Field's End Art Studio

Crow in the Mist New oil painting

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 17:41:00 +0000

“Crow in the mist” by Hilary J. England, 12” x 16” oil on canvas

I was out walking along in the cold damp fog the day before the big snow, and I came upon this solitary crow sitting quietly on the railing — this bird looked so curious and peaceful, I was curious about it and watched it for a bit before it flew off. I had been feeling very disengaged lately, with the solitude and isolation of the past 9 months starting to creep into my psyche. I’m a solitary person by nature, but the rest of the world being solitary for so long is disconcerting after a while, even to solitary people like me.

Then I saw this crow — large, calm and peaceful, just on the rails ahead of me. I stopped a little distance from it, not wanting to disturb it. The bird sat very quietly, almost contemplatively, in the heavy mist of the day. It made me think of how so many other creatures endure the solitude of their own existences as well — and how outside of the kingdom of humans, that doesn’t seem to be an unusual thing. I thought, if the crow can sit at peace by itself, for long stretches of time, so can I as a human. That thought gave me a measure of peace as I walked along, after the bird had flown to it’s unknown destination.

So, I went back to the quiet of my studio and thought of this bird, and remembered the feel of the fog, and the mist that gently would touch my skin, and just the quiet peace of that moment in the day, and created this painting.

~enjoy

“Crow in the mist” oil on canvas, 12” x 16”

Cat on the wall over the Aegean New Artwork

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 20:34:00 +0000

“Cat on the wall over the Aegean” oil on canvas, 12” x 16” by Hilary J. England

Here is another painting I did in the series of paintings I am creating called “Mind Travels” — it is also based on my time in Santorini, Greece.

It was so blue and bright, and there were lots of cats in the region of Oia, where the city was like another world, high above the Aegean Sea. The flowers there were so bright and fragrant, it was such an unforgettable place ❤

I love the recollection of my time there, the vibrancy of the landscape and the ethereal beauty of the city.

“Cat on the wall over the Aegean” oil on canvas, 12” x 16, by Hilary J. England

Enjoy! 😊 🖼 🎨 ❤️

Santorini dreaming

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 18:05:00 +0000

“Santorini Dreaming” oil on canvas, 12” x 16” by Hilary J. England

With the lockdowns not seemingly going anywhere soon, and the ability to travel severely inhibited, I’ve started dreaming of all the places I’ve visited in my life, and lately, my mind’s eye has been turning to Santorini, Greece, and the surreal beauty of it. Since I can’t visit there, I’ve started painting these places, from my mind’s eye — what I remember, and how I see it now, in my memories.

I will continue to do a series of paintings from my memories of travel, all the beautiful and exotic places, and how I internalized them, the color, the feelings, and what stuck out to me.

This is the first one I finished:

“Santorini Dreaming”

~Enjoy ♥️

The Story behind the Art: Sunset at Summer Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 01:35:00 +0000

"Sunset at Summer Lake" oil on canvas by Hilary J. England

My inspiration behind this painting is similar to what inspires me as a whole -- the beauty of the moment and the happiness behind watching the fading, warm summer evening, the warmth on my face, the sight of the colorful wildflowers on the banks of the lake as the sun cast it's fading rays in hues of pinks and purples and yellows...I am a big fan of Mother Nature!

I love these "mundane" moments in life - the simple pleasures of a beautiful evening, laughing with people you love, the sound of a favorite song you recollect from the past, the taste of a dish of food made with care -- all of these happy simplicities stir my soul and inform my choices for artworks that move me. I love to share those moments -- to capture and keep them, they are interesting and beautiful, and they speak of the times we live in. Things around us can be chaotic, but we can choose to exist in a universe of beauty and serenity.

Scales and practice

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 15:31:00 +0000

As artists, we don’t talk much about the unglamorous side of things, such as looking to continually improve our skills and grow, because like all things, if you just continue to do what you always do, you begin to stagnate. It’s important to continue honing our skills and stretching ourselves to new limits, not just in the physical realm, but also in the spiritual, mental, and artistic areas.

I enjoy learning and there is a certain comfort in discomfort, at least for me. The discomfort lets me know I’m growing — even if I growl at the process. It forces me to slow down — and true to my generation — I like things FAST. Exercises force me to take stock, to see, and yes, to struggle through problems and learn new solutions. So, I continue to do these exercises because they are an integral part to who I am and what I’m growing toward — and we never stop growing, until the day we pass on...so keep going!!!

