It’s been all about the whites and reflections this week. Battling to get shadows into my whites so there’s been a lot of experimentation. This little experiment was the start of it all. Off to Cumbria this weekend for a few days. No wifi to speak of where we’re staying but if I do find some I’ll blog my plein-air Cumbrian scenes. Have a great BH weekend.
20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard – SOLD
I usually say that I never tire of asparagus during the season. I think I may have this year as I’ve been eating it for England. We’ve had it in every guise possible so time to move on me thinks. I’ll miss it when it’s gone though. That spindly stuff from Peru doesn’t quite cut the mustard.
20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard –
SOLD
I’m back in the studio today after two days of workshops. Lovely students so it’s always a joy if not totally exhausting! My next workshops are on September 11th and 12th so do email me if you’d like to join us. I thought I’d best get another lilac painted as it’s really on its way out now. The plums just spoke to me in the shop because of their gorgeous bloom.
20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard – SOLD
What a horrid day yesterday which I spent most of on the M1/A46 doing the end-of-uni-term run. Pelting down it was, all the way there and back. Still, a big improvement today and I’ve been in the studio painting cherries! In the meantime, here’s a demo piece from the last workshops that I’d forgotten about. Next workshops on Monday and Tuesday and tomorrow I’m on shopping-for-wedding outfits duty with Floss so I’ll catch you next week.
20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard
I think I might be in for a lilac-fest this week as I love it so much. Mine has been completely decimated by our in-house pruning expert aka the grim reaper. Seriously considering hiding the secateurs. It will come back but not in time for this year’s show.
This has resulted in much scrumping from next door. Good job I’m blessed with lovely neighbours.
20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard – SOLD
Well, the pram painting didn’t work out as well as I’d have liked so I’m going to either work it up in the studio or try again next week. Some days they’re just ‘wipers’ and this is one of those days. Anyway, I snatched a bit of the blossom from the tree and did a quickie of that instead. Have a great weekend all.
20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard – SOLD
Yesterday I spent a lovely day at Coton Manor doing my “May” painting of the wisteria that grows on the south side of the house. It was particularly glorious and the visitors were seemingly very impressed with it. Some stopped to chat while I painted which was lovely. These paintings will go in the exhibition “A year at Coton Manor” which will kick off next February at 78 Derngate, Charles Rennie Mackintosh house in Northampton. There will be at least one plein-air and one still-life for each month from the gardens. If you’ve never been to Coton Manor, I’d highly recommend it. I’ve been in the garden today, painting Freya’s beautiful pram under the apple tree……….more on that once it’s finished. Studio day tomorrow and I’m fancying some asparagus.
The garden school door
Coton Manor
I did this little one on request and it will be heading overseas in due course. I also used it as a demo piece for an article I’m writing on negative space…….more on that later.
I wish all this cloud would clear off. I’ve a desperate urge to paint Freya’s gorgeous old pram under our apple tree but I need some good light. I also need to get back to Coton Manor to paint their glorious wisteria which is in full bloom. Tomorrow there’s a small window of sunshine amidst the gloom so I will be taking the opportunity. Bags are packed ready to go. Could be a long day so if you don’t hear from me………..
20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard – SOLD
Excuse the absence but was busy with family and have finally sent off my eldest plus wife and daughter to their new lives in USA. A very emotional time and you can see why if you glance the photo of the little munchkin below! Anyway, it’s back to painting now and let’s kick off with some white tulips. A very kind lady in Waitrose let me have these out of her basket when I asked where she’d got the white ones from. Kindness, kindness everywhere though sometimes I just feel you have to look a little harder these days. Incidentally, I have felt the need for a very small price increase in the oil sketches.
20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard – SOLD
