Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Brown Betty



Vintage Brown Betty

6x6in oil on canvas panel  $100. SOLD

I was invited to be a guest artist on the Moses Botkin Challenge.
A small group of very talented artists enjoy the stimulation of a
combined challenge once a month.
The Theme  for June - Vintage


And that brings me to Brown Betty.
This is my mother's tea pot and it is very old.
This style of pot is fondly referred to by the Brits as Brown Betty.
It was first made in England in 1695.
You have to admit that was a very, very long time ago.
It seemed that the specific type of red clay used appeared to retain heat
quite well so it became very popular to use for a teapot and still is to this day.
I can remember seeing the Brown Betty in all of my friends homes
when I was growing up. My mother loved this pot so much she brought
it to this country with her. It only gets used when another Brit comes for
a cuppa tea.
If you are interested you can click to read more info on Brown Betty

Here are the other Challenge entries.











"Old Hotness" 
Oil on canvas panel, 
8"x6" ©2013 



"Old Red" 

Oil on linen, 
20"x20" 
©2013
Suzanne Berry




"Absinthe" Pastel, 
20"x16"
©2013 V. N. Ross










If you don't already, I hope you visit their blogs and get to know
these talented and fabulous women








Posted by Picasa

33 comments:

  1. Lovely painting, Julie, along with such warm thoughts about the piece. Your wonderful thick paint is very Fechin like! Thank you for joining us for the fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pleased you like it, Diana, Loved your iron!
      I was honored to be asked and I thank you .

      Delete
  2. Beautiful as always Julie! Long time no hear from me...But I have been painting along with caring for 3 grandkids and two granddogs!

    I posted a painting I finished yesterday on my facebook page. The original was a photo I had taken of a robin's nest in my son's grill. I have finished several paintings lately. In August my ex-art teacher, now painting buddy and I are going to take a workshop from Morgan Samuel Price at Estes Park in August. I am so excited to take a plein air workshop!

    I may not always post a comment but I do keep up with you from your Facebook page. I can always count on you for a great tip!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good to hear from you and I admire you for taking care of your grandchildren. It is hard work but rewarding.
      I think it is great you are taking the workshop. It should kickstart you into great shape plus you will be in one of the most gorgeous areas of the country.

      Delete
  3. hello julie,

    i've been quiet on the internet lately, but i think i'm getting my internet feet back under me. i thank you for your kind words at my place even though i haven't been here to say so earlier...

    brown betty is so *so* darn gorgeous. to my eye, the background and the silver spoon set off the brown perfectly. brown betty looks elegant, yet strong and sturdy at the same time. i just can't imagine a more beautiful portrait of her, i really can't...

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a lovely comment. thanks Lynne.
      Glad to have you back and loved reading about your trip and seeing the art results on your blog.

      Delete
  4. Ah Julie, this is just exquisite! I love the story about Brown Betty too. What an awesome piece to hang in any kitchen, but especially in a native Brit!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is a wonderfully subtle piece. And I love the different colors that you found-they look like blues, roses, and purples on my end.

    I have a knock off Brown Betty and use it during the winter. Your Mom was lucky to have had the real deal:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you like it, thanks, Libby. I laughed at knock-off Brown Betty. Great term.
      I am really enjoying your figurative pieces.

      Delete
  6. I LOVE this brown pot...beautifully painted, Julie..wonderful background as well....!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like this one a lot and there is a lot to like about it. I like the harmony of the muted/limited colors, the shape of the teapot, the simplicity of the composition and how soft it feels in spite the big contrasts. Very well done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the great comment Roger.
      Your daisy paintings are great and the new nest is a WOW!

      Delete
  8. Perfect vintage mood and climate.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am a fervent collector of tea pots, just love them , but 'Brown Betty ' is missing in my collection ! Love the very tranquil colors and the rich layering .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Interesting to know you collect teapots, Jane. A Brown Betty should be part of them. Your sketch book paintings are a joy to see.

      Delete
  10. Julie, What an honor and you deserve it. Love Brown Betty.

    ReplyDelete
  11. excellent painting...everything about it is lovely! What accurate shapes in perfect perspective!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are very generous - thanks Celeste.
      I am enjoying your copies of Sargent's work.

      Delete
  12. The colors in this one are just perfect. I love brown and all the lovely subtle colors I see here to keep Brown Betty company. Wonderful painting Julie! One of my new favorites...love the simplicity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so pleased you like it. Thanks, Lisa. I really enjoyed doing it and it brought back lots of wonderful memories.
      Hope your mom is still getting better. Maybe you will paint her again.

      Delete
  13. Hi Julie, what wonderful memories! You must have thought of your childhood a great deal while painting this sweet pot.

    I haven't had time to paint. Just adopted a 15 year old min-pin. She is having issues about being home alone. I finally have her adjusted to my other 2 dogs. It is hilarious to watch them interact.

    Love the old red phone!!! I have a black one similar to it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so right. It brought back many memories.
      I am proud of you adopting a 15 year old min-pin.
      May her reminding yers be happy ones and bring you much pleasure.

      Delete
    2. thank you, sweet lady! I just could not let her die in the pound. A friend of mine who is in the min-pin rescue heard about her and was saying she didn't think anyone would adopt such an old dog. I just opened my mouth and said I would. So I did. she is such a sweet doll. They told me she had belonged to an elderly man in a senior home who could no longer take care of her. she is so happy she follows me everywhere.

      Delete
  14. Stunning job on brown batty Julie!!! Just incredible work!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I don't know what I like better...the painting or the story.....

    ReplyDelete
  16. SO nice! I plan to study your oil technique soon, Julie! This pot has stories to tell. Can you just imagine the secrets she has heard over the years?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Brown Betty! My husband brought one home from his four years in London back in the 70's. I must say that I have not looked at it the way I see it in your painting, as you have made it so much more than brown. As always, you make the ordinary look extraordinary!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Not only is the teapot beautiful , I also think the spoon is exquisite! Love your work too! :-)

    ReplyDelete

I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie