a sparkle.

Further layers I apply to the seed heads will bring them together, so they appear more nature.

The petals I”m using 2 colours simultaneously - with quite thick paint.  I’ll dip my brush into both colours, then blend slightly after applying it.

As a result, the petal areas are coloured randomly – the thick paint creating a raised, textured surface, which I loooove!

I have a feeling more sunflowers will sneak into this painting, at some point.

As for the tree in the background – I’ll figure that out when I get to it ;-)

I have to say I am really enjoying my fine art pig painting enormously.. and I think it shows :)

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Erin Richardson Artist, UK - Whimsical Art with Heart

Moon & Stars artwork in progress

This is the Moon & Stars painting in progress, to date -

I’m enjoying working on this painting in progress.

The acrylic/collage/metallic oil paint combo is allowing me to try new things.

Moon & Stars cat in progress – detail

The cat will be either developed further, or changed dramatically.

I haven’t decided which, at the moment.

If I change the cat completely, it will mean doing the same for the background surrounding it.

Moon & Stars Stage IV – detail

The metallic oil paint isn’t visible in these photos -

I’ve added it to her crown, as well as the moon and star in her hands.

I’ll make a point of adding an oblique photo in the next update – allowing the metallic to be seen.

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Erin Richardson Artist, UK - Whimsical Art with Heart

On my easel, at the moment -

In progress (untitled) featuring pig and little house

Hello! It’s scary to share this Pig/House in progress painting – as I am making it up as I go along.

This is something new, for me.  Combining my love of nature, animals, home with my mixed media techniques.

It’s also something that’s my muse has been urging me to try, for quite a while.

To overcome the fear of starting something completely new, I began with something familiar and easy for me…

Pig sketch/watercolour – created to get me over the fear of something new.

In the past, I’ve sold a lot of pig/chicken/horse/dog/cat watercolours.

This was something easy for me, so I made this quick watercolour pig.

Doing so, allowed me to bridge the gap between known and unknown. aka: slip around the fear factor

After it was dry, I tore around the pig shape, and using heavy gel medium, ‘glued’ it to the white panel to begin this painting.

Notice how much the pig has changed!

The pig will develop further, as the painting does, as a whole.

Fingers crossed, that I actually don’t destroy this painting ;-)

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Erin Richardson Artist, UK - Whimsical Art with Heart

Moon & Stars Stage III

I’m grabbing little moments here and there, to work on this painting.

I like working in this way, as it gives me time to reflect and decide what I’m doing next.

As the painting develops, there is the need to strengthen, adjust, develop further – to create balance and visual harmony.

Her face has changed, since I added and developed her crown.

Her forehead and nose now remind me of King Uther from the Merlin series.

I intentionally changed her face, though the resemblance to King Uther, is a subconscious development.

I wanted to make her face stronger – it was pretty, cute and bland.  (see the in progress photos below).

I think a woman wearing a crown, deserves more strength and character in her face.

I’ve worked further on the moon, I feel it now sits beautifully in this painting.

I’m so excited about the addition of one of my old watercolours (the moon), it adds a new dimension to the artwork.

I’m planning on incorporating a watercolour in my next painting – watch this space, I’ll share here, of course.

I’ve strengthened and defined the harlequin pattern on her top.

The cat is gesso‘ed.  I’m waiting to discover what I will do with it.

After painting the star with a deep indigo purple colour (to provide contrast and support for:) I’ve used an Iridescent White Sennelier Oil Bar (also used on the moon).

The oil bars are genuine oil paint – NOT oil pastel.  They will dry like normal oil paint.

There are various methods of applying a metallic finish: acrylic paint, genuine gold and silver leaf, ink, oil paint, oil pastels, oil bar – all of which I have in my studio.

I chose to use the oil bar for 3 reasons -

• I wanted a subtle metallic finish, which would allow hints of the indigo/purple undercoat, to show through – acrylic paint and silver leaf would provide a much stronger/more obvious more solid finish. Bleh.

• I could achieve the subtle finish with either the oil pastel or oil bar – I chose the oil bar as it will dry, and give me a permanent result.  (oil pastels can rub off, need ‘fixing’ and really need to be framed behind glass)

• I love the blending ability of the oil bar, it’s smooth, creamy and I can lift it out with cloth, blend it with my fingers – it’s much lighter than oil paint, and so a perfect addition to this mixed media piece

The iridescent white appears silver when used against the dark background of the star, when used on the white moon areas – it adds a richness and texture, with a subtle glow.