❤️ 🌸

Light Space Time Gallery Exhibition

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 15:05:00 +0000

Honorable Mention

My artwork: “Between the Storms” has received an Honorable Mention in the Light, Space and Time Gallery’s Annual Landscape Exhibition. According to the Gallery, they had 724 artists submit their works, and from that they narrowed it down to 50 artworks (mine being one). They awarded mine an Honorable Mention — and I’m very humbled and honored to receive it!

I hope you all enjoy my artwork too — that’s the satisfaction in the creative process — yes, I love to paint, and would do so even if no one ever saw the artworks — but when people do, and it brings them joy and moments of happiness — that makes the creation process infinitely sweeter ♥️

Early Autumn

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 18:17:00 +0000

“Study of early autumn foliage” oil on canvas, 12” x 16” by Hilary J. England

It’s been a busy few days, and I like that. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, I was able to get a study in of some of the early fall foliage we are now experiencing. This is my favorite time of year — the colors never fail to disappoint! I’m hoping to get more plein air painting done this week, before we lose our fall foliage. The leaves turn so rapidly, and the romance is over in the blink of an eye...I definitely need to capture the romantic art of the autumn.

I saw the little bird in the thicket — so brown and understated, next to the green and now the reds and yellows of the season — and I thought, “This wonderful little bird, so humble — needed to be included.” So I did! That’s the great thing about painting your own world and your heart — you can include what you like, and throw away the rest. Art is wonderful like that!

The Whys of My Art

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 16:52:00 +0000

Featured: “Between the Storms” by Hilary J. England

My inspiration for certain paintings

Often times, people want to know what is my inspiration for my artwork — is it preplanned, is it spontaneous, is it a feeling or a thought, or is it another artist from a bygone era? Actually, there are elements of all of the above!

Many times, my mind will begin to focus on a group of thoughts and feelings that are related, and this will translate into an overarching idea for a group of paintings. For me, most of everything, both visually and with my art — relates to the natural environment around me. I constantly seek beauty in the visual, even in ugly subject matter or circumstances — because to me, above all, beauty is paramount. The world is both beautiful and terrible sometimes, but we can surmount all things if we focus on the beautiful.

Landscape paintings by famous artists

So many landscape painters that came before me — inspired me. Of course, my personal favorite, my muse of sorts, was Vincent Van Gogh. His paintings and how his emotionality translated into his landscapes, is the apex of artistic expression for me — I connect with his vision of this universe. He is a kindred spirit on many artistic levels. His painting, Starry Night, which can be viewed here was always such a visceral look into his heart and mind. He was both complex and yet, simple in his thoughts and vision for his art. I adored that about him and his work.

As for me...

I strive to have the emotionality of my work connect with viewers as well. I think in this world, as chaotic and overwhelming as it can be sometimes, we all need a restful place to regain our strength and optimism. I look to create that with my artwork — a romantic artwork, a peaceful painting, a landscape of beauty and serenity — all of these are emotions I strive to communicate into my landscape art and still life paintings.

Landscape series

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 15:13:00 +0000

I have been creating a series of landscapes — oil paintings on wooden panels — inspired by my summer in the South — but also by the continued “lockdown” or whatever we are calling it these days...the isolation, the impingement, the confusion, and the passage of the old and familiar into something new and not altogether welcome.

Here are the new additions to this landscape collections:

“Pink roof and wildflowers” Oil on wooden panel - 18” x 18”

“A whisper in time” Oil on wooden panel, 18” x 18”

“Road to the unknown” Oil on wooden panel, 18” x 18”

There will be at least another 7 paintings in this series, apart from these and the earlier painting recreated from my time in Tennessee.

These artworks are my way of sorting through this transition we are all going through this year, 2020, where so much has changed, and so much unhappiness was inflicted on us. I feel my response is to reflect beauty through the challenging days we are in, and to cling to what is truthful and lovely.

