Today, the Shed.....

My latest painting has the title, "Today, the Shed"

It does sound quite a strange title, especially once you see the image.
So, here's the explanation...

On Twitter, I follow quite a few authors. One of my favourites, Joanne Harris, tweets about her writing Shed. It is a structural chameleon, changing its appearance daily, in response to Joanne's fertile imagination.

I love reading her Shed tweets, because Joanne has such a magical way with words, that instantly the picture forms in my mind. I had always promised myself, that one day, when the easel was empty and I was ready to paint, that I would try to capture one of the Shed's incarnations.
Recently, I said as much to Joanne and she kindly replied 'Be my guest.'

I checked a few of the Shed tweets - and this one spoke to me, the loudest.

Today, the Shed is a rice-paper lantern drifting across the morning sky. On it, in impeccable calligraphy, the symbols for “courage” and “tea”.

Here then, is the painting, Today, the Shed  as I saw it, in my imagination.

The calligraphy may not be impeccable, because I am not Chinese, but the symbols do indeed portray Courage and Tea.

Today, the Shed

.....and for those of  you who have been so kind as to stay following me throughout my husband's illness, I can tell you that he is progressing remarkably well - and the doctor thinks he may be back to his old self within the next four months. Thank you for all your concern, you have helped uplift me through a troublesome time. You all know why the words Courage and Tea spoke the loudest to me.

A chuisle ..... and a novel giveaway

Good morning friends,

I haven't been around much, but wanted to show you my latest and pass on some news about a giveaway.

This is my latest painting

A Chuisle 

painted on Saunders Waterford 140Rough, size 15 x 11

and the Giveaway news is this:

If you go HERE there is a chance to win a copy of my novel All in the Leaves

Good luck - and if you don't want to leave it to luck, you can buy the novel at any of these stores HERE

Meet Archie... and free wallpapers/screensavers

Good morning all

I wanted to show you Archie, plus tell you some good news!

Here's Archie

and the good news is I am now offering free wallpapers and screensavers on my painting website.

Please go HERE to check out this offer!

and for those who've been kind enough to write and wish hubby well, thank you. Your good wishes buoy us up. He is still improving, but slowly. We are grateful for the improvements. Your love, prayers and good wishes are most definitely helping. Thank you.

The Making of Dotty .... and an update

It's been a long time since I was here, or visiting your blogs.
Even longer since I've done a step by step painting.

Yesterday I got the time to paint - and I painted Dotty, from beginning to end. Taking pictures of the progress, we start at pencil drawing and end at the completed tabby cat that is Dotty.

I hope you enjoyed the step by step ... and the final painting too.

Dotty was painted on Saunders Waterford 140 Rough and is 15" x 11"
The paints I use are Winsor &Newton Artist Quality

The update on our situation is that hubby is still improving, but the progress is slow. We're not out of the woods yet. Thank you for your continued prayer and support.

My Sweet Valentine.... and a longer break..

Dear blogger friends,

It seems that it may be some time before my OH is better, so the break from blogging may be longer than I first thought.
As and when I have time to paint, I am. I am posting whatever paintings I do on my gallery site. There I don't have to write text, which I would have to do if blogging. Plus, the fun of blogging is in visiting you all - and currently that would take too much time. I am so sorry to be missing.

If you would like to see any paintings I do create, you can visit my gallery site here
If you join the mailing list, you will be notified every time a painting is added.

In the meantime, here is my latest
My Sweet Valentine

Thank you all for your understanding - and will see you again, when OH is better. xx

King of Hearts... and taking a little break..

I painted this picture as a gift for my husband, for St Valentine's Day.

King of Hearts

Saunders Waterford 140 Rough, 8 x 11 inches.

I'm showing it to you early, because I'm going to take a little break from blogging and visiting blogs.
My husband is not well at the moment, so obviously, I want to spend my time with him. I hope to be back sooner rather than later. If you pray, say one for us.
Thank you xx

The Night Watch ... and In The Beginning..

Here are my two latest paintings.

The Night Watch

and a glass ink bottle, which because I write novels, I have called


In The Beginning

and if you'd like to take a look at my latest novel, All in the Leaves, you can find that HERE