Still chilly in Yorkshire

 

Bbrrr.. Just been to fetch the coal in and so glad we have our little stove to sit around on these cold evenings. It has been so cold overnight that some mornings I have found my paint frozen in the studio! But then every day sends more inspiration for another painting.

 

The determined musician

 

What were you doing at 6 30 am on 4th December? Martyn and I were on our way to Leeds Airport for him  to catch a plane to Belfast for a concert when we got stuck in a snow drift in the pitch dark. Being the professional that he is, a bit of snow was not going to stand in his way especially as he had his mum to help carry the instruments! Leaving the car behind we trudged another mile and a half before being picked up by a sympathetic driver in a sturdy vehicle. We finally arrived at the airport to find that all flights had been cancelled and so there we were stuck all day until the snow was cleared and we could get back to out car. So he never got to Belfast but at least we were able to keep warm and got back home safe and sound that evening.

 

This Years Christmas Cards

 

I thought you would like to see my designs for this years Charity Christmas cards. I am once again supporting The Lewy Body Society and this is a great way to spread awareness of this type of dementia. You can buy packs of 12 cards - 6 of each design for just £4.50 if you visit www.lewybody.org 

 

 

 

An Auction for The Darlington Parkinsons Disease Group

Earlier this month I was asked by the Darlington Parkinsons Disease support group to do a painting demonstration. I gladly agreed as the group has supported me and my family during my fathers illness. They are a lovely happy group of people including sufferers, carers, Parkinsons nurses and professionals. Apart from education and information the group meet socially enjoying a varied program of talks and demonstrations and also provide regular physiotherapy sessions for their members. Trips out and evenings down the pub all very important and good fun. Many of these things need funding so I have decided to donate the finished painting to their fund raising efforts. I shall be auctioning it on my web site and all proceeds will go to the group. If you would like to make a bid please contact me via e-mail on my contacts page leaving your contact details and the amount you would like to bid. The auction will run until December 6th and the winning bidder will be contacted after that date.

'Never mind the rain' original acrylic on stretched canvas 60 x 60 cm

Friendship, Fun and Fairy Cakes

 

I have just got back from a lovely week in Cheltenham where I have been exhibiting with a dear friend Carole Bury. Our two person show was a chance to reunite in the town where we both studied Art. Our work is very different but complimentary in that we both draw from childhood experiences and present day emotions. Carole's thought provoking drawings hung alongside my celebration of all that makes us smile and the response from visitors was uplifting and motivating.

It was such a happy week and an opportunity to catch up with lots of old friends from our college days and eat fairy cakes all day long!

If you are not familiar with Carole's work take a look at her web site  www.carolebury.com 

 

Fossil Fish Ring monoprinted and embroidered tissue textiles by Carole Bury www.carolebury.com

On my way to Cheltenham

 

This week has been so busy getting last minute things sorted for the Cheltenham exhibition. I am so excited about returning to the place where my Art College days were full of adventure, exploration, fun and hard work. We all shared the same passion for our subject and never once resented the long days spent together in the studios. I have so many happy memories of the various flats I shared, jumble sale wardrobes, my old bike and nights spent in The Cotswold Pub. Next week I will get the opportunity to meet up with lots of friends from that era that I haven't seen for years and meet many more new ones, I can't wait.

Yesterday I picked up a collection of eight pieces from the framers, I never fail to get a thrill when I see my work completed and ready to hang. It is rather like seeing your children dressed up in their first school uniform ready to set off to school on that first day. A mixture of pride and a little bit of separation anxiety knowing that they will be off to their new homes before long. I get very attached to my paintings as you can tell,  all my thoughts, energies  and emotions are combined in every one of my pieces so I suppose it is understandable.

So after lots of running around, packing and re packing, I felt the need to chill a bit and often the best way is to settle in the studio with some moody music and let the colours sooth me. I often find on these occasions that I am not aware of what I am painting until I look at the finished thing. Funny, it is always water that I return to, that must be my Pisces character talking.

' Velvet Waters' happened yesterday.

In The Pink

 

As Autumn approaches the flowers my garden are making on last effort to show off their colours and turn their heads to the sun whenever they have the chance. The bright pink Cosmos are stealing the show this week and have inspired this painting.

