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Thursday 31 May 2018

Thursday, 31st May 2018 - Fruit Bowl

I have had a splendid day mostly due to spending part of it with Harriet, Hetty, Bella and Herbie. I helped out at the family trip to the dentist by holding Herbie in front of a huge mirror. He was very taken with the handsome blue eyed baby. Cocolicous provided us with sustenance before hitting the playground. Bella did a few times.

My stitches are out. The nurse said 'beautiful'. I am sure she was referring to me and not the scar. Bella said it is shaped like a star.

My new pink phone has arrived and is up and running after having to find many a log-in, password and secret code. You can now text me to your hearts content.

Damn it. My guests have not had cake with their tea. It is a 500 calorie day. What torture having the cake tempting me.

Some of my evening has been occupied with Lucifer. We are on season one. It is getting better. There are three seasons in total. What a treat.


Fruit Bowl
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday 30 May 2018

Wednesday, 30th May 2018 - Honeysuckle

I am going to be quick. It is late.

What a pleasure it was to walk into the village with Tim to get sausages and bacon. We got to the butchers just as they were closing. Wednesday. Half day. I sort of nearly forgot. At least I have succeeded in getting bacon for breakfasts.

The MG took us to The Queens Inn in Hawkhurst for an evening of merry Morris delights.


Honeysuckle
Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday 29 May 2018

Tuesday, 29th May 2018 - Forty Seven Calories

I took Mum to The Conquest Hospital. She saw a Gastroenterology consultant and has a CT scan booked. Onto have an eye test and drops with frontal pressure looking good, another room and a back of the eye scan which showed an increase in fluid, next room with a consultant who put in an anaesthetic and antibiotics, into the corridor for a bit before lastly having an implant by injection into her eye to reduce the fluid. She looked a bit shattered as she wheeled her zimmer to the car. I was back home by about 3pm. A successful trip. Well done Mum.

Bella has lost her first tooth. It is momentous event when you are five. I hope the Tooth Fairy remembers.

We have moved our 500 calorie day to Tuesday this week. I needed to have a piece of toast and marmite on my return from Hastings. I think I am just about on track today after having salad for tea.

The rain has been torrential.


Forty Seven Calories
Pen and Watercolour

Monday 28 May 2018

Monday, 28th May 2018 - Siblings

Guess what we had for lunch? Yes, pizzas. We had them in an interval of Paddington 2. Our excuse was that we were with Hetty and Bella as well as Harriet, Herbie and Tom. Great film for a hot bank holiday Monday.

I waved my boy off. It is always a wrench to see him go. I am very privileged to have my daughter next door.


Siblings
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday 27 May 2018

Sunday, 27th May 2018 - Waitrose Reductions

Wow that was an amazing storm last night. We watched it from the safety of our bed.

I woke this morning in a worry that my alarm had not gone off. I would normally use my phone but this now being water damaged is now nonfunctional. I set the clock and my iPad. It was light the birds were singing. It was 4.30am. I had another two hours to fret about alarms.

Shhh. Don't tell the guests but I have run out of bacon. This has happened previously but never been a problem as Wards the Butchers has plenty in stock. It is Sunday. They are shut. I had to buy some from Waitrose. It looks lovely bacon so that is ok but not from the village of Benenden that I mention in my literature.

I sweated my way through piles of ironing. Duvet covers and pillow cases are not the best way to spend a hot day.

Tom has come home for the night. He is finding out that house purchasing can be a slow and painful process. I have squeezed him into my studio between canvases and easels.


Waitrose Reductions
Watercolour

Saturday 26 May 2018

Saturday, 26th May 2018 - Fairport Convention

The mystery of the interloper has been solved. It is a great big fluffy cat.

Lunchtime at The Halfway House we listened to The Trunkles Banjo Velum Band.

This evening we listened and watched Fairport convention in Cranbrook Church. One playing fiddle, one playing guitar, one playing percussion, one playing bass and one playing fiddle, banjo, ukulele and tin whistle. I was not sure what to expect. It was a great evening and even better to be sitting next to Sarah on her hassock.


Fairport Convention
Pen and Watercolour

Friday 25 May 2018

Friday, 25th May 2018 - Wild Roses

I heaved my body out of bed. It really didn't want to get up this morning.

Have you been to The Pilgrims Way Artists exhibition? It a well worth a visit to Lenham. Tim, Harriet, Herbie and I went today. There is a mix of work. Good, very good, bad and a bit on the ugly side. I would have spent a few hundred pounds. Beauty being in the eye of the beholder was true for Tim and I. Differing on opinion we had tea instead. If art does not float your boat then the architecture of the barn may. Glorious building and setting.

