Last month Ali and I spent a happy day together in London and visited the Lowry exhibition at the Tate Britain. A great show and some interesting and thought provoking work, as usual I found myself fascinated by not only the paintings but also by the people visiting the gallery. This is the result of several sketches I made on the train on the way back North.
A walk in the Yorkshire Wolds in Saturday's sunshine was made even more fun when we stumbled upon a rope swing. Around every corner there is an opportunity for play and a good laugh. New inspiration for another painting?
A walk in the beautiful Hackfall Woods near Masham has been the inspiration for some new work !
Sometimes a song just pops into my head and I find myself singing it at the top of my voice, usually thank goodness in the privacy of my own home. That is just what happened recently and it inspired me to paint this little romantic landscape.
This painting is heading for the St Gemma's Hospice Exhibition at Leeds Grammar School next week, this annual exhibition is lovely, approximately 800 paintings by all sorts of artists. Well worth a visit if you are in the area and another chance for me to meet up with some of my artist friends. x
This Sunday 1st September we walked the beautiful valley of Rosedale and were amazed to come across new ducklings and chicks amongst all of the other farm stock and wildlife. Something to make you smile around every corner from hundreds of grouse and sleeping ducks to funny shaggy pigs. The hedgerows are a picture this week especially the rowan berries which I just have to feature in my latest landscape. To top off a great walk we enjoyed a big pot of Yorkshire tea and a slab of cake in the garden of Dale Head Farm House with views of the dale to make your heart sing.
It is so easy to get lost in time when there are such beautiful things to see, I have just spent 20 minutes enjoying the annual butterfly party on the buddleia bush and I have never seen so many bumble bees on the lavender, these little creatures are such a joy to watch.
Sometimes the most beautiful things are right there under our feet. I have always been excited and inspired by pattern, from the simple potato print repetition of my early years and the furrow lines of a ploughed filed to the intricate stitching of ancient tapestries. My treat this week was the 12th century tiles of Winchester Cathedral.
Phew, never thought I would be saying that I am glad it has cooled down but the heat has been so difficult to work in. I am afraid I am getting behind with my paintings at the moment as the paint is drying too quickly and instead of the colours flowing beautifully together it is like painting with tar and several of my favourite brushes have had to be thrown way. So I am admitting defeat for a few days and spending time with my pencils and sketch books. I have so many ideas for new work that should keep me going for the rest of the year. Meanwhile, stocking up on much needed vitamin D I am taking every opportunity to get out into the Dales and drink in the beautiful views, listen to the sky larks and curlews and talk to the sheep, all the things that nourish my soul and fill me with gratitude. x
Alan and I have just spent a great weekend in Northumberland ,walking Hadrian's Wall and visiting Roman Forts. Very exhilarating in the strong winds on the top of the hills. Fantastic views and real ale what could be better. We also visited Allendale to see Steph Jamieson at 'Pots in the Byre' where I treated myself to some gorgeous wood fired pieces, just couldn't resist.
Last week I was helping Mum to sort out her cupboards and I came across these classic knitting patterns, what a hoot. It is the expressions on the model's faces that make me laugh. I think I will put them in some frames to give me a giggle if ever I start to take life too seriously. The sad thing is that I remember myself and my 2 brothers all wearing matching balaclavas when we were little. Ha Ha Ha. Oh dear I'm off again in fits of giggles....... x
As promised here is a little glimpse inside my sketch books. So many people at Harlow Carr were delighted to see what I get up to on holiday. I go back to my drawing roots and watercolour box to make a visual record of the places I have visited. Often it is from these studies that I find inspiration for my quirky acrylic pieces.
After 9 lovely days in my temporary studio in the gardens of Harlow Carr, it is back to my own garden studio for reflection and gathering my thoughts. It was so nice to meet so many enthusiastic people who enjoyed watching me work and who had a chance to skim through my sketch books and learn about how my work has evolved over the years since I studied in Cheltenham. My quirky leaning houses are a development of the paintings made in allotments close the Art College where old sheds leaned precariously this way and that, hanging on for just one more season and little characters worked amongst the vegetables. My pencil and water colour sketch books made on my journeys around the country and around the world were a real hit and I shall be adding some of them to my blog over the next couple of days as was suggested by one or two of my visitors, for those who couldn't attend to take a peek at. Must go as I have a car load of 'stuff' to unpack !
Although it is bitterly cold up here in Yorkshire the sun is shining and these brave little beauties have kept their promise and made an appearance in my garden
Just a quick thank you to everyone who visited our Happy Days exhibition at The Station, Richmond. It was lovely to see some old friends and meet lots of new ones. The show was a great success and in such a vibrant venue - every town should have a community space like this for people to enjoy. The next thing to look forward to is the Gardening Girlfriends residency at RHS Harlow Carr where I shall be working for 9 days on some garden inspired pieces in The Old Bath House. There will be a collection of work available from small unframed sketches to larger framed originals. See you there maybe?
Well hello and a very belated Happy New Year !
We have all been sharing a variety of winter bugs and viruses and so have been snuggled up and hibernating since Christmas. However now that the sun is beginning to shine we can all shake off the winter shivers and look forward to the spring. The last couple of weeks have been hectic getting ready for the Happy Days Exhibition at The Station in Richmond, North Yorkshire. I have been playing with some jolly floral pieces to brighten the walls and the display will look stunning along with the beautiful work that Carole Bury will be showing. If you are in the area it would be lovely to meet you as I am attending the exhibition on Saturday 23rd Feb and Saturday 2nd March between 10 am and 4 pm, do come and say hello.
In the mean time here is a taste of some of my new florals
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