Sunday, 24th November 2019 - Cabbages and Roses

I wasted two hours in my studio painting flowers that were diabolical. At least I can wipe off the oil paint and start again. I felt very pissed off.

LeeLee and I fraternised with artists in Battle.

I came home to find a huge bunch of flowers from Harriet, dinner cooked by my husband and a stint of ironing whilst watching The Apprentice made for a charming evening.

Cabbages and Roses
Watercolour Markers

Saturday, 23rd November 2019 - Early Stages

I spent the afternoon in my studio working on. four paintings, The ground is on, colours perfected and shadows and background painted in.

This evening we met Mike and Pippa in front of the fire at The Three Chimneys for one too many glasses of wine.

Early Stages
Oil on Board

Thursday, 21st November 2019 - Hash Akib

We said goodbye to Uncle Bill today. Going back to the crematorium was so sad. The last time I was there was in June for Mum's service. Then there were only the three of us and Mum. Today there were a lot more friends and relatives. The Two Sawyers put on a good spread he would have enjoyed.

This evening the artist Hash demonstrated to WOKAS. In just over two hours he painted a portrait and a landscape. Just amazing. I love his exuberant style.

Hash Akib
Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 22nd November 2019 - Mutual Love

I was in charge of Herbie whilst Harriet and Brett sorted out where to put their sockets in their new home. We had a great day eating cranberry and brie sandwiches with LeeLee and Kara in Mr Beans. We wandered to pavements of Tenterden where they were setting up for a Christmas event. The german musicians gave Herbie a tinkling bell after he clapped their performance. He was very pleased to see his Mum.

Mutual Love
Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 19th November 2019 - Colour and Composition

Social Media can be so damaging. It can also be a wonderful platform.

I went shopping for Christmas gifts and came home with a new orange corduroy skirt and yellow jumper for myself and a bunch of Gerbera to paint.

Tim was away for the evening so I spent my time composing gerberas into charming arrangements. I have just over a week to get four paintings off the easel.

Colour and Composition
Watercolour

Saturday, 16th November 2019 - Lee and her Art

LeeLee and I went to meet and great the artists at The Powdermills November Art Show. We were two of twenty one artists. It is a great exhibition. It took quite a bit of courage to participate. And I sold an oil painting of a blue jug to a graphic designer. Wow.

We visited B&Q to get some compost. It was in a shopping complex and packed. I found some Dime robins in Tescos for Hetty and Bella

LeeLee and her Art
Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 18th November 2019 - Sea Bream

Tim had to go into Maidstone. He returned with fish for dinner.

Sea Bream
Watercolour

Sunday, 17th November 2019 - Boston Fern

My female hormones have gone haywire disturbing my night many times.

To celebrate the excellence of Hetty and Bella's school learning we took round a pack of Hatchimals each. They were thrilled with the little plastic beasts. Well done girls.

I should look in my diary more often. I was looking forward to some time off from cooking bacon. Ah but no. I have guests for a couple of nights before I can wander to the compost heap in my pyjamas.

We are watching a good series called Gold Digger. There must be some horrid twist brewing.

Boston Fern
Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 11th November 2019 - Remembering

I am not sure I like my garden at this time of year. It is cold and soggy. In retribution of it not providing me with anything delightful I hacked at some plants.

My guest said he didn't eat breakfast. Today he didn't but I was lulled into a false sense of laziness. I returned home at 9.30pm, cooked a stir-fry and poodled about thinking I didn't have to get up too early. On retiring to bed I found a breakfast request on the pew. Serves me right for footling about in the evening.

Remembering
Watercolour

Sunday, 10th November 2019 - Pay The Toll

It was the perfect day to finish Tom's garden. The soil must be very fertile as the plants grow even through the artificial grass. Inside work was progressing on window frames

Dave and Josie joined us for lunch in The Foundrymans Arms. It was a fully ladened roast. I had lamb and was very full. Diego wanted us to try his lemon meringue pie. We said we would share a piece and were presented with five. I was even fuller. How they can make any profit when they only charge £7.50? I haven't had a popover (my siblings will understand the terminology) for ages.

Time to leave Tom. Thank you for a great weekend.

Back at home and I have a bed and breakfast guest. Harriet let him in and was going to give him chocolate brownie. An earwig had taken residence. It was in the fridge!!!  Hardy little beasts. The chickens will be feasting on that tomorrow.

