Painting Holiday 2018 at L Age Baston Chateaux

Date for this years painting weeks in France are confirmed as the 7th and 14th July.
It's a real treat to stay at the chateaux, painting and drawing in the well equipped studio, then relaxing by the pool. Walk in the woods and explore the local village.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you want more information,
It is a lovely place to stay.

L'Age Baston 2017

Every week, every year, the weather, the people. Everything is different which means it is never dull to work in this way. This year had some different dynamics that kept me on my toes. The first week was a small group - but they all wanted tutoring at their own pace, which gave me a lot of reward as teacher. The second week had more people but some had come with their own projects and agenda, which meant my role was more fluid and in ways uncertain.  It felt there was a good round up at the end of the week and I remind myself... It is a holiday for them, not an art course. I did some sketches that will remind me of the time but most of my input was on the whiteboard and will be lost in the dustbins of France.

 I was picked up by my dear friend Sue who drove down the length of France with me, looked after our dogs and picked me up for a trip out on the changeover day. The last photo is of the lake I have been sitting next to, watching heron and blue skies, breeze ripple and calm, a kingfisher. We have swum and walked, weeded, watered and cut back brambles - it's been a thoroughly restful end to the trip. Now packing for the return journey and looking forward to my own weeds and watering.

Preparation and Presentaton

Mill Farm arty week starts tomorrow - so the studio is looking clear and tidy. What ever the other outcomes, I have sorted through piles of collected detritus, thrown away unloved work and gubbins, washed the kitchen thoroughly, cleaned the toilet and sharpened about 100 assorted pencils.
The space is about as ready as I can make it before people actually turn up, so I went to the degree shows at Greys School of Art yesterday.  I saw some fine original works and was lifted by the standard, though experience and the cynic in me knows that barely one percent of these young talented folk will still be doing 'art' in three years time. But still it is a great training and I felt the fashion and textiles were outstanding.

A desire to raise the bar in my own work is always there, teaching and painting. So I am paying attention to the details of the programme for next week, to give the participants the best opportunity I can to enjoy, be creative and learn.

Summer Art Week @ Mill Farm Studio

A chance to dip into a variety of creative activity. I have challenged myself with the creating of the week but the best of it is working with talented professionals like Lyndsey Gibb who has done all the work for the Flyers and information sheets shown here. Come and Join us.

Lake and Peak District 2016

Driving too and fro from Aberdeenshire to Kent is made all the more interesting by stopping off along the way and it removes the emphasis of getting there. Earlier in the year I was accompanied by Mary Cane as I persuaded her to come with me and visit Jenks garden near Dumfries. Open for one day a year only and I had already arranged to  pick up paintings just 20 miles away in Kircudbright. 
A Memorable trip indeed, though raining, that did not dampen our pleasure at seeing the monumental land works and plantings. The 'garden'  included railway carriage, river and stream crossings, stairways and pathways, walkways and spiralled ways up and down.

I have just returned to Kemnay having completed another trip with time spent in a hot tub near Cocketmouth with Jeni and James Watson and on the way back - a reunion near Buxton which apart from the great company, spacious farmhouse accommodation and a visit to Chatsworth house, I managed to swim in the refurbished leisure pool and dabbled a couple of sketches.

I have decided, no more dashing up and down. But more stops along the way to see places and people.

West Dean - Monoprint.

Gathering my materials together to tutor one of my favourite processes - the ever surprising and rewarding Monoprint. It is with a mix of anticipation and apprehension that I approach the four days at lovely West Dean. Skill and luck.