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Brushes and Appliqué – From a self taught angle.

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I taught myself to paint, which shapes and colours to highlight, look for and transfer over to paper or canvas. With this comes a greater understanding on what you personally are looking for in the subject and want to portray to painting, but it also comes with the downfall of not understanding your materials. Yet it comes with the fun of learning to use them yourself!

My first original pieces were experimental with materials, creating large mixed media pieces with clashing textures and as much movement as possible. My transfer to oils and stubborn independence to learn to use them myself gave me a wider experimental frame. This started with brushes.

I used any brushes that I had, I did not use specific brushes for the purpose of the marks I wanted to make, I made those marks regardless. This went on for a long time, I created the marks I intended to and thought nothing else of it. Until I bought a good quality brush and could finally understood how nice it is to work with a tool that serves its purpose properly…

The thinning agents I used have varied from expensive medium to white spirits. I have found myself coming back to linseed oil. A beautiful gloss and great finish.

Being self-taught builds up your awareness on what you are working on, and a greater understanding of the materials you are using. You get to experiment, get frustrated, accept a huge learning curve and enjoy the process.

Katy x

Two editorials to end the year with and a BIG thank you!

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Having work published in a magazine or editorial is such a huge achievement for me!

I am so excited that as my first year as a professional artist, I managed to end it on a high of featuring in two magazines, one being overseas in America and the other a cover feature. Last October with my life at somewhat of a fork in the road I had got away from a situation and sat in a cafe with a pot of tea and a magazine. I saw women being celebrated for their fantastic work in so many different genres of art, fashion, politics, and business. What I noticed about these articles were that each of these women had faced a fork in the road, hit rock bottom or had been forced to consider a huge change in their life before they decided to make the change themselves. Although I was dead centre of a difficult situation, I felt so far away from it with the realisation that I was free to do what I enjoyed more than anything and this is what I did from the back of the inspiration I found that day in a magazine.

Therefore it came as no shock to me when I felt overwhelmed with pride when a year later I see myself not only featured in magazines but on the cover. So this is another huge thank you to everyone following my wordpress blog, my facebook updates, instagram and twitter. All of the people who have bought prints, sketches, originals and commissioned pieces. HUGE HUGE HUGE THANK YOU! You have made my year the best ever and pulled me back onto my feet with your support and great responses to my work, and encouraged me by introducing me to your own work and insights on art and painting.

On a side note.. I also got a retweet for my Rosa Parks painting for my Iconic Women Collection (still under construction) by the real MC Hammer! Possibly the strangest but best way to start a dull Monday morning!

 

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Article in The Journal about my Iconic Women Collection.

 

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Article in American Cliche magazine, questions about my work and style.

 

 

Iconic Women Oil Painting Collection – Getting there!

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The collection of oil paintings I have been working on showing ten iconic women in colour and opulence, have lately been stepping into the light and starting to take form.

It has taken a few months to make a good foundation on my collection, I have created the basic layers for each portrait, however whilst some are almost finished, others are still in their earliest stages.

A few things I never knew to consider whilst creating a body of work that all related in style and form, is how much your work can improve/change within this time. This means that as I move onto the further pieces, I then find myself going back to the first few and making the edits to lace them all together. It hasnt been easy, however i have the first five close to finished (and now in storage so i can finish up the last five without being tempted with too many edits!) and seeing them together makes it worthwhile. Now I am more determined than ever to get the collection finished so that I can see them all together!

Here are a few images of the progress, some are close to finished, some I havnt yet photographed!

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For any information on my paintings, commissions or sales enquiries feel free to contact me at katyjadedobson@mail.com

Connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for daily updates 🙂

Katy x

My feature in Cliche Magazine

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I have been working really hard lately on my collection of Iconic Women oil paintings for my series in support of Women’s Aid charity. Meaning while being featured in American magazine Cliche.

Here are some screen shots of the feature, and a link to the magazine website to take a read!

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You can read the article online here! Or to buy a copy.

Amy Winehouse Oil Painting – So Far!

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My painting’s progression so far

Whilst working on my series of paintings featuring iconic/influential women through history it occurred to me that when a person becomes iconic, it is not always for charitable or noble reasons…
… ‘Well behaved women seldom make history’

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For information on any of my paintings find me here.

How to be an Artist

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How to be an Artist.

Everybody is an artist at what they do; and everything you do is an art form.

Whether it is the efficiency in which you input data into a system at work, or if it is a full flowing creative stream. Art (in my opinion!) is taking something everyday and making ‘something’. And this ‘something’ doesn’t have to be a painting, or a craft project or something so skilfully applied that people are in awe. Making this ‘something’ is either an expression of yourself that only you can see, something blatant, or something you enjoyed the process for.

The people who seem to understand the world the most seem to see the potential in everything. The people who seem to see the potential in everything seem to be the happiest and most interesting people. And the happiest and most interesting people make art of everything they do.

To be an artist isn’t always about painting a picture. It is taking what you can and making ‘something’ where the end result is you being happy. You couldn’t complete a masterpiece without enjoying the process, otherwise the artist wouldn’t have the will to work in the first place.

The final point is ACTION

It took me a while to figure out that an idea won’t manifest itself into reality. I sat on my ideas for a long time thinking that one day I would complete the painting I envisioned in my head. One day I just started it. It really is as simple as that. We put ideas on the back burner and make excuses. We wish we could create something and make it a reality. And then we wait.

‘Most misfortunes are just a misuse of time.’
– Napoleon Hill

Make the time, shun the excuses and make a start on something!

All of these realisations have moulded and will continue to shape what I get done with my time and what I ultimately accomplish.

1) Take something mundane, make it something enjoyable or a triumphant success at whatever it is.

2) Don’t sit on your ideas any longer. Make a start today.

Katy x

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Galloping Horses Oil Painting

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Galloping Horses

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A newly finished piece using new techniques I have learnt ‘along the way,’ each brush stroke has intent with the aim to capture movement and strength alongside elegance and beauty. A fierce and powerful representation of the wild nature of magnificent horses. Hopefully portraying my appreciation for wildlife and its characteristics.

A full original, no prints will be made of this piece. Oil on wood panel. 35×23.5″ inches.

 

Katy x

Colourful Oil Paintings – playing with psychedelic colours and abstraction. Doodles

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Here are a few photos of my work lately, some portraiture work, commissions and sketchbook work! All along the theme of psychedelic colours…

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I have started to understand colour better and as I usually do, I just in at the deep end playing with every colour. I’m starting to refine my palettes somewhat to enhance the richness of my paintings.

Katy x

Reflecting on 2013 so far!

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Iv been working really hard lately towards my recent collection of oil paintings depicting iconic or influential women. It’s a lot of fun having a specific project to work on, doing the research, some sketchbook work and documenting the development of my findings and the paintings as they start to come together! There are so many ideas that I have for future collections stemming from great concepts.

My progression from mixed media pieces to oil work has surpassed my own expectations, I am looking at my own paintings in disbelief which is such and amazing feeling! Unfortunately with this I am growing increasingly fond of each piece and feel rather sad when they leave me!

The support I have had since I started working properly in oils and documenting my work through social media has been unbelievable and its been great to hear so much feedback and have so many people following my work through Facebook, twitter and Instagram. Seeing people’s messages is very inspiring and encouraging and the beauty of the Internet is that everyone can be connected in something that they love!

If you’re an artist in any way then contact me and tell me what you’re doing and why 🙂 I absolutely love to here from people and open a dialogue on what makes everyone create what they do!

Katy x