Winter wonderland

Fresh snow and calm lakes make the perfect winter picture, I'm thinking of having a go at this lovely view of Grasmere, I drove to Grasmere from Keswick we had no snow but Grasmere had this lovely sprinkling, where shall I go I thought, and as always I'm drawn( excuse the pun!) to some of my favourite views, I often paint the view down the Lake looking at Helm Crag but today this is what caught my eye, the bench that I usually sit on was snow covered, so I did a quick standing up sketch, always having pens and pencil to easy reach makes a difference in these conditions. A hot chocolate warm up ended the perfect afternoon

A Classic

I love painting Striding Edge it really is a true classic with lots of excitement and drama especially in the winter, it's in Lot's of ways helped me succeed in the world of art, one of the first exhibitions I entered was British painters at Ilkley where I was voted one of the top artists and an actor off Cor nation street bought my Striding Edge ( Alf Roberts the shop keeper) this gave me such a buzz and greater confidence to approach galleries. Now in December this year I have my first demonstration and article in 'Leisure Painter' and I was asked to paint my old favourite Striding Edge. If this cold front keeps up , I'll be taking just the sketch book, watercolours tend to freeze on the paper! back up Helvellyn to see a classic Lakeland vista.

Christmas is coming!

I saw my first Christmas trees lite up last night in a couple of houses in Keswick! I'm one of these people who leave it to the last minute, I quite like that mad rush on Christmas eve!!

One thing I am fairly organised with is ' Christmas card workshop' which is organised for next week and this is what we are going to have a go at painting, it's a bit of a change from painting my usual dramatic landscape, the Robin was a little challenge.

A dream come true

I received a phone call last week about a shop/ gallery in Penrith which was available for a short lease, I couldn't resist, it's a wonderful opportunity to have your own gallery and to show your work, I have another friend Karen that I met through Italian classes, she makes handmade Murano glass and silver jewellery she's joining forces with me. So from Tuesday 18th November Lakeland Gallery and Firefrost Jewellery will be open at 9 Devonshire Arcade, Penrith.

Winter Skies

I saw a lovely winter sky yesterday, a little like this! This was the painting we did for my evening class trying to keep to a limited palette. I have organised my Christmas card workshop for Tuesday 2nd December in Battersby Hall Keswick, Christmas is coming round fast!!

The glorious Lake District

On days like this it's hard to imagine a more beautiful place than the Lakes, this photo was taken from the top of Black Crag, this is the easiest Wainwright I've ever done but what lovely views. We parked at Tarn Hows and walked half way round the Tarn then up to the top of Black Crag with fantastic views across to the Langdales, Bow fell and the snow capped Crinkle Crags, the colours were magical, I'm looking forward to having a go at painting this, I did a few sketches from the top and I think it will make a great pastel painting!

Secrets of watercolour!!

Having been asked many times about workshop weekends in the Lake District, I have organised some for 2009, I love teaching watercolours to beginners and improver's, its fantastic to see how a few techniques or secrets can make a painting come to life. The weekend courses are aimed at these students, staying in quality bed and breakfasts based in Keswick with en suite rooms and been close to the town centre. Workshops will be mainly based inside a spacious light hall with step by step demonstrations and plenty of one to one attention specially designed to meet all students needs.Workshops begin Saturday and Sunday at 10.30am and finishing about 4pm with a break for a light lunch. the price for a weekend is £175 Evening meals are not included.