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.