Painted Objects

Over the years I have painted and decorated all kinds of objects with stories and memories. This includes tables and large cupboards to small boxes, all of which are practical or useful, which I like .

My choice of subject matter often includes something of sentimental value, or it may hold a symbolic meaning for me , this may include an item which belonged to someone special in my life. The idea I use, also works in harmony with my Ex- voto paintings as thanks or a vow, reflecting elements of Votive offerings .

An enjoyable challenge when painting objects, is to be able to physically play with the three dimensional space, working out how best to bend and distort a composition, while working with the shapes and colour.

Biscuit Box

The two little Staffordshire dog ornaments once belonged to a lovely lady and the jug was my great Grandmothers. Lily of the Valley & Staffordshire dog ornament . Oil on Wood - 2011.H ( including handle) 7¼ x W 4¾ x D 4¾ inch

Box with Hinged Lid

This little hinged lid box was a commission in 2015. It holds a families memories of a precious time shared, time now passed as the children have grown up . Family , Eden. Acrylic on wooden box.
Commission Archive.

Anyone want a Biscuit

From the Terrible Tales Series. Oil on wood. 2021 . W17.3mm x H18mm (excl handle) x D17.2 mm.

The paintings on this small biscuit box came about after reading a short and earnest newspaper story in which a vet had become concerned, because of the high number of overweight pets coming into his surgery with resulting health problems , conditions like, mobility issues, joint problems, heart problems, breathing difficulties, the list went on ..... In the article he warned readers of the dangers to our pets heath, simply from over feeding if we fail to show restraint, and give in to our pets pleading eyes as we dole out their treats, and give them a generous share of our dinner admitting defeat.

A painting on the side of a box . Of a stout dog sleeping beside its sunbathing owner .

A painting on the side of a box .An overweight dog being walked on a lead.

A brightly painted lidded biscuit box with a voluptuous woman with her dogs painted on the sides .

A brightly painted lidded biscuit box with a voluptuous woman and her dogs painted on the sides .

A painting on the side of a box .Two children play vets bandaging a dog .

The tale of the rare Bell's Hinged Tortoise's

From the terrible Tales Series. Acrylic and oil on wood.2021.W 37.3 x H 27xD 24mm.Signed.Artists studio number.

The idea for this box painting came from an old newspaper article , and this was the story I read. At that time, migrant workers and Chinese nationals are arriving in the area for work. Once there, some were delighted to discover that edible delicacies fit for a banquet in their own countries , in their new home were available very cheap, as fresh meat , easy to keep alive in steel drums, until the cook was ready. Eventually, the men were caught in the act, holding and eating 40 of these endangered treasures. The culprits were fined, sentenced and sent away to contemplate the error of their ways.

A large painted box telling the story of men who were caught and found guilty of eating rare Tortoises and sent to prison.

A large painted box telling the story of men who were caught and found guilty of eating rare Tortoises .

A painting on a box with a lid , of men being convicted of cooking and eating the rare and endangered Bell's Hinged Tortoise's in Zimbabwe.

A painting of men resting after cooking and eating the rare and endangered Bell's Hinged Tortoise's in Zimbabwe.

The painted lid of a box illustrating the story of men convicted of cooking and eating the rare and endangered Bell's Hinged Tortoise's in Zimbabwe.

Noel Noel . A painted Christmas box.

Medium - Acrylic and house paint on wood. 2022. Dimensions - A 18cm x D 14 cm x H 8.5cm. Base - Signed with artists studio number.

At the time I made this box , Christmas was approaching and I wanted to play with a few festive ideas. Here , I choose a limited palette of traditional colours which reflected the time of year, and I chose to tell the simple story of a girl out walking her dog, having braved the wintery elements and landscape they are heading back home .

A painted robin sits with a snowy landscape behind him.

Three hand knitted Christmas tree Decorations inside a box with a lid.

Three French Hens. A painted Christmas box.

Medium - Acrylic on wood. 2022. Dimensions - A 16cm x D 13.5 cm x H 6.5cm. Base - Signed with artists studio number.

This is one of a number of painted Christmas boxes painted in 2022.

Carols are an important part of our Christmas tradition and when we hear them they prompt all kinds of imagery for us. The Twelve Days of Christmas is no exception , and in this painting, I enjoyed dressing up the three chickens in cliche French costume beneath the Pear tree .

Three french hens in berets under a tree.

Three hand knitted Christmas tree decorations in a box

Friends. A painted box. Archive.

Medium - Oil on wood. 2014. Dimensions - A 9 in x D 5 in x H 2 1/2 in. Base - Signed with artists studio number.

This hand painted wooden box illustrates my memories of simple friendships as a child. Summer holidays, the countryside and just being together and sharing time .

Painting: Two girls playing with a hill and sky behind them

Two girls are painted on a box across all sides and the lid. 1023.

Painting:Two girls resting, with a hill and sky behind .

The Song Thrush. A painted wooden lid on metal container.

Medium - Oil on wood. 2019. Dimensions - Diameter 11 cm x H 11.2. Lid base - Signed with artists studio number.

The lid of this container features a painting of a Song Thrush. Birds often feature in my paintings. On this piece the bird is decoratively rendered, hiding in long grass, as at the time I wanted to simplify the composition.

I have always felt very lucky if I spot this shy bird in the quiet corners of our garden .

A song thrush is painted on a lid top .The bird is hiding in long grass .

Three Angels. Screen - three painted panels

Medium - Acrylic on wood. 2000. Dimensions - L 180 cm x H 145cm. Archive

This screen was painted in memory of an important member of our family who died. It was my hope that she was helped across from this world into the next by three kind angels . These Angels also represent three members of our family .

On the reverse of the screen are small painted objects, significant to our matriarch .

Always remember- A good thoughts box

Painted wooden box with a lid . Acrylic on hard wood . November 2022 . W 16cm x D 13.5cm x H 6.5cm . NFS.

I painted this small box with an angel on the front and filled it with good thoughts on cards . Some times I open it up , choose a card and think about the words.

Angel head and shoulders with wings painted on a box lid

Momento mori.

Painted wooden box with a lid . Oil on wood . 2018 . W 29.8 cm x D 12.4 cm x H 9 cm . NFS.

This painted box marks a turbulent time of loss and adversity. The subject matter held within the painted composition also illustrates some items of importance for me and those who had passed away.

A painting of two Staffordshire dog figures and a cross on a table .

A painted box, illustrated with Staffordshire dogs, and notes on a table top.

An artist paints a portrait at an easel with a cherub above.

A side view of a girl in a hat in a painting .

Jacob Ewe with her lamb

A Christmas box . Nov 2022 . Acrylic on wood. W19 x 12.2 x H 7 cm.

This is another in the Christmas box series . Painted and decorated with festive colours and subject matter . It reflects an element of Christian symbolism with the Ewe with her lamb in a snow covered landscape , sharing time together before sacrifice .

Jacobs Ewe & her lamb in the snow, painted on a wooden box.

Three knitted Xmas tree decorations in a row in a box.

A small painted bird between symbolic holly leaves.

The Flora Day Chair

Hand made chair with a hood and drawer . Made of reclaimed timber, painted with acrylic and household paints.

The ancient Cornish festival - Flora Day is a celebration held annually by the people of Helston Cornwall . At the beginning of May the shops and streets are decorated and for a day, everyone celebrates the end of winter and coming of Spring.

The chair design was influenced by early traditional lambing chairs. It is made of recycled timber and hand painted with images chosen to illustrate Hal An Tow, and the joy, celebrations and dancing enjoyed by all on this special day .

https://helstonfloraday.org.uk/