Lemons with dutch bowl

​I have been looking forward to paint this bowl for some time but my earlier efforts were thwarted. It was a Christmas present with some crocus bulbs, which I duly planted. They were just coming into their own when we had the house fire, and were left sitting swimming in water (for a long time) before being rescued; the bulbs were past hope but the bowl was intact . Today is the day the bowl finally got painted :-)

Arthur

This is my latest painting of my friend Arthur. Some of you will remember him in my painting' Veteran'. I got to know him well during that time which resulted in us making a lunch date once a week in his sheltered accommodation. I bring the sandwiches and he has the teapot warming ready for my arrival. At nearly 95 Arthur still manages to live independently and I was keen to paint him in his own surroundings un-posed. This oil measures 16 x 30 inches.

Sunflowers

I've had a short break with my new born grandson and returned home to find that these​ sunflowers were just asking to be included in a still-life, I've never actually painted a sunflower before, (a terrible admission to make) and I now know why they are such a popular subject; they have characters of their own! It feels good to be back in the studio :-)