www.dragontreasure.co.uk - Artwork by Ella Richards

What's happening in the world of Pixie?....

2012-02-11T14:54:00.000-08:00

A belated Happy New Year to you all. I haven't had any time to post for a while and have only produced one small watercolour piece in the last few months. Currently busy juggling several large projects: the main one being preparation for my wedding later this year, but also embarking on the last painting likely to be given my maiden name signature! It's been in the pipeline on and off for months now, sitting on the easel in my spare room. Whenever I have some free time I get the oils out and have a lovely day of painting, although they are sadly few and far between at the moment. Hoping to have some time this week to get the majority of it finished, so hopefully should be able to unveil it shortly.
That's all for now folks :-)

Creative Minds Group Exhibition

2011-10-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

Back by popular demand, the Creative Minds Group Exhibition has returned to Kingston, with the addition of new artists. The artwork ranges from traditional ballet and portraiture paintings, to fashion illustration, fantasy and graffiti artwork. There are ten artists displaying their work. Alongside original artwork for sale, there are a range of prints, greetings cards, postcards and other gifts available, so if you find yourself in the Kingston Upon Thames area, the exhibition is open daily from 10am - 5pm and runs until Friday 28th October.

Hope to see you down there :-)
Ella x

Kimono Complete!

2011-09-25T12:55:00.000-07:00

Yes, finally, after much anticipation I can finally reveal the finished Kimono Beauty.
She's actually been dry for a few weeks but this is the first chance I've had to scan the canvas. She was a birthday present for my Dad as he kept mentioning how much he liked her while I was painting her at the exhibition. He was very pleased when he realised she was his and going to stay in the family rather than being sold.

Other news: Next exhibition - Creative Minds, Kingston October exhibition will start on Saturday 22nd October - Friday 28th October. More details to follow. This one will have a larger number of artists with varied styles and mediums. I am thoroughly looking forward to it, plus the prospect of another unadulterated week of painting. Hopefully I can get some new work ready in time too.

That's all for now folks :-)

Kimono Nearly Complete...

2011-09-11T06:20:00.000-07:00

Well... The summer came and went, packed full of activities. The exhibition was a huge success. We had a fantastic week in Spain, enjoying the sunshine, atmosphere and amazing food. The latter part of August consisted of a wedding, preparation for school and finally I got some time to continue the kimono.

I worked on the cherry blossom fan design before embarking on a subtle gradient for the background. Just a couple of small areas to complete including the embroidery in the bottom lefthand corner. I will update the photo of the final piece shortly.

Detail of cherry blossom design on the fan:

Background gradient of subtle blue and lilac.
I decided to paint it covering the edges of the canvas too.

End of exhibition and 'Kimono Continued'...

2011-08-07T12:17:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who came to the Kingston Market House 'Creative Minds' exhibition this week. We had a fantastic time, had lots of interesting conversations with various members of the public and got some painting done too. My idea of the perfect week!

'Kimono Continued'...

So, I started working on the embroidered effect on the sleeve fabric this morning and got most of the embroidery painted. I'm really please with how it's turned out so far.

I plan on completing the patterns on the fan and the background next week after I return from Spain.

Kimono Continued...

2011-08-05T10:10:00.000-07:00

Another lovely day down at the Market House in Kingston. Lots of lovely people to chat to - some friends, others just friendly strangers!

'Kimono Continued'... The first stage of the fan is completed. Just need to wait for a few days for it to dry so I can add the details on the surface.

Started the first coat of the fabric, trying to paint the shadows and light on the folds of the kimono. Hope to get that finished tomorrow so I can start the background on Sunday. Everyone keeps asking what I am going to do to the background. The answer: I'm not entirely sure yet! Lets wait and see, it'll be a surprise to even me!

Thanks to everyone who popped in to say 'hi' today. It was lovely to see some familiar people who I haven't seen in a while as well as those of you I see more regularly x

Relaxing Painting and Exhibition Fun

2011-08-04T12:57:00.000-07:00

The exhibition has got off to a fantastic start with lots of interest in artwork and originals selling.

I have had a good opportunity to continue working on my Kimono Girl today. The tricky fan is underway... Lets see how much I can get finished tomorrow!

Exhibition Now Open!

