I have enjoyed the Linocuts, although my results with the actual prints have been rather variable. I really love using resources from photographers whose work I enjoy as it's so much nicer than simply searching an image. It's also brilliant to be able to follow other bird species that normally I wouldn't get to appreciate. … Continue reading My first woodcut
Hospital art
I was chatting to a friend of mine who mentioned her daughter's friend's mum (!) was a nurse at our County Hospital, and had asked if any artists could donate some of their work to decorate the wards and communal areas of the Covid-19 section of the hospital. As the hospital is in Brighton, I … Continue reading Hospital art
Blackbirds
I don't get a great variety not birds in my garden - just the usual suspects of robins, blue tits, dunnocks, wood pigeons and occasionally sparrows. I also have blackbirds, and I watched a female gathering nest material and a male gathering worms, and noticed with some dismay that they seemed to be building a … Continue reading Blackbirds
Another linocut
I really enjoyed doing my chicken linocut, and I had in my mind a thought to do a more landscape type of print on the larger piece of lino I had in my drawer. I had found a really lovely bird field guide at Camilla's secondhand bookstore in Eastbourne when I went there in the … Continue reading Another linocut
Blue tits and linocuts
It's a difficult time to be creative, as on the one hand I finally have some time to pursue some artsy pursuits, but my mind is rather foggy and preoccupied; not the best environment for fomenting ideas. However, I cleaned my house (well, the bits that matter) yesterday and I finished the blue tit I … Continue reading Blue tits and linocuts
Bees
I saw a nice little poster recently in a pack from Friends of the Earth about bee-friendly activities. I am a beekeeper myself and love all sorts of insects so decided to paint some of the bees I see during the summer here in the Sussex countryside. The first is a Red-tailed bumblebee, Bombus lapidarius: … Continue reading Bees
Tawny Owl
About a month ago, I was driving my son to the station along a fast, straight stretch near me, sadly notorious for road casualties. Lying in the lay-by opposite the junction was a brown pile of feathers, and I suspected it was a juvenile buzzard as we have so many around here. On closer inspection, … Continue reading Tawny Owl
Golden eagle
I have wanted to paint an eagle for a while, but the problem I find with birds of prey is getting their sense of power across effectively, as they are at their most impressive when in flight, or catching prey; capturing their dynamic nature is tricky in two dimensions. I have seen eagles at falconry … Continue reading Golden eagle
Revisiting paintings
Two years ago, when I first exhibited at Ink, Paper + Print, a lovely couple from Eastbourne bought four of my paintings, to go on the wall up their stairs. I said I would love to see them framed as I never get to see them once they've gone to their new homes! Last week … Continue reading Revisiting paintings
Dragonflies
I have always had a soft spot for these insects (along with all the other insects for which I have a soft spot...) and a couple of people have suggested I try painting one, as dragonflies are quite graphic with clearly delineated markings. Having seen photos of broad-bodied chasers proliferating on Instagram, I decided to … Continue reading Dragonflies
