Back at work.

Fresh supplies of paints ordered and delivered and a stock of canvases already waiting in the studio, nothing to stand in the way of getting back to work. Even the sun is shining and that's always an inspiration. It's a great feeling to get back into a routine and, as always after a gap in work, the first completed painting will be a significant and important milestone. 

  

Tomorrow.

The pandemic, the lockdowns, the house renovations and the wait for knee surgery all characterised the past two years and made it somewhat challenging. It was made all the more so by an enforced break in work when I couldn't get to the studio. Now two weeks post knee surgery with my 'flu and booster vaccinations behind me I'm eagerly biding my time when I can return to painting. These next few months are not my favourites so I'm content to stay away from the cold weather and keep warm exercising my knee ready for the Spring when I'm back to the studio again. The time will go quickly with Christmas already a matter of weeks away. My head is full of colour and ideas for vibrant canvases to welcome a new, better year. A new year, a new beginning!

                                     Tomorrow. Oil on canvas. 2021.

October

Most of Wales is in lockdown but I have no plans to go travelling. My studio is in Cardiff and so is the gallery and I am in Penarth and although people can cross from one area to another to work I haven't done so. Not being able to paint leaves me frustrated but there so many things I need to do here to complete the renovations to the house before Winter sets in. At the same time I am cataloguing my work and sending images to the gallery for the Winter and Christmas Exhibition held on-line this year. I am hanging paintings in the house from different collections, from the early days in France, displayed now on pristine, freshly painted white walls. They are loaded with memories and set me reminiscing and smiling as I recall the glorious days working and living in France. Put some Bob Dylan music on or a Jazz CD and the picture is complete. I am back there, soaking up the sun, dazzled by the light, excited by the clarity of colours and the vibrancy all around me. But my home is in Wales where rain soaked days with grey skies predominate once summer is over. It's then I recall those images and I am back again in the sun.   

   

Lockdown in London.

I came to London on St Davids Day to stay with my family. Within a matter of days we were all settling into a routine no-one had predicted with no clear end date in sight. The grim weather of February gradually gave way to sunshine and warm days and being able to spend time in the garden was bliss. Meanwhile my cat stays in the cattery in Cardiff until restrictions are lifted and I can collect her and take her home with me.

The Little Picture Show.

It's January and the skies are dark and grey outside. It rains incessantly and there's little colour to see in the landscape. I'm drawing on all the vivid images from sunnier days stored in my mind for such a moment and my palette reflects this. Two pictures for The Little Picture Show at the Albany next month. Measuring just 20 x 30 cms, they still take as much work as the larger canvases I normally use.

         
                                             Reasons To Be Cheerful (2). Oil on Canvas.

   Yesterday. Oil on Canvas.

The New Year.

A lot of things got in the way of work last year.  Losing my old Mercedes in July was a blow and I spent too long wishing I hadn't parked in that particular street at that particular time and why did a man just happen to lose control of his car that morning ploughing into mine while I was elsewhere! I wasted time trying to find a replacement but gave up in the end realising that nothing could take the place of a car that came travelling with me across Europe to the South of France and back every summer for fourteen years sometimes making a detour to see my family in Frankfurt. I thought I would have it for ever. It was October before I gave up looking and bought a completely different car.

Grey landscapes.

It's November and very grey everywhere. With not a lot of colour around I'll have to work with what I have. I'm focussing my attention on three canvases for The Little Picture Show at the Albany Gallery in February. An odd glimpse or two of sun shining through the clouds could trigger memories of the summer and release bright images to add some cheer to my paintings. Failing that I'll rely on memories of long balmy days in France where the intensity of colours never failed to excite and inspire me.

                                                Return To The Village. Oil on canvas.