Derailment.. just a small one, they said.

oh bugga, it's knock off time. Let's get it done quick, we can claim for back damage tomorrow. 

The Red Hat

I have not daily painted for a while, but with left over paints, and a reference sketch from my Rome visit, ... I indulged! If I have the opportunity to do some more I will have a collection for my Open Gallery at Easter.

Thank you for looking!

Daily Paintings on Hold

Hello. Thanks for visiting. At the moment I am working on larger canvases and posting them on my other blog: shirleypeters.blogspot.com

Please visit me there..

(This painting is from my "The Rocks" series, painted  a while back. 

To see older works, visit my main web site: www.shirleypeters.com)

Torso

Here is a sample from my latest project.
– a series of oils inspired by the excitement of 

Le Tour de France, and just bike racing in general.

(My biking activity is much more staid... :))

This project consists of 12 medium sized paintings.
They'll be sold in my next group show
at the Balmain Watchhouse, NSW Australia
25-27th November 2011

Large print from small watercolour

Large print from small watercolour painting.

 It is a beautiful smooth canvas surface, and perfectly stretched.

I am very happy with it. 

Still and Deep, Arno River, Florence

We travelled in Florence in mid winter last year. 

The river was beautiful at any time, but here in the low sunlight, it was especially colourful.

Ponte Vecchio, Florence

A View of the "Old Bridge" over the Arno, Florence.

Click here to bid

I sketched this scene from a park overlooking the Arno and Ponte Vecchio in Florence.

It was too cold to do any painting at the time, so I did this one in my studio.

Watercolour

A new work from my Tour of China series. This small village in southern China had to build a lake to help overcome fierce fires and bad luck. It was recommended by a Feng Shui expert. Seems to work, as the village was now calm and peaceful.

(Sold)

Spring Snow Downunder

I am on holidays at the moment, and this is a 'plein air' sketch of the ski resort where we are staying. It is beginning to thaw in the warm spring weather, but there is still a lot of snow. This "Summit" run is for beginners, as it is wide and not too steep. Other runs are much steeper, as the resort is on the top of the mountain, and there is only one way to go...  down!

Mt Hotham, Victoria Australia.

A2 (59cm x 42cm) (23" x 26")

Watercolor on 185gsm Arches Medium

Cadel and Mark: Le Tour de France

Another sketch of my favourite sport: bike riding. 

Aussie Cadel Evans and Manx Mark Cavendish are winners of Le Tour this year.

This impression catches their relaxed friendship on the final stage. Cadel knows that he is the winner of yellow (fastest time), but Mark will still be challenged for the points classification (highest points won by sprinting.)

It's more complicated than chess! (Sold.)

Cadel Evans in Focus

I called this "In Focus", but it's more a blurry and atmospheric impression of the last stage in the Tour de France.
(Sold)

Yell for Cadel

An Original Watercolour Painting 

by Shirley Peters

"Yell for Cadel"

This became the slogan / war cry during the Tour de France, as there were so many Aussie supporters in the crowds. 

(And they came in all shapes and sizes, various levels of fitness, but never lacking in enthusiasm!)

An original watercolour painting on Canson Rough 200 gsm paper 12" x 9" (30 x 22cm approx)

Posted flat between 2 boards, or in a tube if preferred.
(Sold)

Reaching for Light

This is the path from our lodge to the downhill ski area. 

The sun was streaming through light clouds, flooding the snow in soft light.

(Sold)

Skier in the Storm

Two years ago I went skiing in the worst weather. The sun was low, the wind was wild. The dark clouds were closing in. I took a snap as I was going up on the T-Bar, just as this crazy skier came flying over the rise, with the wind at her back. 

(Sold)

Cadel Evans Final Lap

Cadel Evans continues to be my muse. 

Here is a watercolour painting from the final day in Paris. 

(Sold)

This is a painting from my Le Tour de France series.