Stormy Times

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Sat, 11 Jul 2020 12:24:00 +0000

“Stormy day in the fields - Tennessee” oil on wooden panel, 18” x 18” by Hilary J. England

I painted an original study when I was in Tennessee a few weeks back. It had been a strange and sad trip, born out of depression and desperation to escape the lockdown here in PA. I had heard the restrictions were less down South — plus I had another reason to go down there — a love interest. He and I were trying to make heads or tails of all the complications we were navigating over the last several months. The little seedling of feelings that had been planted were now smothered with additional hurdles of pandemic pandemonium and our own fears and hang ups.

The painting was born of all of that. I had wandered in the fields, hot and sweaty and alone, chasing the years of my life. What had brought me to this point? Time was no longer on my side, it seemed — the universe had caught us all. I felt the long invisible arms of it reach in and break my heart, crush my soul — there is a lot of symbolism of this in my painting, even if you cannot see it — it’s there. I sat in the field and cried, the heat the gnats sticking to my face. For the first time in a very long time I felt defeated — that life had become pointless, why do we do the things we do? In the end — it’s all for nothing, it seemed. But then, a small ray of sunlight, ever so faint, it was a glimmer — shone through the clouds of gray. It warmed my heart, and just that little sunlight buoyed me up — we go on, until we are called away — off this planet. It’s just what we do — in good times or in bad, we still go forward. For some reason, that brought me comfort — and I felt at peace.

Now, that little piece of peace was immediately snatched away as I was walking back to the car with all my gear and dropped the painting face down into the dirt — obliterating it. I was really angry now — it was if the dark forces of the universe had spit in my eye at that moment. I got back to my apartment and brooded about this, but refused to throw the painting away.

A week later, I left the South, earlier than planned, realizing we cannot run away from our problems, or avoid them. Everything had sorted itself and I went back home with renewed gratitude for my own life in the North, but still the ruined painting bothered me — the symbolism of it. So I decided not only was I going to resurrect it — I was going to recreate it — even bigger and better than it had been before! And so, I did.

Carry on- Beginning Life in Lockdown

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 14:40:00 +0000

“Study of dramatic back lighting” oil on wooden panel, 16” x 16”

Strange Times

Beginning Life in Pandemic Lockdown

Life in the lockdown is largely as it was for me before -- wake up, do some work, work out, studio time/plein air time, family time, meals...rinse, repeat. But, there is a certain odd feeling about everything now -- a feeling of heaviness and uncertainty hangs above everything -- as if you are waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I walked out to the market the other day -- it was right after the lockdown began. There was such a strange energy in the air -- a sense of foreboding and panic. The streets were empty. Here and there, a person hurried by -- head down, fearful. It felt surreal -- as if I would hear nuclear warning sirens go off in the distance. The feeling was not a pleasant one.

Just two nights before -- we had celebrated the "end of the world as we know it" at our local restaurant. That afternoon, my son came over and said, "Do you see what's going on?" To be honest, I hadn't been paying much attention. My sister had called me from Philadelphia, fuming, saying, "The crazy people have bought up all the milk, bread, and toilet paper!" I was seriously confused. I said, "Are we going to have a snowstorm?" She laughed and said, "No! It's over the virus!" What? What virus? That's about how much I was paying attention to that! But now, as he and I sat watching the developing events on the news, with alarm -- the runs on toilet paper and food, the hysteria, the States talking about quarantines, my son said to me, "Well, it seems that the world is going to end soon. Let's go out to dinner and celebrate our life as it is, for one last time-- my treat!" And so we went.

We met up with my one daughter and her family and we all enjoyed a long, bittersweet, somewhat nervous last dinner in our favorite local spot. We don't know how long *this* will last -- and we didn't know it then either...the restaurant owners are a sweet couple, and they quietly joined their diners in the revelry -- giving away free coffee and desserts to the scattering of patrons who braved the fear of "contamination" to come out and support them one last time. And then, the next day -- everything closed.

I felt fear clutch at me. The layoffs and the economic ruin that would ensue. The panic and the pain of financial devastation -- plus the very real possibility of riots, looting, martial law. The virus does not scare me. I've lived through nearly fatal blood poisoning, a motorcycle accident that broke literally every bone in my body, and a host of lesser injuries and diseases through the 50 years I've been here. I don't worry for my children either -- they are hearty and healthy -- or even for my Dad, who is severely immunocompromised with ongoing Stage IV leukemia. His motto -- "No one gets out of this world alive. Let's live!". My only fear is the unknown -- what does our country, and our world, look like after this "episode."

