Monday 25 August 2008

DOORWAYS OF THE PAST

I have been very involved with family matters for over a week now and have not sketched or prepared any new work to post. The idea for this post came about by me going through a 12 x 16 ins sketchbook whilst I was packing what I needed for my trip to Anita when we shall be painting in Ely in connection with a Sue Ryder project. .. and I came across this last sketch of Wisbech parish church doorway. Knowing I have painted many a doorway, I checked out some images on my iomega stand alone hard drive backup system.
1 St Nicholas Chapel
This is an acrylic painting of the west gate at St Nicholas Chapel Kings Lynn. It was exhibited and sold at the very chapel during one of Kings Lynn's Summer Arts Festivals. It measured 40 x 30 ins.


2 Cypriot doorway 3 Chickens through the old doorway Tochni village
These two were exhibited at different Kings Lynn Festivals and sold at the Doric Gallery. The first is inspired by a painting holiday in Cyprus when I sketched this old doorway and at home decided I wanted to add the spiritual aspect of the island by adding the Cypriot priest coming through the door and wall from the past. Again it was created in acrylic with fabric stiffened by the paint and curled at the edges to create a textured door.

The second Cypriot doorway was amazing at the top of a winding hill in the mountain village where we stayed. It was held together by just about everything, from concrete slabs upright at the sides, panels of hardwood and plywood, chicken wire and string. It was so inspiring I could not resist it - but had to paint it at home in acrylic from photos I took.

3 Wisbech Cambridgeshire Parish church
These torquoise painted wrought iron gates lead into the west doorway of Wisbech Parish Church. This is the one I found in the sketchbook, from which I sold a number of prints during my Cambridge Open Studios weekends. It was sketched during one of the town's summer Rose Fairs.
Do remember to enlarge the images, especially so you can see all the texture on the three acrylic works.

11 comments:

Robert A Vollrath said...

These are all fantastic but the one with the screen door is a small masterpiece. A poor man's gateway into another world that is as real as our own.

Claudia said...

Joan, your doorway paintings are very good! I especially like the green cypriote doorway: perfect painting, wonderful colour!

...and, you are right, waiting for a special bus in Rome can take hours!

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Thanks Robert and Claudia - strange you both preferred the same (I think from decription) broken down ramshackle green door. It took such a long time to achieve trying to create all the different surface textures but I enjoyed it.

Penhallow Street said...

Each of these doorways has a narrative quality! Beautifully rendered.

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Thankyou Amy from penhallow street blog. Ive been over to see your works and entries and had an enjoyable half hour trolling through . Loved your angels and left comment. One thing, where are you from?? its not on your profile page.

Sandy Maudlin said...

I love the highly textured blue Cypriot doorway. You seem to be very inspire by textural things too. So glad to have found your sight.
Sandy

Amy Gethins Sullivan said...

Hello Joan~
Thank you so much for visiting me.
This is a little funny, because~ I think you have mistaken me for Pen Hallow St.~ That is wonderful for me, because I love Pen H.S.~
You mentioned me having a new grand baby~ I am old enough to have a grandchild, but I was a late bloomer
and my children are 18, 16, 14, & 7.
But~ all that aside~ it was a wonderful mistake as far as I'm concerned. I my not have made it over here to see your beautiful art. So, this was meant to be! :)

But~ I am truly sad & heartbroken over hearing about your darling grandchild.Your family will be in my prayers & heart.
~Amy~

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Thank you Sandy. I havent done much textured work since I moved a year ago as I have had to prepare a number of local scenes and houses in water colours and oils. I simply cant wait to get back to them as I feel they so suit my active mind and feeling of personal creativity.... Mainly because I am now painting in oils and I find the textural pieces work better in acrylics.

So sorry Amy - have responded in your own blog and re-sent a comment to the penhallowstreet blog. Thank you for your prayerful thoughts.

Penhallow Street said...

Hi Joan, What a wonderful happenstance that you and Amy met! She is one of my favorites. I was happy to find your blog once again after someone had mentioned you as a favorite. I had seen your stained glass window drawing back in January and failed to bookmark your site. I look forward to catching up on your work--especially the interior and nature drawings. My deepest sympathy for the loss of your great grandchild. You and your family will be in my prayers. Bonnie

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Thank you so much Bonnie - glad to have a name for you now.

RH Carpenter said...

Wonderful richness and texture to the doors, Joan. And surprises in both!