Ochil Art

"Ingrid Ormestad Art"

2012-01-16T22:02:00.005Z

I changed the email address attached to this blog, but it turns out that although I did it successfully, I can no longer post to other blogs as 'me' (Ochil Art). Because of this I have made the decision to start a new blog. New Year, new email address and new Blog ... I hope you will join me at my new blog so we can continue sharing our Art ... and thank you for all the support and friendship you have all shown me.

http://ingridormestad.blogspot.com/

"Daisy Mk 2"

2012-01-14T10:05:00.002Z

I decided to play around with Daisy and I think I prefer this version better. This is in fact the original watercolour I did but I finished it off in watercolour pencil. Both paintings were sent off to their new owner yesterday, I do hope Mike and his family like them.

"Daisy" ... and a ~"Happy New Year"~

2012-01-05T08:43:00.004Z

~Happy New Year"~ to you all!
I love this time of year, they say 'winter' officially starts on 21st December (the shortest day) and as far as I'm concerned Spring is just around the corner as soon as we reach January 1st! Lambs will soon appear in the fields, my 10ft Camellia is ready to burst into flower, snowdrops are popping their heads through the ground and the year is lying ahead for us to make the best of.
Have any of you made any New Year Resolutions? I want to make the best of each day, which I try to do anyway, and I hope to take my art a stage further by building a website.
"Daisy" is my first attempt with Watercolour Pencils. She is a lovely wee dog and belongs to friends who live in Somerset. I tried her first in watercolour, but wasn't happy with the result. I've no idea why I thought of pencil but feel happier with the result, and have to say I enjoyed every moment.

"Dave"

2012-01-05T08:25:00.002Z

This is 'Dave' ... he is a lovely big soft lump belonging to my niece Susan and her partner Pete. This year I decided to make as many Christmas gifts as I could and Dave was one of them. I started knitting scarves for my three daughters .... I'll make sure they are finished by next Christmas! To knit means to sit in the lounge and watch TV and I am just not a TV person. In saying that, I watched "Goodnight Mr Tom" again, and loved it as much as I did the first time. Yesterday we watched "Just Henry", a drama we had taped starring Sheila Hancock, excellent viewing! I hope you all had a peaceful, happy Christmas!

~"Merry Christmas"~

2011-12-21T22:47:00.003Z

I would like to wish all who pass this way a very "Merry Christmas". I hope you each have a great day in which ever way you choose to spend it.
We will be at home with our children. There will be lots of chatter, lots of laughter and lots of food! Everyone makes something towards the meal and usually my daughters leave with 'doggy bags'.
May I also wish for each of you health and happiness in the coming year! Slainte!

"Purple Orchid"

2011-12-05T08:51:00.003Z

I am always looking round for something to paint and I didn't notice this little beauty sitting on my kitchen window sill. It took me to break it off by mistake to give thought to painting it. Again, I really enjoyed doing this ... I'm just happy as long as I have a paintbrush in my hand!

"Bracken"

2011-12-04T10:04:00.002Z

Last week I did this painting of my friend Linda's dog, Bracken. I find when I paint an animal I have to make a connection with them, I made the connection with Bracken long before I picked up my brush. Very sadly, Bracken died on Friday ... rest in peace lovely lady!

My Rose

2011-10-31T11:38:00.004Z

Last week I spent a whole evening trying to paint a 'rose' ... I hated it. It was far too detailed and although that might had suited some, it just wasn't what I was looking for.
As I prepared to go to bed I picked up my brush and feeling totally frustrated swirled water round on the other half of the sheet. I dropped some pigment into the water, and low and behold in the space of two minutes I had my rose. It's not a perfect rose by any means, but it is far more pleasing to my eye than the one that went into the 'special file'!

"Pumpkins"

2011-10-27T22:12:00.002+01:00

The shops have been so full of Pumpkins and I couldn't wait to come home and paint some. Did this painting this afternoon and I had a good time.
When I am sitting here, the window is just to the right of my desk, and I spend a lot of time looking up the small hill at the big skies! Today the sun shone and the sky was blue (yes I know it was raining down south) and there was I painting Halloween Pumpkins.
They say this winter is to be as harsh as the past two. Yes they were harsh, but what I remember most in those few snow filled months, was the beautiful blue shadows cast on the white snow by the sunshine. We had such lovely sunny days, and I know I would rather have sunny, snowy days than dreich, miserable days!

