‘Life is too short not to surround yourself with beautiful things’
-Unknown
Katy x
Latest Posts
Lately…
Lately…
Here are a few images of whats been going on lately! In between setting up my new place, working on commissioned work, original work, and as much wildlife work as possible for a new gallery taking on my work; I have had to fit in meetings and general life. Its been hectic.
The Eden pieces are starting to come along well, the detailing has been building and starting to take form with intricate marks thrown in. I have been working just on the Eve piece mainly, establishing the embellishments and look of the pieces, and will start to add detail to the Adam piece to bring them both together. Eden started off blonde, then went brunette, then turned vibrant red. It seemed to suit her so much more!
This hummingbird piece will be available in The Little Red Gallery in the Bailgate in Lincoln very soon! It is currently being framed and I am very excited to see it complete and on the walls.
For commission enquiries you are welcome to contact me at katyjadedobson@mail.com or for painting sales.
Katy x
Progress Pictures – Stag Oil Painting
Recently I have been working further on my wildlife pieces. After the great reaction to my ‘Galloping Horses’ piece I wanted to work more on an atmospheric element whilst integrating factors of the idea of ‘The Golden Ratio’ and detail and space in close proximity.
I recorded my progress, as usual, with this particular stag piece of the 3 sessions I have done so far.
This piece has taken into consideration my recently learned word ‘phosphenes’ (the sensation of a ring of light and colour as a result of pressure on the eyeball) to bring about an abstract colour palette with glints of light as embellished detailing, also depicting beams of light on a forest floor.
It is always useful to look back over the progression process of a piece, it shows how far it has come along, as well as what has been added in terms of atmosphere and general aura, over just likeness and realistic correctness.
As for the subject, stags have been close to my heart since finding my footing as an artist. Stags have such a regal and proud quality, as well as pure elegance. They will always be a subject that will surface throughout my artistic career.
Katy x
‘Phosphenes’
A word that finally makes sense of the ‘abstract embellishment’ I aim to create in my paintings – ‘Phosphenes’
phos·phene (fŏs′fēn′)
n.
A sensation of light caused by excitation of the retina by mechanical or electrical means rather than by light, as when the eyeballs are pressed through closed lids.
[French phosphène : Greek phōs, light; see phos- + Greek phainein, to cause to appear, to show; see bhā-1 in Indo-European roots.]
The sensation when you rub your eyes and see colours and lights actually has a name. I remember doing this as a child and seeing a kalaidoscoptic range that didn’t actually exist, there was no presence of light, it is in fact a bit of a phenomena.
On learning this word it made sense of my colourful detailing that I throw into my paintings, which before was described as abstraction. I felt there was more of an elegant and rich description for the marks I aim to make in my work . It was less about creating abstraction and more about ’embellishing;’ a word I use a lot when describing my work.
I love this word… My work is symptomatic of lights and colours that don’t exist in actuality of a realistic scene, only in this phenomena, we all know they do, even without the presence of reason. In a way it reminds me of the colour spectrum you see in bubbles. A bubble is just a thin vail of water only there is so much more in it when light shines on it.
This solidifies that my work holds a kind of otherworldly truth, not just throwing pretty colours around. (Or so I will continue telling myself as I continue to throw pretty colours around.)
My interpretation of phosphenes will be most exaggerated and amplified in my latest Adam and Eve pieces of the Garden of Eden.
Katy x
The Garden of Eden – Adam & Eve – A set of two oil paintings
For my birthday I once received a box of chocolates; They were Thornton’s Eden Collection and were one of the most decadent concepts I had ever known.
The label read ‘Divinely Sinful’ with a golden fig leaf and the packaging was more than enticing. The chocolates inside read names like Passion, Seduction, Desire, Lust, Original Sin, Temptation and Obsession.
I knew at some point, when I had become enough of a seasoned artist, that I would be able to portray a Garden of Eden concept painting with justice. I decided to finally take this project on the other day in order to decorate my new bedroom with a piece just for myself (something I have never done before) as a personal colossal challenge. I do not meet challenges on a small scale.
The piece is made of two canvases, both 40×50″ inches, each holding the figure of Adam and Eve individually.
