Friday, 30th November 2018 - Pink Clouds

After work Harriet and I went and had a decadent coffee at Hartley Dyke without children. Actually I had tea as I had eaten half a bag of fruit liquorice that were full of E numbers and was feeling a bit peculiar.

Pink Clouds
Watercolour

Thursday, 29th November 2018 - Tom and Paintings

I have had to do proper paid work today. I was due for a scheduled break at 2pm for a walk. I had a surprise to find Tom in my kitchen. What a great son I have. He drove 3 hours just to come and see my paintings in the exhibition. I was so touched by this that I took him out for a bit of lasagne afterwards. He is driving back home as I type. Most importantly he caught up with his sister, nieces and nephew.

Herbie was a little delight today. I built a tower, he knocked it over and repeat. It was the chuckling that was adorable.

I am not sure I can remember how to cook a full English breakfast.

Tom and Paintings
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 28th November 2018 - Reduced Donut

Tim and I were the leaf team today. Good thing we ventured out this morning as the weather was disgusting this afternoon.

Menopause!!! I thought I had been through this. I have coped with my thermostat being too high in the night by getting up in my pj's with bare feet on the cold kitchen tiles to cool me down. Is it not bad enough to know one is shrivelling, drying up and redundant in the body? I should have known my journey was continuing when Barbara Streisand made me cry. Hey ho on we go. 

Reduced Donut

Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 27th November 2018 - Solitary Rose

Today I spent quite a lot of time standing by the printer feeding in 60 sheets of card one by one. Good thing I am a patient person. They are going to be crafted into glorious Christmas cards for my dear friends and family.

Blimey. It is like Groundhog day in the garden with the leaf clearing. It was raining too. My work was rewarded by finding a rose amongst all the decay.

Solitary Rose
Watercolour

Monday, 26th November 2018 - Fairy Shelter

I have had a marvelous in my studio doing my art class homework. I took a break to rake leaves which are now falling in great abundance from the trees. There are awful lot of fungi in the garden. That

I took Mum her shopping. She now has a nice new pair of roomy trousers with a useful elastic waistband and a voluminous grey cardigan. I have not been to see her for quite a guilty while. All seems well with flashing Christmas trees adorning the nursing home which is filling up with residents. Mum takes refuge in her room when she has enough of the other inmates.

My tutor Caroline gave an inspirational art class this evening.

Fairy Shelter
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 25th November 2018 - Pat and Postcards

The Weald of Art Society Winter Exhibition is up and running and looking wonderful. With a few others I have hung pictures, drank tea and ate doughnuts, set up the bar, drank the wine while mingling with other artists. What a wonderful way to spend a day.

Pat and Postcards

Pen and Watercolour

Saturday, 24th November 2018 - Pond and Trees

We had toast and jam with Steve and Zoe before they headed off in different directions.

I have painted 40 cards and signed my paintings in anticipation of tomorrow. Tim has been sorting out the technical printing/labels/hangers - the boring bits. I should really be packing my cards but get side tracked by trawling the internet for dressing gowns for Hetty and Bella.

We watched a couple of episodes of Luther. I can't decide whether I find him attractive or not. Good series anyway.

Pond and Trees
Watercolour

Friday, 23rd November 2018 - Bella's Assembly

I have designed my Christmas cards. Tim has printed the skeleton which needed a few alterations to come up to my exacting standards. He is a patient man. BUT He did ask me to make any alterations I wanted. Now I just need to get 40 printed, painted and packaged by Sunday for the Weald of Kent Art Society Exhibition. AND You will be pleased to know that during my absence in Brussels with Teresa May, the varnish has dried on my oil paintings. I now just have to get them in the frames, taped and labelled.

Bella had a her class assembly in the church this afternoon. I proudly watched and wept just a little. I think the chocolate we brought home from Brussels was a perfect 'well done' gift. It certainly gave her some bounce. How lucky we are to be able to be part of the growing up of our grandchildren.

Steve and Zoe arrived this afternoon. We joined in the festivities in Tenterden. The lighting of the Christmas tree was a truly magnificent event. I became thoroughly soaked in mulled beverages.

Tonight it is a sketch of the gorgeous Bella as I need to get up early and paint some cards.

Goodnight my lovelies.

Bella's Assembly
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 22nd November 2018 - Brussels Day Three

Monday, 19th November 2018 - Egg Mayonnaise

My oil paintings have been varnished. I have never done this before and forgot to sign them. BUT I have used retouching varnish and can do it later according to the internet.

I have made bread and egg mayonnaise ready to combine into sandwiches for our trip on the Eurostar tomorrow.

Egg Mayonnaise 

Watercolour

Sunday, 18th November 2018 - Fungi on the Lawn

I took my sensitive head into the garden to rake leaves managing to dodge the bees on the way to the compost heap.

