Having my cake with the nude boys

Eating cake with friends is a nice occupation. But it adds a frisson of amusement to all concerned when you know that you've seen them in the nude before. It amuses them too, to know that that is the case. And I suppose it's twice the fun when you introduce them to each other, clothed, and in public, and they know they share a common factor. The nudity. And the fact they've posed for me and I've drawn them. A common bond.

(And its for you to decide whether the fact that it was lemon drizzle cake was of importance to the proceedings. Either for the lemon. OR the drizzle! LOL )

But, it's all quite normal for me!

And nice that they both turned up for the exhibition I was part of over the weekend.

It was good to be part of such a diverse art group and interesting to see what  the others had painted - wild animals, pretty flowers, and verdant landscapes.

And then there was MY stuff.

A selection of nakedness, bright colours, surreal landscapes and spiritual forces!!!

Including this one - the Stonehenge picture was finished in the week, and I'm happy with parts of it, but am undecided about some of it. I think it may be improved by being re-painted in oils. That way the colours of the unseen energies could be depicted in slightly more subtle tones. Having said that, I love the way the clouds have created their own mystery within their formation. But that was because I started with the poured on paint on wet paper that I love so much. It creates its own magical shapes within the paint and I use that as the basis for the rest of the painting. I like the way the light is shining around the stones, and I've painted them in dark forbidding tones to give the feeling of strength and solidity within them. They are firmly anchored to the ground, and make a nice contrast to the lighter clouds above. The watercolour painting is called "Awakening the unified energies" and shows the power that still lies within Stonehenge. Power to conjour the unseen energies, felt deep within them, lying dormant, awaiting their summons.................

Stuart wrote to me after the exhibiton to say how much he enjoyed it, and enjoyed seeing me again which I thought was very sweet of him. He says posing for me has given him more confidence than he's ever had. And I'm delighted that he feels that freedom from the art. It's freed his spirit.

Or perhaps it was the cake that did it................. :)