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The Significance of the Sunflowers

January 8, 2013

It’s just been pointed out to me that it is not entirely intuitive in ‘What do you do in a Drawing Room’ that the garden is full of sunflowers for a reason.  Growing sunflowers is imperative for The Artist.   Without a constant supply of fresh sunflowers for Grandma’s hall he wouldn’t have been able to visit her, her hall has to look like the magic painting he uses to transport him there.  If the flowers start to weep he might end of in the compost heap instead (that’s a good idea, I might include an inadvertent trip to the compost heap in the sequel).  Incidentally, the poppies are grown in the garden to supply him with poppy oil, one of the many oils that can be used as a binder when making oil paint.

Posted by Fiona Holt. Posted In : 'SMART READS' Tips 

 

Free 'SMART READS for kids' Kindle books this weekend

January 7, 2013
Just a quick post to let you all know that my Kindle book 'Junior Vincent van Gogh' will be available for free download from Amazon this coming weekend - the 11th, 12th and 13th January.  

Go straight there on Amazon.com

Go straight there on Amazon.co.uk

Go straight there on Amazon.ca


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Posted by Fiona Holt. Posted In : 'SMART READS' Tips 

 

A Selection from The Musée d’Orsay, Paris

January 3, 2013
‘Jeune Fille en Robe Rouge sur Fond de Fleurs’ by Emile Lévy (in The Drawing and Pastel Gallery) highlights how effective a few basic rules of composition can be.  It’s a simple pose but I loved it.  For me it works because the ‘V’ shape neckline of the girl’s dress is mimicked in the stance of her hands which also form a ‘V ‘.  It’s called a ‘repeated motif’ and it’s also repeated in her hair which is an upside down ‘V’ directly above and mirroring the neckline o...
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Posted by Fiona Holt. Posted In : Discover It 

 

It's Rolf Harris of course!

January 1, 2013
Yes, the character of The Artist in ‘What do you do in a Drawing Room’ is modelled on Rolf Harris.  He was a huge part on my childhood (hardly surprising given my love of both competitive swimming and Art).  I love his Art and his lust for life and if I could have chosen an extra honorary grandfather he would have been a major contender (along with David Attenborough) so it was natural that I should model Leo’s long lost Grandfather on him.  I hope readers didn’t find it too corny?? I...
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Posted by Fiona Holt. Posted In : 'SMART READS' Tips 

 

'SMART READS for kids' is launched

December 28, 2012
After much hard work, I am pleased to announced that The Portrait Place has launched a series of fun, educational books for children called 'SMART READS for kids'.  The aim of the range is to introduce young minds to the inspirational world of Art and to use Art as a catalyst for wider learning.  Visit the new 'SMART READS for kids' page of the website for more information.

 
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Posted by Fiona Holt. Posted In : 'SMART READS' Tips 

 

Welcome to my Blog

December 19, 2012
As I seem to have morphed from an Artist into that common cliche 'Artist & Writer' and, as I am told by those in the know that a writer must have a blog, I thought I'd open in true literary fashion, with a poem I wrote which I hope says it all.  It's called 'Ode to the Threadneedle Prize'. 

 




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Posted by Fiona Holt. Posted In : Its and Bits 

 
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'SMART READS TIPS' for extra insights into existing children's books and also news and sneak previews of any new publications.

When I come across Art I love I'll share it with you in 'DISCOVER IT' and,

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Enjoy, Fxx

 
Junior Vincent van Gogh by Fiona Holt
What do you do in a Drawing Room by Fiona Holt

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