Bastille Day

This morning I lay in bed nursing a mild dose of 'flu with the window open watching seagulls creating mayhem outside. It's a reminder that the sea is a stone's throw away and I don't walk to the pier nearly enough. For now it's enough to breathe in the fresh air. By the evening I'm already feeling better. There are fireworks coming from the sea-front - maybe it's a party celebration but I'd like to think it's someone marking Bastille Day.

July

July. Oil on canvas

This was painted in France in 2004 and remains in my collection. I thought of it as I was getting ready to go to the studio. At the time I remember the sun blazing down out of a flawless blue sky. Today in Cardiff the sun is trying hard to get through the dark clouds but the garden is bursting with plants and everything looks fresh after the rain. It feels very good.