In progress...

Miniature in progress - Komodo dragon 2" x 3"

© Tracy Hall 2010

I'm really enjoying this one. Also below is a recently completed painting for a jigsaw company which I'll show in full later in the year when its been released, but for now a few details from it:

Snippets from 'The Door Step'
20" x 28" © Tracy Hall 2010

Miniature art - white faced owl in watercolour

White faced owl © Tracy Hall 2010
2.75" x 1.75" watercolour on board
(enlarged with a penny for scale)

I believe this owl was formerly known as the Scops Owl but is now called the southern white faced owl. I think thats right anyway, shall have to double check its not the northern one. Got a bit confusing. A very pretty bird anyway, who posed beautifully for a portrait and enjoyable to paint.

Shortlisted for Wildlife Artist of the Year

'Pensive' (Western Lowland Gorilla) © Tracy Hall 2009
Watercolour on board

Had the wonderful news today that my miniature painting of Effie (above) made the shortlist and has been selected for the Wildlife Artist of the Year international 'Art for Survival' exhibition organised by The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. The show is held at The Mall Galleries in London and runs from 24th - 29th May. 50% from every sale is donated to help fund the foundation's ongoing conservation projects.

Very pleased :)

A letter....

As a little aside, I recently painted this letter 'R' for some friends who own a really beautiful guesthouse locally. Its a gentle nod towards the old illuminated letters - although not really either; just a bit of fun incorporating miniature scenes of the house, grounds and beach atop a study of the cornices that adorn every room, without (hopefully) being too fussy and needing to work in both colour and b&w. Not at all something I do in the general run of things but I rather enjoyed myself with it and they're happy.


If you're coming to the islands it is a lovely, peaceful place to base your trip: Roeberry House

Update: I've also tried to give my poor old website a bit of a revamp in between things this week. Long overdue, but rather than simply updating it of course, I thought I would give it a bit of a spring clean...and within a few hours wished I hadn't. You can't stop once you start. Possibly not working completely correctly yet (still fixing errors which I swear weren't there earlier) but at least I think it is now actually 'up to date'. If you have time for a look and notice anything that doesn't work or is wonky do let me know and we'll see if my somewhat basic grasp of html will enable me to fix it. Aren't blogs easy by comparison?!

Pied Wagtail miniature painting

'Pied Wagtail' © Tracy Hall 2010

2" x 2" watercolour on board

Back on the beach with this new painting. Pied wagtails are always such a pleasure to see flitting about with their tails bobbing enthusiastically, and I'm always looking for ways to incorporate old peices of machinery that were dumped on the shore years ago, now rusting amongst the stones. I remembered to take some photos as I was working this time, so there are four stages shown above.

I suppose its litter, but I rather like the old rusty metal - can't say I feel quite the same about the amount of plastic that gets washed up though! Every spring there is an event in Orkney called 'Bag the Bruck' when locals descend on the beaches to try and clear up some of the rubbish. The quantity collected is staggering.

Update: Society of Botanical Artists Silver Jubilee Exhibition


I was delighted to finally hear that my two miniatures (above) have been selected for the Society's upcoming exhibition at Westminster Central Hall, London. (Thanks to Pam and Katherine for helping me find out - postal deliveries seem to have been a bit sporadic here lately!). This is always a glorious show and absolutely worth going to see if you can. It runs from Friday April 16th until Sunday 25th, 10am to 5pm with free admission and daily demonstrations from some of the leading botanical artists in a variety of media.