I took on this project not because I regard myself as a seasoned enough artist to now start it, but because I am learning new things about painting constantly, when will I know when I am ‘good’ enough? My recent Iconic Women series has brought about ways of embellishing detail and abstraction which I intend to apply to this piece, as well as my judgement with the colour palette. Using my memory of the chocolates and the decadently engaging words and concepts behind Eden, I will work from judgement and see how it goes!
Lets see how this one comes along!
Katy x
katyjadedobson@mail.com
Artist’s Space
A lot of things you overlook and make do, until you then have it and you realise the importance. I realised that the space to be able to step back and look at your paintings/artwork from a slight distance is of colossal importance to the work.
Moving is hard! I wanted to keep my art materials out until the very last minute so that I could alternate between packing and working.. But it never works this way. In the end I had to pack my things up and reside myself to time to adjust. I think I must have developed a nervous twitch, or painting withdrawal symptoms. There are countless benefits to the new area I can work in, but the most bountiful points are the light and the space to step back.
Composition and arrangement within my paintings has been something of an ongoing thought recently, following a painting that just did not sit quite right with me. I love to mix intricate detailing with large brush strokes, texture and expanses of blended calm. But how can you know how well this works if you don’t think to look from a distance? I work so hard on my paintings that I am pressed to close against them constantly, correcting areas and forever looking closer. It did not, however, occur to me until I was finally given the space to step back that this is this is the real way to look at work. The way everyone else will see it.
Of course up close detail is important, it gives more depth for people to feast on when looking closer. But composition and arrangement is one of those factors that I realise now cannot be ignored or played by ear. Fascinatingly, whilst these thoughts were prominent to me recently, an article on the Golden Ratio was brought to my attention. Another way to consider composition (a post about the Golden Ratio coming soon…) and something that has been at the for-front of my mind when starting new pieces from then on, by a kind of divine hand of intervention.
It seems the further you get into learning a skill, the more points to consider open up to you. I personally love a challenge.
Katy x
Visit my website www.katyjadedobson.co.uk
The finer details… Intricate painting and gold leaf in art
Wildlife Oil Paintings
My wildlife work has been taken ever so slightly further this month as I have taken on even finer detail and chosen to practice embellishments with gold leaf.
I am a true magpie with shiny and glittery things, and so when I read up on gilding my work I was very enthused to try it out. I am obsessed with embellishing my work with tiny and minute detailing in contrast with sweeping brush strokes and bold marks. I ordered the booklets of gold leaf online after researching how to apply them, especially to paintings! It is a small touch I will be applying to certain pieces where I crave that opulence and richness of detail and colour. It may take a while to master the scalpel and application, it is a lot thinner than I imagined! It can barely be felt between my fingers, it is so incredibly fine that as I pulled a leaf out of the booklet to look, my fan heater sent it whirling around my room. (Which I have to admit, looked really pretty..)
In considering the finer details and how to constantly be improving, iv been working with an incredibly fine brush to hone in on my steady hand skills. I am so used to throwing paint around and deliberately making as bold a mark as possible that the more intricate details can be a challenge. Painting seems to be a constant learning curve, I will be happy if I never master it completely but as long as it stays as fun as this I can’t imagine myself ever stopping…
Katy x
Marilyn Monroe Oil Painting – Iconic Women Collection
Marilyn Monroe was the first piece I started towards my Iconic Women Collection back in 2013 and has now been finished and signed, as the first of the collection to be completed.
She has had her face tweaked constantly, and the natural progression of the piece has led to a movement of convecion with colour and texture resurfacing and changing dynamically until I found a balance that I loved.
I am working on a certificate for this piece to explain why Marilyn Monroe is iconic, for what reason she was the starting point for my collection and why I felt the colours and composition was fitting to portray what I feel it does. These certificates will be available with each piece, where an in depth description features the progressional process of the piece and my own take on the meaning of her iconic status.
- Marilyn Monroe
- Oil on wood panel
- 24″x35.5″ inches
- Part of my Iconic Women Collection (£100 of the sale of each piece goes to Women’s Aid charity in support of Women’s Aid. )
2013 – A Nostalgic Overview! (Yes! 2014!!!)
It is the LAST DAY OF 2013!! YEAAHHHHHHH!
What a year! Looking back over 2013 I couldn’t be more proud.
