Boxer, Oil on Canvas

The second in the series, this is Boxer!

"Loved the other "Horse" too, I believe you are painting some more horses, Its a pity I don't live in a bigger house!!" - Mrs C

Majestic, Oil on Canvas

The first in a new series of oil paintings of horses on canvas measuring 30" x 40", this is Majestic and is also available as a high quality fine art reproduction on stretched canvas

"I would just like to say a huge thank you for venturing into painting horses. My partner purchased the first print of Majestic for me as a surprise for me and we picked it up today after you had been in to sign it this morning. It is absolutely stunning and very dramatic in its detail. It is absolutely beautiful and the best artwork I have seen of horses. I only wish we had been able to have purchased the original. Thank you again for such a beautiful work of art." - Karen

National Gardening Show

This August I was invited to take part in the National Gardening Show, although it was short notice I was delighted to exhibit at this wonderful event, blessed with having good weather for most of the time.

The exhibition was in a light filled room which is part of the main events grounds and luckily for me close to a constance supply of coffee.

During the three day event I was able to demonstrate oil painting and talk to people about Westonbirt, its influence on my work and explain why its been so important to me over the years.

I also took "Lilly", my lovely life size bronze greyhound, created for me by Stuart Anderson. She was a great hit with everyone, but especial Raine Harvey-Cantrell of Morgan-Brinkhurst Consultancy, who was a great help when preparing for the show. A big thank you to Raine!

The Best of the Bath Prize

At the end of August, my husband and I hosted a small exhibition called The Best of the Bath Prize. An exhibition that celebrates the Winners and Highly Commended artists in pervious Bath Prize Competitions. Now in its fourth year, the Bath Prize goes from strength to strength, we had a large crowd and I was able to both catch up with old friends and meet new.

The Major was kind enough to visit and express his support for the competition.

And of course we got up to the usual fun and games.

Lipizzaner

As most of you know I have become interested in painting horses and from mid August on you will be able to find prints of my horse paintings on my website. However I thought that I would show you some of the paintings I am working on. These two paintings are in the studio and will not be exhibited until much later in the year.

The above painting is 24" square and is a detail of a wonderful white Lipizzaner - I still have to paint the rider!

The next painting is 20" x 40" and is of course called "Come on my Son!", its my husbands personal favourite if only because of the number of times he's shouted those words.

The Day it Rained

Saturday night I was awoken by the sound of wind and rain howling around the house, the sky was just liquid and the wind seemed never ending. This of course put me in mind to paint. I always want to paint; sometimes I think it's the only why I process the world. I spent the whole day on Sunday painting, listening to the wind and rain, trying to capture the feel of the storm on canvas. Being in a warm studio when there's a storm outside is the best thing in the world.  I only left the studio to get my much needed cup of tea and eat lunch —  I might be standing in the kitchen, but my mind is still in the studio.

The result was a painting called, not surprisingly "The Day it Rained".  Its all al primo which is unusual for me, with lots of grey's which is even more unusual.  Most of the painting is sky and the landscape is totally without detail, almost as if the land was flooded, (the field behind my house was actually flooded, and a tree came down on a power cable). When its dry enough to handle I will post a photo, but as the weather report is for much the same I think I will be doing lots more work with grey. 

Skylark

Washing the dishes on a sunday morning is not my most favorite of jobs. This sunday standing at the kitchen sink up to my elbows in hot water, while looking out at the spring garden, Hoagy Carmichael came on the radio singing "Skylark". I have always loved this song but had never heard this version before and Hoagy with his thin throaty voice really bought the lyrics to life for me, I don't think I've ever really heard them properly before. As I listened a whole host of images sprang into my mind inspired by the lyrics, every phrase turned into a painting, all the familiar scenes from the river banks and meadows of my particular bit of Wiltshire were translated into paintings by Hoagy's voice.

I have not done any pure landscape painting for over two years now, preferring instead to work on other subjects. But maybe I've had enough of a rest and its about time I did some more, after all I live in a beautiful part of the country and have the opportunity to do some really interesting en plein air work. I have about 12 paintings buzzing around inside my head, so when the good weather returns I think I will start a new collection and get it all down on paper.

Of course I will have to dedicate this collection to my husband who introduced me to this wonderful song in the first place, but I should say thank you to Radio 4 as well.