Selling up.

My trips to France are shorter now. I take a flight rather than drive and there's no opportunity to paint. The house is up for sale so I use the time to see friends and sit in the sun on the terrace. The decision's made and and I'm happy with it. Life moves on!



House for sale.
http://sjolley.wix.com/frenchhouse

One down, one to go.

Yesterday I cheered for Djokovic at Wimbledon and tomorrow I'll cheer for Germany in Brazil. With Wales not represented in either championship my support is for my grandchildren two of which are part Serbian and two are half German.
Work is suffering somewhat but there are lots of distractions. I'm pretty relaxed about it and just enjoying the summer.

A new chapter.

It was always going to happen. The long summers painting in the South of France have come to an end. Four or five months away from Cardiff every year became a tradition that carried on for 16 years. But things change.
Deciding on the spur of the moment to leave for France, loading up my car with paints and canvases, spending the night with my family in London before heading for the coast and the ferry was exciting and intoxicating. The lure of the open road, my choice of route, my choice of where to spend the night and finally the joy of driving along the road leading to the village where I had a home. Always when I stepped into the house it was if I had never been away. I had simply been shopping in Cahors.The next morning I would start work early always bemoaning the fact that I could get nothing right. My head was full of images of South Wales yet here I was miles away in the hot southern climate with bright blue skies and constant sunshine. It's not surprising that there was some conflict of images.

Now I'm excited by more change, maybe new adventures in the future. I am ready to leave France behind confident that my paintings will act as a reminder that I was once there.

Summer on the coast.

Summer on the Coast. oil on canvas 

Juggling work with other things.

I'm trying to pack a lot in and I'm getting no-where. I've been in the studio every day this week but when I review the work, I haven't much to show for the efforts.This evening I brought a canvas and paints home with me so that I can carry on working here. If that works, then it maybe it's a solution.

Rain over the coast.

 Rain Over The Coast. Oil on canvas

I am either enjoying the warmth of the sun or waiting in anticipation for the summer to arrive bringing warm sunny days. In the meantime I content myself with memories of hot sunny days in the South of France. Rain completes the perfect weather cocktail. Parched earth and scrubby landscapes don't inspire me; give me instead landscapes which have been warmed by the sun and made fresh by the rain. Then I am inspired to paint.

  January On The Coast. Oil on canvas

February, March and April

February passed quickly - it began with the opening of the "All Women's Exhibition" at the Albany Gallery which was reviewed in the Western Mail - http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/six-female-artists-celebrate-colour-6670108#.UvkucSBg__o.email
and Cardiff Life featured one of the paintings in the exhibition.

You Don't Know Me. Oil on canvas

The 6 Nations dominated the rest of February. It didn't result in a win for Wales this time but we were there for the match against France and it was spectacular.
I don't know where March went and we're well into April. I've been having a good time but I'm behind with work as a result. After Easter I need to get some paintings together for the Summer Show. I'm looking forward to getting back into the studio.