teaching and learning

a few days ago i held a painting workshop in my studio

we had fun
we worked hard

we used a lot of paint!

but lots of paint....colours mixed by the workshop painters was left

colours that i don't usually use...new colours

i didn't want to waste the paint....the colours were so vibrant and spring like

i had run out of my favourite colour of green (ara acrylics in green gold)
so instead i painted a series of meadows using the left over paint

a spring series

using more blues and lilacs and purples than i usually use...colours mixed to paint hyacinths

and different greens
here are some details from one painting

and here's the finished painting

Spring 100cmsx100cms

painting it reminded me of portugal...
where the lupins will be blooming soon
and spring comes early

these paintings will soon be on their way to the corte real gallery in portugal

the next workshop is painting roses on 11th may
i'm looking forward to it...teaching and learning !

fading but still bright

i bought a metal box...with beautiful colours

fading in and out

bright and cloudy

it influenced and informed a painting that will be part of my new solo show

here are some painting details




the box and a memory of foxgloves in a misty distance
lead to this finished painting



i'm thinking of another bright but fading memory
of a beautiful time in a beautiful place
new zealand
where i was planning to be this month

my thoughts and prayers are there

valentine's day

just back for a beautiful, inspiring but too short trip to brittany

saint malo, megaliths, the emerald coast and paimpol


great scenery mixed with sunshine and wonderful food...perfect





and this from paul verlaine printed on a sign near to the megaliths

"here are fruits,
and flowers,
and leaves
and branches.
and then,
here, my heart,
that beats only for you"

gabby young and turner

actually ....life is not all painting and protest i was in london for a few days ....

loved loved loved seeing the amazing gabby young at the barbican

a wonderful visual and musical performance
here is a pic of the amazing newspaper dress she wore...from gabby’s own blog


and here is a very happy man...


i had planned to arrive early to the barbican to see the japanese fashion show and the performance by students...strangely prevented by students protests and the ongoing work on the underground

the props of that show and the beautiful people in beautiful clothes makes me sad to have missed that





also had time for a short... but moving visit to tate britain
seeing the turners there lifted my heart

this land is my land ...this land is your land

painting and protesting...more paintings soon