Tuesday, May 31, 2011

In An Elegant House

In An Elegant House by Liza Hirst

acryliques on canvas - Acryl auf Leinwand - acryliques sur toile
20 cm x 20 cm / 7,9" x 7,9"
sold - verkauft - vendu

The light situation here was what inspired me to paint it and although it was very difficult and I haven't really achieved what I had in mind, it was an enjoyable challenge.

Monday, May 30, 2011

4 Drawings

4 Drawings by Liza Hirst

pen and coloured pencil on paper, Tinte und Farbstift auf Papier, stylo et crayon de couleur sur papier
each 8" x 8", 20 x 20 cm

I don't feel like painting today and made a few drawings instead. That's really enjoyable for a change.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

French Bench

French Bench by Liza Hirst

acryliques on canvas - Acryl auf Leinwand - acryliques sur toile
20 cm x 20 cm / 7,9" x 7,9"
sold - verkauft - vendu

This is so French - the window with it's small glass panes and the white bench with curly iron details, both framed by ivy and hollyhocks!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Sketch for "Figure with Orchid"

Sketch for Figure with Orchid

pen on paper, Tinte auf Papier, stylo sur papier
8" x 8", 20 x 20 cm

No painting today, as I started on a larger one which still has some way to go and can't be shown here yet. Instead, a sketch I did before I painted yesterday's daily. I hardly ever sketch anything, but my blogger friend Barbara Muir's drawings inspired me to try it again. I am a big fan of Barbara's drawings!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Figure with Orchid

Figure with Orchid by Liza Hirst

acryliques on canvas - Acryl auf Leinwand - acryliques sur toile
20 cm x 20 cm / 7,9" x 7,9"
Buy it here

Playing around a bit with different styles, trying to loosen up....

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Cool Inside

Cool Inside by Liza Hirst

acryliques on canvas - Acryl auf Leinwand - acryliques sur toile
20 cm x 20 cm / 7,9" x 7,9"
sold - verkauft - vendu

I worked on a slightly larger format here, which I like a lot. It's quite surprising what a change a couple of inches do to the feeling while painting - there seemed to be so much more space.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Under the Parasol

Under the Parasol

acryliques on canvas panel - Acryl auf Malplatte - acryliques sur carton entoilé
15 cm x 15 cm / 5,9" x 5,9"
sold - verkauft - vendu

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Mum Reading

Mum Reading by Liza Hirst

acryliques on canvas panel - Acryl auf Malplatte - acryliques sur carton entoilé
15 cm x 15 cm / 5,9" x 5,9"
sold - verkauft - vendu

Enjoying a lovely morning in May, reading in the warm spring sunlight besides a small lemon tree that smells like summer....

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Morning Orange

Morning Orange by Liza Hirst

oil on canvas panel - Öl auf Malplatte - huile sur carton entoilé
15 cm x 15 cm / 5,9" x 5,9"
sold - verkauft - vendu

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Golden Light

Golden Light by Liza Hirst

oil on canvas panel - Öl auf Malplatte - huile sur carton entoilé
15 cm x 15 cm / 5,9" x 5,9"
Buy it here

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

St.Martial Viveyrol

St.Martial Viveyrol by Liza Hirst

oil on canvas panel - Öl auf Malplatte - huile sur carton entoilé
15 cm x 15 cm / 5,9" x 5,9"
Buy it here

Back in France with beautiful weather. The farmers and gardeners though are desperate because it hasn't rained for two months and the soil is bone dry. I pass this village on the way to my friend Karin with whom I sometimes walk in the morning.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

May in Berlin

May in Berlin by Liza Hirst

oil on canvas panel - Öl auf Malplatte - huile sur carton entoilé
15 cm x 15 cm / 5,9" x 5,9"
sold - verkauft - vendu

As I mentioned before, most of the streets in Berlin are lined with beautiful trees.
Here, in the Schillerstrasse they are red chestnut trees in bloom at this time of year.

Monday, May 16, 2011

The Other Side

The Other Side by Liza Hirst

oil on canvas panel - Öl auf Malplatte - huile sur carton entoilé
15 cm x 15 cm / 5,9" x 5,9"
Buy it here

Rhododendron blooming, delicate shades of green sprouting, reflections on a lake - joys of spring.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Der Lietzensee

Der Lietzensee by Liza Hirst

oil on canvas panel - Öl auf Malplatte - huile sur carton entoilé
15 cm x 15 cm / 5,9" x 5,9"
Buy it here

A beautiful oasis in Berlin.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Morning at the Lietzensee, Berlin

Morning at the Lietzensee, Berlin by Liza Hirst

acryliques on canvas panel - Acryl auf Malplatte - acryliques sur carton entoilé
15 cm x 15 cm / 5,9" x 5,9"
Buy it here

As, whilst in Berlin, we were staying with some friends not far from the Lietzensee, this is where I walked early in the mornings.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Besides the Berlin Cathedral

Besides the Berlin Cathedral by Liza Hirst

acryliques on canvas panel - Acryl auf Malplatte - acryliques sur carton entoilé
15 cm x 15 cm / 5,9" x 5,9"
Buy it here

There wasn't time for a visit inside the cathedral, but seen from the outside it was already very impressive. It was strange for me to connect the grand buildings in the center of Berlin with the Berlin I used to know when the wall was still standing. There were no comparative buildings in West Berlin, as it's actual center was in the East.

Monday, May 09, 2011

Early Morning, Stuttgarter Platz

Early Morning, Stuttgarter Platz by Liza Hirst

acryliques on canvas panel - Acryl auf Malplatte - acryliques sur carton entoilé
15 cm x 15 cm / 5,9" x 5,9"
Buy it here

One thing I like very much about Berlin is that most streets have very wide pavements lined with big trees. Apparently Berlin is the greenest city in Europe which isn't hard to believe but who knows if it is actually true. Anyway, it is a pleasure to walk along these streets, especially on a cool, sunny morning when sleepy staff is busy arranging cushions on chairs of the numerous cafés, awaiting early birds for breakfast...

Sunday, May 08, 2011

The Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate by Liza Hirst

acryliques on canvas panel - Acryl auf Malplatte - acryliques sur carton entoilé
15 cm x 15 cm / 5,9" x 5,9"
Buy it here

Friday, May 06, 2011

Snapping Berlin

Snapping Berlin by Liza Hirst

acryliques on canvas panel - Acryl auf Malplatte - acryliques sur carton entoilé
15 cm x 15 cm / 5,9" x 5,9"
Buy it here

Somehow there seemed to be more tourists in Berlin than inhabitants.

Thursday, May 05, 2011

Yesterday Today

Yesterday Today by Liza Hirst

acryliques on canvas panel - Acryl auf Malplatte - acryliques sur carton entoilé
15 cm x 15 cm / 5,9" x 5,9"
Buy it here

Berlin. While studying in Berlin about 30 years ago I stood near this "Quadriga" many times, looking at it from just behind the western side of the Berlin wall. The world stopped right there and the country behind the wall was an unknown, mysterious, frightening and strange no man's land. I imagined how great it would be if one could continue walking on under the Brandenburg Gate and along the street "Unter den Linden". I cannot describe the strirring emotions I had when visiting this spot again these last days, actually walking through the gate and onwards, able to explore the formerly forbidden territory.