My phone fell out my back pocket into the toilet. Good thing it was before I had had a pee for retrieval purposes. It doesn't work any longer. I cannot text or WhatsApp until further notice.

If you are waiting for the camera footage results then sorry nothing apart from our cat showed last night BUT as I type I can hear the food being tucked into again. The camera is set up. I will review in the morning.

These roses have planted themselves in our garden. Prickly little blighters.


Wild Roses
Watercolour
140lb NOT


Thursday 24 May 2018

Thursday, 24th May 2018 - A Delusion of Creatives

I had a long list written by the time I had drunk my first mug of tea. Very few items have been struck off. I blame Tim. We spent a lovely afternoon with his Mum mending her windows and drinking tea. Looking over the cliff the sea was looking greyly calm.

I was back in just enough time to finish a bit of programme organising before heading to the Weald of Kent Art Society AGM. It was ill attended. For what reason? Probably not the most entertaining event for a Thursday evening. There were a few ideas thrown into discussion for mulling over. I enjoyed the limited company.

My head feels like I have walked into a wall.

We were in the kitchen and Tim questioned a noise. I said it was the cat eating her food in the utility room. The bowl wobbles on the tiled floor. A very distinctive sound. He said the cat was sitting at his feet. There is a mystery beast is in our midst. The motion camera has been set up. I will review the footage in the morning.


A Delusion of Creatives
Pen and Watercolour
140lb NOT

Wednesday, 23rd May 2018 - Morris Musicians

Harriet was with me this morning when I got a clean dressing on my wound. That sounds disgusting. I declined the offer of a photo. She said it was a vertical incision. That is why my eyebrows are closer together. I was hoping for more of an uplift than a tuck.

Mum seemed convivial. I was concerned that at nearly midday she was still in bed in her nightie. This is not good practice. I will pop in more often to check that it was just today.

My idea to build a website to sell my art is still in the planning. I am now deeply considering this. Someone questioned me as to whether I had sold any of my work. Yes, I have but not a huge amount. I wonder if he thought my work I am wasting my time. Maybe I am wasting my time. I cannot imagine my life without art.

I was with Weald of Kent Morris at The Vine Inn in Goudhurst this evening. Tim and I were both feeling extremely tired. The company of others was good to marinade in. I felt much better for it.


Morris Musicians 
Pen
140lb NOT

Tuesday 22 May 2018

Tuesday, 22nd May 2018 - Recovery Jigger

My bed was lonely last night.

It was good to have guests to get up for. I have a touch of the lummox today.

Harriet took me for my carcinoma excision. I saw the scalpel coming towards my forehead immediately after local anesthetic was injected. The nurse must had read my concern and said it works straight away. I am not so sure about that. Bit stingy to start with. No making beds or gardening tomorrow. Thank you Harriet and Herbie for being there. It means a lot. I would have been fine alone. I could have gone alone. It was wonderful to have reassuring company. The Fentimans Mandarin and Seville Orange Jigger was very much appreciated.

I am not alone in my bed tonight.


Recovery Jigger
Watercolour
140lb NOT
26cm x 18cm
£40 Unframed


Monday 21 May 2018

Monday, 21st May 2018 - Pink Hawthorn

The countryside is abundant with Hawthorn in flower this May. It is a spectacular sight.

I had an expressive mark making evening with turbulent seas at art. Acrylics used with old credit cards are an excellent emotional outlet.

I have guests wanting breakfast at 8.40am. This is an unusual time. Then my other guest requested he had breakfast at 8.10am. How bizarre. What has happened to on the hour or half past?


Pink Hawthorn
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday 20 May 2018

Sunday, 20th May 2018 - No 4445

I have been wondering where to dry my oil paintings. Not having much horizontal surface spare but plenty of vertical. Only one answer. Hang them on the walls in my studio. They look great with a mix of finished but wet, finished and dry, virgin canvas and the rest with coloured grounds. Perfect solution and I didn't hit any wires or pipes with the nails in the hanging and banging.

Tony and Wendy came with us on a walk across, around, up and down the fields of Benenden. We sat outside and made six pizzas with our Giles and Posner pizza oven. Great little machine. For a crispy bottom the optimum time is four minutes from hitting the stone. I am feeling very full.


No 4445
Watercolour
140lb NOT

Saturday 19 May 2018

Saturday, 19th May 2018 - Watching Harry and Megan

I ate some reduced trout last night. It sent me slightly off kilter today.

The bits of the Royal Wedding I caught today did look amazing. What a perfect day. I hope they manage to get some peace. I cannot imagine anything worse than all that scrutiny.

Bella was showing me her fascinating book on the sea while a disgruntled Tescos delivery man was standing on my doorstep. He should have rung the doorbell. I found him eventually.

It was a warmer trip out in the MG. We met up with Mike and Pippa and sat on the steps of Tenterden railway station in the sun.

Damn I forgot to check my lillies for beetles.

I have two single male guests staying. It's a tough job.


Watching Harry and Megan
Pen and Watercolour
140lb NOT

Friday 18 May 2018

Friday, 18th May 2018 - Aquilegia

I have had the most unusual afternoon. Harriet took me into the girls school to watch their version of the Royal Wedding. The children were all dressed in wedding outfits. The local vicar performed a wedding service for two bears. It was a most bizarre occasion. I had an glorious time.

We have had a few loses in the garden. I no longer have swathes verbena bonariensis that I loved with its willowy ways. What was a charming fuschia was not as hardy as proclaimed. It is now a dead stump.  Watching Gardeners World with its floriferous ways just makes things worse. Again the guilt trip of what we should be doing this weekend. Bugger off. I have better things to do.


Aquilegia
Pen and Watercolour
140lb NOT

Thursday 17 May 2018

Thursday, 17th May 2018 - Michael and Gabriel

A gift bottle of wine from my guests is sitting on my kitchen table. It would have been rude to say I would prefer chocolate wouldn't it. It was very kind and thoughtful and of course I deeply appreciate the gesture.

A terrible thing happened today. It is a 500 calorie day. I ate a piece of toast with butter without even thinking about it. Probably all my allowance in one fell swoop. Thank goodness for cup-a-soup and Options hot chocolate.

Tonight it was a joint Morris venture at The Stilebridge. The Weald of Kent danced alternately with the lively Loose Women. We went in the MG with its top off. It was cold there and even colder coming home.


Michael and Gabriel
Pen
Khadi Paper

Wednesday 16 May 2018

Wednesday, 16th May 2018 - The Nuttery, Smallhythe Place

Our internet is down. I will update my post when I can type on my Mac.

....now back up and running.



The Nuttery Smallhythe Place
Watercolour

Tuesday 15 May 2018

Tuesday, 15th May 2018 - Computer Support

Harriet and Herbie helped me get my rooms prepared for a new influx of guests. The bnb world has changed. A couple of years ago I would have been back to back with guests. I am not the only one down on guests. It is possibly due to the arrival of Airbnb. There are pages and pages of listings in the area. As things have worked out it is a pleasant way of working with less guests and more time for the finer things in life. I do like my guests. Other peoples lives are so much more interesting than mine.

Sarah was marooned at her home. I had two very pleasant coffees sitting with her in her garden in the sun. I hope she is ok as she seemed a bit serious today.

Mum was looking good today. She was out of her room and sitting eating jelly with fruit topped with cream mountains.


Computer Support
Pen and Watercolour
140lb NOT

Monday 14 May 2018

Monday, 14th May 2018 - Rose Tree

I was Googling what the groups of flowers on a rhododendron are called and discovered that the name comes from greek meaning Rose Tree. This is a much better discovery than the the clusters of flowers are called 'trusses'. The one in our garden is looking glorious.

Wading through ironing was a good chance to catch up with my oil painting tutorials. I am not sure I agree with everything.

My GP was delighted with my blood pressure. No extra pills needed. Apparently the dent in my forehead is a basal cell carcinoma. That was a surprise. Common and easily treated. I am hoping for a bit of a face lift at removal time.

Two very large and messy paintings were created at my art class this evening. We are working on mark making and turbulent seas. It was messy and incredibly engrossing. I was ready to bin them but my tutor thinks I should continue working on them. I will do as I have been instructed.

A third Monday of 500ish calories. Tim cooked a very spicy, garlicky meal which was delicious. I haven't even sneaked in a cheese snack which I may have done previously. It is that broken off corner on a chunk of cheddar that is my craving. Even the thought of it is tempting me towards the fridge. To bed before I submit.


Rose Tree
Watercolour
140lb CP
30cm x 24cm
£40 Unframed

Sunday 13 May 2018

Sunday, 13th May 2018 - Fields of Buttercups

A busy working day.

It was vital for my well being that I got out the house and into the countryside.

