Peaches

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This will be my last blog for a while as I’m off for a quick jaunt to the sunshine and then it’s nose to the grindstone preparing for exhibitions/fairs coming up.  Daily painting is going to have to take a back seat for a while.  I thought I’d leave you with a taste of summer past.  This painting is destined for New Zealand, where no doubt they’re experiencing the first tastes of summer.  Hey ho.  Chestnuts roasting on an open fire for us.  I’ll catch up with you when I’m organised.  I’ll still be on Facebook and Instagram and if you’d like a ticket for Windsor Art Fair 12th & 13th November (I’ll be on stand 82), just email me.  Paintings will also be at Edinburgh Art Fair 18th-20th with Art Salon.  Have a great few weeks.

20cmx20cm oil on gessboard - SOLD

20cmx20cm oil on gessboard – SOLD

 

Dahlia Alan Sparkes

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I’ve been working on some biggies this week so have no daily painting today for you.  I thought I’d show you this dahlia which I painted in situ at Coton Manor gardens and then at home as a still life.  Excuse the photo, the paint is still wet! Big and blowsy……..who knew dahlias could be so lovely!  I’ve never been a fan but think I may be a convert.

10x12 NFS

10×12 NFS

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Pears and plums

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I’ve been up at Stowe Gardens, National Trust this morning checking out a room with my colleagues where we’re going to set up a pop-up gallery/shop during the last week of November – should be fun and Stowe is so beautiful, created by Capability Brown no less.  Well worth a trip.  I’ll remind you nearer the time!!

Today it’s the very last of the plums and a few pears.

 

1759

20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard – SOLD

Wow, thank you.

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Thanks to everyone who made it to my open studios this weekend but also to all of those who follow my blog, facebook page or instagram account.  Painting is what I love to do and when you buy something, you help me carry it on and when you read my blog, with or without comment, it makes it all worthwhile so – thank you!  Ohhhh yes, I took my gushy pill this morning.

These packs of Chrismas cards proved popular and are now available on my website.

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Marmite

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There was really only one subject I could have on the easel today!  Haven’t done a Marmite jar in such a long time I thought I’d better do one while stocks last;)

Hope to see some of you at my open studio tommorow.  Plenty to see.  The postcode is NN12 8AG and thereafter, follow the yellow arrows.  Kettle’s on.

20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard

20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard – SOLD

Studio looking almost tidy!

Studio looking almost tidy!

Plums in a bowl

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Sorry about the radio silence – wifi issues yesterday and on Monday I was painting at Coton Manor but more on that later.  I wanted to remind you that I’m opening my studio this Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 1pm.  I’d love to see you and there will be plenty to buy although no obligation.  I have packs of Christmas cards, prints, cards, notelets and of course paintings……….not to mention coffee and possibly cake!  I’m just off the A5 at Caldecote, follow the yellow arrow.  When you’re done here there are also lots of other artists opening their studios in the area so a good morning’s outing.  If they’re all making cakes you could fill up for the week 😉

In the meantime, the last of the plums.

20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard

20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard-SOLD

Norfolk pears

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What a busy week!  Now I’m trying to clean out my studio in anticipation of my Open Studios next weekend when I hope to see lots of people 😉  14th, 15th & 16th 10am-1pm or by appointment.

Yesterday I was up at the Mall Galleries and had a look at the Royal Society of Marine Artists annual show which was just fab!  Amazing show full of amazing work.  Anyway, was delighted to find that my painting of Westbury Asparagus was selected for the Royal Society of Oil Painter’s annual which begins on 30th November and runs until 13th December.  But before that is Windsor Art Fair no 7th,8th,9th November so let me know if you’d like a ticket for either pv.

In the meantime, I’ve been painting the lovely pears I bought in Norfolk from Ken’s veg stall when Mo Teeuw and I stopped to pick up Haidee-Jo for lunch.  She was painting the stall as she does so well while Mo and I battled with some cows which kept moving.  They’re still going strong and still pretty delicious.  Cute little red things…….very juicy – the pears, not the cows.  Have a great weekend.  I’ll be locked in my studio with a broom and a damp rag.

1757 norfolk pears

20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard – SOLD

 

Westbury Asparagus - 35x30 - oil on canvas

Westbury Asparagus – 35×30 – oil on canvas

Norfolk sails

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Just a quickie as I’m rushing out to get my neck seen to!  Think it’s an occupational complaint, too many hours at the easel 😉  Anyway, I did this in Norolk last week and as it’s just about to be dispatched to it’s new owner, thought I’d show it to you.  Painted at Thurne on the Norfolk Broads.

Norfolk Sails

Norfolk Sails – SOLD

Demo piece 1

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I had completely forgotten about this one, done as a demo piece for recent workshops.  The reason I remembered was that someone came to the studio and bought it this morning.  Otherwise, it might have lain at the back of the box all forlorn  and forgotten forever!  I believe it’s destined for warmer climes.

20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard - SOLD

20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard – SOLD

Plums on a shelf

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Good Monday to you and what a lovely day it is.  If it weren’t for the fact that I’m mid-painting (and a big one at that) with my models withering and dying before me (it’s ok, they’re plums), I would take myself out for a bit of plein-air.  Oh well, such is life.  I’m in the studio with a cup of tea and studying plums.

Tomorrow is another day.

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1753 plums on a shelf

20cm x 20cm oil on gessoboard