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.

Studio life.

The studio is happy place to be especially as I see the fruits of my labour and know that the collection I need for the gallery next month is slowly nearing completion. Since I've been back at work following the Christmas break I have settled into a good routine. It's easy to lose myself in work and keep distractions away until I've finished for the day. I still feel lucky to have such a great studio with Cardiff Castle just across the road.

New Year Resolutions

I have a list but when I read it I'm struck by how prosaic it is. It's lacking a certain je ne sais quoi. It's time for help and a friend who is coming around tomorrow is intent on building in some fun this year so I'm going to revise my list.
When my husband and I met as students in the early 60's we were studying together for a year before we exchanged more than a few words in passing. I thought he was too clever and he told me he thought I was racy. I was never really sure what it meant even though I rather liked it. I wish he was around today to pass comment on my list and gently move me in the direction of raciness again.

Bring me Sunshine

I'll Take the Coast Road Home. Oil on canvas

First day back in the studio after a long break over Christmas and I'm reaching for the colours of summer. Never mind the grey skies outside the window, the strong winds and heavy rain; inside the studio I'm building up a palette full of sunshine. Maybe it's because the song "Bring me Sunshine" is buzzing around in my head, colouring the way I feel and taking me many miles away to the South of France.
I'll Take the Coast Road Home in contrast is very firmly based here in South Wales and was completed in the Autumn for the exhibition next month.

Post Christmas

High winds and torrential rain marked the holiday period and now we can expect ice! We chopped down the fir trees in the front garden, a big relief for me because I was scared they would blow down and damage someone passing by.
Now it's back to work tomorrow to continue preparations for the show at Albany Gallery next month.

Everything stops for Christmas!

No more work - I'm counting down the days to when my family arrives for Christmas. I'm not going to think about painting until the New Year - then I'll have to put in a lot of time to get work ready for the end of January. Now it's all just about cooking and decorating and making everything festive for the holiday. I hope the snow stays away, however nice it looks!