Fungi on the Lawn
Watercolour

Saturday, 17th November 2018 - Mountfield Road

I am on the lookout for new boots. As we were heading into Tunbridge Wells for the evening so it seemed sensible to go via the shops. Next, nothing there, TK Max, nothing took my fancy there, Asda had slippers in abundance and cat food for our senior cat.

June and Barry fed us a delicious meal. The fish was particularly tasty. The wine copious. The company of Si, Lesley (thank you for the beautifully wrapped eggs) Nick and Alli made for a wonderful evening.

Mountfield Road
Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 16th November 2018 - Talking to the Manager

I have my new work diary for 2019. I am worryingly pleased that it is purple. I have had black or silver for so many year. It is a thrill to have a coloured one.

It was a belated birthday celebration for Tim with Sarah and Nigel at The Great House. Matt Brooks sang beautifully for us while we choose from the menu. I was very impressed with the food being something that I would not cook at home. My Scallops and loin were delicious, oh and the brioche and butter pudding with orange custard. Good choice Sarah.

Talking to the Manager
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 15th November 2018 - Trees in the Mist

My nights are being disturbed by a malfunction with my temperature control. 

Trees in the Mist
Watercolour

Wednesday, 14th November 2018 - Knife and Paint

I have been in my studio oil painting. I am not sure where time has gone and why it takes four hours to paint a four inch square canvas.

Knife and Paint
Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 13th November 2018 - Cardigan Shopping

Following a night of battering rain I found the garden surprisingly charming to work in. My hens have stopped laying eggs in preference for moutling. They look very odd without tails.

I spent a couple of hours with Mum this afternoon. She was in a fine mood and rather chatty. I found out that I had a great aunt called Hepzibah. What a great name.  I came home needing tea, copious amounts of tea.

Cardigan Shopping
Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 12th November 2018 - WOKAS Committee Meeting

It was a hectic Weald of Kent Art Society meeting around Clive's dining room table with apple cake made by Maggie.

Committee Meeting
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 11th November 2018 - 1918-2018

I painted my paper poppy.

1918-2018
Watercolour

Saturday, 10th November 2018 - Happy Birthday Innis

Walking through the forest with Tony and Wendy was muddy underfoot but pleasant above. We had tea and biscuits in the garden. Who says there is not climate change???

I have another jug painted for an exhibition at the end of the month. I am getting to understand oil paints slowly. Two done, two to go.

This evening we helped Innis celebrate becoming sixty at Chart Hills Golf Club with champagne.

Happy Birthday Innis
Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 9th November 2018 - Promenade Along The Grand Parade

We headed down to Mum's house to continue with the clearing. It is great that she has good neighbours keeping a close eye on the place. After a tiring and emotional few hours we headed into St Leonards. There are some beautiful houses with sea views I wouldn't mind living in. We met Ewan and Chris in the relaxed atmosphere of Half Man Half Burger. Guess what I had to eat? If you are passing that way pop in.

Promenade Along The Grand Parade
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 8th November 2018 - Birthday Cheese

I shut the door to my studio to prevent my escape. One picture done, three to go. I have now let myself out.

We collected a bouncy Hetty from school and took her to The Cranbrook Art Show. I perused the art while Hetty collected artists cards. There is some great work there.

The Three Chimneys had an open fire crackling while we drank with Mike and Pippa.

Birthday Cheese
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 7th November 2018 - Wellies and Puddle

I am tormented. I am watching The Apprentice. It makes me squirm internally....I love it.

The rain cleared enough to walk into the village to collect Hetty and Bella from school with sparkling water and 'my' rich tea biscuits.

Wellies and Puddle
Watercolour

Tuesday, 6th November 2018 - £2.50 a Bunch

On my way to meet Sarah for coffee I picked up a couple of bunches of flowers from a road side stall. I kept one for myself.

I have recently found the joy of podcasts which whiled away the time as I cleared some flower beds of leaves and debris. There don't seem to be many plants left. It was a good podcast.

Have you been watching Killing Eve? It is a fine watch.

£2.50 a Bunch
Watercolour

Monday, 5th November 2018 - Striped Jug

I have been preparing canvases for oil painting. A messy process. Done and drying in my studio.

Striped Jug
Watercolour

Sunday 4th November 2018 - Youth Council Reunion

We went to Keston for lunch at The Greyhound passing the house I grew up in. I remember going to shop 'over-the-road' for a block of newspaper wrapped ice-cream on Sunday after lunch to have with pudding. We didn't have a freezer. When this lot were whooping it up at Youth Council meetings I had just left primary school.

Youth Council Reunion
Pen and Watercolour

Saturday, 3rd November 2018 - Unwrapping

Herbie has been very considerate and saved some of his birthday presents until we came home. He knows how much I enjoy present time. His sisters helped. A favourite was the peg board and hammer - nice over the shoulder technique. Thank you for sharing you first birthday with us. In the five days we have been away he has learnt to wave, clap, blow kisses and has his first tooth. What an amazing Grandson we have and to be able to share these precious moments an utter privilege.

Unwrapping
Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 2nd November 2018 - Venice - Last Day