Thursday, 31st March 2022 - Snow over the Sea

It was too early in Rye for most of the shops to be open but I found an art shop I had forgotten about had its doors open. I left having added to my paint and pen collection. After cakes and coffee I looked out at the clouds bringing snow in over Fairlight Cove. My weather app warned me of approaching snow. It was correct. We drove home through flurries of flakes.

Snow over the Sea
Watercolour

Monday, 28th March 2022 - Working in Homemade Ink

After a few hours painting the garage doors I got to do the painting I love the most in my studio and then on to my evening art class. I have been working on the project. We were given the subject New Beginnings. I have abandoned at least three ideas before settling on something more abstract.

A lot of time and patience has been needed to produce the work below. A lovely time outside in the garden sun with bottles of ink, gorgeous paper and freedom of mind. I really like the unexpected delights of colour and texture that are coming from this process.

New Beginnings II

New Beginnings I

Working in Homemade Ink
Copper Oxide, Daffodil, Willow and Avocado

Sunday, 27th March 2022 - Mother's Day Flowers

A glorious floral wreath from my gorgeous children.

Mother's Day Flowers
Charcoal and Watercolour 

Thursday, 24th March 2022 - Fox's Grape Fritillary

In the autumn I planted a packet of nondescript looking bulbs. They have flourished into a glorious display.

Fox's Grape Fritillary
Indian Ink and Watercolour

Wednesday, 23rd March 2022 - The Rose and Crown at Clayhill

After a day of work Tim and I went for a spin in the MG. In the garden the sun was warm. Riding with the top off it was decidedly chilly. We stopped at the Rose and Crown for a couple of drinks and a packet of Twiglets. 

The Rose and Crown at Clayhill
Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 22nd March 2022 - Serenity, Tranquility and Peace

My mind is whirling with art ideas. I think it must be the warmer weather and the longer hours of daylight infiltrating my brain. Not a bad thing but I do have to keep visiting my studio to satisfy my need.

Everyone needs a bit of this.... Serenity, Tranquility and Peace.

Serenity, Tranquility and Peace
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 20th March 2022 - Footpath Posy

Tim and I strolled with Tony and Wendy this afternoon. They took us to places we have never been before. The footpaths were festooned with glorious plants. Wendy identified what I had collected, white Comfrey which is a hairy leaved lovely, the spotted leaves from Lord and Ladies and Dogs Mercury with a warning not to eat this poisonous plant. They made a lovely bunch of spring in my hand.

Footpath Posy
Indian Ink and Watercolour 

Thursday, 17th March 2022 - Portrait of Leelee in 15 Minutes

Today I have planted many many seeds. I had forgotten that I saw meadow rue at Sissinghurst Castle Gardens last year and purchased a few varieties. I hope that at least a few germinate and flourish.

This evening Juliette Dodd gave an amazing demonstration doing three portraits in an hour, followed by tutorial to The Weald of Art Society. She made it look incredibly easy and gave us some interesting tips. 

Portrait of Leelee in 15 Minutes
Charcoal 

Wednesday, 16th March 2022 - The Pink Door in Rye

I should have done some research before embarking on an early morning trip to Rye. The Rye Art Gallery, where I intended to spend a happy hour or so, was shut. The Apothecary comforted me with a coffee and bacon sandwich. My research for a project based on New Beginnings is now under way with me taking lots of photos. Kneeling on the cobbles got some odd looks. 

The Pink Door in Rye

Pen and Watercolour

Saturday, 12th March 2022 - Pink not Blue

I have been steeping copper pipe in vinegar and salt for a couple of week. What for? To make a glorious turquoise blue ink that comes with many health warnings. I don't intend to imbibe or rub it on my skin so I think I will be safe. I am contemplating what to draw/paint with it. I will show you my experiment when complete. It looks very beautiful in its glass bottle.

The first forget-me-nots are just beginning to flower. They are all shades of pink so far. I wonder why? Tell me.

Pink not Blue

Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 11th March 2022 - Driving Home

Happy 9th birthday to my gorgeous granddaughter Raffy. Where does the time go? We had a lovely afternoon with a bunch of her friends and family celebrating. I still remember driving home nine years ago after welcoming her into the world in the snow. Today it was 12 degrees.

Driving Home
Watercolour

Thursday, 10th March 2022 - Sea Defence

A day in Fairlight breathing in the sea air is always restorative. Combined with homemade soup and good company I came home feeling most buoyant.

Sea Defence
Charcoal and Watercolour

Wednesday, 9th March 2022 - Covent Garden

I got totally immersed in the incredible paintings at The National Gallery. It has been a couple of years since I last visited. I had forgotten how marvellous it is to get up close. Seeing the brushstrokes that Vincent van Gogh made sends tingles up my spine. The sun was out as we pottered through Covent Garden. I have come home full of artistic inspiration.

Covent Garden

Watercolour

Saturday, 5th March 2022 - Love, Devotion and Affection

The weather is cold, damp and grey. The pale pink camellia is a charming bit of brightness and joy in the garden. It has just begun to flower and is going to be glorious.

Love, Devotion and Affection
Ink and Watercolour

Friday, 4th March 2022 - Homemade Inks

I have been in my studio. It is damn messy. I like to think of it as being surrounded by inspiration. I have had time to open my homemade inks and experiment with them. They are wonderful apart from the daffodil ink that smells of something rotting. Great fun.

Homemade Inks

Thursday, 3rd March 2022 - Overworked

Sometimes it is best just to admit defeat when a painting has been overworked. Just rip it up.

Watercolour 

Wednesday, 2nd March 2022 - Drypoint Etchings

I have been working on selling my tiny etchings on Etsy. I have some marvellous descriptions being formulated. Many deleted photos before perfection.

Drypoint Etchings

Tuesday, 1st March 2022 - Mist

I have been dipping in and out of my studio between watching Albans Barnyard Lambcam and domestic tasks. 

Mist

Oil on Board

Monday, 28th February 2022 - Downton Abbey House

Tonight my art class studied two point perspective. Our task was to achieve the correct perspective in tone. I used some of my homemade willow ink. It has a bit of a wayward personality that I am learning to tame.

Downton Abbey House

Willow Ink