Tuesday, 30th April 2019 - Accidently Pruned

I was doing a bit of gardening today and some deadheading. Very annoying when I accidentally decapitated a perfect ranunculus bloom that Harriet had given me for Mother's Day. It does look rather lovely in a vase on the kitchen table.

Tim has been whooping it up at The House of Commons. I am very proud of him getting an award for 40 years of dedicated work. We have a lovely bottle of whisky and a fine engraved decanter. Shame I don't like whisky. Would it be ungrateful to add a bit of ginger wine? I think I have a terrible cold coming and know just the perfect medicine.

Accidentally Pruned
Watercolour

Monday, 29th April 2019 - For The Lost Souls

This evening I was back at my art class. We had a theory and practical lesson on drawing crowds of people in perspective.

It has been a sad time for a few people I know who have lost their pets recently. They have all been great companions and will be missed terribly.

For The Lost Souls
Watercolour

Sunday, 28th April 2019 - Stone In Spring

My head was feeling a little tender. I would have laid around the house if it was not for Elizabeth. She invited us to join her in Stone In Oxney for an open gardens tour. The gardens we scored from 10/10 to 3/10. A great cure for a bit of a hangover.

Stone in Spring
Pen and Watercolour

Saturday, 27th April 2019 - Sixty and Twenty One

What a glorious evening celebrating with Nick and Lou plus a few others. I thoroughly enjoyed the dancing. Barry and his band were marvelous. The homemade sausages delicious. Thank you for an entertaining evening.

Sixty and Twenty One
Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 26th April 2019 - One plus Four

The garden is awash with pheasants.

One plus Four
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 25th April 2019 - Selection Committee

I let the cat in at 5.30am. Either she knew I was awake or she had been meowing for a while. She was soggy. I have been feeling the same today.

Harriet and Sarah looked through 350ish of my pictures from 2018 for the Open Studios in June. I felt as though I could do much better as they were critiquing my work. That added to my sogginess.

The guests were back to having tea and cake in the dining room due to the chilly damp day.

I am going to have a session with Mr Fox and a chicken salad this evening.

Selection Committee
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 24th April 2019 - Mysterious Pink Flower

Tim has gone to Sheffield leaving me all alone. I was delighted to have the brief company of Harriet and Herbie before going to my studio to continue with my oil painting mission.

I found this growing under an oak tree. I do not know its name.

This evening I have Victoria to binge watch. Thank you Carole for the tip. Lawrence Fox is all I could wish for.

Mysterious Pink Flower
Charcoal and Watercolour

Tuesday, 23rd April 2019 - St George's Sunset

We celebrated St George's Day in full. The Weald of Kent Morris danced at The Knoxbridge Inn finishing off the beer left over from a weekend of Easter festivities.

St George's Sunset
Watercolour

Monday, 22nd April 2019 - Lady's Smock

Hetty and Bella were being detectives. A broody hen came out of hiding. We still have not solved the mystery of where she is nesting and hope the fox doesn't find her first.

Mum was lying on her bed when I visited. This seems to be her permanent position which is very sad. She has all the help to walk about a bit but lacks the motivation. Such a waste when there is a lovely garden just a few seconds from her bed.

We had some staleish hot cross buns. I made a hot cross bun and butter pudding. That was a lot of consumed calories.

Lady's Smock
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 21st April 2019 - Pot By Elizabeth

We had an Easter egg hunt in the garden with the grandchildren. I was the only one not to get an egg. I was very disappointed.

I found an egg on my easel. I did get an egg!!!

Brenda and Elizabeth came for tea and almond honey cake. I made it for pudding last night with caramelised oranges but everyone was so full of pizza is remained intact. Very handy. The grandchildren got more eggs and egg cups to decorate.

I have a very lovely birthday vase made by Tim's sister.

Pot by Elizabeth
Watercolour

Saturday, 20th April 2019 - Collecting Eggs

Herbie helped us feed the chickens and collect the eggs. They all survived the vigorous basket shaking.

I had a lovely time at my easel and found Annie Lennox to keep me company.

Tim cooked pizzas. It was just about warm enough to sit outside for a drink. Our good friends Si, Lesley, Tony and Wendy made an effort to join us.

Collecting Eggs
Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 19th April 2019 - 5.30pm Beer

What a glorious day it has been. It was warm enough to go out topless in the MG.

We met Mike and Pippa at The Three Leg brewery for a jolly early evening drink. I am not that keen on beer but found they serve Kir which was lovely.

5.30pm Beer
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 18th April 2019 - One He Made Earlier

I met Mum at the GP's. She wont let me take her in my car. She had a lengthy consultation with an incredibly gorgeous and patient doctor. I got a look from her devil side when she mentioned a recent condition and I said she has had it for over two years. I think she is just getting old and is full of wind. If she stood up it would probably expel itself through one orifice or another. She has an appointment in two weeks time. I think I really should to be present...even if it is just to look at the doctor.

I have made a start on my second oil painting. Going slow but well so far.

This evening was a WOKAS evening. Pat gave a talk on Egon Schiele. It was full of naughty intrigue.

One He Made Earlier
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 17th April 2019 - Bluebells

Mum was looking very small today.

I have finished the first one of my oils. I need to increase my speed. I think George Ezra is slowing me down.

Our woods are starting to look a little blue.

Bluebells
Watercolour
Mulberry Paper

Tuesday, 16th April 2019 - Diffuse Light

Just porridge and eggs for guests breakfast. I poached an extra one for Herbie. Tim ate it. Sorry Herbs.

