#orangepenguins

When The Going Was Good

25 October 2022
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Blog, Shelf-Portraits

‘When The Going Was Good’ Roo Waterhouse 2022
No sooner had I finished painting this new shelf portrait of vintage orange Penguin paperbacks than it was sold by the powers of social media!! My collection of classic Penguin books is gradually increasing; are you a fan? How many do you have on your shelves?
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA No.1
For the art historians and Tuscan travellers in your life, this A4 mounted print from shelf portrait oil painting ‘About Florence’ is the perfect gift.
An evocative bookshelf full of Tuscan and Florentine inspiration from my father’s bookshelves.
I spent many childhood summers wandering the hills of Tuscany and the galleries of Florence, and these books take me right back there, bringing back memories of sun-soaked Italian expeditions….
Shop About Florence Print
I have also been transported back to Florence by the wonderful book
‘Still Life’ by Sarah Winman.
The beautifully descriptive narrative had me wandering the streets alongside the characters. I thoroughly recommend giving it a read. I love this old map too, which I think belonged to my grandmother.

Best Wishes,
Roo
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Classic Penguin inspiration in Hay on Wye

26 July 2022
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Blog, oil painting, Shelf-Portraits

A trip to Hay-on-Wye last week, with it’s plethora of wonderful bookshops full of loved and tattered books, inspired me to start on a new Vintage Orange Penguins painting.

I love the early stages of a Shelf Portrait, where my brush feels free and more expressive. Sometimes I am tempted to leave them as they are….. But I tend to be even more tempted by the finer details!

Whilst in Hay-on-Wye I delivered a series of framed Limited Edition prints to Guy and Ellie at the lovely Bluestone Gallery . If you are in Hay, I recommend taking a look at their great selection of artists and makers, including my good friend and talented metalsmith Kate Rhodes Jewellery 🙂

There are now just a few of these Jane Austen Tote bags left in my shop – catch ’em while you can!

Best Wishes,
Roo