I am struggling with building my website. I know what I don't want. I am not sure what I do want. It is a pile of scribbled on A4 sheets of paper. What font? I don't know. What colour? I don't want green. Or do I? Clean, easy to use. Yes. How? Wix looks good but Weebly could be better. I have not got the foggiest. Tim is trying to guide me but ends of laughing at my confusion. I give up. For today.

Have you watched Lucifer? I can't quite decide if I find him attractive or not. It is possibly the black eyeliner which is causing a conflict within me.


Fields of Buttercups
Watercolour
140lb NOT
27cm x 17cm
£40 Unframed

Learn to Paint/Love to Paint with Róisín O'Farrell
This evening I shut myself in my studio with a time limit of an hour to paint a chair. The instructions were to take a photo, crop, sketch on a board with a ground, paint using a palette knife. Done. Oils are great. I think I could be happier using a traditional palette as the paint slips around on the glass one I have. I will take a look on Amazon. I will add photos tomorrow.

Saturday 12 May 2018

Saturday, 12th May 2018 - Hens and Violas

It is Saturday. I keep thinking it is Sunday. I turned on the radio to listen to The Archers Omnibus while making up guests rooms and wondered what had happened. Tomorrow. I have it to look forward to tomorrow.

Social Media is a complex beast. It is like being on a roundabout with many turnings and not knowing which one to take. Take the one that feels right to find you back on the roundabout again. Two steps forward and one step back.

Our neighbour had a surprise 80th birthday party today. He didn't look terribly thrilled. I thoroughly understand. I am not too keen on surprises either. A lot of the delight is in the anticipation.

Mum rang me. She needs some more bubble bath. I can do that.

I am looking forward to Sunday being a Sunday, not a Saturday.


Hens and Violas
Pen and Watercolour
140lb NOT
25cm x 15cm
£40 Unframed.

Friday 11 May 2018

Friday, 11th May 2018 - Alliums

It is a rather tired Kate that types for you this evening. It has been a good day. A long day.

Tom called his parents. Good lad. It is good to hear his dating news. He has been looking at bathroom plans for his new house. House purchasing can be a slow frustrating process. I hope it all goes successfully.

Herbie loves his playmat. I was watching and wondering how many steps he would clock up if I put my Withings watch on his ankle. Many many thousands I guess and very speedy ones too.

The two commissions I have been working on have been handed over. I hope they will be happy in their new homes. It was a lovely thing to do touched with worry.

Another set of guests. Again no cake eaten. We ate it after our dinner this evening. I love a slice of coffee and walnut.

I planted pots up with alliums in the winter. They are just coming into flower. For an onion it is a thing of beauty.

I have been inspired by The Big Painting Challenge to paint big. Tonights picture is one of the largest I have attempted for a while.


Alliums
Ink and Watercolour
35cm x 55cm
140lb NOT
£40 Unframed

Thursday 10 May 2018

Thursday, 10th May 2018 - Paddington and Puzzles

Blimey that was an overly chatty Tescos delivery driver I had this morning. I know about the new products being introduced, three types including the packaging. How many shifts he does a week. What he is going to do with his week off in June. The drivers complaints that six minutes is not enough to deliver a load of shopping. My frozen stuff had nearly defrosted by the time he left.

The house is ready for new guests. They wont know the decorating anguish that has passed through it in the last few days. They didn't want coffee and walnut cake with their tea. Being a Thursday and a 500 calorie day I had to show enormous strength of will not to eat it. A tuna salad was in no way a satisfactory replacement.

Hetty and Bella have not been to our house for a while. They came to view the hallway and wandered into the kitchen. The bookcase has been neglected of their attention. They ferreted out books, paper, pens and puzzles. They no longer need my assistance just the essence of a grandmother is enough.



Paddington and Puzzles
Pen and Watercolour
140lb NOT
20cm x 15cm
£40 Unframed

Wednesday 9 May 2018

Wednesday, 9th May 2018 - Three Morris Men

Woohoo. The hallway is finished. Gorgeous 'Teal' walls. I finished the finer details slowly while Tim romped his way over the walls - twice. I think the smell will have dissipated by the arrival of tomorrows guests.

I could no longer stand the guilt of seeing my leggy sweetpeas struggling in the greenhouse. They are now firmly bedded along the fence snuggled up with slug pellets. I learnt my lesson from last year. After planting I confidently leaving them overnight to find that daylight showed the slugs and snails had been merrily feasting.

I have not seen Mum for a while. In trepidation I visited. She was in a rather entertaining mood. I had quite a pleasant hour or so with her. The Evans Family dropped in too. Bella brought a plastic box containing John the pine weevil to show Mum. What a privilege.

