February News

I have spent these first few weeks since the start of the New Year limbering up with small sketches. I find it very satisfying to sketch with loose lines and splashes of bright watercolour.

These sketches are also popular with my customers! They can make unique little gifts, especially when they are professionally mounted. Please keep an eye on my website as I am adding new little sketches and paintings all the time. All are professionally mounted.

I have also been experimenting with some new materials. I had been considering Ampersand ‘Aquabord’ for some time now and treated myself to a couple of boards to try. It turns out it’s rather cool!

The limiting factor with most watercolour papers is the amount of water you can use. At some point, even the strongest and thickest of papers will start to buckle under heavy water use. These ‘aquabords’ have no limit to the amount of water they can take and will never warp or buckle. The paint can also be lifted off again which can be useful and it’s possible to create some unique effects by allowing the paint to pool and run. Fun!!

Another advantage of the boards is the ability to varnish the finished painting (although realised too late this should be a spray varnish as brushing it on can drag the paint. I sadly ruined my first painting by making this mistake)

I was really pleased with the results and will be continuing to use these boards for further watercolour paintings this year.

Commissions

I tentatively started to accept some new commissions towards the end of last year. I try not to take on too many as I need to balance my creative time and to avoid unnecessary pressure as my art sits alongside a full-time job and my family. However, I do enjoy working with customers to help create their ideal painting and bring their vision to life.

I am currently working on a large (90cm x 90cm) monochrome palette acrylic painting for a customer that bought one of my paintings from a gallery last year and wishes to make it a matching pair! I have also created a wedding gift (I can’t share that yet!) and have a couple of projects booked to keep me busy up to the summer months.

Product Focus – Prints

Prints are an affordable way to purchase fine art; they don’t carry the price tag of an original artwork, but they remain a high-quality and archival product.

I source the highest quality printing (NiddImaging, Pateley Bridge) ensuring an excellent standard of colour-matching and best grade fine-art papers. The prints are individually titled and signed before being professionally board-backed and mounted. Finally, each print is wrapped in clear acetate to keep it in pristine condition until framing.

Prints are shipped flat and always carefully packaged to ensure your artwork arrives in perfect condition. Most prints are offered in three sizes – small (approx A5), medium (approx A4) and large (approx A3). Alternative and bespoke sizes can be arranged if required, please just message me to discuss your requirements hello@vickidavidson.com

Looking Ahead

I have submitted several applications for events throughout 2022 and I will keep you updated as these are confirmed. You can also see details of my upcoming events on my website

The first confirmed event is the Living North Magazine’s ‘LIVE’ at York Racecourse, 25-27 March.

“Living North LIVE is the North’s leading interiors, lifestyle and shopping event. Focussed on stylish shopping, live demonstrations, talks and tastings, Living North LIVE brings you inspiring ideas for your home and garden, alongside delicious food and unique accessories that you won’t find anywhere else.

Living North LIVE is a great day out for all the family!”

And… news just in – I am going to be a stall holder at ‘The Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival’ at Skipton, North Yorkshire in July. This will be my first time at this event and it looks like a fabulous weekend, including demonstrations by chefs James Martin and ‘The Hairy Bikers’!

I can’t wait!!!