Limited Edition prints of all the Le Tour paintings 

are available at my Etsy shop. 

(This one will be added in the next few days.)

Cadel Evans, Yellow in Paris

I am still enjoying painting the riders of Le Tour de France. This one is based on the last stage, where the winner of yellow rides the laps of Paris, usually unchallenged. For us down under, it has been a fantastic year: as our favourite son Cadel has finally won, after coming second twice.

Click here for bid details

Waiting for Spring

A wintery scene from rural China. These trees would soon be covered in blossoms.

Click here to Bid

Three Barrels

This building was used for grain distribution to the local villagers. Our visit caused much amusement. I was so impressed with the colours and the light that I took many pictures, and have been sketching and painting the scene ever since. This small sketch will be a large oil painting soon, I hope. :)

Sold

Tranquil Waters

Winter in this Chinese village was so peaceful. Almost no tourists, and the weather was calm. This boat was moving slowly on the water. It barely made a ripple. I have tried to make the water softer and more wet in this painting.  

To bid click here

Meeting on the River

A tranquil scene to us visitors, but I was intrigued by the interaction of the group on the bridge. A local business group? A drug cartel? No... just friends enjoying the sun.
Click here to bid

The Laundry Man

My trip to China showed me how many daily tasks were undertaken with such simple equipment: a bike. No fancy Transit vans for this simple job. Bikes were used for work and transport. An affordable necessity. And such a contrast to the bike used for sport and enjoyment in France and other wealthier countries, like my own, Australia.
(Sold)

Final Stage in Yellow

An Aussie first! Cadel Evans in Yellow on the final stage. No longer the bridesmaid... The whole nation (that is... myself and family) sat up until one in the morning to watch Cadel in the final stage. I am so happy for him, as he worked so hard, and had to win it from amazing competition.
(Sold)

At the Front

A single rider breaks away from the pelaton... his companion is his shadow. 

Original watercolour painting.

Sold.

Threatening Storm

19th July: The weather was changeable, with dark threatening skies adding to the drama of the race.

Sold

Cat and Mouse

On the sharp turns, riders expect to be overtaken... hence they seem to spend more time looking at who's behind, rather than where they are going.

Sold

Rain on the Turn

Le Tour de France: it was raining. The riders leant into the turn. The rain added interesting reflections. The audience went ballistic!

Sold

Feel the Pain

The enthusiasm and fitness of the Tour de France bike riders is amazing. With this painting I try to capture some of their energy.

(Sold)

Five in Focus

The sprinters were focused, as this was their last chance to win a stage before the big climbs. 
To bid click here

Effort on the Hill

This sketch was a warm up for my main painting, but I kinda like it for itself. The adrenalin rush of the riders is reflected in the rough strokes of the charcoal. Fun.

Sold

Leader of the Pack

A sketch of the riders from the Tour de France. It is 'live' on television in the middle of the night, so I'm not getting a much sleep. 

Sold

Here is a sketch for this work.

Strength in Red

The Tour de France. How good is it? The men are so strong, so tough. 

They are riding mountains that most of us could not even walk up...

This is my favourite team: BMC. And it's just a co-incidence 

that they are the best looking team, I think.

28 x 18.5cm (11 x 7.2in)

Watercolour painting (watercolor) ready to frame
Sold

"The Green Lake"

23 x 31cm (9in x 12in) Watercolour painting (watercolor) ready to frame Bid here A colour sketch from my recent trip to China.  This lake was 'man made' for Feng Shui reasons.  I loved the geese and the beautiful colour.

"Mid Way for Blue Green"

42 x 29.7cm (16.5in x 11.6in)

Watercolour painting (watercolor) ready to frame

by Shirley Peters

Tour de France is keeping me going: 

Stage 4 was rainy. I loved 

the soft colours of the 

sky and landscape.
• Sold

Fast and Furious

"Fast and Furious"

16 x 21cm (6.2in x 8.2in)

Watercolour painting (watercolor) ready to frame

Tour de France is my addiction at the moment. 