I also have a Iridescent Gold Sennelier Oil Bar, that I haven’t tried… yet.

I’ve created a gallery, below, showing each stage of the Moon & Stars painting, in progress.

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Erin Richardson Artist, UK - Whimsical Art with Heart

My Watercolour Sketchbook Halloween 2002

Since beginning the Moon & Stars painting, I’ve been wonder what other watercolours/sketches I have to incorporate in new artwork.

I found this old sketchbook, earlier.  Perfect timing to share with you, today. (please excuse the shadows on the page, it’s a dark day today)

As I looked through my old sketchbooks, I was impressed with how diligently my past self had sketched in pencil, ink and watercolour.

No one told me to, it was just part of finding my own way as an artist.

I sketched everything and nothing – improving my drawing, brushwork and learning about colour mixing.

The notes on the above image are the watercolours I mixed, for each doodle.

Indigo and scarlet lake were used for the silhouette cat, window frame and witch

The brighter (lower) pumpkins – indian yellow and scarlet lake, with phthalo blue and indian yellow for the grass and vines.

I’m proud of my past self for putting so much time and effort into developing my art skills. Not to mention making notes!

So many books and e-courses promise a quick fix these days.

I genuinely believe there isn’t one.

I believe it is essential to master your materials, and techniques.

By doing so, you equip your inner artist with the tools it needs to emerge/discover itself.

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Erin Richardson Artist, UK - Whimsical Art with Heart

Moon & Stars stage II

This painting is surprising me!

I’m just following my creative urges, and enjoying where they’re taking me.

The crown just felt necessary, her head looked ‘wrong’ without it (to me, anyway) - that’s how my inner artist lets me know things need to change.

When I listen and say ok, it needs to change, I wonder how… the answer comes.

The painting becomes what it wants to be.

There is a cat outline in the bottom right.

The cat is serving two purposes:

Firstly it adds the the symbolism and story of the artwork.

Secondly, the cat will balance out her strong harlequin patterned top.

I’ve also changed the colours of the moon, to make it ‘sit’ in the painting better.

I blended  a gentle wash of the colours I’m using elsewhere in the painting, over the moon, using my fingers.

I then wiped away the excess paint to reveal the watercolour blues in the moon.

I then strengthened the detail in the moon’s face using a B2 pencil.

Finally, I whitened the eye area of the moon, because I felt it needed it.

Strengthening the red dots, the hair colour and adding the harlequin to her top has considerably subdued the background colours.

I miss the strength of the area inside and around the crescent moon.

I expect I will reinforce the background colours to balance the painting out, at some point.

I’m fighting the urge to add gold or silver leaf to that star in her hands…

(maybe this is a resistance that I could release… hmmm….)

When I look at the first photo I shared of this work in progress (last week):

Moon & Stars stage I

There is a very different feel to the painting, at this stage.

To be honest, it was looking pretty good with the more subtle top, and stronger back ground contrast.

The whole reason I follow my inner urges that lead me in new directions, is to allow my work to grow and develop as it will.

The cat has replaced the penciled in cow parsley I’d originally intended.

I’m wondering about that… cow parsley, flowers, stars… something else needs to be there.

I’m looking forward to discovering what it will be myself ;-)

I talk about the first stage of this painting HERE.

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Erin Richardson Artist, UK - Whimsical Art with Heart

I’m really enjoying working on this piece.  It’s allowing me to be creative and spontaneous.

I’m using new (for me) materials, which is really bringing my creativity alive.

Moon & Stars is pure acrylic over collage.

I usually work in oil paint over the collage, as many of you know.

The acrylics are offering me an immediacy in the creation of this painting.

As they dry so quickly, I can respond instantly and develop the painting from my initial reaction to the previous step.

Also, for the first time – the crescent moon was an old watercolour, I created maybe 5 years ago.

The moon painting was still on the stretching board (ensures watercolour paper dies flat after you’ve applied the wet paint).

I wanted to paint something new, with the acrylics, but wasn’t sure what.

My eyes drifted to the moon watercolour and I had an ‘ah hah’ moment.

The polka dots are new for me too.

As is the Cadmium red I’m using to create them – normally I work with Crimson red paint.

The painting measures 30 x 40cm on a birch panel.

It will fit straight into a frame which can be bought off the shelf.

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Erin Richardson Artist, UK - Whimsical Art with Heart