Sophie Ploeg

The Women Painting Women Exhibition at Art Exposure in Glasgow is well on its way. I am happy to say that both my paintings there sold within the first 24 hours of opening the show. I am so grateful. I hope you get a chance to go and see this show as it has some really great artists in it. Most of these are friends, whom have gotten to know each-other though the extensive network of artists that find each-other on Facebook. Facebook has been brilliant for me the past few years. While it has been a simple of means of staying in touch with friends for many, for me it has provided a network of international artists to exchange work, experiences, exhibitions and support. I have met many artists whom I first only knew on Facebook but who have now become real friends. It has been a goldmine of added value for my painting career and life in general.  The catalogue for the exhibition at Art Exposure is available to buy online, so even if you don't get to see the show, you can...

Women Painting Women UK  group exhibition  Glasgow Art Exposure Gallery  20 September - 8 October 2013  www.womenpaintingwomen.co.uk   Back in 2009 a few brilliant American female figurative painters began a blog called ' Women Painting Women'. Sadie J. Valeri, Alia El-Bermani, and Diane Feissel wanted to celebrate and attract attention for women artists (so often only represented by galleries on the canvas only, and not painting the canvas as artists). The blog was a huge success and is still going strong. Since then the blog has grown into quite a movement and two exhibitions have been held in the US celebrating dozens of female figurative artists. Although it remains sadly true that generally more male than female artists are shown in galleries and museums and more male artists are celebrated in the media, I find it very interesting to see how female artists have a different approach to painting in comparison to male artists. Often (not always...

Finally I can show you my latest -very large- painting Eurydice enters the Underworld, oil on canvas, 71x121cm/28x48"

This painting is finished. It is 28x48" or 70x120cm. This is the top bit, if you want to see the rest of the painting, then please come to my Open Studio Days where it will be on display! Eurydice Enters the Underworld, oil on canvas

Here are some progress Pictures of my current (huge) painting. The painting will be 28x48" / 71x121cm. This is just a detail of the final painting. I've been sharing the progress of it on my facebook profile . It is not finished yet, but I thought it would be nice to share the progress in one go, since I am nearing the end and there are now long periods of drying time. I am using an antique tambour lace veil with appliqué floral motifs, probably from the late 19th century. The lace is simply painted as a tiny square pattern, interrupted here and there by a floral motif. The pattern is painted over a darker background so that the fabric is visible. I try to vary the tonal value of the pattern to indicated folds and shading, something I will enhance later (after it has dried) with adding glazing and scumbling and even repaint areas that need more punch. The whole painting will be revealed to visitors to my Open Studio Days in May (drop me a line if you are thinking of comi...