Sunday 12 September 2010

Amazed, astonished, astounded, shocked, stunned, startled, surprised, flabbergasted, dumfounded, staggered, dazed, speechless, incredulous, overwhelmed, bowled over, staggered and taken aback

Amazed, astonished, astounded, shocked, stunned, startled, surprised, flabbergasted, dumfounded, staggered, dazed, speechless, incredulous, overwhelmed, bowled over, staggered and taken aback are a few of the words and expressions which best describe some news I received on Saturday afternoon. When I got back home, Pat sat me down and said, ‘I’ve got some good news for you.’
Mmmmmm
‘You’ve won first prize in the East Linton Art Competition.’
‘Oh, aye, who’s having some fun.’
‘No, honestly, it’s true.’
‘This is a wind up.’
‘No, honestly, it’s true..'  
 

After a lot of persuasion I believed Pat enough to turn up at the award ceremony today to receive my prize. The winner had been selected by Ian Paterson, an art teacher from Edinburgh School of Art. He chose my painting of St. Mary’s Church, which is enveloped by menacing clouds and a blanket of snow. He asked my if I had been inspired by Van Gogh’s painting of the ‘Church at Auvers,’ which I had to admit wasn't the case The inspiration came from a very good photo taken by Harry at Tynepark. Ian said a couple of things about painting that I will keep in mind.

• Always paint from the place in the painting that inspired you. If you start somewhere else, you might loose it.

• Don’t be formulaic, it is spontaneity that creates good art.

9 comments:

  1. Hello Ray, congratulations for getting the award ;this is a beautiful artwork!
    I am parking my self here, as I saw that we both share the same interest- great oudoors, walking in them, and talking to people of other cultures! Thanks for dropping by my blog and leaving the beautiful comment.
    Nice meeting you.

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  2. Dear Ray,
    Congratulatio~~~ns!! Tons of congrats!! I have no doubt this is the beginning of many. Thank you for sharing your good news.
    Kind regards, Sadami

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  3. Thanks Stuart

    Dear Arti good to make contact with you and I look forward to swapping ideas in the future.

    Dear Sadami, thank you for your congrats, it's good to know that there are people out there giving me support

    good wishes

    Ray

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  4. well done Dad!!

    You've put a lot of effort into your watercolours and really deserve the recognition.

    Ben

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  5. Congratulations...could this be a new career?...Might inspire me to get my paints out... Caroline

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  6. Get those paints out Caroline, thanks for the congrats and thanks as well Christine

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