Tonight it was the first Weald of Kent Morris evening of the summer. I do like to be surrounded by ribbons and leather bell pads. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening at The Woolpack Inn in Benover. A girl in the audience made it memorable with her infectious laugh and beautiful singing voice.


Three Morris Men
Pen
Khadi Paper
17cm x 14cm




Tuesday 8 May 2018

Tuesday, 8th May 2018 - View From My Bath

Following another long long long day painting of the hallway I had a bath to ease the muscles in my shoulders (from stretching) and knees (from kneeling). We now have Teal coloured cut in edges.



View From My Bath
Pen and Watercolour
140lb NOT
25cm x 17cm
£40 Unframed

Monday 7 May 2018

Monday, 7th May 2018 - 280 Calorie Butternut Mulligatawny

The thrill of decorating got me out of bed bright and early or was it the need for a mug of tea and a pee?

I wrote a list sitting outside in the early morning sun. Unfortunately, I seem to have mislaid it.

The hallway has had the majority of my attention today. It is looking good for it. A couple more days and I will be able to reinstate the furniture.

I dipped in and out of the garden for painting breaks. The sun had a powerful kick.

The Enorma runner beans are looking delightful with their marigold companions.

Monday is a 500 calorie day. Tim has found a plethora of recipes on the web. Tonights stew was delicious.


280 Calorie Butternut Mulligatawny
Pen and Watercolour
140lb NOT
27cm x 17cm

Sunday 6 May 2018

Sunday, 6th May 2018 - Compositionally Flawed

It was probably not such a bad thing that I forgot to put on my watch this morning. I have travelled very few steps today. With nothing to record I wonder if the App is concerned for my wellbeing.

The hallway is now stain blocked. I was pleased to have a painting companion this afternoon as it is a laborious task. We were still painting when this evenings episode of The Archers came on.

I gave up list writing as it was getting unachievable in its mounting length. I think I need to start again as my mind cannot retain all the things I should/would/could be doing.

While watching The Big Painting Challenge we left the doors and windows open to expel the paint fumes. The hall was buzzing with Maybugs. What amazing looking creatures they are.

I rebelled against the law of compositional odds in my painting this evening. Just because I can.



Compositionally Flawed
Watercolour
140lb NOT
26cm x 18cm
£40 Unframed

Saturday, 5th May 2018 - View from Howfield Farm

I have continued with the hallway painting. I am running low on stain block paint.

Tim finished the runner bean bed and I filled it with beans. It is looking rather sparse with my poorly germinated crew. I am hoping I can espalier them and increase production.

I need Dulux Barley White for my woodwork. The waterbased version is terribly disappointing. I prefer a good dose of fumes, mighty coverage and hardy staying power. Brewers mixed a couple of cans of the oil based paint for me. Screwfix had more stain block. Tool station had a money off voucher. I have filler, and a window scraper to clean my oil painting palette.  I found bargain bibs for Herbie in Asda and some healthy looking marigolds to fend off any bugs thinking of attacking my vegetable plants. B&Q had a handsome plants to fill the gaps in a flower bed where the ground elder had been. That was a lot of shops for one afternoon.

Nick and Alli invited for supper. We sat outside by their chiminea with Si and Lesley eating delicious curry and a very tasty frangipane pie. Thank you for a lovely evening.


View from Howfield Farm
Watercolour
140lb NOT
25cm x 17cm
£40 Unframed

Friday 4 May 2018

Friday, 4th May 2018 - Unfinished Cow Parsley

Due to slow drying times I have posted an unfinished piece of work until tomorrow.
I have been painting. Not picture painting. Of course it was perfectly executed painting but of the woodwork in our hallway. It is going to be one long job. A bit of Wham made it enjoyable. Thank goodness I was not out in the sunshine soaking up the rays.

Herbie has been in good voice today. Harriet has found him some books in the loft that he adores. I am not sure she is going to be able to keep up with his pureeing needs. He has a fine appetite.

While Tim was collecting our breadmaker from Waitrose I dropped in on Mum. She is not too bad but not quite right. I didn't have the energy to speak with Manuel today. Hopefully Chris visiting this weekend will sort a few things out.

I am absolutely terrified as I type. We are watching a horror film. I have half an eye on it and that it far too much. It has everything demons, and vomiting blood and self destructing birds. I wont be getting out of bed for a wee tonight. Make sure your feet are tucked under your duvet.


