Iris unguicularis

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I’m still knee-deep in admin, preparation and commission so still very little time to keep up with my daily (hmmm) oil sketches.  Bear with me a while longer but I’ll be back in time for those spring flowers.

In the meantime, here’s a little sketch whose mate will be on view at my exhibition ‘The Year at Coton Manor’.  It starts on February 1st and runs until April 15th so do pop in and have a looksie if you can.

The Charles Rennie Mackintosh House

78 Derngate, Northampton

1866 irish unguicularis

20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard

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Lilies

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I haven’t finished with my Clementines yet, oh no, not by a long way. However, to stave off your boredom, here’s a change. There is still time to see my exhibition ‘Still’ (if you pardon the pun) at The Stratford Gallery in Stratford-upon-Avon – running throughout the month. There are larger works there as well as some beautiful ceramics on show.

1858 Lilies

20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard

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Clementines in a blue bowl

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They’re still going……..they must end up in a cake soon. Just to let you know I’ve posted some new workshop dates on my website, including a snowdrops painting day. If you’d like to give a workshop as a Christmas gift, I can offer a voucher. Have a great weekend.

1857 clementines in a blue bowl

20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard-SOLD

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Last flowers

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This morning, I picked what was left in the garden before saying goodbye to my flowers.  A sad occasion when there’s nothing left to paint but……..bring on the turnips!  Anyway, I’m off to France tomorrow for a research visit for my painting holiday in France next September.  I’ll be checking out the gorgeous house, painting locations and sorting transport for guests.  It’s going to be fab so I’ll give you all the details next week………you’ll love it!  In the meantime a few dahlias, roses and a hydrangea.

1864 last flowers

20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard


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Cosmos in new pot

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I barely ever to on a trip without coming back with something else for my props cupboard and it is groaaaning, believe me. It’s a bit of an addiction. I found this pot in Camden, Maine – a beautiful harbour town where we idled away an afternoon in the sun. I loved the shape of this pot and the Cosmos are still going in my garden although looking a little sad now.

1847 cosmos in new pot

20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard

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Hydrangeas from my garden

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I think we’ve had this (one-way) conversation before so forgive me for banging on but I just loooove these hydrangeas at this time of year when their pinkness turns to autumn colours just before they die off. Enough said.
Last blog for a while as I’m off to New England for a spot of leaf-peeping and family visiting. Very excited and paints are packed as I’m hoping to see lots of lighthouses, dutch barns and bridges. I’m also hoping to visit one of my all time painting heroes but more of that if it happens, when I get back. When I get back it’s all systems go for my solo show starting 1st November at the gorgeous www.thestratfordgallery.co.uk in Stratford-upon-Avon so why not come along; see some paintings, witness some Shakespeare and feed some swans. Happy October.

1845 hydrangeas from my garden

20cmx20cm oil on canvasboard

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Cosmos ‘Purity’

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There’s not a lot left in my garden but I have masses of this thanks to a friend who provides me with the babies in the spring. Now I’ve got a greenhouse, I should be able to rear my own next spring but we’ll see. I do love the way they fill the gaps in borders with their big saucer shaped flowers.

1844 cosmos purity

20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard

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Demo flowers

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Well, the second workshop last week was flower painting and a very generous student brought a plethora of painting subjects…..so many that we couldn’t choose so I rather crammed them into the vase in order to demo each type.

1842 demo flowers

20cmx20cm oil on gessboard

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Roses

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Well, I had a lovely time in Italy and feeling rested and raring to go. Whilst I unruffle my feathers, here’s one I made earlier. It will be part of the exhibition The Coton Manor Year I’m holding at 78 Derngate, Northampton in February which will feature year-round plein air and still life from that most marvellous garden.

NFS

Hydrangeas

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Well, that’s it. Suitcase packed and on the wind-down to my trip to Italy with some pals. Of course, the sun came out today wouldn’t you just know it but I’d still prefer a little Italian sunshine for a while. These hydrangeas grow outside my kitchen and go the most gorgous ruddy colours as they fade. I caught these while they were still pink and hope to get the autumn colours when I return.
Have a great bank holiday.

1838 hydrangeas

20cmx20cm oil on gessoboard

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