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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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Velvet Waters' happened yesterday.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Martha and I agreed that this was our favourite street name this week, we stumbled across it in Cerne Abbas.
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!
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