Unfinished Cow Parsley
Watercolour and Ink
140lb NOT

Thursday 3 May 2018

Thursday, 3rd May 2018 - Harriet and Herbie at The Fig

Harriet and I have been waiting a long time for today. A month. We celebrated her birthday which turned out to be more of a treat for me as I got driven and my food intake paid for. We took Herbie into Rye. A couple of coffees in one of the many coffee shops was followed by a wander of the cobbles. There is a new gallery Art and Glory full of lovely pictures and jewellery. I adore the part around the church. Back down to Rye Art Gallery which is full of gorgeous things. We studies the paintings intimately. There was just about enough time to have lunch at The Fig. Rosie one of Tom's friends own it but she wasn't around today. The lunch was delicious and didn't detract from being called an 'Allday Breakfast' with poached eggs, wilted green with seeds, tomatoes and mushroom. Well done The Fig.

I spent a bit of time in the garden. I have new geraniums to pot up but no pots. The old pots need emptying of their spent daffodils into the flower beds. The flower beds needed weeding first. The compost from the pot I wanted on the runner bean patch. The runner bean patch need the grass removed. What a soggy bugger that was. I never did get around to planting my geranium.

This evening WOKAS had a demonstration by Bill Newton. Having arranged this myself I chose it to be in oil paint. A good turn out from members and friends. I found the painting 'claustrophobic' (LeeLee's accurate description) when he got to the boats. It was an amazing painting and admirable to be done in under two hours.

There were no oranges in Tescos today.


Harriet and Herbie at The Fig
Watercolour
140lb NOT
12cm x 25cm
£40 Unframed

Wednesday 2 May 2018

Wednesday, 2nd May 2018 - Chicken in a Mulberry Tree

Tim's brother and mum came to lunch. My past over catering proved advantageous today. We had a 'one-I-made-earlier-and-frooze' french stick to go with a freshly cooked broccoli and cheddar soup. Don't use low salt stock cubes in your soup stock it makes for a less tasty result. A lemon meringue pie was recovered from the freezer and seemed to show no ill effects. I have had an underlying feeling of guilt as I promised Bella a slice of a previous pie that I never delivered. She got a piece today. Herbie had a smiley time with his Great Grandma. There is no comparison between Brenda and Mum. Reports say that mum has had a more active day today hopefully stimulating her mental state and negating her thoughts of pain.

I have a couple of commissions. I am thrilled to have been asked with a bit of worried on the side. I have started them today. Hopefully I can get them completed by the end of the week.

The rain finished being persistent this evening. Tim and I took a stroll around the village as the sun was setting. It is a good time to thrash out our thoughts. Omelette was on our minds for dinner. We collected our eggs at the hens bedtime. The chicks that Harriet hatched last year still roost in the tree. They look unstable. The hen featured is one that lays the most beautiful green eggs.

The film Knight and Day was perfect light entertainment for our tired bodies and minds. Tom Cruise was a bonus.



Chicken in a Mulberry Tree
Pen and Watercolour
140lb NOT
26cm x 18cm
£40 Unframed

Tuesday 1 May 2018

Tuesday, 1st May 2018 - 5.30ish am

May Day and up we rise. The Weald of Kent Morris have spent the day dancing and singing fertile vibes to the crops. The weather was certainly pleasant enough to make sowing the seeds a pleasant task. The Evans family came bright and early to. It was Herbie's first experience of the Morris. He was in full voice on meeting Malcolm. We all descended upon the Gun and Spitroast at Horsmonden where they served a fine breakfast. They took to a minibus tour driven by Si. I needed a short interlude at home followed by a walk into the village to see them dance at Bella and Hetty's school. The children loved it and squealed with delight at the appearance of the horse.

Walking back home I had to have a chelsea bun from the shop. It was sooo good. Probably yesterday's calorie intake in one go.

This afternoon I spent one hour and forty minutes at Hawkhurst House. We had a meeting with staff and Mum to discuss her future plan. The home are incredible. Exasperated I came home and needed to get out for a brisk walk. I should have been with Tim at The Milkhouse enjoying the company of friends and pizza.


5.30ish am
Pen and Watercolour
140lb CP
25cm x 17cm
£40 Unframed


Ltp/Ltp Course
How can composition be so hard? I even have a checklist with eight key elements and three principles of design. It says my aim is 'To create a pleasing composition'. I am not finding anything pleasing about it. Harriet tried to help me combat my confusion. I have to do five. I may have sort of, possibly done one. I am loving this course. Oh and I got a box of half price oils delivered today. I like a gift.