2011-08-01T14:21:00.000-07:00

Claire and I spent a relaxing first day of the exhibition with our easels out painting. I am hoping to get this finished over the course of the week.

Creative Minds Exhibition 2011

2011-07-26T03:53:00.000-07:00

So, the summer exhibition is soon upon us. It is the first time I have exhibited in Kingston and I am thoroughly looking forward to it. I will be exhibiting alongside fellow artists Claire Briggs, Clare Misselbrook, Sarah Chadwick and Matt Hayward.

Please do come along and have a look if you are in the area.

New Paintings, Merchandise and Exhibitions

2011-07-10T15:27:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybody,

It's been a while since my last post, just a few quick things to add.
It's the annual Art Academy Exhibition next weekend in Horsham: an event I always love particpating in, and have produced some work especially for (Dandelion Dancer series in particular.)

I have also created a range of fridge magnets with my artwork on, a new addition to my Dragon Treasure merchandise. They will be available on my Etsy and Misi shops shortly, as well as through my website.

I am also in the process of arranging exhibitions during August, so watch this space!

New Paintings framed and ready for the exhibition next weekend.

New fridge magnets - an example range of images but available for any of my artworks.

Dragon Treasure Artwork - Now Live On Facebook

2011-05-31T12:04:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update to say I now have a proper Facebook page which you can find here:
Dragon Treasure Artwork on Facebook.

If you are interested in my artwork please feel free to come and have a look. Artwork is split into separate folders, similar to my website.

Cheers for now,

Ella

Feeling the Excitement of Artistic Inspiration

2011-05-31T08:05:00.000-07:00

May, I have to say, has been pretty good to me! I have been lucky enough to go up to Birmingham two weekends in a row (thanks to my lovely fiance driving me there, twice!) to see the Pre-Raphaelite exhibition 'Poetry of Drawing' - an incredible collection of their sketches, never before exhibited.

The first visit there, I simply absorbed the magic of their sketches and took in all the detail and exquisite realism in their art. The second visit I took up my sketchbook and, reminiscing back to the days as a student, stood, sketching in front of my favourites. I have to say I had quite forgotten how hard it is to sketch in a gallery: your arms get tired, people are constantly peering over your shoulder and mumbling unnecessary comparisons under their breath, plus there's never enough time to draw everything!

It was a huge treasure and treat though, to see their work not once, but twice. There is something utterly refreshing about viewing an artists sketches. I feel you learn more about the artists way of thinking through their sketches than finished artworks.

So! I felt inspired to make more of an effort to sketch and create preparatory work prior to embarking on my paintings, as I very often go full speed ahead into a painting with only a map in my mind of the finished article.

I have also been trying out a new style in some of my work, with far more colour and pattern, having recently fallen in love with the work of a Korean artist called Minjae Lee - check out his website - his work is nothing short of spectacular.

I have also, finally got round to submitting a piece of work for the Enchanted Visions May theme, however you will have to wait for the grand unveiling on their website before I can post it on here.

So, for now, here's a look at some of my most recent artistic endeavours.

Until next time,

Ella x

Patterns In Her Hair 1 - Watercolour - 2011

Patterns In Her Hair 2 - Watercolour - 2011

Rainbow Priestess - Watercolour - 2011

Dragon Treasure - 86 Page Full Colour Publication

2011-03-27T06:12:00.000-07:00

Hello World!

2011-03-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to the new Blog for Dragon Treasure Artwork - the creation of artist and general craft fanatic Ella Richards (that's me!).

I thought this would be a good opportunity to alert the big wide world of my little contributions to the world of art, fantasy, glass crafts, jewellery and other creative opportunities.

For those of you who don't know me, I am a full time secondary school Art teacher in a school in London. I love my job and although it leaves me very little free time, I still endeavour to produce artwork and crafts whenever I get a spare moment. I have a website www.dragontreasure.co.uk which is the online home for my artwork, although you can also find my work on Deviantart and Facebook.

I also have an Etsy shop which will be updated shortly with new greetings cards and prints.
You can currently buy my first art publication: Dragon Treasure - Fantasy Artwork by Ella Richards, through my Etsy shop.

That's all for now folks. I will try to update again shortly.

Ella x