This small colour sketch is a quick grab of their energy.

Sold

Grand Canal, Venice

24 x 32cm (9.5in x 12.5)

Watercolour painting (watercolor) ready to frame

Sold.

This classic view of Venice is based on one of my photographs: I had my paints with me, but it was so cold I was unable to take off my gloves to paint. So here is the result from the warmth of my studio.

The Call

Bikes are popular in Italy. This scene was in Florence.  The woman was stopped, off her bike, and intently  listening to her caller. A minute of life. Watercolors are now my preferred method for 'cartooning'. I can  easily work on composition and colour, making changes until I am happy to start with the oils.  Therefore these paintings are sometimes quite sketchy and spontaneous. This work is typical! Thanks for looking. A3 29 x 42cm (11.6in x 16.5) Watercolour painting (watercolor) ready to frame Sold

The Long Lane

My trip to China produced many images that I'd like to paint. These humble village scenes were most memorable. The geese were curious, not afraid at all. They had ponds to swim in, and were fed scraps from the village kitchens. Totally 'free range'!

11" x 16" (approx. paper size, one inch border)
Watercolour on Paper
AUD $120 

Geese in the Lane

We visited a small village in rural China, where we discovered these geese, looking like characters from a children's book. So cute. I wonder what they thought of us, taking photos.

Watercolor on Paper

30cm x 42cm

$120

Limping Home

29 x 42 cm

Watercolour on paper, ready to frame.

Sold.

The Visitor

20 x 36" Oil on Canvas
Progress posting... as I have found many things to fix since I posted this onto my wall (living room, not Facebook!) last night. 

Italian Urban

22 cm x 30 cm (8.6" x 11.8" approx)

Watercolour (watercolor) on paper

Sold

The man in blue..

Blue Man on West Lake

Painting size: A3 (30 x 42 cm) (12" x 16 " approx)

Watercolour painting (watercolor) ready to frame.

We walked for three hours around part of this lake. It is very big. In one small section, a worker was de-weeding. He looked so blue against the green water and white sky.


Sold

More Venetian water... so beautiful!

"Deep Water, Venice"

Painting size: 24 x 32 cm 

Watercolour painting (watercolor) ready to frame

Even on white cloud days the water has deep colour. 

Sold

Rain In Venice

17 x 26 cm; (6.7" x 10.2" approx) 

Watercolour painting (watercolor) ready to frame. 


Venice was very beautiful in the cold winter. These old shops were warm and welcoming, making it easy to step inside.


Sold

Warm Sun in Florence

We visited Florence in winter because January is our holiday time in Aus. But I find it a blessing, as there are so few tourists, and the dawns and dusks occur at reasonable times. We saw this archway and photographed it's warm light just when a policeman zoomed through. This watercolor is for sale.

24 x 32 cm

Ready to Frame

Sold

Many Steps Up Yellow Mountain

22 cm x 30 cm (8.6" x 11.8" approx) Watercolour (watercolor) on paper. While the tourists were able to ascend the mountain in cable cars,  the workers carried the hospital linen up on their backs.  Our guide told us they only did one trip a day,  for which they were paid about $20.

Sold

Old Bridge on Yellow Mountain

24 cm x 27 cm (9.4" x 10.6" approx) Watercolour (watercolor) on paper Sold. Of all the places I visited in China, Yellow Mountain was the most magical.  It was named "Yellow" after the Yellow Emperor, and I can imagine the royalty  visiting there for their summer holidays. My holiday was in the heart of winter,  a tad cold, but no crowds. I recommend every traveller to visit and stay at least  one night at the top. This painting was of one of the many bridges on the road that winds  around the mountain, allowing for magnificent views... as long as  there is no cloud... we had cloud, and snow.  But still, the trees through the mist were beautiful.