Truly Inspired : My Creative Friend Melinda Mulcahy

When I met Melinda Mulcahy about 2 years ago I was very fortunate to be commissioned to paint a painting of her two girls in a beach scene on the seashore - little did I know at the time that Melinda was such a talented lady.....It's not often I meet people with such creative energy and passion for what they do and with Melinda she positively oozes this amazing creative talent. I feel we were meant to meet as ever since we have supported each other in our work, inspiring each other to continue on this creative path we tread.

Melinda's Jewellery site: www.melindamulcahy.com

Although a recent day out in London had to be re-scheduled I thought it would still be a great idea to get to know more about Melinda, what makes her tick and keeps her inspired to make such fantastic designs, here's the interview;

JGD What was the pivital moment that changed your career towards jewellery making?

Melinda: I went to a jewellery party a friend put on and I was shocked that someone was producing such rubbish, and more so that people were buying it! I knew I could do soooooo much better, so signed up for an intermediate course, beginners would have been too slow! I saw a great magazine and subscribed to it for learning purposes and then started trawling the internet for materials. Being 2003, not everyone was online, so I could only find basic materials to start with. But of course, my controlling urge for quality pushed me to dig far and wide to locate what I really wanted, GEMS! You generally have to travel to get what you want. It's a hard life I tell myself when I'm knee deep in gemstones at my Indian suppliers!

JGD What is your favourite gemstone?

Melinda: In terms of colour, I love tourmaline for all it's colours, but mostly pink tourmaline as it's a difficult colour to obtain if your on a budget, so too is red. However, in terms of technical beauty and what lies beneath the stone, I would say Labradoriate because if it's iridescence and changes in light. I see pure magic, in every stone or pearl.

JGD What has been your biggest hurdle?

Melinda: Doing everything myself. Especially teaching myself how to use Photoshop. Not easy when I don't have anyone to ask. YouTube tutorials are my new best friend.

JGD Your biggest disappointment?

Melinda: Seeing a piece you have designed copied and being flogged cheaper in some high street shop.

JGD Your best moment in your work?
Melinda:This has never been about moments, rather it's been about building a business over a period of time, although I enjoyed the photoshoot with Jo-Emma. Actually, its that moment when I finish a new design and looking at what I produce everyday is enough to hold my head high.

JGD Who is your fashion idle?

Melinda: Well, most people would imagine that I look towards the celebrity world of who's who in fashion. But actually, I only wish everyone were as classy as my dear friend, her name will remain a secret as she will get embarrassed and others might feel hurt or jealous. But she is always turned out and immaculate and I wish to be just like her when I grow up. Oh and I do love Cameron Diaz for taking risks.

JGD What is your best accessory?

Melinda: My divine daughters. Anyone would look amazing around them, they sparkle better than any diamond. I remember trying to take my baby in her stroller into the Boucheron in Zurich (a very posh jewellery store similar to Gerard or the like) and the security guy asked me to leave my baby by the door! I told him my baby was worth more than ALL the jewellery in the shop, to which he backed down, smiled and helped me up the stairs with the stroller.

JGD Apart from your children?

Melinda: I'm a self-confessed prolific over dresser, but I've had the most wear from my Star's and multi-coloured V07 Heart bracelets (obviously not worn together). Although I do love seeing people's reaction to my knuckle busting huge triangular Brazilian Amethyst which is always a talking piece.

JGD What do you never leave home without?

Melinda:Well, I'm a practical person, so I would have to say a bag so that it can carry my keys, wallet etc, but as I'm high maintenance, I virtually never leave home without mascara, lipgloss, watch and earrings. My new Shangri-La Collection is easy to wear and goes with anything.

JGD How do you judge others when you go out.

Melinda: Whilst I love people watching, I actually gain more by new ideas than I would judge against anyone. I tend to ignore the worst and draw from the good, that's my life's ethos. If a friend looked terrible in an outfit, I would always tell them it doesn't do them justice, just as I would expect of a friend to tell me.

JGD Why candles alongside your jewellery?

