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Derek Snowdon

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We have a member of the art club who seems fascinated by bumble bees. Haven't talked to her in detail yet and why. She paints life size, highly detailed studies of the seemingly many species in watercolour on vellum and they are smashing. She must have a very steady hand. I couldn't do it from dexterity, patience and interest but it is so clever, different and interesting.
michael

Michael Edwards

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There are many things which people paint which I think of as strange and I ask myself 'Why Paint That?' but I must add that often their ability and their results are quite stunning and have to be admired. For example I cannot for the life of me understand why some seem fixated on show business so-called personalities and dare I mention cats. Oh dear I'm probably in trouble now! Bumble bees - hmmm, well not sure - but why not.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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People must paint what they want to paint, and I wouldn't want to prescribe to them - but .... oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound, eh? I get on fine with cats as individuals; I have drawn them, and painted them. An early watercolour with a bit of coloured pencil is of the dread Samson, a great black tomcat who at least looked as if he wanted to kill you, so the wise didn't approach him in case he tried. It's the little, soft, fluffy appealing ones you want to watch - stroke me, stroke me, come on, I won't hurt! Rake, claw, bite, gouge! As a class, therefore, I don't trust cats. But if you like cats, they're as paintable as anything else. On tigers though - I do have a problem with them; it's like that wretched girl with the pearl ear-ring, everyone wants to have a go at them - if you've actually SEEN a tiger, preferably in the wild as opposed to the moth-eaten unfortunates in zoos, then fine; paint away. But many of these pictures are copies of photographs, and very obviously so in some cases - some are very, very good, highly accomplished and all the rest of it: but did we really need another blessed tiger? If there were as many tigers left in the wild as there are gracing the walls of local exhibitions, Asia would be over-run with them. So I'd rather see a painting of a moggy that has been drawn from life than yet another blessed tiger..... But there we are - rats is what you want; nice big fat fabulously furry rats; can't have too many of those! (Rats... Isn't it rather nice to have rats? Rats with sharp toothy-pegs, rats up your trouser legs, You must have rats!) And I know just EVERYONE will agree with this! No controversy here, surely!
michael

Michael Edwards

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I must admit to a dislike of cats - well not so much cats but more the owners who let them stray all the over place. We should adopt the laws as they have in some countries whereby if you own a cat you have to take it out on a lead. Dog owners are soon jumped on if they let their pets stray and foul the pavements. Got that off my chest!! I am currently compiling a collection of poems which I am calling 'Painting with Words'. I love a poem which excites the imagination and enables me to conjure up an image and so it is with paintings. Even a painting of a padlock makes me ask 'What is it protecting? Who lives behind the door' etc but a painting of an animal is just that - a painting of an animal. Having said that I can understand why some may appreciate a painting of a loved pet but that's as far as it goes for me. And tigers are a definite no go!

Derek Snowdon

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I am with M Edwards on this. Can't stand the things. If we visit friends with cats, they go out before I go in. There are a lot of March hares in the gallery but that's OK. Here is a link to the lady http://www.triciaspink.co.uk/Gallery_bees.html

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by DerekSnowdon

Sylvia Evans

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Giraffes.........no, no no . I actually have drawn them but sitting in a jeep in Africa but they remain in my sketch book . But any local exhibition, it seems to have a quota of silly grinning Giraffes I suspect from the expression all copied from the same source. So out with Pearly Earing Simpering Miss and Grinny Giraffes. In with Bumbly bees and fat rats.....can I paint Donald Trump in that catagory ??????
michael

Michael Edwards

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I can always make an exception for rats (Dad used to breed them yonks ago but them but I can't recall the breed). As for Trump the only artwork he should appear in would be unsympathetic cartoons - hope this what you had in mind Sylvia.
michael

Michael Edwards

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he looks quite adorable Marjorie - can he paint? Errr - it is a 'he' isn't it...?
michael

Michael Edwards

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You're going to paint him M ? Won't that make his fur sticky ?
michael

Michael Edwards

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Pastel - what a good idea. Chalk it up Marjorie. Harping back to an earlier posting above I've just come across a great cartoon of Donald Trump in The Economist. I only mention this to show off my reading habits.! are you impressed?

Derek Snowdon

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That guinea pig could almost be Trumps top.
Sef on final snow field Ghondor Peak2

Malcolm Buckley

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Well of course a Guinea Pig is a Cavie (hope thats spelt correct) maybe thats were Trump should be in a cave ! and there is a rumour the Olympic Ski jumps were modeled on his hair style. If he paints I dread to think what his subject matter would be !
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