It is summer in England! Really, it has been hot for 3 days. But I still find time to paint, although distracted by sunshine. This is my latest one, I showed it on facebook one evening, and had sold it by the following morning. It’s a painting of thirds, with a heavily textured foreground.

Thank you to those of you who came to Whitby Art Fair, and also to those who went to Horsforth Walk of Art last weekend, where someone who has been buying my work for the last 10 years exhibited his collection. I’m so lucky that such good people like my work. Here’s the first painting he bought, in 2006.

Whitby Art Fair is happening this weekend (25 & 26 June, 10am til 4pm) at Whitby Spa Pavilion.
There will be over 40 fine artists (including me) showing their work.
Here are the last three paintings of Crag Cliff Woods, two of which will be exhibited at Whitby.

Bluebell Woods VI. Acrylics on canvas, 30x30cm

Bluebell Woods V. Acrylics on canvas, 30x40cm. Reserved for F.R.

Bluebell Woods IV. Acrylics on canvas, 50x100cm

The third painting in the Bluebell Woods series. Now in Coast Gallery.

Bluebell Woods III. Acrylics on canvas, 60x90cm.

Bluebell Woods II.
Yes, I do love bluebells. Just finished, this is another painting of Crag Cliff Woods (Grosmont, North Yorkshire) in May. Now in Coast Gallery.

Bluebell Woods 1. (Crag Cliff, Grosmont)
(now sold)
I just love that blue…

My father’s irises.
I’m back from a short visit to the South of France, and this is the first painting I’ve done since I got back. (oooh, no lines between the colours! That’s unusual for me, it will be interesting to see if I revert to my usual style on the next painting: the wonderful bluebell woods in Grosmont. The hazy delicacy of the bluebells doesn’t lend itself to lines, so this looser approach may be right…)

Les Iris de mon pere.
Acrylics on canvas, 50x70cm

South of France. My roots.
My maternal grandparents were a wonderful couple and raised a large family. Their house is a large house, so that it could accommodate children and grandchildren. My grandparents are no longer with us, but their spirit remains. The house is kept and maintained so that the family can spend holidays or host gatherings such as weddings or birthdays in the house. Last year we had a “cousinade”, hosted by my generation, and it was good to be there.
I have known that house and the view from it all my life, but painted the view this year for the first time.
NB.I have taken these paintings to France, as I thought members of my family may be interested to see them, and they will be there for a year.

Montagnac, vu de Mons.
oil on linen, 20x50cm.

“A Mons en Mai” oil on linen, 30x60cm

Weeks and months fly past… Painting, and occasionally gardening as, despite the cool temperatures, Spring has started. Here are my recent paintings.

Near Commondale.
oil on canvas, 40x40cm.

Montagnac. oil on canvas, 20x50cm.

The Cut, Hummersea. A watercolour commission for Mrs B.T.

The Stone Mason’s Yard

February is still a difficult month for me, seven years later … I often paint a picture for Steph. Last year, it was “Sledale”, on the way to the field where he is buried. My mother had reacted badly to the chemo, and the sky in my painting was very dark and brooding…
This year I decided to paint the yard where I went to pick up the stone for Steph’s grave. I thought I would like a dark sky again, with a bit of blue on the edge, but my many attempts at painting rolling clouds failed. Instead, it’s nothing but blue sky.
I take it as a reflection of my mental state. I’m fine. I miss him, and think of him everyday, but rather than cry, I feel so priviledged to have known and loved him.
PS. This painting is now sold.