Artist of the year!!!!

Much giddy excitement!!

                                             

 Oh my word, I'm so excited!!!
 I don't know how to say this but I really wanted you to be the first to know.... I've only just found out myself this morning and I've been in a state of giddy excitement ever since!

 The SAA have awarded me their Artist of the Year award 2012!!!!

 I'm so so thrilled about it all!!
 The results won't actually be published for a while but I'm sure they won't mind me telling you, I really can't keep it to myself!
 Apart from the sheer thrill and honour I have also won fabulous prizes... £1000 plus £1000's worth of art materials, an engraved crystal goblet (which I will show you when I receive it!) and £500's worth of art materials to give to a school or art club of my choice, which I think I've already decided about!
 It hasn't really sunk in yet!
 Thank you so much for your ongoing support and encouragement, it means a great deal to me!

 Big smiles all round! And now I'm going out with my friends to celebrate!

Plage privée

It's not really a 'plage privée', as far as I know! I just always feel as though it is when I come here. At the top of the stone jetty is a cottage which has a garden behind and fronts onto the beach. I painted it once, see 'fisherman's cottage' on my blog on the 14th November last year if you are interested! Sunny today but still very windy! Tomorrow is our last day and I must take Maisie to the vets under the UK pet passport terms. Then on Thursday I have to drive to Le Havre (about four or so hours) to catch the ferry back to England.
Oils on linen canvas, 30 x 30cms

Poule chocolat

Oh the beautiful hen made of chocolate! I've always wanted one of these French delights at Easter time (Pâques) but never bought one. This week we had the extreme good fortune to win, not one, but two poules! I've been on an overnight trip to Antrain and Saint Malo and came back to a rainy afternoon on Brehat island. What better way to spend the time than painting this little beauty.

Oils on canvas, 20 x 20cms.

Oh, and the chocolate didn't disappoint, taste-wise, either. Miam miam!