February musings.....

'Lillies Vase'

It is now the strange month of Febuary....we are now in the thick of it with the sweet knowledge of spring being around the corner. I was showing at London Art Fair at the end of January with Jonathan Cooper and whilst visiting the fair I stumbled across this beautiful painting by Winifred Nicholson which has everything I needed at that moment and at every time I look at it. The warmth, the delicacy and the strength all at the same time.....wow.

Winifred Nicholson

 I am in essence a printmaker that found painting so from time to time I hanker after print. Because of the the chemical process of etching I have not had my hands on a piece of copper for many years. That is until last week when some beautifully rocked mezzotint plates landed on my door mat.
The steps are tentative because I have never used this method but I rummaged around for my etching burnisher and scraper looking for the light in the beautiful velvet black.I am going to submit the outcome to The Summer Exhibition so we shall see.There are new canvas's ordered a solo show in the pipe line so much work to do so I better get on with it!

Babbling brooks and big big sea and back.........

Christmas was a totally different deal this year, I dreamt of babbling brooks and big big sea and that is exactly what I got. We walked a lot and because of the big sea big sky and big weather things seemed to slot into place. Vince discovered the beach for the first time and was run ragged.....he loved it.
After such a refreshing interlude being back in the studio is a great pleasure, bring on the grey days of January because I am snug as a bug in a shed.

Hello Autumn and Hello Vince.......

The weather has told us otherwise up until today, it has been so warm and the light so exquisite. The studio door has been wide open until last week which I am truly grateful for as I have missed the beach and thinking about it too much and attempting to conjure it up is a great mistake for me, it freezes my imagination.
The door being open has had another significance it has meant my new companion can run around...it is two years to the month that 'Sophie' my lovely dog died. It has taken up until now to be able to accept a new dog into the house. 'Vince' is a present from my partner for my significant birthday I celebrated last month. We are getting to know each other and he is a wonderful little character growing and changing daily.

I have a solo show next month so apart from Vince that has been my other preoccupation it starts on the 17th November and runs until 23rd December. The Beaux Arts Bath Gallery is a beautiful listed Georgian building with a very intimate feel. I am really looking forward to seeing it all hung especially the largest piece I have made... 'When sea meets sky'........

There is also the small matter of Lee Green Open Studios in the middle two weekends of November....more details to come. x

Looking back and moving forward

I have had a good long break from the routine but have not stopped thinking about making my work I never switch off from the thoughts but its good to stop the physical action of making it. It has been a great summer and I have had no desire at all to leave these shores. 

I have been invited to show in a beautiful gallery in Bath in November so have started the process of getting this show together. Thinking how I want this large body of work to look and what story I want to tell. I am now well and truly back to the studio with one distraction coming in the middle of this month....a big birthday. A chance to have a big party to match it and get together with my dear friends and celebrate!!!

'The Process'

'Sweetpeas & Tamarisk'

80x80cm

Using social media has become a valuable tool to create an audience, this works on many levels and gives an opportunity for one to get some feedback on new work before it goes out into the real world.
It also allows friendships to develop which supports and encourages which when one works alone is a very special thing.
Some days a few words of encouragement just make all the difference.
I am working at the moment on a large body of work for a solo show and I have started on this in the last couple of weeks and my mind is full of a story I would like to tell. The first painting is finished and I have for the first time taken pictures through the week of my process and the painting coming to life...........

                                                                

My Cups and stuff…….

They arrived!! Cups, plates, jugs and a tea pot in blue and red colour way and I love them!!
I am just designing the label before I start the marketing. I have sold quite a few bits already to my lovely friends that are so enthusiastic about them. My little painting did not get hung in the Academy so it is back home with me but I have some plans for it and am going to take it to Bath. A beautiful gallery there have asked me to take a couple of bits to show in their summer show so it is a good excuse to go and explore Bath.I have not been there for many years and Beaux Arts is a Gallery that fills me with excitement to show in. It is a beautiful Georgian building that was two houses now knocked into one with a very elegant gallery space.
Having a coffee now using one of my cups as I write……Have a good week xx

Happy Days

It was a great week last week in more ways than one……don't you just love it when things that you have had in the pipe line for a while come together so nicely.
Firstly I had an article about little old me published in Homes & Antiques magazine and it was beyond my expectations and looks really really good!
Secondly I had my painting excepted in 'Summer Exhibition in the Royal Academy….I will find out if it gets hung on 22nd May so my fingers are crossed.
Thirdly I went away to Whitstable for the weekend and the weather was great which meant we could sit in the sunshine…open up the beach hut…..eat outside……a little bit of heaven………..