Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Best in Show and Portrait Award!

I have some great news to share :) My painting 'Incriminate-Ted' has won Best in Show at the BWS Luminosity 2013 Exhibition



Our Juror , Bianka Guna, very kindly wrote comments for each award winning painting.

'Watercolour at its best- very transparent layering of light, following an original idea and impeccable technique –what else could a juror ask for? Congratulations!'  Juror, Bianka Guna'

 My other painting 'Content-Ted' won the Portrait Award!


'A peaceful, intimate and skillful portrait of a child sleeping- an instant classic. Masterful description of serenity, a dreamy piece!' Juror, Bianka Guna


 If you would like to see the exhibition it will be open at the McKay Gallery on main Street Unionville all week and then many of the award winning paintings will transfer to the Richmond Hill Centre for the performing Arts for the remainder of May.

Ona

Friday, April 26, 2013

Caffeinate-Ted!

Poor 'Caffeinate-Ted' is trying to study for his exams but he has left it all to the last minute! He is now desperately trying to stay awake and is resorting to coffee, chocolate and cookies to help keep those eyes open while he studies.

Will these desperate measures be enough for him to pass his exams in the morning? ... or will the caffeine fix wear off and sleep deprivation take over?


Transparent watercolour 25.5 inches by 16 inches on Arches 140lb cold press.

Ona

Monday, April 22, 2013

Caffeinate-Ted WIP

 So how many times have you stayed up late to cram for a test the following day or to finish that painting that is calling to you and by 2am when adrenaline alone won't keep those eyes open you resort to a caffeine fix? This is the idea behind the next Ted painting that I am working on. 

I have been developing the scene over the last week, building up the glazes on the background and the table, to create that dim late night feel. Now I am starting to paint in the items on the table. There are plenty of books of course and plenty of coffee beans too.


 Can you guess what else is still left to paint?

Ona

Friday, April 19, 2013

April's Tip of the Month.... helping to protect your copyright and your identity as the artist!

 This is a very sad but necessary job for an artist in today's web wide world. The Internet is a wonderful resource for artists helping them to advertise their artwork and skills as an artist. So many of the public though are  totally unaware of the fact that an image posted on the web by an artist of their painting is not an image that can just be used for any purpose by others.

 Using an artists image for any reason without prior permission from the artist or copying that image for a piece of your own artwork digitally or with pencil or  paint is a breach of the artists copyright.

So how can an artist help to educate the general public, raise awareness of copyright and keep your identity as the artist?

I am still trying ideas and very open to others ideas but...

 Here are some ideas that I am now using that you all are welcome to try too.

1.  An image of your painting on your blog, website,  face book page or art forum page is clearly attributed to you but people share images or down load them from the Internet. Some do ask permission to use your image which is wonderful but when they share and then other people share or save your image and re post in time your identity as the artist can become lost. To stop this happening put your name, the name of the painting and the word copyright very clearly on the actual image.


 Most photo editing programs have the tools to do this. I use photoshop CS3

a. Open the image of your painting in photoshop
b. Click on the T in the tool bar (see arrow on image below down the left hand side) and draw a text box onto your image
c. Type in the name of your painting, your name and the word copyright. This creates a text layer on top of your painting.


d. Now save your image as a jpg in the usual way. Make sure you do not put full resolution images on the web. Keep them between 600-800 pixels on the long side.


2. Don't just put a copyright logo in the bottom corner of your website or blog. Its sad but true that most people don't notice it. Write a sentence explaining at the top of your website face book page, twitter site or blog where it is much more easily seen. This is what I use. Feel free to adapt this for your own use too.

All paintings are the copyright of Ona Kingdon. Please respect this copyright and do not use or reproduce any photograph of a painting or use the idea for a painting or digital manipulation of your own without seeking permission first.

3. Regularly check your images using google image search. Go to the google image page.

a. Click on the camera (see arrow in photo below)



b. This will now appear


c. Upload your image and then press search by image


d. Google will then list web addresses where you image is found. You can also browse through the visually similar images just in case anyone has altered your painting.

These tips wont stop the hardened criminal who is determined to infringe copyright but it will reduce the chances that your image is being used by someone who is less aware. It will also mean that if they do use it your name goes with it unless they choose to remove it and then its not so innocent a use! It will also help to keep you informed of where your images are being used and then you will be able to e mail that person or company and ask them to remove the image. You might think like I did a couple years ago... but no one knows me, they wont use an image of mine. If its there on the web someone will use it for something so please take the precautions to stop, at the very least, your identity as the artist becoming lost.

Let me know if you have any other ideas for helping  artists keep their name with their images and help protect the copyright on their work.

Ona

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Mist-Ted


Here's another miniature...

My curious little Ted wants to see into our world in the study or living room because its rainy inside his painting world. He has come really close to the glass to see us and to dream of warm cosy fires and hugs, but the glass keeps misting up. Humidity can be such a problem sometimes!


 Mist-Ted wipes away a small section with his paw so he can see you all.  The painting is 2 and 3/4 inches by 4 and 7/16 inches and its painted on Fabriano hot press paper.

Ona

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Publicity for The NWWS 73rd Annual International Open Exhibition 2013


This promotional flyer for the NWWS 73rd International Exhibitioncame in the mail yesterday...


It is a real honor to have my painting  ' baby on Board'  featured on it along with several other beautiful paintings. I hope that those of you within travelling distance will be able to visit the exhibition when it opens later this month. It promises to be well worth the visit.

The 73rd Annual International Open Exhibition 2013
April 15 – May 31, 2013
Mercer View Gallery, 8236 SE 24th St., Mercer Island, Washington 98040

Monday, April 1, 2013

Coded Thoughts


The mysterious goings-on inside teen brains have befuddled countless parents over the years. At times it is almost feels as if teenagers are thinking in an alien or 'coded' language that adults are not invited to be part of or simply do not 'get'. 


The simple fact is that teenage brains are still developing. They do indeed think differently.  So the next time you're ready to yell,

"WHAT in the world were you thinking when you did that?",

remember ...teenagers are not thinking the way adults think.

Tansparent Watercolour 31.5 by 21 inches on Arches cold press paper.