'Lioness' in Watercolour

2011-10-20T09:51:00.004+01:00

There was something about this majestic lady that inspired me to paint her. I just love these big cats ...

Sometimes I fight with myself. I feel I should be doing more landscapes or buildings. I end up feeling frustrated, and all I serve to do is crush my confidence. After reading a thought provoking post by a lovely fellow blogger, I have decided that I am going to paint what I want to do, instead of what I feel I should do.
I never set out to be an impressionist painter, and I didn't think I would paint animals, but this is how I have developed and I am not going to fight the inevitable any longer. This is my style, this is me. I am so happy when I am painting this way, and I would like to say a huge thank you to Sandra!

'Chaplin'

2011-10-06T08:21:00.001+01:00

"Chaplin" is a first for me ... he doesn't have four legs! :)

'Ella'

2011-10-04T22:06:00.005+01:00

This is the second of the paintings I had shelved. I met Ella whilst in France earlier this year. She had that way of looking at us and we knew exactly what she wanted ... walkies, or on Jenny's knee. We had some lovely walks together in the forest ...

'Peony'

2011-10-04T09:31:00.003+01:00

I started this painting ages ago but found it too detailed for me and discarded it. We are always told not to put anything in the bin, so I 'shelved' it. Recently I got out two paintings I had shelved and decided to finish them ... this is one of them! Like every painting I learnt something from this one ... I need only add as much detail as I wish. I enjoyed this painting and I felt good when I finished it.

"Rolo"

2011-08-08T20:01:00.002+01:00

Meet Rolo, a gorgeous Labradoodle. I fell in love with him the first time I saw him.
I could have done a bit more, but I felt I had made a connection with Rolo ... it was time to stop.

It's not been a nice day, yet I am sitting here with a big smile on my face looking up the hill at the back of the house. The grass is such a bright sunlit green, with long shadows stretching from the trees. The sky is blue, the clouds are white and fluffy ... how I love this beautiful country. :)

Poppy heads ...

2011-07-28T21:11:00.002+01:00

I was tidying up the garden the other day, and had no choice but to pick up my paintbrushes when faced with this handful of poppy seed heads.

I love poppies in all stages, but the seed heads always fascinate me. There is the plant ready to die, and yet at the last moments it casts out hundreds of seeds so the sequence can start all over again in Spring.

I will never be as good an artist as our friend 'Mother Nature' ... but here is my simple painting of her 'Poppy seed heads'.

"Angus"

2011-07-11T14:00:00.002+01:00

I started this watercolour of my cat 'Angus' and decided to stop at this point and make it a WIP. I put it on my Facebook and was delighted to receive an invitation to enter 'Angus' in the National Watercolor Society Exhibition in LA. For various reasons I couldn't take up the offer, but hopefully next year the chance will present itself again!
Was I over the moon at the invite? ... you bet! I have decided to leave 'Angus' in this half painted state. My only drawing had been his two eye sockets ... I have since erased the unpainted one and I think I will frame him as he is!

Miss "Missy"

2011-07-01T21:16:00.002+01:00

I was talking to a friend today about 'cats' ... it made me think of this sketch I did recently of my friend Gilly's cat, Missy. It was a quick and simple doodle, and I got a lot of pleasure from painting her.

I'm sitting here looking out the window at the small hill at the back of the house. Although it is 9.30pm the sun is shining brightly, casting lovely shadows from the trees across the grass. So many shades of green, lovely pictures to store in my mind for winter. I love sitting here, the sky changes every time I glance out of the window and I find my mind wandering as I watch the clouds sailing by .....

Tess

2011-06-10T22:29:00.002+01:00

I did this painting for my grandaughter to give to her 'other' Grandad. This is his Great Dane, Tess, whom he adores ... and I am delighted to say he liked this 'Tess' also. :)

Rhino

2011-05-09T08:48:00.000+01:00

'Mum and Me'

2011-04-08T07:28:00.002+01:00

My niece Fiona is a Midwife. She is doing a charity trek in Nepal next year and has to raise in excess of £3,000. Recently she held a 'Mothers Day' fundraiser and I did this painting for her. I felt it covered both the Mothers Day theme and The Genesis Research Trust charity Fiona is raising money for. Well done Fiona, I am proud of you!

Lioness

2011-02-13T22:54:00.003Z

This lovely lady has been on my desktop for a number of weeks ... finally picked up my brush and painted her. I hope you like her ...

