Painting collection books and calendars

Front cover of my new little book

I've been having an exciting few weeks for new printed items, having designed my new calendar for 2016 and the latest volume of my little book of paintings which includes over 60 of my favourite paintings from the last year. I've also added around ten new greetings cards designs this year, so I should have all these new things with me at Patchings Festival (June 4th to 7th) as well as recent oil paintings of course. 

A sample of pages from the new book

A sample of pages from the new book

Some of you might be aware that I produced a little book of favourite new paintings in 2013 and then a year later another little book of paintings from 2013-2014. I know that some of you have collected both of these and so it was time to produce a new version with paintings from 2014 - today!

For me they make a fantastic memento of where I have been painting each year and it's so interesting to see how my work is developing.

Back cover

All three books together

All of the books and greetings cards are available via my website.

New calendar for 2016

My new large (A3) calendar will be in my hands any day now, so I am starting to take orders already! The price on my website includes postage/delivery costs to the UK.

These are some of my favourite paintings from the last twelve months, together with little inspirational quotes. I do hope you like my selection!

The inside pages of the calendar with large image at the top

Each month has a large image which can be cut out and framed if you wish :-)

The back page of the calendar showing all the images

As for my new book on oil painting in association with Search Press, work is progressing nicely! I'll keep you updated but publication will be in the second half of 2016 :-)

Painting with friends

After four hours painting - unfinished 24" x 26"

I'm happy with my own company, but also I'm very sociable and love a chance to paint with friends. Yesterday I drove to London to meet with two of my favourite artist friends and two lovely young models to paint together by the canal. It was a perfect day!
I worked on a large white oil primed canvas, 24" x 26" which was a lot of ground to cover! After around four hours I got to this stage. I love the composition and I wanted to get the main colours on and the white covered. The swan kept coming back and forth so I really had to include it in the painting.

The light was challenging. We started with heavy cloud cover but by the end of the session it was full sun. I couldn't start to introduce strong shadows at that point. If we can arrange another day together I'd really love to finish the painting from life. Otherwise I will do my best with it in the studio.

With Michele del Campo and Adebanji Alade and a chocolate brownie thief

Monterey wharf

Monterey Wharf

Writing has been keeping me busy lately, as well as a little teaching, travel planning and organising next year's calendar and some new greetings cards. Still, I'm getting to the easel as much as I can! We had a fantastic weekend workshop at Old Bank Studios in Harwich the week before last. Next year we are already planning a plein air weekend in May so I really wanted to give you advance notice for a change! Email Bev at the studios if you'd like to be in that group next spring :-)