Monday, 30th September 2013 - Study with Quink Ink

I have a cold.

Sarah collected me and took an interesting scenic route to our art class. We were studying (makes it sound serious) the effects of Quink ink, water and Milton fluid.

Study with Quink Ink

Bockingford

Sunday, 29th September 2013 - Free Form Sleep

My family was nearly complete this morning, shame Tim was travelling back from Doha. The sun warmed us up enough for plenty of time to play in the garden with the chickens, exploring and picking blackberries. Tim is back and sleeping on the sofa as I blog. The rest are all back safely in their homes. I miss them already.

Free Form Sleep

Watercolour (no predrawing)

Grey Tinted Bockingford paper

Saturday, 28th September 2013 - The Rainforest

We hit Piccadilly and along with Tom, (buggy carrier and guide), Harriet, Brett, Hetty and Arabella met Steve, Zoe, Fergus and Lizzie to celebrate Fergus' 18th birthday. Great choice of Zoe's to book The Rainforest Cafe which was packed and like a jungle theme park for children. A great lunch with much animal entertainment. Just off to collect Tom from Staplehurst who heroically stayed on to continue the birthday celebrations into the evening.

The Rainforest

Pen with Watercolour

Friday, 27th September 2013 - Should I Have Bought the Pot Stand?

What a beautiful day for the Three French Hens to hold their Brocante at Silcocks. There was a queue of people waiting to pay when I arrived. Looks like a success. Well done Pippa, Linda and Mandy.

Tom, Harriet, Brett, Hetty and Arabella have filled my empty house this evening.

Should I Have Bought the Pot Stand?
Pen
Paper

Thursday, 26th September 2013 - Shadows Still Settling

My day has nothing of any note to report. It has been a great day.

I am off to bed before my paint has finished shifting on the paper so you get a preview and I will update it tomorrow.

 Shadows Still Settling

Now Settled

Watercolour

Clairfontaine 140lb rough

Wednesday, 25th September 2013 - All I Have Left

Tim has left me for the middle east. I am pleased to have the cat and her gift of a mouse snack for company. And Harriet and Tom keeping me company via the phone and texts.

All I Have Left
Pencil
Paper

Tuesday, 24th September 2013 - Nearly Autumn

Hello

I woke to see mist - after a leisurely shower and tea I chased the mist with my camera. I have some lovely pictures I am hoping that I can turn into something amazing in my art class.

Tim has been preparing for Doha (? spelling) in Qata (? spelling).

Nearly Autumn
Caran D'Ache Neocolour
Tiziano pastel paper

Monday, 23rd September 2013 - Where's Sarah?

I missed my friend at art class this evening. We were learning wet (very wet) -in-wet technique. It was very difficult so I had another go when I got home so Sarah can see what she was missing.

Where's Sarah?
Watercolour
Saunders Waterford 200lb

Sunday, 22nd September 2013 - Ok for Breakfast?

Tim and I have been working today. Then we did a bit of tidying the garden. After that we had a stroll. I was looking for misty landscapes for my art class - all a bit grey and uninteresting out there. I will try again tomorrow.

Ok for Breakfast?
Pen with Caran D'Ache Watercolour Pencils
Paper

Saturday, 21st September 2013 - Dark Before Seven

I spent what seemed most of the day at the hairdressers having many highlights. I have become blonde again.

We went for a quick drink at The Bell and Jorrocks. We went to prove to Alan that we could manage two consecutive nights out.

Dark Before Seven
Watercolour
Recycled Card

Friday, 20th September 2013 - Small White

I have and still having a lovely day. Tim served me tea in bed and I extricated myself at 9am. I did do a bit of work ironing and cleaning and rewarded myself by reading in the garden in the sun - how I fell alseep after such a late start just shows how old I am getting. The warm sun brought out many insects.

Tim and I have returned from a few drinks at the opening of The Milkhouse (looking very good) and another at The Three Chimneys.

Back home to watch Rebellion - will let you know how many stars.

I miss my grandchildren.

Small White

Acrylic

Paper

Thursday, 19th September 2013 - Sticky Burrs

I visited Canterbury today. Harriet, Hetty, Arabella and I went clothes shopping. I have a lovely new skirt from FatFace. I love their clothes very much. Harriet has tights and socks from M&S where we nearly lost Hetty among the knickers. We spent a lovely couple of hours drinking hot chocolate, coffee and tea with snacks of pitta bread, olives and humous and a very tasty lemon, almond and polenta cupcake. We were at the VegBox cafe reading books and playing with their toys.

