Blog

What The Dickens……!

21 May 2022
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Blog
Click on the image above to view a little film of me painting along to a Dickensian theme tune 🙂

Full steam ahead….

I’m currently nose to the grindstone getting new paintings ready for an exhibition with Nicholas Bowlby Fine Art at Green and Stone in Chelsea. The exhibition runs from 20th to the 27th June, so do pop in to see my latest work alongside some other inspiring artists’ work 🙂

It has been a revelation for me to listen to  Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities on my headphones as I paint  ‘What the Dickens!’ (pictured in progress above) – so much more interesting than one badly recited sentence at a time in school lessons!!
I am excited to have this Jane Austen mini notebook up in my website shop now, and I will soon be announcing the addition of Jane Austen Limited Edition prints – so watch this space!
Shop Austen Notebooks

Stage Two:

Here’s a view of what my paintings look like before I get to the typography stage….

Beatification: work in progress

I’m enjoying researching the best of the Beat generation for this painting. I’m currently listening to On The Road by Jack Kerouac as I paint….

And now back to the grindstone…….!!
Best Wishes,
Roo

May Day at UPCO !!

26 April 2022
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Art Events, Blog, Events, oil painting, Shelf-Portraits

Come and join me at UPCO in Otley this Sunday.
It’ll be the final day of my exhibition, as well as being May Day!!

There will be refreshments and merriment 🙂

These lovely little notebooks are new in my shop this week!
I’ll be bringing some to Otley on Sunday too 🙂
Choose from Jane Austen, Science Fiction. the ABC of Bees and Gentleman Jack…
Shop Notebooks 🙂

Book Stairs!
The Bookery, a fabulous independent bookshop in Crediton, sent me this great photo of their innovative stair decoration using some of my Book Shelf greeting cards.
Isn’t it fab!!

I hope you all have a super bank holiday weekend.
I look forward to seeing some of you in Otley on Sunday 🙂

Best Wishes,
Roo
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Happy Birthday Charlotte Bronte!

21 April 2022
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Blog, Gift Ideas

Celebrate the birthday of Charlotte Bronte with some book shelf art!


This shelf portrait oil painting image, depicting editions of the Bronte Sisters’ novels from the library of the @bronteparsonagemuseum

is available as a Limited Edition print, as well as smaller prints, notebooks, cards and a gift set 🙂
You will also find the prints and cards in the gift shop at the Parsonage Museum in Howarth 💚


#charlottebronte
#brontebookpainting #howarth #bronteparsonagemuseum #bronteart #brontegift #brontesisters #brontes #brontebooks

Learning to be Curious….

23 March 2022
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Bespoke Painting, Blog

This happy chappy was very pleased with his mum’s Bespoke Shelf Portrait, ‘This Charming Man’ which I delivered last weekend 🙂

How Do Nothing

I have always had a tendency to see reading as an escape from my own life into someone else’s, and thus to bury myself in fiction.
This year I am learning to be curious and to find out more about the world and the lives lived in it…
‘How To Do Nothing‘ by Jenny Odell sounded from the title like it might be a whimsical self-help manual. In fact, it is an engaging, inspiring, intelligent collection of essays looking at the attention economy of the 21st Century and how to resist it.It is helping me on my journey to pay more attention to the reality of things and our relationships with the people and planet around us.

I recommend you give it a read 🙂

Best Wishes 🙂

Roo

Spring is in the Air :-)

1 March 2022
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Art Events, Blog, Events

My thoughts are turning towards the garden this morning, now that I can feel a bit of spring in the air, and in the ground, with bulbs all starting to peep up 🙂

I was a bit late with my winter manure cover (February😮) but I’m sure it will be a while before sowing temperatures are reached up here in Yorkshire!

This ‘Down to Earth’ greeting card reminds me to take care of the soil and start planning my crops for the season ahead…
Shop Down to Earth

My son and I had a busy and successful day yesterday setting up my exhibition at UpCo Arts in Otley. It’s looking great (if I may say so myself!)
I’m very much looking forward to the open day this Saturday, and hope to see a few of you there 🙂

Here is my son, Rory, using a drop-knee climbing move to do some extreme hanging over the stairwell!

Best Wishes 🙂

Roo

Book Shelf Art Up at UpCo!

16 February 2022
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Art Events, Blog, Events

BOOK SHELF ART at UPCO

I’ll be taking my Book Shelf Art over to Wharfedale for an exhibition at the new Otley Arts hub that is

UpCo

7 Courthouse Street, Otley, LS213AN

The exhibition starts with an

Opening Day event on Saturday 5th march 11am-4pm

and ends with another

Open Day on Sunday 1st May 11am-4pm

If you’d like to visit the exhibition any time between these dates please ring Josh on 07549 531449

Snowdrops, Starlings and Jane Austen…

8 February 2022
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Art Events, Blog, Events

I had my first snowdrop sighting of 2022 yesterday on a very blustery coastal walk in Silverdale, also including snow, rain, sunshine, hail and a rainbow!!