Melinda: As a connoisseur of all things beautiful, I see items of luxury everywhere, but I'm let down by the quality of the product. For instance, Jo Malone candles may smell nice, but they omit harmful toxins, as do 99% of the candle market. Strangely, even as I child, I always knew I would produce a fragrance or scent of my own, although I didn't know how, when or what. I started researching and then testing, to finally make what I wanted, i.e clean burning essential oil candles that last for ages. My burning desire is to capture the essence of my childhood growing up around Sydney's sunny shores with the divine scent of Frangipani. However, it's extremely expensive, but that has never stopped me before. I am hoping to one day produce my own sprays, soaps and so much more.

JGD Someone commented about how you find the time with two young children, so what's the secret?

Melinda: There was period when I didn't watch tv for over a year when my second child was just a baby, but as I became so exhausted, I had to take stock. I now consider my work to be a bonus in my life and whilst it keeps me busy, I always prioritise family and friends first. I also allow myself a little bit of tv time. It's amazing what you can fit into a day around the school run.

JGD What have you learnt?

Melinda:I may not have made the big time yet, but I can do anything if I put my mind to it. It also makes life so much easier if you know someone!

JGD I notice you wrote poems, are they really your own?

Melinda: Of course, in fact, I don’t tend to read any poetry at all which is sacrilege I know. Not even Dylan Thomas! Although I have the desire, just lacking the time. I would much rather write my own from the heart than read others. Their not to be taken seriously, it’s really just making light out of something.

JGD What's in the pipeline?

Melinda: Well I am hoping the Celtic Manor will allow me to sell my jewellery in the hotel during the Ryder Cup, as they currently stock it. I want to offer international guests a taste of Welsh workmanship!
I have always wanted to design and produce my own bags and I have been looking into this over the last 2 years.I will launch more scents for the candles sometime within the year online and also will finally develop the Limited Edition Gallery which will be sell one-off pieces.

I am loving Melinda's new ONE-OFF and LIMITED EDITION creations, my favourite has to be the Hearts for Valentines collection – “Golden Heart” – I love it! Just click on the pic below to view the new site:

www.handmadedesignerjewellery.biz

Being Authentic

Being Authentic

I have a unique gift to interpret the essence of anything I put my attention to through colour, shape, movement and flow, this I choose to do through Art – by working with higher energies I am able to sense subtle energies, this is something I have been refining for a very long time, all my life in fact to this point where I am ready to reveal my authentic self to all and express how I work.

Having been a full time artist for a number of years now I truly believe people are drawn to my paintings from an energy level, they might not know consciously why they like a particular piece, it just ‘resonates’ with them, this is because the energy of the painting in part or whole resonates with their authentic self. I sometimes don’t know why I paint what I do in terms of colour and shape and although influenced by my surroundings, in particular nature, I always know that the right person with the right energy will come along at the right time for one of my paintings, for the home the painting is meant for – and to date this has been so.

Although I have a limited work available for sale on my website I now work mainly on a commission basis. By choosing me to paint for you I will capture the essence of you, your family, your home through my artistic talent – I can interpret the essence of what it is that you want in your life, be it love, abundance, success or to create a peaceful healing environment within your home – you will know what is right for you and I will interpret that essence through Art. Your painting will carry the essence of what you want and be a constant energy reminder to you every time you or anyone else looks at it, the synergy will be perfect, the painting will resonate with you, the painting will be completely aligned with the highest potential for you. Please visit my Commissions page for more information on how to commission a painting.

My artwork can be found in many UK and International private collections with many of my paintings being published in various home interior magazines - please see my Press page for full listings.

Jean Dayton
2009
http://www.jeangdayton.com

Inspirations

With Spring comes a sense of the new, a fresh start, so I was thrilled to move into my new Art studio at Easter. Based in Dorset and just 2 minutes from the beach, my studio is light, spacious and set in glorious surroundings with stunning views, definite fodder for an artist who loves nature! Being so close to the beach I can’t resist a walk; on a painting day you will often find me walking along the shoreline at Highcliffe, gaining inspiration and absorbing the energy of the sea before starting a days painting.

I have been very fortunate and very busy with commissions of late - I love the whole process of liaising with clients and producing the perfect painting for them, just as they’ve envisaged.

With my new surroundings a fresh vibrant energy has been born within me spurring me on to bigger and better things; I have even started running again and am taking part in the Race for Life (for Cancer Research). I will also be starting my very own Creative Art Workshops details of which will be revealed soon on my website.

