Imminent paintings

Today I'm working on the paintings for the Royal Academy summer show entries - two 8" canvases that will be put in deep frames.



Since I'm not as sensible as other friends I never plan ahead for the RA and then forget how quickly the deadline comes around. The RA requires first payment for how many entries you want, then the entry form with full details (titles, prices, etc) posted back, then we bring in our work the first week of April. And each year, every bloody year, I'm unprepared for sending that form back! So this post is to inspire those artists who seem to think I'm terribly organised. ;)

So I brainstormed titles by browsing through my coast photos, the maps from my trips, and general "sea" terminology online. This year I quite enjoyed reading about the Met's shipping forecast. As I went I jotted down place names, words, ideas on my desk - which is covered with a large cardboard box lid. As you can see that comes in useful.



The winning titles were "Imminent" and "Near Durdle". In fact I'm doing smaller versions of some Dorset ideas, particularly the surf on the beach at Durdle Door and the rougher seas I've been playing with on the large canvas already.

I might also have decided my Calder Gallery show title but mum's the word for now!