Monica Dyer
@monicadyerartist
Artist, Green activist, interested in the real and the spiritual and strange. Strapline - Reality beyond the Visible
5 Years ago I had a brand new art studio. Loads of time and no one to paint. So, I listened and painted the people I heard. One of the voices I heard was Burnham’s. I still think he has some genuinely good ideas but I’m skeptical he can put them into practice
Rule one of portrait painting. Get to know your subject - even if you have known them your whole life.
Well, I’m wearing a hat and carrying a banner. But pretty normal I think.
Actually not far from where we live but definitely an escape. The Parish church at Shere in Surrey
I remember reading his book ´Go Big’ a few years ago and thinking - wow, this guy needs to be in government.
My first thought was: that is Liberty leading the people by Eugene Delacroix. The flag, the man holding his knees, the arm up. Definitely staged.
I’ve never understood this myself but the English love the idea of monarchy. Something to do with swords?
Me and my American friend are both working artists. Yesterday we agreed: you need some inner serenity to make art. Hard to have that while you are worried about having enough to eat.
Lots of different cultures in Lord of the Rings. I’m rooting for the Ents
I’ve been working on a commission for the Church of England. This one is called ‘The Peace’. Peace to you all this weekend, wherever you are.
As an artist I know that art is a conversation. Our work is changed by chance conversations and seeing other people’s work. This loose watercolour style came out of seeing another artist do something similar in street scenes
I spent almost a month on the East Coast of the USA this summer and one of the things that came out of that trip was the opportunity to paint this portrait. It showed me a view of the US we don’t see on the news. Peaceful, beautiful and full of great people.
Yesterday, I rewatched the 1995 BBC film of Persuasion. IMHO the most perfect TV film ever made. I did not have to pay any extra on top of my licence fee to watch this or any of the other things we watch on iPlayer.
Joining the #blueskyartshow with a #bright portrait of the lovely Diana
The right wing flag wavers came to our sleepy Surrey town of Reigate. 9 guys with big flags vs 60 of us with a message of peace and welcome. I’m in the crowd on the left.
This was my first Green Conference but I had been to 3 Lib Dem ones. My impression: I felt genuinely included. Very friendly and no sense of us and them. When I sat in the hall and drew the speaker on my iPad people were interested not tutting. Loved it.
Well I rarely paint people in the public eye just because I want to. One of the best people in politics I think.
Oil paint is wonderful. But remember to have plenty of ventilation. I’m working on a new portrait
A few years ago, while the Tories were still in power I painted this picture of one of my heroes - Angela Rayner. Strange to see now that she is the number one hate figure for the tabloids. Good article in the Guardian www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I was at a leadership hustings last night listening to this man @zackpolanski.bsky.social pitch to be leader of the Green Party. A genuine answer, on the left, to right wing populism
I mostly use Bluesky for news but I thought my modest number of followers would like to see what I actually do as an artist. I made this yesterday. No AI, no digital enhancement, just hand, eye, paint and pens. In today’s world art is truly a revolutionary act.
Strangely familiar. Liberty leading the people by Eugene Delacroix
On the day of the General Election we finally came out with this message.
For a long time I wanted to draw a cherry tree in blossom. But, when the chance came it was surprisingly difficult. The blossom was beautiful but the tree had been so brutally pruned its life was a struggle to grow naturally. A metaphor for our modern lives, especially as women.