Buffalo

2010-12-08T12:54:00.001Z

When I took this photo it was as a WIP, but I have decided to leave this and do no more. Something about it appeals to me ...

We have a wee drop of snow!

2010-12-08T12:46:00.000Z

This is how the garden has looked the past two weeks ... loving it! :)

Mr Robin

2010-12-07T13:08:00.002Z

I have done no painting for two months :( ... now I am painting again and it feels GOOD! :))

Loch Tay at Kenmore.

2010-09-15T10:44:00.003+01:00

I took this photo last week whilst at Kenmore. It is one of my favourite spots.

Old dinghy ...

2010-09-14T11:39:00.001+01:00

Just to prove to my good friend Dave that I do pick up my brushes ... this one's for you Dave! :)

Spring is on the way ...

2010-09-14T11:17:00.002+01:00

Seems the forecasters are telling us that winter is to arrive early this year ...
Did this doodle so you will remember that spring will follow winter, just as sure day will follow night. :) In saying that the sun is shining today .. it's a lovely, fresh, good to be alive day! :)

Eilean Donan Castle - Scotland

2010-07-24T20:47:00.001+01:00

I passed this beautiful castle on my recent trip to the Isle of Skye. I visit here often but rarely see it like this. I like to come in late winter or Autumn when there are few people around. It was nice however to see the sky and the water so blue.

Rooster ..

2010-07-17T22:39:00.001+01:00

No painting done in weeks so did a few doodles the other night ... this was one!

Safe ...

2010-06-22T10:09:00.001+01:00

"Ewe and Me"

2010-05-28T13:28:00.004+01:00

This is my second painting like this for an exhibition. The first didn't get that far :o) ... I hope you like it.

Another flower doodle ...

2010-05-07T23:53:00.001+01:00

A little doodle I did this afternoon whilst scanning another painting ...

Dux

2010-04-28T19:15:00.002+01:00

I sat patiently with my camera waiting for ducks! Only one duck appeared so I had to take two shots of him!

Ewe and Mee

2010-04-27T22:13:00.000+01:00

A few more sheep ...

Graveyard ...

2010-04-26T08:23:00.000+01:00

This graveyard is in a little sleepy village in Scotland. It is at the top of a hill, and from there I can see my favourite hills ....

Sheep and lambs ...

2010-04-22T21:29:00.000+01:00

Whilst driving home from Newcastle this trio stopped to stare at us when we drew up along side them ... I love Spring!

Tulips ...

2010-04-20T20:38:00.001+01:00

tulips ... a doodle!

Teasels ...

2010-04-20T20:21:00.000+01:00

Teasels will always remind me of the times we spent with my sister and her family in the Midlands. Very happy times were spent trailing around Moseley Bog with children, dogs and lots of happy chatter ... memory days.

Corridor ..

2010-04-16T15:18:00.000+01:00

I did this painting for someone who is very special to me .. my brother Mike.

Happy Easter!

2010-04-02T12:29:00.000+01:00

Iris ..

2010-03-28T12:57:00.000+01:00

Just to show I can paint more than animals!! Spring is here, and our thoughts are turning to our gardens and lots of lovely colour ...

Egret

2010-03-16T10:22:00.000Z

Another doodle ... I really must stop painting animals! ;-)

Gull

2010-02-28T11:01:00.000Z

This doodle I did from a photo kindly given to me by JWJ. I thought it an appropiate subject at the moment, as we have had constant rain for days. This is for a very good friend of mine who is slightly waterlogged at the moment!

Cotswolds ... street scene

2010-02-07T20:53:00.000Z

I had a trip to the Cotswolds last July ... I couldn't resist this shop front.

Priory Church

2010-01-23T23:37:00.001Z

This is one of the churches in our village. I took the photo during the recent snowy weather.

Otto

2010-01-23T10:08:00.000Z

Dunvegan Castle

2010-01-23T10:00:00.000Z

Giraffe

2009-12-26T09:14:00.000Z

My daughter Gayle is passionate about giraffes, I did this little painting for her.

Art in Winter ...

2009-12-25T21:53:00.000Z

Christmas Eve 2009 ... Scotland.
Merry Christmas all!

Season's Greetings!

2009-12-18T08:29:00.000Z

Goose at Linlithgow Loch.

2009-12-11T20:16:00.000Z

I was tempted to put a dark background around him in the painting .... I might still!

