Letters LET TER OF THE MONTH
SHARING THE LOVE My first copy of Artists & Illustrators was brought to me from England several years ago by a dear childhood friend, a performance artist and photographer who has lived in England for many years now. I instantly fell in love with the magazine after reading the first few pages. I am an artist, painter, graphic designer and mom to a five-year-old boy who is a big artist himself. The first time I bought Artists & Illustrators was on my birthday. After that, my husband started buying them for me. And now every time I receive the new issue in my mailbox, I feel as if it is my birthday, which is an amazing feeling. But I am not stingy with my birthday present. Every time I get the new issue, I take it to my painting group and share the useful information. I always feel inspired and ready to create something new after reading this magazine. And I’m very grateful for this chance. I attach a photo of one of my paintings I created after seeing how Anne-Marie Butlin paints her flowers. Thank you for introducing this beautiful artist to me and for the chance to receive this magazine in my mailbox 1,041 miles away. With love from Latvia! Elina Birzkalne, via email
I do this please? I’d like to make friends with other artists please. Sandra Beech, via email
RETURN TO ART I have picked up my brushes again after 20 years – I purchased some acrylic and oil paints, as well as some canvas and new brushes. I’ve done a few paintings in acrylic and put them on a few clubs on Facebook. I’ve done three oil paintings now, which I am proud of as they are showing that I’m getting back to standard. I used to paint bushes and trees, but now I’m trying full scenes. I purchased Artists & Illustrators’ July issue and I get it regularly now at shops. I noticed you can join in clubs or share pictures online with other artists – can you tell me how
Glad to hear you’re enjoying your return to painting, Sandra. Our magazine’s Facebook page is a great place to meet other artists and share tips – you can find us at www.facebook.com/Artists AndIllustrators. And if you want to share your artwork online and sell commission free, why not join more than 23,300 artists on our Portfolio Plus scheme? Sign up today for as little as £2.08 per month at www.artists andillustrators.co.uk/register and create your own personal webpage. PRINCELY PORTRAITS I want to share with you two pieces of artwork I have completed. Following the very sad death of Prince Philip I painted a portrait of this remarkable and well-respected gentleman. My challenge was to paint a full-face portrait on A3 paper with watercolour using acrylic to highlight his regalia and awards. Just previous to this I had painted a
full-face portrait of Prince Charles. He has a very interesting face and I thoroughly enjoyed trying to capture his features and was pleased with the result. I hope you like these two portraits. Stephen Evans, via email
Write to us! Send your letter or email to the addresses below: POST: Your Letters, Artists & Illustrators, The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd., Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ EMAIL: info@artists andillustrators.co.uk The writer of our ‘letter of the month’ will receive a £50 gift voucher from GreatArt, which offers the UK’s largest range of art materials with more than 50,000 art supplies and regular discounts and promotions. www.greatart.co.uk
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