Thursday, 27th March 2025 - Birthday Wishes

This card is winging its way to my brother for his birthday. Happy birthday Chris. I am enjoying the process of linocuts. The printing ink leaves a very satisfying texture on the paper. This is a bespoke one with a hint of watercolour. 

This evening I spent a very entertaining evening with WOKAS. There was lots of experimenting with Indian ink, Quink ink and bleach. Quite messy. I have a few inky fingers. Lindsey came with me and painted a whippet that turned into a poodle. It is a very difficult medium to control! The way the ink moves and changes is mesmerising. I will post my experiments tomorrow when the ink has dried. 

Birthday Wishes
Linocut and watercolour

Wednesday, 26th March 2025 - Flower Posy

I am thoroughly enjoying my floral gifts. I have a jam jar posy from Astilbe and Sorrel that makes me happy each time I look at them.

Today the sun warmed me while I was extracting weeds from amongst the lupins. Harriet visited in perfect time for a coffee break, then a tea break. So very good to see my daughter.

Flower Posy
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 23rd March 2025 - Flowers from The Popes

We had a dinner party last night. There were fourteen of us around the table sharing food and wine with plenty of leftovers to eat today. Si and Lesley gave me a stunning bunch of flowers. I have immortalised them in watercolour.

Flowers from The Popes
Watercolour

Friday, 7th March 2025 - Greetings Cards

This morning I spent printing a batch of linocuts. A chicken, a pair of otters, a bumble bee, a hare and a lucky black cat. 

Printed on recycled paper £3 each with envelopes. DM me if you would like any.

Five Cards

Otters

Lucky Black Cat

March Hare

Bumble Bee

Chicken

Thursday, 6th March 2025 - Birthday Card for David

Sarah and I had another carpark rendezvous. Sarah is giving up bed and breakfast having no longer need for soap, shower caps or sewing kits - my boot got filled with overstock to delight my guests. We had a couple of coffees and compared medical notes on our phones. We are both very healthy according to our latest test results. I was very happy with my purchases from the charity shop, Phillips Mans shop (40% off as they are closing) and ingredients for Raffy's 12th birthday cake. 

After an alfresco lunch I was back clearing weeds while listening to an excellent murder mystery book by Rachel Amphlett. I am delighted that she is a prolific writer and will keep me entertained.

March birthdays are associated with Jonquils. This inspired a linocut that I have made into a birthday card. 

Birthday Card for David
Linocut

 

Monday, 3rd March 2025 - Spring Still Life

 My kitchen was full of art easels and the smell of oil paint. Three out of five of The Viridians were present. Clive set up a still life for us from a plethora of vases, pots, flowers. After an hour or so we took a break. It was lovely to sit outside and have bowls of soup. We went back to our easels to finish our work. 

Spring Still Life
Oil on Board

Tuesday, 25th February 2025 - Sketchbook Snowdrops

 I was hoovering, polishing and getting our double bnb room ready for guests. I stopped for a coffee and jokingly said to Tim I had better check I was cleaning the right room. They were booked into our twin room! Back upstairs with the hoover, dusters and polish. Thank goodness they are lovely guests.

Our home smelt of freshly baked bread. I had made a sour dough loaf and a wholemeal one. Thank you to my son-in-law Brett for the very lively starter that makes great bread. 

I didn't feel much in the mood for painting so did a quick drawing in my sketchbook of the snowdrops from our garden that are abundant this spring.

Sketchbook Snowdrops