After a quick paddle in the sea (trying and failing to stay upright in gale force winds!), joy of joys, my very first experience of a murmuration of starlings, at Jenny Brown’s Point, which settled just 50 yards from my feet before swooping off again, and later coming straight over our heads – what an astounding show!
My incredibly moving starling experience has encouraged me to dig out my binoculars and seek out some more bird focused walks.
Any recommendations most welcome!
You can bring a touch of the Wonder of Birds into your own home with this ‘Bird Life’ art print from my shop 🙂
Shop Bird Life range
I am very happy to have finished my new ‘Jane Austen’ Shelf Portrait last week, so it will be framed and ready for the Battersea Spring Affordable Art Fair in March, with Limited Edition prints being available from my exhibition open days at UPCO Otley on March 5th and May 1st.

Wishes for 2022

17 January 2022
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Bespoke Painting, Blog, Shelf-Portraits

New Year Greetings!

I do hope you all had a cosy and delightful holiday season 🙂

I so enjoyed having various family members coming and going, feasting, playing games and chatting around the fire in my garden 🙂

One of the highlights of my winter break was a winding tour through the back streets of south-east London, with @monicaheeranart finding secret wild gardens and community murals.
This lovely old chap caught my eye, and has become the basis of my wishes for 2022:
To spend more time just being – watching the birds, wandering the moors – mainly to take a step back from the stresses of producing daily social media content and to be more of a real presence!


I will be touring my Calm and Collected exhibition (starting at UPCO in Otley in March /April dates to be announced soon!) and attending more book festivals around the country…


I would be delighted if you would let me know if you have a favourite local book festival, and I may see you there!

What are your wishes for 2022?
This Bespoke Shelf Portrait ‘Remarkable Books’ was one of my favourites this year.
I love the broad variety of titles and the way it reflects a lifetime of reading.


What books would you choose?


You can find out more about how to commission your own bespoke book shelf painting here 🙂
I hope any Scots amongst you found a small way to celebrate Hogmanay, with public celebration events being cancelled…

Here is my own little celebration of all things Scottish, from my painting ‘Scotland the Brave’, this set of mounted print, notebook and art card…
Buy Scotland Set Here

Warmest Wishes for 2022 🙂

Roo

Inspiring Gift Ideas From Yorkshire Artists :-)

8 December 2021
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Blog, Gift Ideas

Christmas is coming…….

This year I’ve been inspired to give my lovely family and friends treasure trove shoe boxes full of little gifts, rather than one big gift.

It is so much more fun choosing them 🙂

I’m also opting to shop independent and support my fellow artists and makers.

I would love to share with you my top 25 gifts inspirations for £25 and less from creators around West Yorkshire to give your Festive present ideas a boost!

Mistletoe Hanging Decoration
from Hannah Nunn

2022 Printmakers Calendar
from Rach Red Designs

Fairy Books Art Print
from Roo Waterhouse (that’s me!)

Yorkshire Winter Scene Hanging Decorations
from Kate Boyce Art

Carousel Tea-Light Lantern
from Kate Lycett

Joy Care Bundle
from Java Bere

Jane Austen Little Cup
from Katch Skinner Ceramics

Yorkshire Map Apron
from Jane Revitt

Jewellery Gift Card
from Kate Rhodes

Penguin Rainbow Notebook
from Roo Waterhouse Art (me again!)

Golden Plovers Nest paper fold-out
from Angie Rogers

Golden Moon Bag
from Julia Ogden

Trinket Dish
from Sue Gunn Ceramics

Funky Zip Pouch
from Amy Mellis

Burrows screen-printed containers
from Folded Forest

The Encyclopedia of Unbelievable Facts
from The Printed Peanut

Agate Cup
from Gary Thomas

Cheerful Tea Towels
from Maggie Magoo

Red Squirrel felted Decoration
from Ladybird and Leaf

Explore! Look! Collect! Create! download activities
from The Egg Factory

Chameleons Greetings Card
from Geckoman

Space Mug
from Crow Nest Pottery

Rainbow Necklace
from Miss Dot Designs

Robin Lantern
from Katfish Designs

and finally, another one from yours truly (anyone would think I was biased!!)……..

Pick of The Penguins Gift Box
from Roo Waterhouse Art

Happy Shopping!!

I’ll be taking a break from sending you news and inspiration until 2022 is with us, so I wish you all a…

Very Merry Festive Season 🙂

Warmest Wishes
Roo
Here’s me at the recent Northlight Winter Fair!