Xmas tree 3
9″ x 6″ Acrylic on mount board
Since we lost Ziggy all has been quiet on the dog front. However, Gina has started showing the signs of wanting another bitch and I can sense the first developments in the hunt for a suitable animal. I’ll keep you posted and I’ll continue getting Inspiration for my daily paintings from the spirit of Xmas.
Xmas Tree 2
9″ x 6″ Acrylic on mount board
In Muslim Turkey, thankfully, Xmas is a low key affair and we don’t have to endure the rampant commercialism and greed that taints the festive season in the UK. In our house Gina loves to focus on what really matters and. as you have probably guessed, that’s when to hang the decorations. I resist the day as long as possible, being a grumpy, old git, but will concede evebtually in the time honoured manner of all husbands….Yes Dear! Meanwhile here is another Daily Painting.
Trout stream
9″ x 6″ Acrylic on mount board
Local boat owners agree that the mass of underwater growth fouling their hulls in Fethiye Bay is among the worst in the world, I have always blamed the water conditions on the chemical run-off from the intensive farming in the vicinity and sewage influx. Then I was very surprised to learn that Turkey is the largest producer of farmed Rainbow trout in Europe. An aquaculture survey of 3 trout farms in the Xanthos valley provides some interesting reading including the fact that there are more than 50 trout farms in our catchment and a significant ammount of water is fed, via a canal and hydro electric power station, directly into the sea at Fethiye. The main purpose of the survey is “to predict the existing and future discharge of suspended solids, organic compounds, and nutrients, thereby allowing authorities to quantify the environmental impacts of activities with the greatest accuracy (Frier et al. 1995)”. I have estimated from this report that this means over 2000 tons of Nitrogen and 400 tons of Phosphorous are discharged every year. When you factor in the sunshine and shallow water it’s no wonder we have a problem with algae!
Calis sunset
9″ x 6″ Acrylic on mount board
Generally, sunsets here are not as spectacular as on the European Atlantic coastline. Beautiful, of course, but they lack the drama of the weather fronts that rush onto the shores of Galway, Galloway and Gwynedd. I’m not complaining about the clear skies, far from it, and I acknowledge that many evenings, back in the UK, cloud covers the sun completely. Occasionally though, we get treated to a wonderful sunset here in Fethiye. You could argue that it’s more special because it’s rare but I think that when it comes to watching sunsets, because each one is unique, you can never have too much of a good thing.
Our art group meet up on Thursday mornings at the Nayla Restaurant on Fethiye promenade. They kindly let us work in a part of the premises which is rarely used in the mornings and it offers astounding views and good natural light. We have had to use some less than satisfactory venues in the past and I want to give Nayla a huge thank you for their kind offer. They don’t make a great deal of money selling us coffee so that makes it even more generous. Feel free to come and join us any Thursday morning.
SOLD
This week I am beginning a series of paintings to explore a new technique for me. I love this style and I’m really pleased with the results so far.
Spoilt for Choice
60cms x 40cms Acrylic on canvas
I posted about this market on the 12th. When I was there I made some sketches and took some photos from which I have painted this contemporary view in the studio. I had a lot of fun creating the people going about their Sunday morning business.
Poppies
12″ x 8″ Watercolour on NOT paper
The end of October brings the last influx of tourists and sees the expat community taking advantage of of the remaining 4 hour flights to the UK. There are a few specials over Xmas and the New Year but generally, until next Spring, one can only travel here via Istanbul and that always means a long wait in an expensive terminal, interminable in fact.
Iris2
12″ x 8″, Watercolour on NOT paper
Gina is buzzing off on Friday to visit family and hit the shops and, in between completing the lengthy Job List, I hope to make the most of the cooler weather and do some landscape painting. Meanwhile, I dusted off the watercolours and painted a couple of our most common flowers.
Çalis market
9″ x 6″ Acrylic on mount board
There are daıly markets spread around Fethıye of which the Tuesday market ın town is the bıggest and most popular. The smaller Sunday version in Calis is a peculiarly British affair due to the large number of expats living in the area and functions as a meeting place and social occasion. You are liable to hear more English spoken than Turkish but the goods on sale remain the same. We rarely need stuff other than fresh food from the markets so do most of our shopping at the Fethiye farmers market on Friday, however last week I travelled to Calis purely to obtain ideas for some street paintings. If you come to Fethiye, be sure not to miss one of these mediterranean markets, the experience is definitely one to savour.
Before the Storm
12″ x 9″ Acrylic on mount board
Some parts of Fethiye experienced temperatures of 6C last night and the wind is still blowing hard from the North. There are many visitors still here and I don’t suppose that they are very impressed although the sun is shining as usual. Snow is falling in the Black Sea regions so it could be worse. I’ve completed my self-imposed target of a daily still life and have enjoyed it, but I’m enjoying work on a large canvas of Fethiye Bay even more. So I’ve confirmed my conclusion of the 18th …. It’s the daily painting, not the painting a day that counts.
Red Pepper
9″ x 6″ Acrylic on mount board
I’m still suffering so here’s another kind of pepper. There seems to be about 20 varieties on Fethiye market in the summer. Let’s hope I can get out and about pretty soon or I might end up painting all of them, God forbid!