Whilst down in Malvern last week I spotted the beautiful work of  batik artist  Marie Therese King……………… Her seagull print is particularly eye catching, She has captured the movement of the sea and the birds using unusual muted colours ………see more of her work at   www.eekbatik.com

Just finished the portrait of my beautiful niece Georgia Ella………………Hope you like it!!

The wisteria on the cottage looked the best ever this year so I have taken some photos for a possible a future painting!

An unexpected treat at Sheffield this year as I arrived for the Snooker was the fantastic exhibition in the Millenium Gallery “Families”  You are greeted by the huge Singer Sargent painting of the three Vickers Sisters. There are also portraits by Sir Peter Lely, Gainsborough and the familiar portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds “the age of innocence”…………..lovely to see these works in the flesh and to appreciate the masterly brushstrokes at close range!

In the Graves Museum opposite was the Andy Warhol Self Portraits exhibition.  My first encounter with his work was at Art School in the seventies at Northwich……..Happy Days!!

Had some great publicity this month with my snooker portraits……….The Four Shires, The Yorkshire Post, World Snooker Sheffield 2012………………………Thanks to all of you.

Had my photos taken with Hazel and Michaela and their portraits. Thanks to Journalist Monique and her camera for doing a great job!

On our morning run today Salty and I saw our first skylark of the season, Flying so high , singing its lovely song and then falling like a stone down to earth……………………an amazing display from what looks such an unassuming little bird!

“Skylarks advertise their territories by a spectacular song-flight, during which the bird rises almost vertically with rapid wing beats, hovering for several minutes then parachuting down.  Song-flights of up to one hour have been recorded, and the birds can reach a thousand feet before descending”

So………. if you find a few minutes in your busy day then click,  and listen to “The Lark Ascending” My favourite violin solo  composed by Sir Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Mad March Hares!……………………..My friend and local watercolour artist June Willsher paints the most wonderful animals, her painting of two boxing hares is lovely and you can order a limited edition print from her at www.junewillsher.com

Been busy with my portrait of Mr Getley, master of the Bicester on his hunter Gershom ,  nearly finished!!

A chilly start to February with some crisp, frosty mornings.  Out for a walk with Salty C Dog in the fields.

I have been busy with my horse and rider portraits building up my equestrian  portfolio.  I loved the feature in this months Field magazine…………..The Real Warhorse Warrior , as it featured work from my favourite horse painter  Sir Alfred Munnings  1879-1959 This painting shows Warrior, a bay thoroughbred with General Jack Seely.

Here is more of his work. ………………I am particularly interested in his side saddle portraits as I am now about to start painting my second one!

Here is my painting of Sienna, owned by Mrs Jane Patterson,  Pictured out in the  Northumberland countryside.

Since reading the Davinci Code in 2006 I have wanted to visit Roslyn Chapel……….A bright winter’s January day…………….perfect for light through stained glass windows!

The Chapel lies south of Edinburgh in Midlothian.  Founded in 1446 by William St Claire, the Chapel took over 40 years to complete.  Roslyn has survived turbulent times, reformation, part demolition, and general disrepair.  Initial restoration was carried out in 1736 and then in earnest in the early 1880′s by the St Clair family.  By 1862 the Chapel was once more a working Church.

Our friendly, informative guide was a pleasure to meet………..the most fabulous carvings and stonework I have ever seen.  Detailed figures, angels, flowers and vines adorn every surface.  Well worth a visit, but plan well……………since the Davinci Code was released visitor numbers to this small village have shot from around 30 thousand each year to around 260 thousand     www.rosslynchapel.com

Another cold snap is upon us and I have been out in the crisp air splitting Ash logs for the fire.  The Ash tree is not only a towering beauty admired in our woodlands and hedgerows, but produces a hard wood that burns bright and gives off a great heat………………………reminding me of the old Woodman’s poem.” Logs to burn”  Find it on Google!

The photographer that caught my eye this month with his atmospheric image of a solitary Ash tree in a winter hedgerow was Chris Charlesworth.  See more of his work at www.chrischarlesworth.co.uk

This years Masters Snooker is from Alexander Palace in London. Great tournament and some surprises behind the scenes.  This was the players lounge………………very grand. The little Lynn in the middle gives you some idea how huge these murals are!

A few years ago I had the privelige of meeting and working with the artist and events manager Ag Cain.  A wicked sense of humor…………………sending his most original Christmas cards which I keep in my studio all year round!…………….see his artwork at  www.agcain.com

This year to get us in early festive mood we headed off to Waddesdon Manor.  A favourite at Christmas time for its beautifully decorated apartments.  This year the theme was Italian Christmas.

Built by the French architect Destailleur in the style of the chateaux of the Loire valley in 1874 for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild to display his collection of 18th century tapestries, furniture and ceramics.  It is now owned by the National Trust,  well worth a visit any time of the year.       www.waddesdon.org.uk

Hazel’s portrait coming along fine,…………….. just a few more details to work on…..hands are so hard to do!

A bright,cold winter’s day, perfect for a trip inland from the Northumberland coast to take some pictures of the stunning landscape. Passing through the lovely village of Ford reminded me of an earlier visit to the Lady Waterford Hall. Lady Waterford, born in 1818 was an accomplished Pre-Raphaelite artist. She was tutored by Dante Gabriel Rossetti and attended drawing classes by John Ruskin, together with Lady Trevelyn and Kate Greenway. it is also believed she modelled for Sir John Everett Millais in several of his works. After the death of her husband in 1886 from a hunting accident she painted over a 22year period to complete the watercolour panels which now adorn the original school hall in Ford Village. www.ford-and-etal.co.uk

An evening out for a pub supper to the Butchers Arms www.thebutchersarms.com Not only did we have a great evening with good company and wonderful food, but the added bonus of seeing Paul Jame’s artwork on the walls!………………….huge portraits, in vibrant colours of the most endearing characters! see his work at   www.pauljamesart.com

October blog
After many years of promising myself, I finally managed to get back in the saddle and start riding again! The motivation being to ride along the beach at Bamburgh. A lovely sunny day, a willing horse and away we go…….. over the dunes, along the beach and back across the fields and along the country lanes………………………………………………….. a great start to October! www.slatehallridingcentre.com The great photographs are taken by Ben Patterson

Took my camera with me when taking Salty dog for a walk and got some lovely shots of our village allotments. Have always loved the mix and match of huts, tin sheds, flowers, veggies, wheelbarrows etc and hope to use these for some future paintings.

Not had time to do much picture painting this month as been busy with the emulsion painting of the cottage! All rooms done now so can chill out and enjoy the coming cold winter nights…….. Cosy nights in by the log burner with Salty C Dog!!