This time last year I had finished my first oil painting of an owl in flight, and had been working on a blog/website/social network upheaval to make my work more widely accessible and to connect with other artists and art lovers. I sit here today with such a huge backlog of paintings under my belt, so much so that I cannot believe I managed to do so much in just one year! And a great following. For a clearer overview of my paintings of 2013, click on the link here for my Instagram page, with a brief and concise view of my work throughout the year!
Here is an overview I write as I go through a year of posts/instagram/facebook/emails/conversations with friends.
I started my artistic journey by no means at the shallow end, I took a high dive straight in, working directly towards my first ever solo exhibition at the Sam Scorer Gallery in Lincoln. Straight away I worked hard on commissioned pieces, sold originals and built up a steady following of art lovers who have been generously liking my work and commenting from the start! To you I owe such a successful first year.
I explored all avenues of social media, connecting with the public and building up a client list making the opportunities to work with creative individuals to produce their perfect painting ideal. My YouTube videos were a great hit (something I plan to do more of in 2014!) with one video reaching over 2000 views!
The word ‘conviction’ joined my vocabulary in January 2013, a word I learnt and couldn’t let go of. It stands for everything I strive for, a word that isn’t just a description of an ideal, but a way to live, think, breath. Everything you approach should be approached with conviction, there is no point in doing anything by halves.
‘The consciousness that we meet a circumstance is everything. Miracles derive from conviction.’
A couple more exhibitions later (Howarth, Craig Dyson Gallery – BOKO London) and I had met individuals and groups of people who inspired me in their attitude, outlook and approach to what they do. One particular being Jack Shaw, an incredibly talented musician with so much determination and conviction in his blood and an enthusiasm for what he does. Find his music and lifestyle here. Jack wrote a book about his first year in London which integrated his story with lyrics, photos and doodles. It is a great read, I would recommend anyone as music, art or London lovers to get it!
As summer approached my work seemed to take a more vibrant and colourful turn. Maybe it was the turn of the seasons or just a welcomed change, but my style moved onto more eclectic territory, bringing in a level of abstraction I had never considered before.
At this point I also felt a subject change as I passionately charged directly towards a new project of Iconic Women through history. This is still under construction and taking me a long time to finish the series of 10 large scale pieces. A pleasure for me, starting the near year with a project well under way and a fire in my belly to finish it to perfection! Keep a look out early this year as after I have healed from my new years eve antics, I plan to dive right back into these pieces and begin campaigning for their exhibitions. The pieces are all so close to my heart in meaning and in style. The colours and that of someone who might have been deprived or something, and then binged! I must have felt an inherent need to draw out the colourful side of me that I did not realise I had.
The end of the year brought some incredible surprises with featuring in American magazine ‘Cliche’s Oct/Nov 2013 issue, such a huge achievement for my first year as an artist. This was actually a goal of mine for a long time as an avid magazine reader. A retweet from MC Hammer sent my twitter page booming as he retweeted a photo of my Rosa Parks painting from my Iconic Women Collection. And a beautiful cover feature for The Journal magazine melted my heart with a lovely article and a great cover image that made me cry with pride when I saw it on the shelves!
With a Facebook following of under 100, grown significantly this year to over 8500, and an Instagram page over 15000 I couldn’t be more happy with my 2013. I have worked with great clients, conversed with wonderful art lovers and spent my time creating and painting, something that will never get tiresome for me. I am so excited to see what 2014 has to offer, I have so many plans and ideas all preparing to set up, im going at 2014 HARD!
Please follow my work on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and keep and eye on on my main website www.katyjadedobson.com which will have a fresh new overhaul in the new year.
Please share more of your own work and what you have been getting up to in 2013 and plan for 2014! It is your work and input that keep me forever inspired and motivated!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! I HOPE 2014 IS YOUR YEAR!!!! XXXXX
Katy x
Gorilla oil painting so far.
Gorillas fast became one of my favourite subjects to paint.
This could be down to their powerful attitudes that’s are so easily readable and relatable in their facial expressions. To be able to capture a certain power behind this animal is an aim of mine after falling in love with their natures. As my style evolves I find myself going back to gorillas as a subject and trying again to capture the same features, in a different way.
This one is a particular favourite of mine so far, with a fair amount of work left to do, and more detail to add I am excited to see where this one goes.
Katy x
KATY JADE DOBSON 