The anxiety of this took my breath away for the day after the lockdown. I lay on my couch utterly paralyzed, watching old movies, eating sweets (a taboo in our house -- my son is a jiu jitzu pro) and trying to come to grips with everything. I roused myself from the couch later that afternoon and headed to my studio, dazed, but forced myself to continue working. And the next day. And the next day.

And now...

Now that a week has passed, I feel cautiously "normal" again. I will remain in my routine of continuing my work, and adjusting to this new normal. I don't like the feeling of everything shut down, and our lives so limited, to be sure -- but I'm hoping this all ends sooner rather than later. In the in-between, I can really focus on the projects so many other distractions of our previous life had carried me away from, and on my family and friends -- so every cloud does have a silver lining.

As a reality, this pandemic has made me even more determined to tap into myself and create romantic and serene works of art -- beauty, peace, and serenity -- I need that -- we need that -- more than ever now! So, that is my newly inspired vigor, my eternal Muse.

www.hilaryjengland.com

Studio work

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 14:34:00 +0000

Skillz

I have been concentrating on polishing my skills -- it's a yearly endeavor -- going back to basics -- like sharpening a knife. You can never hone your skills too much -- learning and refining are a never-ending, ongoing process. It's like weight lifting and exercise -- if you stop, you get flabby. That's how skills are with artists too.

So, I've gone back to the beginning, and have no problems with doing so. Monochrome value oil studies, and copies of the Master's -- like Waterhouse's "Lady of Shallot". These types of exercises help to clean the vision and reinforce value, shapes, design. I will continue at these for the next few weeks, as I have some bigger projects I will begin, and I want to be sure my skills are top-notch-- I want to be in the "best shape" possible!

And...

Stay tuned for new things to come! You can also check out my website "Happenings" page too for even more information about events and my upcoming travels--plus check out new prints for sale!

The Stone Cottage and Butterflies

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Sun, 23 Feb 2020 18:56:00 +0000

Spring is coming! In the Northeast USA, it’s an exciting time to leave winter and see the flowers begin to break through the ground.

So, in light of that happy occasions, here is a little video story — regarding my oil painting, “The Stone Cottage and Butterflies”. I love all things beautiful and “magical” and mysterious— and the abandoned old stone cottage on the very edge of town was no exception. When the wildflowers arrive, the butterflies and bees flit about, in their own magical universe. It’s such a delightful and meditative place to just unburden your soul...I had to capture it! ❤️🖼

🌸 🦋 If you love a moment of tranquility, you can order your own custom art print at:

Visit my Gallery

lmVisit My Gallery

Sea Bird and Branches

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Sun, 16 Feb 2020 18:04:00 +0000

"The sea bird and branches" by Hilary J. England
oil on canvas, 8" x 11"

The beginning of this year just seemed to fly by with a blur of trips and visits here and there -- Philadelphia, DC, New York ... this is both good and bad. It's good because it's always nice to stay involved in things and visit with friends and family, but it's bad because it breaks my creative stride. I need isolation and continuity when I am on a singularly creative path, and the last few weeks have been frustrating in that respect.

So, I decided to have some quiet time and revisit the happy places in my mind...the beach. I thought back through the many beaches I have been to through the course of my life...I searched through old drawings, color studies, pictures, and notes. I fixed upon this one thought -- I remembered a beautiful and fluffy looking egret sort of bird, sitting in the branches of some dead vegetation in the beautiful Caribbean sea when I was there years ago. It was a quiet day, it wasn't hot, nor was it cold, but there was a very good breeze blowing, yet, this bird seemed very content and oblivious to all but the sun shining on its beak. As you can dig by now -- I admire birds. This one was no exception!

That's when I decided to tap into that nostalgic memory and paint this little painting. It's funny how our experiences never leave us -- ever. They can get filed away in the recesses of our mind, but one day, whether expressly called upon, or springing up unbidden -- they come back to color our lives.

~Enjoy!

P.S. -- the original oil is not for sale. I decided last year that I will only be selling select oil paintings and keeping the originals for the time being. But -- you can purchase a gorgeous museum-quality print through my website -- you get to choose the size, paper, framing, etc. and even see it on your own wall prior to purchase through my augmented reality function that allows you to see the finished product in your intended space -- so you know it's perfect!

