I recently completed a commission of one of my signature snail paintings for a special client and the colour palette she requested was all with beautiful pastel tones . These muted colours gave the snail a real organic feel which I loved. 

I have painted many 'still life' paintings over the years, but never taking the abstract approach and painting the snails onto the plants, and let’s face it, the two definitely go together. As Henry David Thoreau, the american poet and philosopher once said “the world is but a canvas to our imagination”. This seems a fitting quote when looking at this new piece. The painting is titled “Love Life, Love Leaves”. I really hope everyone likes it and sees the quirky uplifting vibes I’ve tried to create. Plants really do make us feel better, even looking at prints/ images of plants or a landscape produces psychological benefits, reduces stress and improves concentration.

Nature really is the best inspiration for creating art. With us all being asked to stay at home during these unprecedented times, maybe now is the time to look out your window or bring in a plant and set up a still life of your own. Its always good to include another couple of household objects too, if you have anything interesting sitting around such as a vase or a bowl.  Start with sketching in pencil or if you have charcoal, give it a go too. Then move on to maybe watercolours or acrylics, whatever medium feels natural to you when you’re looking at your still life. For all my lovely artistic people that come along to my classes, this could be the perfect subject to work on, plants.
The practice of creating art is in itself so relaxing and a great activity to do at this anxious time for everyone. So there’s no excuse to gets the paints out and find a quiet space at home. If you do create something and have been inspired by this blog post please feel free to upload it onto social media and use the hashtag dawncrothersartist and I can get to see all your amazing creations!

As for all the young artists out there who might need I little bit more encouragement, I will be launching a children art competition this week. The theme is plants and nature and it can be a drawing or painting using whatever pens or paints you have available at home. I’m in the process of creating special Dawn Crothers Art Pack with art materials and loads of inspirational ideas, projects and art activities to do at home. They will be available to buy from my site next week. The age limit for the competition is 4 to fourteen, the winner will be announced in April via my Blog. Just upload and tag me via social media or send me your photos of your artwork via social media or email…dawn@dawncrothers.com. The winner will receive a ltd edition print valued at over £100.  Good luck everyone!

This new painting “Love life, Love Leaves” will be available to buy as an original oil painting and I will be releasing 10 hand embelished canvas prints of this one too…so if you’d be interested in one please get in touch!

Thanks again and I'll try and work on one blog post a week if I can for everyone to enjoy!!
Stay safe everyone…x Dawn x