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.

Staithes, Across The Water. oil on canvas, 40x120cm (approx 16×47″)
This is what I’ve been painting during the last month. Colours of summer. Meanwhile, winter finally arrived in North Yorkshire. I look forward to seeing that blue again.

Detail of “Staithes Across the Water”.

Maybeck window. oil on canvas, 50x50cm, 4cm deep (20×20″)
I started this painting in 2012, but didn’t get it finished til now. I love Maybeck, and that house. It is a quiet place. It has no mains electricity, so I painted one of my candlesticks. I also put in one of the roses from a bouquet I was given for my birthday, for friendship, and a strange old little box made of horn, for memories of the past.

2015 was a strange year for me, the first half being traumatic, stressful and sad, but there were also lots of good things and good people. I had more commissions, and sold more paintings, old and new, than in any previous year. Thank you. Thanks to the galleries which exhibit my work and thanks to those who bought my paintings (and prints, and cards, it all helps!), I was able to be with my mother when she needed me, without getting into debt. I couldn’t have done it without you.

2 studies of Hummersea beach.

Hummersea Beach, mixed media (watercolour and pastel) on paper, 25x36cm

Hummersea Beach II, watercolour on paper, 15x30cm

New year, new finishing touches. Now I think it’s finished at last…
PS 8 January. Reserved for Mr E.B.
PPS. 17 January. Now in the private collection of Mr E.B.