Becky McCarthy StudioBecky McCarthy Studio

‘News’ Category Posts

A Gift from The Studio…

by becqua on March 19, 2024, in the News category

Today’s art quote…

“Don’t think.

Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It’s self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can’t try to do things. You simply must do things.”

Ray Bradbury

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In the spirit of the quote above, I’ve been loosening up and not overthinking things. I’ve been doing some loose sketches, starting on the iPad in the Procreate app, which is a lot quicker and a lot less messy than oils!

One of my projects was to create a few digital images as preparation for some potential paintings. I’m pleased to offer these preparatory sketches as a FREE DOWNLOAD – only for my lovely newsletter subscribers.

three art prints of women in black and white on a wall
Set of A3 prints – oil painting preparatory sketches

 

black and white loose sketch of a woman leaning her head on a wall

One of the 3 images included in your digital download

 

This is a time-limited offer. Sign up to my newsletter for updates.

Unveiling a Portrait of a Subscriber…

by becqua on February 24, 2024, in the News category

Today’s art quote…

“I decided to start anew-to strip away what I had been taught, to accept as true my own thinking. This was one of the best times of my life. There was no one around to look at what I was doing, no one interested, no one to say anything about it one way or another. I was alone and singularly free, working into my own, unknown-no one to satisfy but myself. I began with charcoal and paper and decided not to use any color until it was impossible to do what I wanted to do in black and white. I believe it was June before I needed blue.”

Georgie O’Keefe

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It’s been a while. Welcome to my first update of the year! I hope you’re having a wonderful 2024 so far.

Thanks to everyone who submitted their photos to me as part of my inspiration project (if you want to get involved subscribe to my newsletter). After a few months away from the easel I selected Rachel’s photo. Thanks Rachel! Initially it was intended to be a sketch but ended up being a more finished fine art piece. Oil paint and gold leaf on Arches Papier.

portrait of Rachel oil on paper 2024

‘Rachel’ oil on paper

Small Studio Sunday Virtual Art Exhibition

by becqua on August 20, 2023, in the Fine Art, News category

Hi there!! We’re getting closer to the opening of the Small Studio Sunday event for independent artists.

Small Studio Sunday is a virtual art show that takes place on Sunday August 27 2023. Artwork by 50+ independent artists will be featured in a Website Gallery. Throughout the day a number of artists will be presenting live demos, studio tours and art talks across Facebook and Instagram. The Small Studio Sunday Gallery website will help visitors and buyers connect with the artists during and beyond event day. It’s going to be a fun and informal event to support emerging artists.

Hope to see you there….sign up here for your invite.

webpage showing the small studio sunday online art event

Colour Collage I

by becqua on June 29, 2022, in the News category
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I’ve been working less digitally and more with collage and mixed media recently so I decided to take a course by Este McLeod  at EsteMcLead.com.

“If you’d like to develop your sense of colour, be bolder with applied paint techniques and create in a more expressive and uninhibited way then join me on Colour Collage I. It’s packed with content guaranteed to inspire and enthuse” – Este McLeod

My main aim is to try to work with colour and different techniques, try new things and loosen up in my approach to art. Working through the colour modules using acrylic inks and deli paper to create collage pieces.

– Module 1 – Red

– Module 2 – Blue

Apple collage

Art2Life Workshops

by becqua on February 15, 2022, in the News category

I’m in the process of trying to make art again as it’s been a little sporadic recently. Hoping to reignite my work by watching the Nicholas Wilton Art2Life workshops where he discusses bringing design and value to your artwork. I’ve watched the first video and it makes you think a little more about design, contrast, size of elements, linework etc.

Plantsgiving 2020 – A Drawing a Day

by becqua on November 14, 2020, in the News category

The challenge was set on Instagram by @sunnyspotstudio & @mollyferguso1nart to create a drawing a day to celebrate #plantsgiving2020. This is the second year and was originally set up to push themselves out of their comfort zones to produce a quick piece per day. As I’m always drawing botanicals of some form I decide to join and I’m nearly half way through. I’ll post some of my art at the end of the month.

Post- project update: I’m pleased to show a few of the daily illustrations I did. It depended how much time I had with a quick loose sketch with The Vase, a bold floral pattern with Blooms & Gold, to the magical world of The Terrarium. I wholeheartedly recommend a daily challenge like this, as I created more in a few weeks than I had over the preceding months…..a great bit of creative inspiration.

United Artspace

by becqua on August 1, 2020, in the News category

I’m now a member of United Artspace at www.unitedartspace.org a virtual art studio group set up by Michelle Lloyd. The Hub is a membership site for artists full of resources to work on your art career. I’m looking forward to making the most of the videos, Facebook group and modules over the coming months.

MAT’s MBA Course April-July 2020

by becqua on July 31, 2020, in the News category

At the start of lockdown in the UK I was lucky enough to gain a free place on the Make Art That Sells ‘Money Badass’ course run by the lovely Lilla Rogers & Beth Kempton at www.makeartthatsells.com. It’s a 3-week course and I’ve gone through it at a self-paced rate, as and when the time allowed, and I’m nearing the end of the project. The course encourages you to look at your mindset, motivation and potential customers, and is filled with workbooks, videos and great advice. A Facebook group for the course offers another level of ideas and encouragement. As usual when I do Lilla’s courses, it gives me a boost of creativity and inspiration and I recommend them to others.

Make Art That Sells MBA Banner

March 2019 – MATs Bootcamp

by becqua on May 12, 2019, in the News category

Needing a bit of continued motivation I joined the Make Art That Sells 2019 Bootcamp for artists and illustrators of all levels. I missed February but took up the challenge for the March, April and May design briefs. So far I’ve designed some kooky salt & pepper shakers, become inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi and started sketching some vintage characters and icons. Will see where this one leads me……

Editorial: Wabi Sabi

January 2019 – Winter School

by becqua on May 12, 2019, in the News category

It was fun to join others in attending Winter School, details of which can be found at www.makeitindesign.com. Having previously taken the beginners track, this time I went for intermediate. The first design brief covered the theme of Celestial, and the second was Animal Print…..neither are subjects I would normally favour so it was great to tackle something different. I also entered the typography challenge and used a dark floral as the backdrop.

Make it in Design Typography Challenge Winter School

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