kicking up a storm

Colder days are here again.
The tail end of the day saw us snuggled up on the sofa; me, my dog and the sketch book.

And what came out of the pencil on this cold day?
An elephant - kicking up a sand storm!
I'm willing the warmer weather back :)

......and some days...

Some days, even with the best will in the world, I do not draw or paint.
Yesterday was one of those.
I was working until gone 1pm and then I settled down in one of the recliners to have a cup of coffee and read a book.


David Benioff's City of Thieves.
One of those novels that grips you so you have to keep reading.
I always think of books as a form of art.. the author is painting a living picture with words.

Whilst I was sitting there, feet up, Missy took the other recliner and put her paws up! Not being one for reading, she fell asleep in the warmth of the room. Lovely girl .

A walk in the Field

Yesterday afternoon I wasn't working, so MissyChief and I went for a walk in the farmer's field that backs onto our garden.

We had a lovely time, the sun was shining, there was a breeze and the field walk was empty save us.
Missy thoroughly enjoyed trotting about, sniffing all the smells.

When we came home she had a good long sleep - and I made a small painting of the field, about 6x4 inches in size.


It was a lovely afternoon - one I feel blessed to have had.

Windy sketch

My word! What a windy day we had yesterday. It didn't let up at all.
It was of course, far too windy for anyone with an ounce of sense to put their sheets on the line, so I made up a quick painted sketch instead .
That's the wonderful thing about painting - you can make it up.

here's the sketch - I quite like it and may well include elements of it in a worked up painting. Keep your eyes peeled!


Now whilst I was painting this sketch, and the wind was howling - where was my brave little doggy?

Was she outside barking in the face of the elements? Was she hurling defiance in the face of the wind?
Was she heck!

She was being the world's most sensible dog and having a sleep til it all blew over.

Nice weather for ducks!

We have a saying "Nice weather ....for ducks!"
Cold wet and windy.
Whatever happened to autumn? Those lovely cooler days when you only need a light jumper or a heavy shirt - when you can still sit outside?
We had the fire on last night it was so cold. Today is already wet and very windy.

No sitting outside sketching in this weather for me. I'm staying indoors to play with my paints.
Though I do wonder if anyone has any sheets blowing dry in this wind? That would make a nice painting !

First day back

Yesterday was my first day back working after a six week break.

Which meant there wasn't a great deal of time for painting - but I did manage to do a very quick abstract before the first patient of the day arrived!

Here it is - Whiskers.
So named because I can see lots of cats and big cat paws in there .
That's my view - yours may yet be different...

The Journey Home

My friend Beryl came around for a visit yesterday.
Her husband Dennis was helping my Paul to put a new roof on the garage.

So, in between making cups of tea, Beryl and I set to, making an abstract painting each.

This is mine - and I call it "The Journey Home"