I miss not being with the girls very much.

I am still practising by observational skills and trying out different papers.

Sticky Burrs
Japanese Paper
Pencil

Wednesday, 18th September 2013 - Waiting for the Birthday Girl

Happy birthday to Mum - 82 today, fit and well.

Doreen and Colin, her old old friends, joined Mum and I for lunch at Fletchers in Rye. We had a short wander and then met Lindsey for tea and cake in Haydens. Bit full of food today.

I have found two artists that I will be investigating. Martin Bradshaw and Vicky Oldfield.

Waiting for the Birthday Girl
Pen with Watercolour
Recycled Card

Tuesday, 17th September 2013 - Not So Casual

No events to report today.

I spent much longer on this picture that it looks. I was practising my observation.

Not So Casual
Japanese Ink
Japanese Paper

Monday, 16th September 2013 - Abstracted Leaf

Tom has again left us for Bradford but before he went we had lunch with Steve Adams who is here to check that Fergus is settling into uni life ok at Kings.

Back to work for me this afternoon...making cakes, hoovering, all that stuff.

Back to school for Sarah and I this evening. We are back at our art class with Caroline Clough in Tenterden. It looks like we have some interesting projects ahead of us. Bring it on. This evening we were doing detailed drawings which we could then take further with colour and shape.

Abstracted Leaf
Pen with Watercolour
Paper

Sunday, 15th September 2013 - Arabella's Choice

I found the days little bit of sunshine and spent it potting up some rather sad looking aubretia that had been delivered to our greenhouse while we were away. Still wrapped in plastic and cardboard had done them very few favours. I am hoping for a few survivors.

I was collected by the Evans to go to Battle to view the Purearts Exhibition. The quality of the work was worth the trip.

Arabella's Choice

Watercolour Painted with card

Recycled Card

Saturday, 14th September 2013 - Lost

Tim, Tom and I prepared a picnic lunch for The Dwyers Beach Party. It was transferred to Elizabeth and Keith's house due to uncertain weather.

It was good to see so many of the family. Dave and Josie with Lucy, Debi with her Mum and Dad, Dave and Gail, Uncle Bill along with Mark, George, Henry and Thomas, Harriet, Brett, Hetty and baby Arablella came too, as well as Susan and Roger. A very fine party we had. Thank you to Tom for driving his weary merry parents home.

Fuelled by wine I challenged Elizabeth to a game of Jenga - not a good plan in retrospect. The winner got to choose hotel venue for a night in London during the Country Living Christmas Fayre - the loser gets to pay.

Lost

Pen with Watercolour

Reecyled  Card

Friday, 13th September 2013

Thursday, 12th September 2013

Wednesday, 11th September 2013

Tuesday, 10th September 2013

Monday, 9th September 2013

Sunday, 8th September 2013

Saturday, 7th September 2013

Friday, 6th September 2013 - Isle of Wight

Thursday, 5th September 2013 - Multiple Berries

I had a very much appreciated coffee with Sarah this morning.

Tim and I have been fruit gathering. I made a blackberry and apple crumble to take on holiday.

Multiple Berries
Pen with Watercolour
Paper

Wednesday, 4th September 2013 - Violent Runner Beans

My day was not how I planned. It has been very hot and sunny.

I have made some chutney with our surfeit of runner beans. I was unnecessarily attacked during production from the onions making me cry (but it has been a bit of a weepy day) to hot bubbling explosions from the preserving pan. It will be ready for Christmas - yummy with cold turkey and ham.

Violent Runner Beans
Quink Ink with Winsor & Newton Drawing Inks
Recycled Card

Tuesday, 3rd September 2013 - Gone So Soon

Happy Pearl Wedding Anniversary to Mike and Pippa.

I had a happy time with a mug of tea exploring the delights of The Isle of Wight on the map Amazon sent me. Butterfly and Fountains here we come.

Tim and I went for an early evening walk as the sun was setting.

Gone So Soon
Watercolour
Recycled Card

Monday, 2nd September 2013 - Another Hot Day

I have nothing to tell today.

Another Hot Day

Stabio Fineliner

Green Tinted Bockingford 140lb

Sunday, 1st September 2013 - After the Dance

What a lovely sunny day to spend with the Weald of Kent Morris in Rye. Tim did an amazing job of organising a very enjoyable day.

After the Dance

Pen with Watercolour

Langton 140lb not