New kids in the flock

I just love working with friends some of whom go back a long way. My mate Hilary and I used to share a flat at college in Cheltenham where I studied painting and she studied ceramics. Inspired by my painting 'The girls with the curls' she has created these little Corker Cuties just 8 cm tall. Individually hand made each one comes nestled in her own box with a certificate of authenticity and her own name. These little square sheep are available from the gallery and Jane will be happy to let you know more about them if you would like to call her on 07899653142. I have begun to collect my own little flock which live in the studio.

Original Sketches

Whenever I visit artist friends of mine I am always keen to have a look at what they have been up to lately and if I am allowed I love to sit and look through their sketch books. Original sketches hold so much energy and you can actually feel the creative process as you turn the pages. So exciting!

Many of my sketches are done on bits of paper, old envelopes or anything that happens to be there when the ideas come to mind, so my hoard of sketches is contained in boxes as well as books. I often plan my next piece of work whist eating my porridge in the morning and gathering my thoughts for the day.

In talking to people I have realised that others too are interested in seeing my sketches so I have started to mount up some of them and present them for sale in the gallery. These sketches are an example of the beginnings of a series of sketches that are preparation for a painting called 'The Rock Poolers'.

Sing a song of Springtime

I know I have been a little quiet of late but that is because I have been reeeeally busy! I have been moving to a beautiful new studio on a farm nearby. So now I have green acres to look out onto as I work instead of my garden. I have outgrown my special little garden studio which was groaning under the weight of all the work and stock so that is now going to become my very own tea room! A little sanctuary where I can sit and read or talk with friends or daydream or simply snooze. When I have finished furnishing I will let you take a peek.

But for now I will show you the very first painting that I have made in the new studio which has been inspired by the first of the spring lambs to arrive at the farm.

Happy New Year to you all!

I know it is well into January already but things have been busy in the studio over the past couple of weeks. Getting everything ready for the Priory exhibition which we will be hanging this week. Flicking through a few photos that were taken over christmas I came across one that I must share with you. Not wanting to be left out of the nativity play Martha was offered the part of .........Baaatha the sheep!

Christmas is coming

The days are flying past and now we have snow! Where has this year gone?

I still have lots of work to finish before I settle down with my mulled wine and mince pies in front of the fire. However, I just wanted to show you the painting I have made for The Black Sheep Brewery to use as their Christmas Card this year. For those of you who are not familiar with Black Sheep Ales they are one of the two Breweries that we are lucky to have in Masham. Another good reason to visit!!

I must admit that it was my daughter Ali that came up with the idea for this one.

Thanks Looby x

'Honey I'm Home!'

I have been having a proper giggle with my paints recently as I have been planning my next pieces some of which are inspired by my recent visit to Iceland. Having spent happy times watching the comings and goings of these comical little birds on the cliffs amongst the wild flowers I just had to create this one taken from the many sketches that I made while we were away.

News from the gallery

Just to let you know that I popped into the gallery today to drop off this years Christmas Cards which will be available as of tomorrow both on line and in Masham.

Sunday afternoon walk

we have been enjoying some fantastic October sunshine today before dropping in on Jane at the gallery. A lovely circular walk through Hackfall woods just outside of Masham. As well as the beautiful autumn colours which are changing by the day the views from the ruin are spectacular reaching right across to Roseberry Topping in Cleveland. I just wanted to share some of our walk with you.

Introducing Mrs Nichols

 

Autumn is on its way, the colours are changing, conkers are ripening and the orchards are rich with fruit. It is time to get the preserving pan out and make our jams and pickles to see us through the winter. I love this time of year when berries appear like jewels along the hedgerows, cobwebs sparkle in the morning dew and the air is full of the smell of autumn. Today I counted the different fruit as I walked the dog, wild cherries, elder, blueberries, sloes, rowan and hawthorn all in one field. So let me introduce you to a lady who lives down the lane who also loves this time of year and who features in my latest painting, her name is Mrs Nichols.

'Mrs Nichols' Jams and pickles'

Amazing Skies over Yorkshire

  I wonder who else saw those amazing skies yesterday evening. At about 6 o'clock I looked up as I often do to watch the clouds and was amazed to see what appeared to be a second sun in the sky surrounded by bright colours and then appeared an inverted rainbow which lasted for at least half an hour. The wispy clouds were very high in the sky and very beautiful like lots of dancing ladies. The rainbow colours surrounding a ball of bright white light were truly astonishing and I stood transfixed as I watched what is the nearest thing to the Northern Lights that I have ever seen.

Did you see it?

Cliff top comedians

 

On our way to Iceland recently we stopped off in Shetland and while we were there we took a walk up to the lighthouse. The cliffs beneath are home to hundreds puffins, they are so comical with their big orange feet and bright bills. They were not at all afraid and happily carried on their daily routines whilst I sketched and photographed them. We could have stayed there all day but time was limited as our ship was due to leave. However I made lots of sketches ready to make some happy paintings featuring these little clowns.

By now they will have flown out to sea where they will spend the winter on the water, returning to Shetland next year to raise their young. They are tough little guys!

Mia lends a hand

 

Sorry I have been absent for a while but things are so exciting and busy these days I am having difficulty fitting in all my correspondence or my blog entries. With the Harlow Carr Exhibition about to open, and lots of lovely happy paintings to make for lots of lovely happy people, and lesson plans to arrange for workshops coming up in the next couple of weeks and clothes to pack for a trip to Iceland to see whales and geysers and puffins and more. Not to mention more happy seaside paintings to make for The RLNI to choose for their calendars and note cards. So all in all it has been a busy couple of weeks. So I was grateful for the help of Amelia who worked alongside me last week for her work experience, she was so helpful not only in practical ways but also as my PA taking notes for me at meetings, and quickly getting the measure of me and my butterfly mind. Her constant nudges have you remembered to do this and don't forget to do that, was so helpful and we shared lots of silly giggly moments during the week which flew by.

Here is Mia helping in the gallery

 

 

Mia doing the stock taking

 

 

A sunny corner in the gallery

 

Well, I had better get off and frame my latest painting for all the lovers of Yorkshire sheep ready to go to the exhibition this weekend.

'Come on up the view is lovely'