Pay The Toll
Watercolour

Thursday, 7th November 2019 - Foraged Hydrangea

I spent the afternoon amongst a colony of artists, ref Wikipedia. We understand each others ways. After a few hours of stimulation I took to the raining streets of Tenterden. Yesterday Hetty introduced me to the world of Hatchimals. They had them half price in M&Co. I dropped them into the girls. A couple of eggs with tiny beasts inside caused a huge amount of delight.

Foraged Hydrangea
Watercolour

Wednesday, 6th November 2019 - Hetty and Grandad

We collected Hetty from her fine new school in Benenen this afternoon. We wandered the periphery to take photos. Hetty requested a hot sausage roll from the village shop. They had run out!!! I know it was only a small need but I felt quite annoyed they could not meet my granddaughters minor request. 

Wow - David Attenborough I love you.

Hetty and Grandad
Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 5th November 2019 - Pink Barn

I have had many bed and breakfast bookings today. I suppose that is good but I am getting used to not having to cook full English breakfasts.

I have a slight concern. On a walk this afternoon we passed a recently trimmed hydrangea hedge. I collected a huge bunch of beautiful flower heads from the road side. Now I am wondering if the owners had just gone in for a break and a cup of tea. When they return all the flowers will have gone. I hope they weren't intending to keep them. They look gorgeous in my kitchen. Buggers to paint probably.

Bloody government. What a mess.

Pink Barn
Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 4th November 2019 - Fading Sheep

Tim has returned from Atlanta. I don't seem to be able to find my gift.

I have possibly got over extended ambitions. This sounds exciting but I am referring to 'that' art project. I found a glorious piece of watercolour paper in my plan chest. Being A1 I have a lot of space to fill. Just loving and appreciating the time to be able to spend in my studio.

Fading Sheep
Watercolour

Sunday, 3rd November 2019 - Exercise in Texture

There is a lot of prevaricating going on. I have the project to do for my art class and should be much further along than I am. Whist in my studio looking for watercolour paper I found a few books to study which lead to more experiments. What a great way to spend a Sunday morning listening to The Archers and playing with gesso. The kitchen is covered in my enthusiasm.

Yesterdays windy weather has toppled the bean poles. The bean patch is now cleared, I left the self seeded aquilegia. They are being tested as to their robustness over winter. They will be those with the little purple flowers having reverted from something more glamorous.

Tim is still in Atlanta and I have indulged myself by cooking a chicken. Not one of ours but if they don't start laying I will be tempted.

Exercise in Texture
Gesso, Wool and Watercolour
(in my blue folder)

Saturday, 2nd November 2019 - Scrumming

I watched the Spingboks beat England to win the World Cup along with millions of others this morning. It may have been a disappointment for some but I found all those thighs thoroughly entertaining.

The weather has been disgusting today.

Scrumming
Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 1st November 2019 - Happy Second Birthday Herbs

Happy second birthday to Herbie. I am so proud of that little man.

Tim and I celebrated with Herbie, Harriet, Brett, Hetty and Bella at 8am before the girls went to school.

Tim has gone to Atlanta for the weekend!!! Such a long way for such a short time. I usually get FOMO when he goes away but this time I am pleased to be staying at home. I have a lot of homework to do for my art class so am looking forward to spreading myself liberally around the house.

I am going to bed to have the protein that has gathered in my brain during the day washed out by my spinal fluid. I heard this on the radio today.

Happy Second Birthday Herbs
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 31st October 2019 - Sophie at Eggs to Apples

Sarah and I are venturing further afield than Cranbrook for our coffee meetings. Today we met at the farm shop in Hurst Green that many people seem to frequent. Sophie has started selling her beautiful flowers. Nice coffee and bacon sandwich. A wonderful selection of high priced delights. Harriet requested a gift. It was Sarah who found it. A bergamot. I thought it was a herby leafy plant. It looks like an oversized lime. We tried it on Herbie first. It made his face contort. Sorry Herbs I couldn't help but laugh. It gave my tongue a numbing tingling effect.

Sophie at Eggs to Apples
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 30th October 2019 - Herbie and Cat

LeeLee came to do some mount cutting for her paintings. We are both partaking in and exhibition at The Powdermills in Battle next month. We are both a bit concerned as the other contributing artists are very accomplished.

Herbie and Cat
Pen and Watercolour