In the absence of being able to travel, or visit even other places in the county to take in some nature, I really want to squeeze what I can from my local patch. I enjoy journalling and lettering, so I have decided to adopt a bit of creativity with recording some of the wildlife I … Continue reading Nature Notebook
Frost
The weather yesterday was spectacular, and as mentioned in my previous post, I am really enjoying the shapes and colours of the January landscape. I am fortunate that I can walk through some fantastic countryside without having to travel, and there is a route I enjoy if I have a couple of hours which takes … Continue reading Frost
Finding my way
I am feeling in a bit of a quandary as part of me is loving the cold quiet season with its fabulous light and beautiful vistas of silhouetted trees and stark hedges, but I am also aware of the preoccupation of 'what's going on out there' beyond my rural existence. First things first - cleaning … Continue reading Finding my way
New Tools
I was so thrilled to be given a new set of carving tools for Christmas - especially as they weren't even on my list. I have a set with a plastic handle and interchangeable heads but they wobble around a bit, and these are just b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. I am a real process artist so the materials … Continue reading New Tools
Ringed Plover
I have painted two Ringed plovers but my first attempt got smudged (always a hazard with me...) so although it has been cleaned up in a scan so useable for digital items such as stickers and mini cards, the original original is stuck in my drawer waiting for me to decide what to do with … Continue reading Ringed Plover
Little Gouache Seabirds
Seabirds tend to have a lot of white on them, so the small squares of Khadi paper are perfect as they reflect the coastal palette with their stone-greys and slate-blues. The gouache responds really well to the absorbent, textured surface so it's great fun to work with. Although herring gulls are always really popular, I … Continue reading Little Gouache Seabirds
Pheasant Lino Print
Pheasants are all over the wheat fields behind my house at the moment enjoying the worms, and the males are posturing and sizing each other up while the females look on. They are really quite magnificent birds and seeing them on the short greenery and dark earth coupled with low winter sunlight can be a … Continue reading Pheasant Lino Print
New purchases
I really enjoyed looking through my previous paintings and reacquainting myself with the birds - some of which I painted a couple of years ago - and it was good to remind myself of why and how I painted them. Galvanised by this I took a virtual trip to Jackson's to inspire me. Lockdown has … Continue reading New purchases