Black on Grey on White

Going right is what you get when a powerful combination of precision, speed and strength fuse. This stunning equine athlete had to be drawn, highlighted, brought to paper. The harmony between horse, jockey and gravity eternalised. Pencils sculpted and moulded the graphite into shape. An amazing experience! Going Right Pencil on Paper 43x56 cm Reference courtesy of Juliette harrison Available p.s ( a very loud p.s!) Once again a million thank-yous go out to Juliette Harrison for the fabulous reference photograph which is at the source of "Going Right". Make sure to check out her black and white world . It's beautiful!

pARTied, had a smashing time and no headache to nurse!!! "Belmont's Tail End" Graphite on Paper 36x20 cm (14'x8') Sheona Hamilton-Grant. All rights reserved Went to a virtual art pARTy organised and hosted by fellow artists Kim Santini , Linda Shantz . This simply means one reference pic, one day to produce an inspired piece of work and another day to peek at all the variations on a theme provided by the other participants. This pARTy's reference picture was provide by photographer Juliet Harrison . These are great challenges, especially for someone like me who likes to work too slowly. With such a short dead-line you have to simplify and work loose and ....speed up! Went for the first thing I saw: the bay horses eye and dilated nostril. The diagonal composition emerged from there. Sketched down a few lines (in ink would you believe!) picked up a 2B Derwent and got scribbling on Strathmore Bristol Smooth ( 300 series). Loaded The Killers into the hi-fi...

I cannot and will not let another year pass without mentioning a great British tradition: Royal Ascot.   I missed Ladies' Day yesterday and do not plan on missing the big day tomorrow. Founded by Queen Anne in 1711, Royal Ascot is 5 days of great horse racing. Dreams of going to Ascot have been in my mind since I can remember. Even as a wee girl the smell of the scones and the frivolity of wearing extra nice dresses as of course the sight and sound stunning thoroughbreds zoom past totaly mesmerized me...  The closest I got to this dream was to have seen youngsters training for the event very early one morning in Newmarket...an unforgetable visit I must add. Well, I watched two races today - the Albany Stakes (six furlong race won by a 2 year old Irish filly Cuis Ghaire) and the King Edward VII - 1&1/2 mile  race won by Franke Detori (his 40th Ascot win) on the stunning Campanologist.  They are sooooo beautifullllllllll (I'm referring to the horses of course ... the hats and...