I made these two drawing on A1 Somerset Velvet paper interpreting a poem based on the theme ‘Crow’ by Sheffield poet Kate Garrett. I know her through Artipeeps, the Cambridge Arts group, and our work for Book VII of Ovid’s Metamorphoses for Transformations was printed together on a card. I love her poetry and hoped she would say yes when I suggested we did our own collaboration. She did agree and has written a very powerful poem which I have been responding to over the past couple of weeks. The first drawing was made with Indian-ink with crow feathers dipped in there. I used them like pens but also turned them round so I could paint with the soft end. I respect the feathers and don’t ask too much of them. It’s all about listening to the drawing tools and media that you’re using. I went to the graveyard to watch crows but they wouldn’t let me get too close. They were attracted to the bird-feeder there, but as soon as I approach they disappear. I’m accepting their illusive quality and am listening to their cries. I can distinguish between jackdaws and crows calls now. Don’t forget to click on the image to enlarge and see the marks more clearly.

I noticed this wonderful beech hedge at half term on the twisty road on the way to Askham in Cumbria that I really wanted to make a sketch of. I’ve already shared the photographs on previous posts. I walked along the road to find the motif one cloudy morning. The colours were stunning in the little stretch of hedge. I also like the way it was not over-managed. It felt very natural. There were pheasant screeching as I drew, they must live in the wood behind the hedge. I’m sharing the sketch made on the spot stood in a gateway at the bottom of this post, then the stages of making the large study. I take my oil-pastels and am used to getting as much information and colour down as I can. Don’t forget to click on the image to enlarge to see marks and colour.

I’d seen this beech hedge on the way to my brother’s gallery at Askham Cumbria that cried out to be responded to. I walked back to it a couple of days later and stood in a gateway to draw it. I don’t really want to share the sketch as it may become a painting in response to my Vanaheim explorations based on Norse mythology for the Cambridge based arts group Artipeeps. I can share some of the photographs as a taster as it were. The woods were full of squawking  and squabbling pheasant. The colour was rich and astonishing. I lost track of time as usual whilst drawing until I got cold and wet because of the rain. Time to make a sharp exit back to Askham.

There were some wonderful Scotts pines on the ancient Lonnin near my father’s house in the Lake-district in Cumbria England that mesmerised me last Thursday. It was very windy, and the branches and their pine needles were pushed in a fluid diagonal movement by the wind. The sound was enveloping as well. Here are some shots of the walk and my watercolour and pencil sketch.

Here are Stan Cropper and his wife Jean at my house this afternoon. I was so excited that they came to see my work and chat. I’d been to the Globe studios a few weeks ago to see Stan’s work which you can read about on the pages of this blog. It was great to show paintings and sketchbooks and share thoughts regarding working outside from the motif, and when and how this all happened in our artistic lives. So much common ground. It felt very special and real. Hopefully the start of many more meetings and even a show together

Here are Stan and Jean in my little studio looking at paintings and sketchbooks. It was such a privilege to share what I make and do with artists whose work I respect and admire.

This shot shows my current painting reinterpreting the theme Vanaheim for the Norse mythology collabortation that I’m currently doing with Artipeeps arts group from Cambridge England. I’ve added more colour to the landscape, with darker areas invading parts of the piece. This painting is a way off being complete, and I’m just letting it all sit with me awhile before I do more. I’m on half term holiday now so will be able to do some more probably on Monday and Tuesday. I’m still feeling that I need models for my god and goddess characters. They will emerge into my consciousness and life I’m sure!

I decided to bring in a male figural element into this piece. Risky stuff, not used to using the human form for a long while, but want to bring it into these explorations. The feel of Vanaheim is still eluding me, but I’m not forcing anything. I know it will come. I need to get out into nature to do some drawing as well. Maybe at the weekend. I have noticed one or two motifs already. The male model is again from a very old life study done in a small sketchbook. Sometimes these drawings are just waiting to be rediscovered and brought back to life to point me in a new direction. I’ll share the study as well. Don’t forget to click on the images to get enlargements to see the marks more clearly.

This is a painting that I began last Tuesday. I’m taking part in a collaboration again for Artipeeps arts group based in Cambridge England. We’re taking inspiration from the Norse sagas: a mix of artists, poets and musicians. The artists have been assigned a ‘realm’ each to be inspired  by. Mine is Vanaheim. I’ve been researching this but am finding it strangely illusive to visualise. The people who lived in this realm supposedly had a very strong sense of community and are often associated with wisdom, fertility and magic. I’m going with archetypes to begin with. I found a very old life-drawing which has a Goddess feel to it. I used her for the figure in the landscape I created. Here are the stages of making the piece. It’s not complete and I have ideas for the God, so watch this space!

Here are some shots of the work of Stan Cropper whose painting I really loved. It resonated with me as he turns to nature for his inspiration as I usually do, and often works outside on the glorious Bockingford watercolour paper he loves.

I visited these studios at the weekend and met some of the great artists who work there. I loved their work, it really resonated with me especially that of Stan Cropper and Michael Kelly. It was so good to talk about art and life with them. They were kind enough to look at my portfolio on the Sunday and said they would come and visit my studio too. They are authentic and visionary artists. I’d love to show with them, we would just have to find a venue. I do believe that will come if it is meant to be. I only got to see their studios by chance after talking to printmaker Alan Birch at his studio down the road from Globe Arts. Here’s some of my photos from the visit. Here’s a pic of Michael talking with a friend. Shots of Michael’s work on this post. I’ll share Stan’s on my next one.