Goose

2009-12-09T21:49:00.000Z

This wee chap is one of the residents at Linlithgow Loch ...

Dodger

2009-12-02T07:05:00.000Z

This is my first attempt with Pastel Pencils .. and likely my last! (too messy).
Dodger was 18 years old when he died recently, and he was the very much loved cat of my friends Ken, Irene and their daughters Julia and Helen.
Anyone who has lost a pet will understand how they are feeling ... I certainly do. If any of my children look in here, I am sure they will think this is our Charlie Fat Cat!

Daisies and Lavender.

2009-11-19T10:01:00.000Z

An art exercise in a magazine given to me by Keith ... thought I would have a bash!

Camelia

2009-11-10T21:49:00.000Z

A cheeky chap!

2009-10-04T15:02:00.000+01:00

At the moment I am in Florida on holiday. Last night I went to a Rock Concert at Seaworld. This cheeky chap was always close by waiting to help himself to the fish intended for Shamu, the killer whale.

Edinburgh Castle from Grassmarket ...

2009-09-19T16:34:00.000+01:00

Another play around with acrylics ...

Coco and Lola

2009-09-09T08:34:00.000+01:00

I thought it might be good to see the rascals in person!

Coco

2009-09-02T14:06:00.000+01:00

This is Coco, the big sister of Lola.

Lola

2009-09-02T08:58:00.001+01:00

Scotland

2009-09-01T07:20:00.000+01:00

"There is no sunlight in the poetry of exile. There is only mist, wind, rain, the cry of the curlew and the slow clouds above damp moorland. That is the real Scotland; that is the Scotland whose memory rings the withers of the far-from-home; and, in some way that is mysterious, that is the Scotland that even a stranger learns to love".

H V Morton.

Zakopane .. Southern Poland

2009-08-27T12:21:00.000+01:00

Last night I did this painting for Angus and Basia, who are setting off at the weekend for a new life together in Australia. I wish them a lifetime of happiness together. This was a scene from a recent holiday they shared ....

'Middle of Nowhere'

2009-08-27T12:18:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I picked up my brushes, a few tubes of acrylic paint and using the paint straight from the tube I produced this.
I am not sure what this painting says about me, but when I paint in acrylics I am aware I paint from within ....

Mountain forest ...

2009-08-11T13:34:00.000+01:00

Did this painting a while ago ....

Mountain walk with the Moelwyn Range in the distance.

2009-07-31T09:06:00.000+01:00

I spent many happy times in Wales when my sister and her family lived there. I have retained a great fondness for the country. So many thanks to my friend JohnB for allowing me to paint this Welsh scene from his photo. Again it was a little 'doodle' done on the spur of the moment, and just for a change ... I like it. Thanks again JB. :-)

Another wee mountain in Wales ...

2009-07-28T18:18:00.000+01:00

As the title says ... "another wee mountain in Wales"
Part of a Welsh Project.

Goat!

2009-06-18T16:20:00.000+01:00

I haven't painted animals before ... I didn't really paint this goat either, I only painted the shadows!

Mither Tap ..

2009-06-17T18:59:00.000+01:00

This 'wee' hill I could see away in the distant when I used to visit a friend up north ...

Aberdour Castle

2009-05-18T22:01:00.000+01:00

A simple little watercolour ...

Aberdour

2009-05-11T22:27:00.000+01:00

A place I love to be ...

California Poppies

2009-04-29T07:35:00.000+01:00

I went to see a very special friend the other day. Helen and I left school and started work together. Soon we were joined at the hip .. The weekends saw us trailing the country lanes and wandering over the Sidlaws. One day we set off to go to the Youth Hostel up the 'Glens'. My parents had warned us "No hitchhiking" .. we told them we were after the hiking part, and had no desire to 'cheat' and take a lift. After about 8 miles or so the enthusiasm was waring, mainly because we had eaten lunch before we even reached the Powrie Brae. A few miles after Kirriemuir the decision was made to 'hitch'. We heard a car coming, up went the thumb and low and behold the car drew up ... in it were my parents!! They refused to believe this was the first time ever we had taken a lift (and after the lecture, it were the last). I feared they would take us home, but they took us to our destination after making us promise our 'hitch' hiking days were over. We had a great weekend!!
Recently Helen and I met again after a break of 20 years, and it was as if the 20 years apart had never been. To take home, Helen gave me a freshly caught Rainbow Trout which her husband Kenneth had caught, and yes it was this size (<------------<) and a gorgeous bunch of bluebells. I look forward to the rest of our lives Helen ....

