TO DREAM Charcoal 12" x 8" & LYN Acrylic 10" x 12"

Did the Hertford thing on Saturday, which I thoroughly enjoyed, as I came away with these two pics that I was quite happy with. Doesn't seem terribly wonderful for a days' work, but it is a catch up with friends day too, so I spend half the day chatting. It was especially good this time as an old friend arrived, Pauline Knowles, who I haven't seen for some years. She used to organise the most fantastic workshops, and provide memorable lunches. I shall never forget those times, so it was fantastic to see her.

Postie 10" x 12" Oils on paper

I have always thought it would be a nice job, although I bet if you asked a postman, he would moan like the rest of us! Brian is a grouchy old bugger, but a decent sort, nevertheless. I like him. We used to have a hedge, instead of the fence, and he once put a note through the door telling us to cut it! He was getting very wet, so he had a point.

As you can see, I didn't have to go far to find a good subject. Enjoyed painting this, it went well.

A Quiet Corner 12" x 12" acrylic

I had a disappointing Easter, as I didn't sell a single picture, at the exhibition in Hertfordshire. Last year the same, and my husband Roy suggested that I do smaller, cheaper pictures of a different subject to everyone else. Wise words, which I had forgotten when the exhibition loomed again this year. So I went my own sweet way and now I am suffering!!!!!

The next exhibition is in April and all the pictures I had planned to show are to be sidelined as I rack my brains for something different. This is my first effort.

Inspired by Edward B Gordon, who has a blog, http://www.edwardbgordon.blogspot.com/ , and who does a small painting a day. My favourite of his subjects are the snapshots of people going about their daily business in his locality. They are fabulous, so tomorrow I shall be out with my sketchbook and camera. Thanks, Edward for the inspiration.

Actually, the plan is to submit two of my bigger paintings and paint four new, smaller ones.

We shall see.

SCHOOL DAY 22" x 27" Oils

Meet my sister-in-law, Pam, who is the nicest woman I know, always cheerful, helpful and brilliant company, and two of her grandchidren, Jonathan and Bethany. I wanted to depict them having fun, as they do, so I made up this scenario, and put it together from photographs.

Fantasy Oils 20" x 24" after John Singer Sargent

Well, I decided to put my face on it, although I'm not sure it quite fits right on the body! But it will, as I am sure I shall fiddlewith it some more. ( It is a very old photo of me, I wish I still looked like that! )

I'm really enjoying doing this painting, I suppose because there is no pressure to get it finished, or get it spot on right, and it is very liberating. I have two photos of the original, one in a book and the other which I downloaded from the internet. A big problem is that the colours are different. And again, in the photo of my painting the colours are different. Not that it matters much in this instance, but I can see it could be very misleading.

I hope the the experience helps with the next painting.

Work in Progress

If I could swap places with anyone for a year, it would have to be John Singer Sargent. I'll not worry how he might have felt about that! I'm having a go at copying my favourite, Lady Agnew, as I love the colours, and, well, everything about it. So far , O.K., but a long, long, long way to go.. I've not decided whether to put my face on it yet!

Team Oils 30" x 42"

This is supposed to be my "masterpiece", probably only because it is bigger than my usaual work and I didn't want to waste the canvas on something insignificant. Well, the best laid plans and all that! I've been trying to get it finished today. The picture speaks for itself, no explanation necessary.

Enuff! + Hairdressing + Nude Duo + Shine + Woman

I went to the studio today, with an idea for a new painting, full of good intentions. I can't afford new canvas, being jobless and potless, so I hunted for a old work I could paint over. Found loads of half finished life drawings and with abit of work, I reckon they are good enough to keep,or better still, SELL. The new painting will have to wait!

Pink Oils 10" x 12"

Been playing again today, painting just for fun. Found a photo of one of the Hertford models and painted her pink!

Disconnected Oils 24" x 20" + Roy Oils 10" x 12"

I had Thurs, Fri, Sat, off, because my husband, Roy had the time off work so we had some fun instead.

Yesterday I was worried about Disconnected, because the exhibition is looming, so had another go at it. This is the last time I shall show it to you, I promise. It is very different now, to when it started, not sure I'm happy yet!

In the afternoon I decided to take the pressure off, (re exhibitions), and painted just for fun. Meet my husband, Roy. Painted from a photo because he doesn't sit still!