Interview with the Artist

I was recently asked to do an interview and here it is, gives some insight into how I work, where I've come from, my journey and how I see my work evolving.......

Interview December 2008

Jean, I know that you are a full time artist now but could you tell us a little about your artistic journey?

I have lived in the New Forest area of Hampshire for nearly 20 years now and love being surrounded by nature. I've always loved to paint or draw, however I started to get serious about painting as a career about 5 years ago when I painted a floral painting for our newly decorated home. Friends and family commented on how they admired the painting so I decided to paint more and since then I haven't looked back. I'd juggled a part-time office job together with my art career until 2 years ago when I made the decision to go full-time with my art and since then I have been constantly busy with commissions and sales.

You have a wide range of art in your portfolio – what’s your favourite style and why?

At the moment I feel happy and fulfilled painting abstracts, I love to experiment with colours, shapes and flow and I feel that my work will develop in these areas to create more dramatic and inspiring pieces.

How do you get your inspiration?

My main inspiration for my art is from nature. Colour plays an enormously important part in my art process and I am particularly drawn to different colour combinations, sometimes colours we wouldn’t normally put together look great on a canvas.

Your profile on-line says that people have found your paintings have healing qualities – could you tell us a little more about this please?

I strongly believe that colour is mood enhancing, so whether it be to calm and relax or to generate a positive energy, I endeavour to impress a particular feeling or emotion within my paintings. As an artist this is a great belief to have, as by putting different colours together to produce a piece of artwork and to achieve a positive response from the observer is hugely rewarding.

Who are your influences?

I love Monet, I was very fortunate this year whereby I visited the Museum of Modern Art in New York where there are several of Claude Monet's paintings, one of which blew me away 'Collections of Clouds on the Water-lily Pond' which is a huge painting of 3 panels in total measuring 6 feet x 41 feet - the colours are amazing, ranging from blue & subtle violet to delicate pink & white - I found this painting particularly inspiring.

Finally, what advice would you give to budding artists who would like to become full-time?

Believe in yourself. The more you believe in your work the more others will too. Be passionate about what you do and others will pick up on that through your work.

copyright Jean G Dayton 2008

To Ponder - this is ME

A little pondering.......


I have been pondering more on my work and how I work...It got me thinking.....does the observer of art understand and feel the meaning behind the artists work? I can only answer this one from the artists viewpoint; as an artist I bare my soul through my work, art to me is an expression of who I am and where I am in my life made up of my life experiences to that point, so as time progresses I grow and so does my art, so art for me is forever evolving and growing. I paint mainly through how I feel about visual images that I see and I then interpret that in my own unique way through colour and shape on the canvas. I thought I would share that one with you as a little insight into my way of painting.....


This is one of my favourite paintings in my collection, 'Pachamama' meaning Quechan for Mother Earth......

Floral Inspirations

Beautiful Cornwall - Seascape Inspirations

I have just spent a glorious week holidaying in Cornwall - seeing the beautiful Cornish coastline in all weathers!! I found the experience wonderfully inspirational, I think I was so in awe of my surroundings that I forgot to take as many photos as I intended, here are a few that I took..........the camera never quite captures the essence of what you are viewing though - the sea was awesome the day I took these two, it was late afternoon, the sun was beginning its decent and the wind was whipping the waves up as they crashed to the shore, I just stood there taking it all in, the power of the sea...........

I can feel some new seascapes formulating!!

This was a view from our cottage; I love seeing bales of hay in the fields.........so English... there's something quite warming and grounding about the whole viewing experience.

Artist Inspirations

My new Video - Artist Inspirations

Essence of Nature

The Essence of Nature

When I am deciding to paint a new painting I draw my inspiration from Nature. I wanted to ponder a little on the process that takes me to the point of starting a painting, whether it be an abstract, semi-abstract, floral or seascape study. Living where I do I have an abundance of nature on my door step, I cant help but notice what surrounds me; whether it be the morning mist over the fields from the bedroom window or the way the trees are highlighted from the light in the moonlit sky, its these wonderous moments that make me feel like I could literally fall into my surroundings and become one with nature. Its sounds a little cheesy but that is how nature inspires me, it simply makes me feel good and that is what I want to capture within my paintings.

