Somehow I managed to catch these postcard-sized scenes from the countryside while on a train from London to Somerset.  It was a great exercise in forcing myself to paint very fast (and not getting motion sickness).  They’re on their way to family in the States.  I was sure to write on the one to my brother that I painted the image on the front.  I wouldn’t put it past him to think I bought it at a tourist shop.

I’ve realized while settling into my new home in London that the local scenes are inspiring me to draw and paint faster than I’m keeping up with service organizations.  Although it’s invigorating to be painting urban street scenes again, I won’t leave out the charitable component of my work.  So, while I’m painting and finding my footing here, I will be making contributions from art sales to Court Appointed Special Advocates, one of my all time favorite nonprofit organizations.

CASA is always looking for volunteers to advocate for abused children engaged in the legal system while a safe home is identified for them.   With over 1,000 local community offices throughout the US, there’s bound to be a CASA office near you.  I volunteered for CASA and would be happy to answer any questions about my experience, just email me at ashley.cecil(at)gmail.com.

“You never know what you’re missing until it’s gone.”  I’m a believer in this adage.   For example, I never realized how convenient it was to show up to a studio class in college and a model was there waiting for us.  It’s a little trickier when you’re on your own, or it was until I moved to a big city.

I’m a little hesitant to keep looking for things to do in London because I’m afraid my creative ADD will run wild.  Wednesday night drop-in figure drawing class, check.  Daily art museum guided tours, check.  Free exhibition lectures, check.  It’s like having all of the resources of a college student with a city-wide campus.

So this is square one in a new city.  I’ve always thought of myself as travel savvy, but I was humbled last night by missing a social art event due to my inability to navigate my way from my borough to a theathre in the city center.  Apparently I’m only as travel savvy as a my smart phone makes me, which I’m without at the moment.

It’s almost overwhelming to take in all of the options in a city as big and rich in culture as London.  My paints arrived yesterday so we’ll see how the sights translate on canvas.  I’m pleased with this first piece of a pub in Soho just as people were leaving their offices.  Happy hour is taken very seriously here.

The move is underway!

Before departing I had to paint Findlay Market, one of my favorite places in my last city of residence, Cincinnati.  This is also the last painting remaining from my entire body of work to date, which is hard to believe since I’ve created hundreds of paintings over the last few years (thank you for patronage).

I’m eager to create and share new work inspired from abroad.  Now I just need my art supplies to arrive off the boat.

I love that my website attracts requests for touching commission requests such as the one below:

Ashley,

The better part of last year I spent in surgery, chemo or having double radiation for cancers. So far I am in remission and doing very well.  One of the many wonderful caregivers with a daunting task is a trainer for Fitsteps For Life, a free program designed to make us chemo and radiation patients get out of bed and work out and not allowing us to become bedridden.  The program that I am enrolled in is hosted by the generosity of Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.

Our wonderful trainer lost her young mother recently to cancer. Her mother lived and died at home in Jacksonville, Texas. Hours before she passed on, she told her family of a bird that had started inhabiting her garden and for them to understand that things in this life are not as they seem. The bird was there that day and the family got a look at the bird, the Painted Bunting. She told her family that when she left them, there would be two. She died several hours later and as the family wandered into the garden, there were two of these beautiful birds on a branch in their mother’s garden.

Needless to say, the bird is now a huge symbol in the lives of that family. As a gesture of profound gratitude for this caregivers service to me and many others I would like to have you paint a small oil of this beautiful bird that she may receive anonymously for Christmas.

I assure you there is no better way to feel good about your work.  I was incredibly honored to paint this colorful bird for my client and mail it to the recipient.  How’s that for holiday cheer?

I’m crossing the pond for good (or a few years at least). London shall be my new home as of January 2010 and none of my finished paintings are coming with me.  That’s great for you, because I’m selling everything at prices I haven’t listed since college.  That’s hard to stomach, but it’s working because there aren’t many left.

About 10 paintings are still available.  You can click here to see the PDF of my remaining inventory (disclaimer: I may not be able to keep the list updated immediately as things sell, so have patience). Please keep in mind that these prices do not include shipping.  If you’re in Louisville or Cincinnati (or somewhere in the drivable vicinity), we can arrange a face-to-face delivery.

So, got any London tips or people you want to introduce me to?