Bridge of Sighs

2009-04-26T14:10:00.001+01:00

My friend Susan asked me to paint this scene for her daughter Laura's 21st birthday. Laura loved Venice, and this scene in particular. Happy Birthday Laura!

Winter's Day

2009-04-04T21:39:00.000+01:00

A painting for my dear friend Dave, who lives in Wick. Dave comes to my Blog everyday to check if there are any new paintings, then wastes no time in telling me there are none! This one is for you Dave, thank you for your endless support ... and patience. :o)

Snowdrops in Winter.

2009-02-19T10:54:00.000Z

.. these are for my friend Patricia, who appreciates the beauty of each season!

Stirling Bridge

2009-02-15T22:27:00.000Z

I adore Scots history and this beautiful bridge plays a big part in our history ...

Lake Garda

2009-02-14T23:24:00.000Z

A simple sketch from a photo taken by Colin and Eleanor in Italy.

Eilean Donan Castle

2009-02-14T23:14:00.000Z

Another place that I love. I try to visit this beautiful castle in Spring and Autumn.

Anne Marie's painting ...

2009-02-14T21:36:00.000Z

I did this painting for my sister Anne Marie's birthday. This is her church, a haven to her over the past few years when my brother in law Malcolm was fighting cancer. Malcolm is one of cancer's success stories, he is now cancer free ....

Sunset over Alyth

2009-02-14T21:26:00.000Z

As the title says... "Sunset over Alyth"

Cley Mill

2009-02-14T21:23:00.000Z

Cley Mill in Norfolk ... my friend Jackie took the photo. Thanks Jackie ... :o)

Bugsy's Barn.

2009-02-14T20:15:00.000Z

This was the painting that dragged me out of my 'comfort zone'. I did it in October 2007 when my art was still very much in it's infancy. This and my 'Street Scene' both contributed greatly to where I am today. (which is still a fraction of where I would like to be) ... thanks bugsy :o)

My Ochils.

2009-02-12T13:56:00.000Z

These are my Ochils, I only say 'mine' because I have loved these hills since I first saw them almost 30 years ago.
This is the first painting I have done of them, the photo was taken from the Devon Road ... no artist could ever capture their beauty and majesty!

Bridge House .. Ambleside

2009-02-12T13:44:00.000Z

We had a lovely weekend in The Lake District. This painting I did of a lovely little place called 'Bridge House' in Ambleside.

Buachiille Etive Mor

2009-01-10T21:26:00.000Z

As I drive over Rannoch Moor my heart beats faster and I know that soon I will see this magnificent mountain ....
I can't do it justice!

Happy New Year ... Slainte!!!

Romney Church

2008-12-17T08:53:00.000Z

Again another photo from a friend, painted in watercolour. I have been trying to paint in a looser style. In my last blog one could see how my painting had developed, as the painting were in some kind of order. These painting are in no particular order.

My Geraniums

2008-12-17T08:50:00.000Z

Another of my 'doodles'. I did this in 5 minutes talking to my daughter on the phone. I have since spent many, many minutes trying to do another, but they have never been quite like this spontaneous painting!

Snowy A9 in January ...

2008-12-17T08:48:00.000Z

This I painted in watercolour from a photo I took last January coming down the A9 in Scotland. It was a beautiful scene just south of Dalwhinnie ...

Stirling Castle ...

2008-12-17T08:46:00.000Z

My first attempt at Pen and Wash, it was great fun.

Remembrance Poppy ...

2008-12-16T22:55:00.000Z

My remembrance poppy...

Thatched cottage in Glamis

2008-12-16T22:52:00.000Z

This cottage is in the main street in Glamis, the village where my husband Iain was brought up.
This is painted in watercolour.

"Street scene"

2008-12-11T14:08:00.000Z

This will always be one of my favourite paintings. It was the first time I dared to let my brush take the lead and paint what I felt, more than what I could see...

Knaresborough Castle .... door!

2008-12-10T08:18:00.000Z

I did this painting from a photo John took on holiday in Wales. John kindly gave me permission to do a 'doodle'. I do love to 'doodle'. :o)

Winter

2008-12-09T15:59:00.000Z

This seemed an apt painting to start with. A simple winter scene ....