 

Pottering Round The Lakes

 

Last weekend as a birthday treat for Alan I hired a little car and we went for a potter from Penrith to The Langdales, Ambleside, Hawkshead and Grizedale Forest. It was such fun even though it rained for a good part of the weekend. A brilliant combination of fantastic scenery, fresh air, walking, great accommodation and most of all a happy, smiley Frog Eyed Sprite which turned heads wherever we went, she was such a character. In fact she was a bit of a show off as she had a tendency to peep her own horn whenever she felt like it which made us laugh as it seemed she had a real sense of humour. We loved her! I can see her featuring in some of my paintings in the future.

We hired her from www.lakesanddales.co.uk and can highly recommend them.

Harlow Carr mixed exhibition

Well, I have been as busy as ever this summer and I can't believe that the children are already back at school all in their bright shiny new shoes and their smart new uniforms just a tiny bit too big but just the right size to grow into. We have a primary school just at the end of the road, so mornings and afternoons are busy with chatting mums and enthusiastic children so at drop off and pick up time our street is full of young life and bubbling personalities. During the day the atmosphere changes and the pace slows down enough for me to enjoy the to and fro of our more mature neighbours passing the time of day and discussing the weather, it is lovely to have friends that fall into such varied age groups.

I have been producing fewer paintings over the summer holidays as I have enjoyed all manner of distractions. However, I was still able to run the Harlow Carr Summer Exhibition with the help of other artist friends. Such a great opportunity to network with other artists and to meet and talk to so many people who visited the show. With a mixture of technique and subject matter the show had something for all tastes, very inspiring.

Here are a couple of photos which show how we squeezed as many pieces as possible into the study centre.

 

 

 

                                 

More lovely views

 

Another wonderful walk to finish our holiday. Back to work in a few days time, refreshed and with lots of ideas bobbing about in my head.

This weeks favourite Street name

 

Martha and I agreed that this was our favourite street name this week, we stumbled across it in Cerne Abbas.

 

A Week In Dorset

We have just got back from a glorious week exploring the cliff paths of Dorset. Martha has had a lovely time, long walks, fresh air and a share of my ice cream cone each day. Fantastic weather! I think we had the best of it - no jumpers all week!

I have to mention the best cream tea of the week goes to The National Trust Tea Rooms at Corfe Castle mmmmm!

And here is my youngest collector who liked the piece I was working on in the gallery 'The Farmers Pyjamas'

It was great to me so many people of all ages but who all had one thing in common - a sense of fun.

My Jolly Day at The Art Room

Last weekend I popped across the water to see Catherine and Nigel in The Art Room Gallery in Dungannon. They had arranged a great opportunity for me to meet some of the people who have bought my work in the past and also to meet some new buyers. I had taken my paints so that I could work and explain what I do and why. I met so many lovely people that I can't wait to go back again and explore more of Northern Ireland. The day was a great success and such fun, there were decorations and bunting, and the prettiest party cakes that just cried out to be painted. Watch this space. So it's thank you to Catherine and Nigel for the invitation and hospitality and thank you to everyone who came to chat to me and especially thank you to those of you who went away with a bit of me tucked under their arm.

My visit to Ireland

I have been working long days and nights to get a collection of work ready to send the The Art Room Gallery in Dungannon. Northern Ireland. The final parcel was sent yesterday and I have been taking a bit of time out today. Doing one of my favourite local walks with Martha and enjoying the last of the sunshine for the time being. Rain is on its way and the clouds are gathering. Oh well, the garden needs it.

I am really looking forward to my visit to Ireland on Saturday it promises to be a jolly day with colourful decorations and banners advertising the fact that I shall be demonstrating in the gallery. It will be lovely to finally meet some of my collectors and people who share my enjoyment of the quirkier side of life.

Another painting from the garden

'Sunburst' was painted quickly during a bright interval with the sun boucing off these petals.

More from the garden

I found a quiet spot amongst the last of the bluebells, dark shadows and shafts of light fell on the blue below

Here is the finished article.

Working on Riot in Red, with the sun beating down I just had to take a break in the shade. Jane pointed out that my ladies in hats must have been inspired by my own hat that I wear when it is very bright. I hadn't thought about it before now.

Another day in the garden

It is so nice to meet up with old friends who have made a special journey to see us and talk about our work, people who have bought paintings in the past either from galleries or from the Summer Exhibition here in the garden. It is also lovely to meet new folk who have enjoyed watching us paint, some are painters themselves and others who would like to take up painting as a hobby. It makes a pleasant change from working on my own in my studio, although when ideas are flowing I do quite enjoy my own company too.
Here is Jane talking to some of the visitors.