I am an eighth way through my oil paintings. It is a glorious experience. It is important to stretch oneself and put four pictures into an exhibition that you have never attempted anything like previously.

After a sedentary day Tim and I strolled the grounds of Benenden Girls school to get our corpuscles flowing.

Diffuse Light
Watercolour

Monday, 15th April 2019 - Paddling

There has been a cool breeze but Herbie found it warm enough to play with some water.

Paddling
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 14th April 2019 - Singing

It was a chilly day for the beer festival at The Bell and Jorrocks. The singing and jugs of beer helped warm the Morris.

Singing
Pen and Watercolour

I had my jugs in an exhibition at Sutton Valence. Look a red dot.

Sold - Striped Jug
Oil

Saturday, 13th April 2019 - Hail on the Horizon

My guests left with egg, blackcurrant jam and a jar of plum pickle.

I looked in the mirror after my shower. I think my elastic needs replacing.

We drove through sleet and hail to Newhaven this afternoon. There are some lovely villages along the way.

Hail on the Horizon
Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 12th April 2019 - Evening in the Woods

Four canvases have their gesso coat, next is their tinted base coat. Have I left enough time for them to be painted and dry by May? Possibly not. I love the thrill of drying paint. Watercolour would have been a better choice but where would have been the tension.

I delight in the lighter evenings. It meant we were able to go for a walk in an intermission of Tim's article writing.

Evening in the Woods
Watercolour

Thursday, 11th April 2019 - Cindys

I was up to prepare breakfast before the sun.

Tescos provided reduced plants and seeds. I spent the afternoon planting.

Cindys
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 10th April 2019 - Working Through Play

The children were playing while I coloured Harriet's hair. My guests arrived and Bella kindly asked them if they would like tea. She was interested in their cake. It could have been chaos but it wasn't.

I have been arranging, rearranging and arranging flowers into a decent still life in preparation for an exhibition next month. I need to get my arse into gear as I am planning to do oils and it would be prudent if they were dry.

Working Through Play
Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 9th April 2019 - Grapes and a Bee

The disgusting weather changed my plans. A tour of Pashley Manor gardens did not seem very appealing in the damp and drizzle. I had coffee and half a bacon roll with Sarah instead. During a search of the charity shops I have a rather charming red metal tea pot that will make a charming still life subject.

I had to detour to find friendship, ears and tea after a visit to see Mum. She didn't 'nearly' fall between the car and wheelchair the last time I took her to the GP. Now she refuses to let me take her.

Thank you for my birthday tulips and beautiful jug Sarah.

Grapes and a Bee
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 7th April 2019 - Chocolate Vine

I did a major weed extermination in the flower bed under our newly painted weatherboard. Appearances need to be upheld. Rained forced me inside to read an art book.

I have missed seeing Pippa. She keeps going to France. We had a brief catch up with tea followed by gin and tonic. It is great to see how their house is progressing. Truly inspirational.

Chocolate Vine
Pen and Watercolour

Saturday, 6th April 2019 - Inspired by Sean Scully

Another picture has been added to our collection of Dungeness lighthouse. It is a linocut by Carole Aston we met at the exhibition in Benenden.

There was a programme about an artist called Sean Scully this evening. I am not sure I understand his work but it fetches extraordinary prices. I liked him very much by the end of the programme. He works hard for his art.

Inspired by Sean Scully
Watercolour

Friday, 5th April 2019 - Farewell Mrs Knox

It was a celebration of the time the Benenden Primary School headteacher had spent with the children. Held in the church it was an emotional hour. Hetty and Bella played their parts fabulously. Well done my little ones.

Farewell Mrs Knox
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 4th April 2019 - Mum's Vase

After I finished my work Herbe and I fed the chickens. Blimey it was cold. We didn't stay outside for long.

This evening I handed four paintings to LeeLee for an exhibition in Sutton Valence. It was a night of still life paintings. Very poorly attended but the few of us that were there had a jolly time.

Tom has informed me that there is a new Terminator film. I am going to have to wait in wonderful anticipation until the Autumn.

Mum's Vase
Watercolour

Wednesday, 3rd April 2019 - Lingering At The Lights

The first thing I have to do is sing:-

🎶HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR GORGEOUS HARRIET
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU🎶

What a tremendous person you are.

Nothing can top birthday celebrations that than a visit to Mum with bodily supplies. I am not sure why she need three lip balms.

Lingering At The Lights
Watercolour

Tuesday, 2nd April 2019 - Viola

A few weeks ago I had a mammogram. Last week I got a letter to call me back for a second screening. Today I went to Maidstone hospital. Something had shown up on the x-ray. I had another mammogram, bit of a check from a ridiculously young doctor (we ironically discussed how to poach eggs) and an ultrasound. The results were clear. It was a huge relief. Not so good for the poor lady sitting next to me who had a biopsy. I wonder how she is this evening. What a fantastic speedy service to get investigated and the results all in the matter of a few hours. Tim bought me potting compost and a lovely red watering can with a fine hose.

Viola
Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 1st April 2019 - Juneberry

My guests enjoyed homemade hot cross buns in the garden this afternoon. I am not sure that they really wanted to sit outside but I suggested they should make the most of the sun so they did. The buns were delicious and even more delightful as they were made by Harriet. I do love a hot cross bun.

It is 10.30pm I am back from a musical extravaganza at The Halfway House to celebrate Steve's 60th birthday. Happy Birthday Steve.

Juneberry
Watercolour