Things that make you go aaahhhhh.

Last week I took a trip to Devon and Cornwall to visit some of the great people I work with. Of course I stopped here and there to sketch and take in all of the things that inspire and delight me. Whilst visiting favourite places and walking favourite paths I came across some unexpected treats along the way. Like this gorgeous little harbour side house.

A happy family tucked away in a quiet backwater.

And this has to be the prettiest salad I have seen. Zoom in to see the fantastic colours of the tiny leaves, almost too good to eat.

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

Sometimes I just need to take time out and watch colours, feel space and empty my head. Being beside the sea I love the sense of freedom mixed with invigorating energy from the waves, the wide horizon temps me to wonder what journeys lie ahead, and great breaths of sea air are like nourishment for the soul.

As the sun goes behind the cloud the colours become more subtle and calming. These abstract snap shots are natures works of art for our inspiration.

Just over that hill is the beach and these little cottages are sheltered in the valley from the winds off the North Sea.

Sandsend village.

Last week my friend Sandie and I took off to the seaside for a breath of fresh air and to visit Tom in the Reading Room Gallery in Whitby. One of my favourite places on the North East Coast is Sandsend where I spent happy childhood holidays and days out. My brother Tim and I had a favourite game, when the tide came right in we would see if we could run between one set of steps to the next without getting soaked in between waves. Timing and speed were essential but we always seemed to turn up for tea soaked through head to toe and weak with laughter. I guess Sandsend is so special to me and reflected in many of my paintings because it is such a lovely mixture of country cottages and fabulous beach which is a great place to hunt for fossils.

Maids of Honour

As promised here is the latest in the Wedding themed paintings. My sheep are using their amazing acrobatics skills whilst taking part in a fancy dress party to celebrate the Royal Wedding, when asked if their feat was dangerous they replied 'Nah, it's a piece of cake!'

The Happy Couple

Just as the country is getting excited about The Royal Wedding I thought that I should join in with my own take on the day. This painting will be displayed in the window of the gallery in Masham during the celebrations and there is another almost finished which is amusing me at the moment. I shall add it to the blog later in the week.

Happy Days!

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.