5 Reasons Artists Should Try The Alexander Technique

The Alexander Technique is usually thought of as a therapy to help with backache or a stiff neck. In fact, the Alexander Technique is not a therapy but a form of education. High-quality scientific research has established that the Alexander Technique may well help with your aches and pains but there is far more to it than this. The Technique can actually be applied to any activity including painting and drawing. I recently wrote a short article on how I've found the Alexander Technique beneficial from an artistic perspective. If you fancy reading the article you can check it out here.

A Quick Review of the 2015 Doddiscombsleigh Art Show

I had a great time at the Doddiscombsleigh Art Show the other week, check out my review here.

Doddiscombsleigh Art Show 2015 - Cow Painting

Near Stoke Canon, next to the River Exe, on an early summer morning, looking over the rolling hills and fields of the Devon countryside these cows may be lying down on the job, but they are still 'Guardians of the Valley'. This acrylic painting combines a serene landscape scene with the relatively unusual sight of cows lying down bathing in the morning sun. A key feature of this image is the strong blue used to depict the light reflected on the side of the cows heads and this is echoed in the colour used in the central field. You can see this hand-embellished print on stretched canvas at this year's Doddiscombsleigh Art Show and this picture would perfectly complement a country home.

Doddiscombsleigh Art Show 2015 - Sheep Painting

I will have some paintings and prints on show at this year's Doddiscombsleigh Art Show. Here is 'Summer Light' which will be available as a hand-embellished print on stretched canvas. 'Summer Light' is an acrylic painting of some sheep drenched in the bright summer sunshine, though the way this year is going it could just as easily be some October sun! Quite fitting as the Doddiscombsleigh Art Show takes place at the end of this month. (All money raised goes to Doddiscombsleigh Primary School). This picture would be perfect in the kitchen or living room of any country home, providing a bright focal point on the wall while continually reminding the viewer that Devon is, in my humble opinion,  just about the most beautiful place there is to live! :-)

Recent Paintings of Belted Galloway Cows, Dartmoor and Devon

Over the past few weeks I've been painting away using a slightly different technique to usual, typically painting one pic at a time, I decided to work on three or four paintings at once, and this frequent switch from one painting to the next, then to the next, and then back again is a fun and relaxing way to paint, naturally providing a little distance from the work, while keeping productivity high. Here are a few close-ups. See and read more about each complete painting here.

 

Belted Galloway Cow Fabric

Belted Galloway Cow by mike_jory
Shop here for Fabrics at Zazzle

Another belted galloway cow fabric, this time based on my painting 'The White Stripe'. I'm really enjoying the reflected tiling that zazzle allow artists to use. It produces abstract patterns where the grass is reflected and a surreal feel with the mirrored and upside down cows.

Belted Galloway Cow Fabrics

Perfect for a converted farmhouse, barn or country home, this belted galloway cow fabric is quirky, colourful, charming and fun!

Belted Galloway Cow Fabric by mike_jory
Browse more Animals Fabrics at Zazzle

Black Sheep Fabric

black sheep drawing fabric by mike_jory
Check out these Fabrics at Zazzle

Enjoying designing fabric at the moment, the drawing 'Fifty Shades of Black' (see below) of a Devon black sheep becomes an almost abstract pattern when mirrored and tiled in this way.

Black Cow Drawing Fabrics

Black Cow Drawing Fabric by mike_jory
See more Interior Fabrics at zazzle.com

Based on a pencil drawing of a black cow 'Smudger'

Preparatory drawing or finished art?

This cow drawing is a good example of a preparatory piece that works well in its own right but also inspired a finished painting. Continue reading here.