Norfolk Lavender

7"x12"

Norfolk Lavender

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Here is 'Norfolk Lavender', in full and finished.

This turned into quite a personal piece for me; Norfolk lavender was a huge part of my Mums final year, she used it daily to soothe her aching body and smelled just wonderful. All of the aspects of the painting are at the location, I just composed them differently and changed the colours. You cannot see Heacham beach from the location but it is nearby and the last place I took a holiday with my Mum, infact the beach was the very last place we visited together while at Heacham, so I just had to pop it into the background. The palette choice was easy and mostly spoke for itself but blue was also my Mums favourite colour, the addition of red helped to reflect the warmth and love she generated. The fence seemed like the perfect way to express the divide, keeping the lavender just out of reach but still firmly in sight, allowing the viewer to admire it's beauty - unable to hold it, echoing my own feelings and frustrations during this difficult time.
My Mum always complimented my work, a big fan, and I always answered the same way 'I wish my work showed more expression though, said something about me, a story, an atmosphere...' I am pleased to say that I feel this piece does exactly that.

There was no planning involved here, I simply painted!
It now hangs on my bathroom wall.

Art has a magical way of wrenching out of us that which we need to release, oblivious, we watch it unfold and stare back...a mirror of our very soul.

Norfolk Lavender - Snippet

This is just a small section of my latest acrylic painting entitled 'Norfolk Lavender'.
In real life this beautiful building is actually red brick but I have been rather creative in this piece, using a harmonious palette of just blue and red and moving land, buildings and water into a composition all of my own.
It was created using this sketch I made on a trip to Heacham with my good friend Joannie back in October last year.
I'll post the finished piece just as soon as I upload the photo.

Norfolk Lavender - 16.10.09

I arranged to meet Joannie at Norfolk Lavender and, although we left at very different times, we both pulled into the parking area at exactly the same time!
We shared a slice of carrot cake, a slice of lemon cake and indulged in a latte each while we caught up on one another's activities during the huge gap since we were last able to share time together.
It was wonderful to see her again and the perfect start to our exciting weekend together.

We wondered outside to grab a sketch and I managed to find a bench that gave a view of the magnificent building, the greenhouse and the cute little lavender kiosk all together.

Heacham Break 2009 - Day 5

Our last day at the coast before heading home.
Plan to be back there again very soon for one last stay before the Winter sets in properly.

Heacham Break 2009 - Day 4

Heacham Break 2009 - Day 3

Heacham Break 2009 - Day 2

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Heacham Break 2009 - Day 1

I'm back from my 5 day/ 4 night break in Heacham along the Norfolk coast!
It's always difficult balancing being in the moment with my family and filling my journal but I did manage a few quick sketches each day.
Here are my pages from day 1.

Off To The Beach

I'm off to the Norfolk coast again today for the week, this time I'm returning to Heacham and staying at the same holiday park as I did in 2007. You can view my sketches from that holiday HERE.

In my absence, I have lined up some scheduled daily posts I hope you will enjoy.

See you all Friday!