I quite like the fact that I can go off for a day with my camera investigating new places for inspirational memories, whether it be the seaside, the forest or across the farm fields, pretty good for job research! Shape and colour play an important role for me in my designs, colour in particular and the combinations of colours and how they make me feel, there are so many examples within nature of great colour combinations, you only have to look at the array of summer annuals we can plant in our gardens, the gorgeous colours in the fuschia flower, deep pinks and vivid purples together displayed to perfection or the delicate blue violet colour of the bluebells; particularly at this time of year with May just around the corner the bluebells being in full bloom, displaying their quiet beauty in our local woods.

As an artist I can draw all manner of information from nature to form a basis for a painting, whether it is how a leaf has fallen to the ground in the autumn months, creating a leafy path, the softness felt underfoot - my paintings Autumn Falls and Autumn Breeze were both inspired by my autumnal walks in the leafy forest. Or the way the light shines through the delicate petals of the tulip flower, accentuating it’s colour depth and tone. Nature is our constant reminder of who we truly are, it doesn’t struggle to grow, it gently and surely surfaces when its time, as without doubt it knows its purpose in life and flows with it. Wouldn’t it be great to live our lives alongside nature, perfectly in tune with our inner selves, constantly flowing with life in a joyful state of existence.

© Jean G Dayton 25.04.08

http://www.jeangdayton.com/

jean@jeangdayton.com

More Abstract Work

Some more abstracts completed and my inspirations behind their creation.

Music

12x32" mixed media on 4cm boxed canvas - £175.00 available to purchase on my website at http://www.jeangdayton.com/music4.html

Inspired by the flow of music, slightly textured piece following movement and colour. Painted in vivid turquoise cerulean blue, with splashes of lemon yellow and white this piece is pleasing to the eye and would look fresh and inviting in any contemporary setting.

Harmony

2 boxed canvas (diptych) measuring 20x16" mixed media on 2 in no. 4cm boxed canvases - £180.00 available to purchase on my website at http://www.jeangdayton.com/harmony4.html

2 boxed canvases make this abstract nature painting a stunning piece for your home or office. Painted in rich pinks, reds with a touch of gold. Slightly textured contemporary abstract painting.

There are many more new abstracts that can be found on my website at www.jeangdayton.com

Abstract Work for 2008

I have been busy working on some new abstracts for my 2008 collection. Here are some of them. I have included my inspirations behind these abstracts


Beyond the Void

30x30in mixed media on 4cm boxed canvas - £430.00 available to purchase on my website now at http://www.jeangdayton.com/beyondthevoid4.html

You are literally drawn to the centre of this painting; the observer feels drawn to go 'beyond the void' in this explosion of colour and thought. This painting has a translucent quality about it ranging from its delicate turquoise blues to its deep greeny blues. Being a large canvas artwork 'Beyond the Void' would look stunning in a contemporary home or office setting..

The Gold Within

36x16" mixed media on 4cm boxed canvas - £299.00 available to purchase now on my website at http://www.jeangdayton.com/thegoldwithin4.html

This truly stunning abstract piece is painted in rich browns, gold, turquoise cerulean blue with hints of white. The overall impression with this painting is of another world, the gold within is a journey of discovery within the self - deep and mysterious yet emerging and soulful. This painting is a large canvas abstract piece.

New York New York

I was very fortunate in recently visiting the Frick Gallery and the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan New York. I was able to take some pics (no flash aloud though!) whilst in the MOMA gallery, Claude Monet's work in particular inspired me greatly, here is one of the paintings in the gallery, a massive 41ft in length x 6ft high - truly magical and astonishing..........here are some photos from my trip to New York...

This is Monet's 'Collections of Clouds on the Water-lily Pond’

Monet's 'Agapanthus'

Not a Monet but some rather interesting vehicle artwork in Greenwich Village! Long live the Hippy

Some sculptures in the MOMA.......

Picasso

Feeling on top of the world - on top of the Rockefella Centre

More inspirations - New Forest in Winter

My other favourite place is the New Forest - such a beautiful place and so much to see - every season is different and equally fascinating and inspiring........here are some pics i took today on a walk.............

