A Penny for your Thoughts WIP 1

  I love setting the scene with a background. I wanted a dreamy feel for this one with a suggestion of mist so that the actual location can be left almost completely to the viewers imagination. I have included a small penny in the background as the child I am going to paint has a very thoughtful far away expression... to quote the saying... its a penny for her thoughts. 

I have adjusted the photo above so its close to the actual colour of most of the background on the painting but unfortunately the camera did not pick up the coppery colour of the coin and refected copper colour on the rock. You will have to imagine this for now. I am hoping to use this coppery colour in the child's eyes and hair also so hopefully as I get more of the colour into the painting, the camera will pick it up more easily.

I also wanted to let you know that over the last few weeks I have been setting up an Ona Kingdon 'Emotive Expressions' facebook Fan page.

 On this page I have a selection of my paintings in various albums including one with all the Ted paintings in and another fun album of people with my paintings. Over the last few years several people have sent me photos when they have either seen them while on exhibition, have bought one of my paintings or have a magazine or book with one of my paintings in, and a calender where you can see where my paintings are or will be on exhibition. I thought it would be fun to put them all into one album and I am sure more photos will be added in the future. I have also added a calender so you can easily find out which paintings are going to be where for the big international and national shows and when I will have solo or group exhibitions locally or am painting in a public place where you can drop by and watch.

If you want to like the Ona Kingdon 'Emotive Expressions' facebook fan page click on this link  It is not intended to replace this blog but just to provide some of the information in a place that many people visit daily.

Ona

Best in Show

I have just got back home from the NFWS Spring exhibition reception in Buffalo US. John Salminen was the juror for the exhibition and I am thrilled that he awarded my painting 'Rhythm 'n' Blues Best in Show.

 
Thank you John and thank you to everyone at the exhibition for making James and I feel so welcome. It was so great to meet several on line friends in real life for the first time and to make several new friends too.

Here are a few more photos from the exhibition

 A general view of one of the two exhibition rooms

 Another of the award winning paintings. This one is by Kathleen Giles.

 People looking at my painting. You can also see a painting by Cathy O'Neill just to the left of the white pillar who won an honorable mention

Receiving my award from President Anne Gayley

You can see all the award winning painting here on the NFWS website

Ona

When will I ever learn

I have been taking a quick break from watercolour to play with my pens again. Working in pen really trains you to look for the light and shade and plan because, as a medium, it is even less forgiving than watercolour. I have called this one 'When will I ever learn'

I think we have all felt like the chimp in my drawing for some reason. It might be because of life in general or something more specific... a project, a relationship, or something at work. You are full of hope thinking this time you will succeed, this time it will work, only to realise the hard way that you were wrong.

 When my children were younger we used to spend a lot of time at zoo's animal sanctuaries and wildlife parks because both of them loved watching the animals especially the apes and and monkeys. They have such wonderfully expressive faces with almost human like expressions at times. We used to sit and watch them for ages and I would tell my children a story about what they were thinking and why. This memory was my inspiration for this drawing. I wonder what story I would have created to tell them about this poor young chimp.

Pen and Ink 12.25 by 12 inches

Charles Strissel Memorial Award

Its always exciting to get good news.  My painting 'Coded Thoughts' has been chosen to receive the Charles Strissel Memorial Award by juror Lenox Wallace at this year’s IWS 30th National Exhibition. This award is named in honor of IWS founding President Charles Strissel.

The exhibition will be held at The Next Picture Show Gallery in Dixon, Illinois. It opens this Tuesday coming  (May 6)  and runs until May 30, 2014. The Gallery Hours are: Tuesday - Saturday 8 am - 4 pm. 


Ona

Recollect-Ted

Sometimes, even though we may feel loved and content with our life now, we can't help but to pause and think about how much we miss the old times.

Two old well loved Teds find a photograph of themselves when they were younger and recollect the times when they used to go everywhere with the two girls.

Just to recap this painting has a very special story behind it which began last November. I was asked to help raise money for the Sunshine Foundation of Canada which is a national charitable organization that makes dreams come true for children with severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. There was a local TV auction back in December and person with the highest bid won the opportunity to work with me in developing an idea for the next Ted painting. 

My lucky winner Helen has been wonderful to work with. She wanted her and her twin sisters Teds to be the stars of the painting. She also gave me a few objects to include in the painting including an old photograph of her and her sister when they were just 2, her heart shaped locket, and her grandfathers pocket watch. As I was carefully unpacking everything I could almost feel the memories associated with everything and the idea came to me to base the painting on memories. It seemed fitting as the Sunshine Foundation is all about making special memories for the children and their families.

It has been such a joy working with Helen to bring this painting to life. Thank you to you and your sister Linda for providing me with your treasured Teds and other sentimental items to use as the subjects for this painting.

Ona