As I mentioned last week the workshop I attended last Saturday was for “painting flowers in watercolour” – ok, I’m not that bothered about painting flowers, not that I’ve got anything against flowers, I do love them in a pretty garden in a profusion in pots or borders, I love to see them in a vase on a sunlit window sill, but to actually draw and paint them, isn’t something that hugely inspires me – mostly cos all you’re ever going to do is look at the picture and think “ah, a vase of flowers” – there’s no, well, interaction, like there is for erotic art. Natch! But, I went along, as I love attending workshops for the joy of being with other artists, for learning new tips, for the chance to try different subjects (including flowers!) and new materials – whether its a favourite paper that one artist prefers (I love to use Bockingford paper as it creates some lovely effects within the paint), or a particular colour like “green gold” for instance which makes lovely warm greens for foliage. And to see what the other artists there do with the same subject matter and wow over some instances and quietly keep quiet over other less fortunate ones being the Thumper effect of “If you can’t think of something nice to say about it, say nothing………..”. And I know that sometimes I do great pictures, and sometimes I don’t. This workshop was definitely one of the latter variety. Oh, but, I know the reason why…….
…the artist in question is a very talented woman who paints exquisite paintings that I love very much – and I’m not a huge fan of flower pictures – I love her use of darks, dramatic colouring, lost and found edges, her sense of the essence of the flowers, her way of dressing the picture with coloured fabrics, her obvious ability to paint and create a great image. And I like her as a person, she’s nice, friendly, helpful, observant and talented. So what was the problem then? Well, it was the flowers she brought with her – alstroemerias and anemones. Both flowers that I like, infact anemones are one of my favourite flowers since my mum loved them and her mum before her, and I love them for their open faces and bright strong colours. No, it wasn’t the flowers themselves, it was the state of them. The alstroemerias were, well, insipid, in their colouring, a sort of muddy pinky colour, which did nothing for me against the bright vibrant emperor purples of the anemones. The only thing was, the anemones were on their way out. They’d done their best, but they had had their day, to the point that some of the heads only had one lone single petal hanging on by a thread, and some of the others had petals drying up and curling up. And we had to share one head each between two of us. Sod that! I thought. And couldn’t believe it when the tutor said blithely “Don’t you love painting dead flowers?” to which she got a resounding “No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” and no eye contact from us all in the room.Nah, I’m not doing those, I would if I could paint ALL the anemones she’d brought with her, but not just the one pathetic one, and then having to share it! I went outside, and even though it was February, and blowing a blustery gale with horizontal rain outside I still found some of last years seed heads on a nearby shrub that inspired me far more. I didn’t do a good picture, and maybe I would have done if the anemones had been alive alive oh, but I did enjoy the day, as I always do, and came away filled with joy, as I always do. But there was something I picked up that day, and that was inspiration as to how I shall do the next erotic picture, which isn’t of flowers, funnily enough…..
 The picture that I’ve been working on this week, is of three people, although you’re not seeing a lot of them. Infact all you’re seeing is their heads. And yet this is an erotic picture. So how can that be? There is a man, and a woman, and another woman. And one of the women isn’t touching the others. But it’s still erotic. And its more erotic because she’s in it. I know, because when I drew out the initial working drawing, she wasn’t in it, but after I drew her in, it was far more sexy. Because its the look on her face that’s making it so. The other woman isn’t even looking at the man, and that’s because he’s standing behind her. But she’s totally aware of him, because of the look on her face. And he’s not looking at the face of either women, but he’s totally into the one who’s standing infront of him. And you know from the look on her face that she’s sooooooo enjoying it. And you know from the look on the face of the other woman that she is sooooo intrigued with it, and maybe wants to join in, or at least have it done to her, or at the very least just wants to watch. And do you know what makes this all so extra erotic? It’s because they’re wearing masks – those beautifully colourful exquisitely made carnival masks that cover the eyes and nose, but not the mouths. The mouth’s say it all, because the eyes are partly hidden. Soooooo sexy!!!!!
 So, it’s been a good week, aided by starting a picture I think will be a good one, by  meeting some interesting writers with a naughty side to them, and by another writer with a naughty side to him – my friend Stuart, who has sent me a couple of emails with some wonderfully uplifting words –
 “I really think that you should have a serious attempt at writing. The pieces that you present on your blog are all very good and you are very prolific.Why not give it a go!”
 “How can I ever thank you enough?Not only have you produced for me stunning drawings and a painting of me naked plus the painting of ‘the bothy’ at Calke Abbey but you have introduced me to an whole new conception of how to look at life. I have discovered how to escape the tyranny of clothes by shedding them  when appropriate and enjoy the wonderful feeling of freedom it engenders. Not only are you a top artist but you are something of a philosopher also.”
So, how good is that? Thanks, Stuart! I am delighted that I have had such a positive effect on you! And on others, some of whom read this blog I know.Â
 So, do I pick up a paintbrush next, or a pen? 🙂
I truly hope that you have cured me of the tyranny of being fully dressed for most of the time.In June I will be
taking a fortnights holiday on a nudist beach where I can let it all hang out . I can barely [appropriate word]
wait for the breeze to gently caress my testimonials. I have come a long way since I first presented my
quaking naked form before you in order to facilitate a life drawing of me.I am now quite confident,
perhaps a little cocky.
Cheers Jackie Stuart
Stuart – That’s wonderful to hear that you feel so much more relaxed about being nude now. And I look forward to hearing about your experiences when you return from blowing in the breeze. I remember you telling me how wary you were about posing for me the first time, so now I wonder what I have unleashed in you ! 🙂
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