Just pop on by: www.hilaryjengland.com

Happy thoughts!

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 20:31:00 +0000

"Dragonfly in the purple flowers" oil on canvas, 7" x 14"

It's been a busy few days, as the new year seems to start off quickly, like a shot that starts a race. Nola was born yesterday and in the in-between of it I've tried to take a few moment's breather. I did a little painting the day before, as I'm starting to put together thoughts for several paintings for my ongoing series. I began to think about things -- imaginations, and thoughts and emotions that can transcribe into my composition. This process usually requires a "limbering up" -- I like to let my mind roam a little freer than usual, and do some brainstorming -- I also do whatever I feel like, in terms of paintings and drawings. This gets the "juices" flowing -- like a warm-up before a workout.

I started thinking of spring and summer -- and the beautiful wildflowers that line the banks of the river that's just behind my house. I would sit out on the retention wall that sits about 12 feet above the banks, and just watch the glorious kingdom of flowers and insects -- the bees, the butterflies, the many species of dragonflies. I would sit, sometimes for an hour or so, and just watch them. This little universe fascinated me, and I look forward to it this year as well.

Here is a little oil painting I did of that reminiscence -- just because I was musing and enjoying the memories of it. When I work, I like to pull on memories of many things, and this memory was a happy, calming one -- a memory of contentment and happiness in a seemingly simple view.

Enjoy!

New Year 2020!

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 16:29:00 +0000

Hello friends! I’m back! 😁 I hope you all had a very nice holiday and are looking forward to this new year with 2020 vision! 😉

I am hitting the ground running, and here is a collective online exhibition, entitled “Winter” through the Envision Gallery that I have two small oil artworks in.

✅Check it out! ❤️❤️❤️

https://www.envisionartshow.com/winter

Pop on by and check it out! There is some very nice art from a variety of other artist skillfully depicting their visions of winter as well!

Portraits of Mia and Michaela

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 17:26:00 +0000

"Portrait of Mia at 3 years old" by Hilary J. England, oil on canvas, 12" x 16"

"Portrait of Michaela at 3 years old" by Hilary J. England, oil on canvas, 12" x 16"

Here are the two portraits I did for my our little cousin "twins" in celebration of their third birthdays. They are both growing to become such beautifully unique children -- so different in every way. They started off as little bundles that looked so similar, and now, they are amazing little 3 year olds with their own personalities, looks, and interests. So wonderful!

Portrait of Cory

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 17:38:00 +0000

Portrait of Cory
Oil on canvas, 12" x 16"

I completed this portrait of Cory this morning. I have been feeling a bit under the weather, but that can be for a number of reasons, and maybe the rainy weather wasn't helping. There are lots of reasons why, but I always try to just push through that -- the show must go on!

The changing light made it very difficult to photo the portrait -- I feel like that is the struggle that never ends for me, and it has become a personal joke. But, if that's the ceiling of today's woes, it certainly is a blessed day for sure~ I won't gripe about anything because life is good.

-Enjoy!

Progress 😊

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 20:17:00 +0000

Progress shot 3: adding glazes of color

Progress shot 2: developing further layers

Progress shot 1 : initial layers

I have been working on this new painting now between two other projects and although the progress has been slow, it’s getting there.

I decided to take a different approach with this painting— to start out with a grisaille design in gray scale and then build layers of glazed color, which is time consuming and different than I usually work, but thats what’s fun about painting— experimenting and trying new ways to work.

Here are the first three progress shots of the painting, from grisaille to mid stage painting.

Adventures in Egypt Facebook Auctions!

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 20:23:00 +0000

Hello friends! As some of you know, I travel quite a bit, seeking out new cultures to explore and deriving a great deal of inspiration from painting on site in new landscapes. This process has a huge part in informing my work at every level, and while it can be stressful as well as exciting— it’s just an essential part of my art practice.

I have a new travel coming up at the end of November — I will be traveling to explore the country of Egypt!

With that exciting trip will come many exotic themes and possibilities, but, as with all travel— my expenses constantly creep upward, even when I’m going as I always go— very economically! 😁

So, starting on this Friday evening, September 20th, I will start my first of 4 private Art auctions here on Facebook just for my special friends here! I will be auctioning off four different original works of art in four different weekly auctions, for my friends here on Facebook —to have an exclusive chance to own piece of *original artwork* at a great price, and also to raise funds for my trip!

