Helloooo!! As I write, we have just 1day left to prepare for North Somerset Arts Week 2013! I am really looking forward to taking part for the first time, and I’ve been painting at a prolific rate for the past few weeks! As well as Arts Week, I have a photographic exhibition on display in the North Somerset Butterfly House which has recently been taken over by Pete ‘The bugman’ Dawson. It’s well worth a visit – the butterflies are so beautiful and Pete will give you a warm welcome.

On Sunday, I exhibited my art at ‘The Grand Spiritual Event’ in Bristol. It was a wonderful event where I met lots of lovely people and received the most amazing feedback about my paintings!! I even made a few sales which was a major bonus!! It was a real confidence booster, just in time for Arts Week!!

My Colourful Art Exhibit at The Grand Spiritual Event, Bristol

With just 1 day left before Arts Week begins, tomorrow is our big ‘re-hang’ in The Meadows Restaurant. I’ve been framing and mounting all of my paintings today and even managed to finish off  a couple of paintings just in time to be framed. Having already SOLD 2 of my pastel paintings this week, (they are proving very popular!!) that I’d done for Arts Week, so it was great to get the last two finished.

Along with all the framing activity, I’ve been sewing bright pink bunting to hang outside our venue to attract visitors on the Arts Trail. Puxton will never have been so pink!!!! Just as a BIG REMINDER…we are VENUE 74, The Meadows Restaurant at PUXTON PARK (just off J21, M5 towards Congresbury. Do come and see us if you’re in the area, and say Hello!!!

So now I’ll show you my latest paintings… both of horses. The 1st is an acrylic that I painted a while back, but it needed a sky to finish it off. I used a water colour wash to do the trick – nicely subtle and not too overpowering! The 2nd is my very latest painting (in pastel) which also needed a hint of sky as a finishing touch. This is a Ginger (Chestnut) Hunter and a Golden Eagle which I’ve titled ‘Double Gold’.

Bay Beauty by Mandi Baykaa-Murray

Double Gold by Mandi Baykaa-Murray

I doubt I’ll have any time to pant over the next 10 days during Arts Week, as I’ll be on site with my art…I wonder what will inspire me next???….

Here’s wishing everyone an enjoyable and successful ARTS WEEK 2013!!!!! Don’t forget to pop in and say hi!