Working in the gardens

Can it really be that long since I added a new blog? I have been busy as usual working in the studio and also in the gardens at RHS Harlow Carr. The weather was very mixed, just as it was last year, one day sun next day rain and the temperatures went up and down like a yoyo. The begining of the week we saw dust storms as the wind blew eddies of dust from the car park. Taking refuge in the summer house we watched as the winds whipped through the garden. It was so nice to work alongside my friend Jane Redfern with whom I shared a studio on a farm until having my latest timber one built. Jane and I have exhibited together for the past 10 years and her watercolours compliment my acrylic work. I shall show you some of her work soon on my blog. Here is one of my acrylic florals painted in the garden.

My Online Shop!

Hello again, it has been a while since I last left a message. Things have been very hectic, lots of painting and organising printing ready for the launch of my online shop which is now up and running thanks to the hard work of Andy my web designer. He must have nearly been driven to distraction by me changing my mind about this and that but he has been very patient. Please take a look and let me know if you spot any teething problems or hiccups. I'm off down the studio now to do some drawing, I have an idea for a new theme. I will let you in on the idea soon!! Take Care.

Here is Martha lending a paw and generally being helpful and supportive as usual. She seems to like the first of my 'Little Corkers' and kindly agreed to pose so that you can see the scale of the piece. Martha is the only dog I know who eats dandelions and has been plucking them merrily all along the walk today. The problem is that she is attracted to the yellow sunflowers on this little painting thinking they were dandelions too!

Sunshine and Smiles

And this is what is inside.

Sunshine and Smiles

I am very excited as I have just picked up my newly printed cards that are going to be available on my online shop. They are so jolly and bright, I am grinning as I tell you this :0). Now Ali and I have the task of sorting and packaging them , six different designs in a nice little wallet that closes with a weeny velcro fastener. Andy (my web designer) is busy pushing buttons and things so that you will be able to buy prints, cards and other goodies straight from the web site very shortly.

Another collograph

And here is another one.

The Outcome

As promised here is a photo of the outcome of the collograph demonstration. As well as prints taken the plate can become an art work in its own right.

Messy Play

This week I have been enjoying more messy play while preparing to teach a colograph workshop. Any excuse to get my hands dirty- I love it! Basically we have been making collages from which we will be taking prints. This texture paste is ideal for a base ground. I shall let you see the outcomes when they are complete.

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentine's day to all! It is a case of love me, love my dog in this house so I thought it appropriate today to upload this photo - 'Martha and the love socks'.

I have had a great week at The Spring Fair catching up with lots of old friends and meeting lots of new ones too. It is so motivating to spend time with like minded people, having a good laugh and networking.

So now I am back home again exhausted but happy, I have decised to take a couple of days off. Long dog walks in the sunshine - just what the doctor ordered!

I hope you are all enjoying the same fantastic weather - take it easy.

The Cherry Pickers

Hi again, I have just finished another piece and thought I would give you a peep before it goes to the framers, I am having such fun making the new village fete collection as I introduce new characters along side my sheep and of course I am still enjoying working on my harbours too. Spring Fair is just around the corner now and I am looking forward to revealing the latest of my work at the NEC.

A little bit of sunshine

Look what I found in the garden today! A little ray of hope in this awful weather that we are having. I have to say I am getting a little bored with the mud and the rain. Still this little daffodil has give me something to smile about.

Waiting to be varnished

Hello again, one of my New Year's Resolutions is to be more organised and post my blogs more regularly! I have just taken a break to wash my brushes and do some admin and thought you might like a peep at some of my new work which I shall be varnishing this afternoon.

I am full of excitement about some new ideas I am discussing with my printer at the moment and will let you know what they are as soon as I have more details. I am also looking forward to seeing the latest collection of greetings cards published by Glebe Cottage Studio which will be displayed on their stand at The Spring Fair next month. All being well you will be able to buy them direct from the web site before long.

:0)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone, I hope you are all feeling as motivated as I am. I love this time of year. It always feels like the lights have turned to green and once the Christmas decorations have been stowed away I can set to work on all the ideas I have been scribbling down on bits of paper over the past couple of weeks. With The Spring Fair coming up fast I am working on a new collection of paintings which I am looking forward to showing you on the site very soon.

It is blowing a gail in Yorkshire today but the sun is shining and I am off now for a brisk walk with Martha.

Take Care