The link to the auction will be posted on Friday morning in a Facebook event announcement and the process will be simple— all you will need to do to bid is to post in the comments! I like to keep it simple for all of us 😊😊

I hope you will all participate and check back often to see if you are winning 😁 but also, to be part of my Adventure to Egypt!

Open expanses

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 14:02:00 +0000

“Study of clouds in September” oil on canvas, 8” x 11” by Hilary J. England

I painted this as my heart was in turmoil. Such a beautiful day, and yet, it weighed heavily on me. I thought back 18 years, to the horror of that day, and then I thought back 11 more...12 more...standing in the quiet of th office, looking out over the Manhattan landscape...the other buildings, the bay with the helicopters constantly engaged in a delicate dance of weaving about each other like moths at a lantern. I remembered occasionally stepping up into the long, elegant windows, and pressing my head to thick glass to look down and thrill myself. Many days, from the 92nd floor, I would see a cloud cover that settled around the midsection of the building like a fluffy belt. Other days, I would see tiny people as small as a swarm of ants milling about in the streets below, caught up in the hectic pace of the day and their daily lives, not knowing that a young girl was watching them with intense interest from above in a building on top of the world.

The days before and after September 11th always cause a flood of emotions for me, a mixture of nostalgia and pain, and force my mind back to my youth, which I suppose is a good thing. It reminds me of who I was. I have lost much of that person...so much. That is my ghost. I think if she and I were to cosmically meet, say, passing each other in some street, she would not recognize me, and I would weep at how distant we became.

The landscape I sat in in this day was bright and clean and refreshing and perfect, but oddly sad and alone, dwarfed by the largeness of the universe. The one tree stood alone and resigned. Lonely? Not so much. Maybe indifferent, sad, thoughtful or resigned.

These were my thoughts when I did this cloud study and the breezes blew by me and through me.

Indian summer at the dam

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 20:08:00 +0000

"Indian summer at the dam" by Hilary J. England, oil on canvas, 8" x 11"

It's been so warm and beautiful, the weather at this time of year is always a gift. The late summer warmth mixed with the slight chill of the coming fall give a special feel to the days and nights, and the leaves are beginning to have their first tinge of yellow of some of their tips. Fall foliage is certainly right around the corner.

I did this little oil painting study on a fine day, and its the type of painting I absolutely adore to do. The process is so relaxing, and it always makes me so grateful just for the glorious weather and the beauty of the days and landscapes.

I hope you also enjoy these beautiful days! <3

New Directions

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 14:19:00 +0000

“Shadows and hope” Oil on canvas, by Hilary J. England, 2019, 36” x 48”

Falling into things

Sometimes, we just "fall" into things, like happy accidents. Sometimes, we fall into things and it's not quite a happy situation, but something good can come from it. Either of these circumstances can be a blessing, even if one is in disguise.

This is what occurred when I painted "Ghosts and recollections." I was geared up to have the piece, created solely for a show with a theme of artwork that tells a story -- anything imaginative -- and realistic, viola, imaginative realism.

This was a genre I had long avoided. I like artwork based in reality -- something that the viewer could relate to, and build a bridge of connection with. Imaginative realism conjured ideas of campy unicorns and black velvet space scenes (cue the shuddering) -- nope. Not for me. So, when I had a nagging voice in the back of my psyche -- call it the Muse -- who urged me to do it, to stretch myself, to put my biases aside and step into the idea. I decided I could do this, and create a series of three interconnected, inter-related works, each a standalone work, with its own story to tell, a sort of beginning, middle, and end work.

It took a few weeks of mulling it, sketching things, writing out ideas, snipping little "samples of colors" and references shapes and figures, putting them all together into little thumbnails. I finally created an image in my mind of what I was looking to convey, and the work began in earnest. But, there was a side-effect to it all: I had to pull upon memories that were very painful and long ago put away- carefully filed into cabinet number 2410 in the cobwebbed recesses of my mind's archives. This was not pleasant.

But...

