Ginger Jar with Garlics

This is my latest effort. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to spend some time in my studio rather than chasing around delivering and collecting paintings from exhibitions. It was sheer pleasure to cover my fingers in pastel once again:)

Mel (Jack's dad)

This is the second sketch of Mel from life in just under two hours. I think I prefer this pastel to the oil sketch but it is interesting to alternate the studies between oil and pastels. I am often asked which medium I prefer and I find it imposible to choose. When I have worked on several pastels I look forward to working in oils, it helps to keep me fresh and I think one medium informs the other. I am looking forward to getting back to some regular still-life subjects; it is such a busy time delivering and collecting from exhibitions, time spent in the studio is precious and I am grateful I have my sessions at the scout hut producing these quick studies to keep me on track. I loaded up again over the weekend to deliver to the Mall Galleries, London.

Jack's Dad

I haven't been able to post for a while and my days in the studio have been a bit disrupted. Why is it that exhibitions all come together? I've been kept busy delivering and collecting and attending private views. Living a few hours outside London makes it all quite a hike! These photos are from the Pastel Society (recieving the Unison Pastel Award) and the Society of Women Artists who had their private view earlier this week.

At least I have managed to et to the scout hut for our regular Thursday sessions; this small oil sketch of Jack's Dad was painted from life in just under two hours. Mel is a picture restorer and gilder and enjoys painting, perhaps he will join us next week, behind an easel too.

Pastel sketch of Freddie

This was our second sitting with Freddie of approx two and a half hours duration. I prefer to complete these sketches in a sitting rather than take them over the two weeks allocated. I thought it might be an idea for me to work in oils one week and pastels the next. This is the first pastel sketch I have done in a while, I thoroughly enjoyed the process and feel it turned out ok for the time allowed.

Hellebores 2

The weather today was cold and overcast, a chilly day for June. I kept warm and cosy in my studio, the result of my efforts is this floral still-life...

Oil sketch of Freddie

This young musician sat for us this week for our session at the scout hut. Freddie was a great model, he sat rock steady even though this was his first experience in modelling. He had some great colour notes in his face and he was an absolute delight to paint.

Green Kimono

This is my latest larger scale oil painting (30 x 35) using the same model that I used in my 'Front' and 'Back' series. Isabella spent some time in Japan where she aquired this lovely green Kimono. I have had the silk screen for about thirty years now and although it is chinese, I felt that the overall oriental feel worked well, so I hope it doesn't offend the purists. After all 'fusion' is the one of the buzz words at the moment...