Spring flowers

Musing on the brevity of life I took the camera to spring flowers in my garden.

The statue is from Bruges.. I just love the Belgian sense of humour.

Springtime in Bruges and UK

Have just had a few days in Bruges, which is just full of good Flemish art. It is such an inspiring place I hope to capture a sense of the place in a print later.

Not sure why some of these pics came out sideways.. sorry for the crick in the neck!

Framing past work

Have spent the last two months matting and framing. These are some monoprints dug out from the attic. I just love the mad freedom of working quickly on glass, using oil based printing ink and white spirit.

Have discovered a local source of 'seconds' handmade paper with rose petals etc incorporated. Would be interested in any one has experience of using this somewhat thicker paper with watercolour pigments and baren printing. Am keen to practice, but must get the last of the framing finished.

There are local exhibitions coming up to work in tandem with the Dorset Art Weeks, so I plan to try my hand at entering some of the work, if only to see if they pass the jury selection!

Sorry, this monoprint has come out sideways, the family are coming back soon for a meal so no time to sort.

I love reading the barenforum blogs, you are all such an inspiration.

self

Portugal, Oporto

Have just returned from a week in Oporto in North Portugal. Seeds for some future prints, I hope.

Half term is coming so must sort out the house, then plan to have marathon sessions framing and matting in preparation for showing. Going through earlier work is interesting. A lot I threw away, but some which I did not rate much at the time, seem more interesting. I hope to post a few in a couple of weeks, and would love some comments.

Good to be back

On the move

Have just returned from a Retreat week with a group of Buddhists who follow the teachings of the Vietnamese zen monk Thich Nhat Hanh. It was great to be able to take time out to focus, and I enjoyed it all.

I have been reading the Art Festival Guide by Maria Aranho. It is so full of good sense and I feel much more settled about what I must do in preparation for showing the work. I would recommend this book to anyone starting up in the business of selling their work to the public.

Back for a few days and then we are off to Portugal (Oporto) for a week, where I hope to see some contemporary art.

Cabin Studio

Here is a picture of the cabin studio in the garden. I have just got insurance for it and for the Open Studio event.