Even though it was not pleasant, it WAS inspiring. I certainly won't say it was cathartic because it wasn't. Sorry, not for me. That old carp from the shrink's couch of talking or writing out your problems and blah blah blah never did a thing for me. I prefer to leave things in the dust of the past and move on. That's just my way -- you have your way, I have mine, we all move to the beat of different drums, so to speak. Anyway, getting back to what it did -- it opened up a floodgate of creativity. I was eagerly looking forward to creating a nontraditional triptych (three) and began the work.

After completion of that initial work, I found that I and the artwork had been pre-emptively cut from the show. I was, to put it mildly, infuriated. No other word for it.

After a few days of getting calm and finding my center again, I decided that despite the exhibition show organizers apparently AWFUL taste in cutting my work ;-) , I would continue through with the original idea, and even if the works never saw a show, I would do it because the Muse in me demanded it. Plain and simple.

A star is born!

So, here is the second piece of the three. It's called "Shadows and hope." The piece continues along the vein of my own life experiences, of loss, of pain, loneliness, confusion, regrets. But, always, always, always, there is hope...no matter what. It's there, small, delicate, and yet, so powerful. It's waiting always, to fill you back up and give you strength.

I won't go into the particular elements of the painting (I do that in my personal journals -- y'all will just have to wait 100 years until after I'm dead and some blue-haired professor is adding their own embellishments and slants in some class somewhere). I allow the viewers to experience the painting from their own perspective, to identify with elements in the painting within their own experiences and heart.

Or, maybe they just like it for unknown reasons. It just speaks to them. It just "clicks" -- like a cute person in the coffee shop.

No matter why you may like it, or adore it, or hate it, it will be personal to you, as the story behind it is personal to me. Don't expect a long-winded dissertation of verbal silliness -- I don't do artwork statement pieces like that.

And in the end:

I decided I will continue on with additional pieces outside the original three. How many, I don't know. Is this the official announcement of a move into a different direction -- I don't know that either. I've never been very fond of making announcements etc. I don't like hard and fast rules to stick to when it comes to the direction of my work. Let's just say I am going to begin a series of these more imaginative realist paintings, and see where they take me. I have an idea for the series, and yes, maybe they will help me put my own ghosts and recollections in order too. I guess you never really know!

I will blog a post for each of the works, and the overarching theme, when the three are fully created, and for other plans regarding the series too.

Painting Size scales

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 14:24:00 +0000

"Ghosts and Recollections" oil on canvas, 36" x 48"

"Red rocks and the female figure" oil on canvas, 16" x 20"

"Old barn wood and the female figure" oil on canvas, 16" x 20"

Hello friends!

I had a few people ask me different sizes and scales for various paintings so I decided I would post of the photos showing scale and size, so it would better help you gauge the artwork for your space.

Now keep in mind, these are the original artworks (digital prints can be made to any size or framing specification available on the website). Also, I have a very cool feature on my website that allows you to see the original artwork, to exact scale, either in an augmented reality room you construct (featured right there on the page that you can play around with and it's actually fun), or if you are on a mobile, like a tablet or phone, you can actually project the scale artwork onto your own space, so you can see what it would look like right there and then -- no guessing if the piece will work on your wall and in your space! That's always a huge concern, and the new augmented reality function on my website eliminates it. Now you can see what it will look like and not wonder and be uncomfortable hoping it will look as you hoped :-) All gone! I love technology! :-)

So, if you stop by my website at www.hilaryjengland.com , you can view the different original artworks and employ the augmented reality (AR) function to see how any of the paintings look on your wall - like going into a dressing room! <3

And...

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Study of red rocks and female nude

noreply@blogger.com (Fieldsendart) — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 19:37:00 +0000

"Study of red rocks and female nude" by Hilary J. England
oil on canvas, 16" x 20"

Here I did a study of the beautiful red rocks and the female figure. I wanted to keep the figure, again, as not the dominant element in the picture. This female figure was very taught, and I wanted to paint this as the angle of the body was extremely challenging, from the head to her toes.

This was recreated from several reference photos and not onsite. I could never have a person hold a pose like that, and the rock formations are not native to my area -- more southwest.

I enjoy studying light, and anything with a lot of lines and directionality always draws me in. That must be the compulsive part of my personality -- I like lines and textures, particularly elements that convey hard edges. I love playing with hard lines and soft edges. It's just my thing I guess.

~Enjoy!