Paintings

I always have a list of things to look out for when I am out and about going to vintage markets or antique fairs and one of the items that is always on my list is old paintings. I love the timeworn patina on these old pictures and am always on the hunt for a pretty still-life although I do like landscapes too.
One of the first ones I found was at the Love Lane Summer Brocante a few years ago in Plumpton Racecourse. It is a lovely pastel of a bunch of flowers in a jug, it is not pristine but for me that is all part of the charm. I find I am always drawn to blues and pinks and I think the relaxed informal-ness of these paintings really delightful.

My next find was a lovely painting of pears in a dish by the very talented Penny German. I actually saw her paintings on Charlotte Supple's stall at the Country Living fair a few years ago, but someone else bought the picture that I was after. Later on, I contacted Penny German and she very kindly agreed to paint a similar picture for me. I love the pink rimmed dish, sprigged wallpaper and delicious greenness of the pears.

For Christmas, I was lucky enough to receive this pretty little oil painting from my husband of a little jar of stocks or maybe they are sweet williams. It is French and is a lovely little size, I love the colours and that they artist has included some little blooms at the base of the jar which had fallen off their stems.

My latest purchase almost didn't happen. I spied it on French eBay about 30 minutes before the end of the auction and ummed and ahhed over it for a while and then decided I would go for it. I put in my maximum bid, but didn't get it. I tried not to be too disappointed as I knew I wouldn't have wanted to pay too much for it but was a bit sad that I had missed out. A day or so later I received an email from the seller offering me the painting - the buyer had decided that they didn't want it. I took it as a sign that it was meant to be and soon it was winging it's way from Paris over to London.

It is a departure from my usual pink and blue! When it arrived it was in a gilt frame which didn't quite fit, so I gently eased out the tacks holding the canvas into the frame and removed it. I think it looks much better without. I have propped it up on our dining room mantle piece, I really like the simple white blossom with apples and pears and the faded aqua background. So there you have it, my painting purchases so far. It's funny how most of my purchases have followed a theme without my really being aware of it but no doubt there will be a few more additions to come!