Please note : all images are copyrighted and may only be reproduced with the artist's permission

Lepe Beach Inspirations

Here are some pics that I took in the Summer at Lepe Beach on the Solent and the mouth of the Beaulieu River, plenty of sailing yachts and activity, this is where I go for inspiration to paint my seascapes and yachtscapes, I am going to be taking some winter pics too very soon, best to go on a very windy day, lots of sea spray!!

Christmas is just around the corner

I can't believe that the Christmas season is nearly upon us. Fast approaching the end of November it really puts things into perspective! I've been walking a lot in the Forest lately and have really noticed the change in the colours - I took some photos last week of a local walk to where I live which I've posted on my blog - and even since then the leaves are changing to even deeper shades of amber, reds and rusty browns. I'm really enjoying the change in the season and am looking forward to some snowy walks in the not too distant future, however it's not something we generally get in the South of England, not until Feb March time (if we are lucky!)

I just wanted to check in as I haven't posted for over a week. Next week is going to be extremely busy for me as I am starting 2 very large commissions - all will be revealed very very soon as to the nature of these paintings - I have been busy today sorting out my studio in preparation for them........

I am busy with a flower commission this week so will post as soon as I have some pics to show.

Scenes of the New Forest

I take my inspiration from walks in the countryside, the New Forest and by the sea, here are some images that I have recently taken of the New Forest in Autumn.

copyright of all images remains with the artist Jean G Dayton 2007

Flower Commission

Starting a commission for a flower painting, I firstly decided on the flower that I was going to use for the project.. I have some lovely Hydrangeas in my garden and am always fascinated by their beauty, i particulary love the uniform of flowers that go to make up a seemingly larger flower creating a wonderful display of colour with different hues.

Firstly I draw a rough sketch of the flower, this will form the basis for my painting.

Then I decided on the layout as i wanted to use the same image in different posititions on the canvas, to create a relatively uniform image. I have been colour charts and samples of colour by my client so I have a very good idea of what i want the finished painting to look like.

So I draw out on my canvas the position of the flowers and start the first flower. I am painting in a loose abstract style using a palette knife and flat end brush and using a blending brush to soften certain areas. I like to do each flower individually as it helps me with the flow of the painting.




All the flowers finished now, I have blended the oils and spent time on building depth and with the darker 'rose' colour:







Finally, I add the background, an ivory cream and also add blushes of rose within the background to soften. I also use smatterings of grey/silver and the darker rose colour around the painting to add more interest. This is the finished result:








closeup

copyright of all images remains with the artist Jean G Dayton 2007

Completed Pieces

Breeze
Today, a sunny morning so not the greatest time to paint in my studio, although its not too bright very early on, so i was up extremely early and in my studio at 8.30am. I meditate every morning, especially when I am painting that day as I find it helps me to focus really well. Focus is the key word to getting work done, as an artist, especially an abstract artist you need to be feeling just in the right mood to paint from your feelings about your chosen subject. I go through a little ritual of making myself a coffee, getting my brushes ready, mixing my paint, choosing my music, if it feels right. I sometimes have music playing as it helps to get the energy going, however, today I decided to paint in silence - my studio is in my garden so when I say quiet, that's rather dependent on next doors cat meowing at my studio door or the neighbourhood birds having their morning conversations. I love it really, i am very lucky in that I am surrounded by nature. That is very important to me that I have this environment in which to work, of course I get inspiration from nature and my garden is a great source for some of my paintings.



I completed a piece that I'd underpainted yesterday, my inspiration came from the wind in the air and how it made the the flowers in the garden sway and dance, particularly the petunias in the pots and baskets.. I have tried to capture a feeling of movement within the painting, a subtle breeze on various summer colours. I have called it 'Breeze', simple yet descriptive enough to capture a mood. It's a 36 x 16" oil on canvas. The naming of a painting is very important to me, as in a way, my paintings are my 'children', I put so much of myself into my work as I am completely passionate about art, that to name my paintings is a major part of the art process for me.


Touch of Green
This is the second piece that I started yesterday. I am really pleased with it. I wanted a piece that was fresh, clean and crisp, vibrant and stunning and I wanted to work with greens. Its a 24 x 24" oil on canvas and will be exhibited at Highcliffe for my solo exhibition. I have called it 'A Touch of Green'.