http://www.saatchiart.com/profiles/portfolio/id/681356 I’m so excited that Saatchi Art accepted my painting ‘Fence’ which you can read about and see on this site under Portfolio and About My Pictures, to sell online. I just thought it was worth a shot as I have it back with me after it was on show at my brother’s gallery www.stuartbrodhurstceramics.co.uk . All this means more of the world can see what it is I do. ‘Lane’ especially likes being seen, they both came out of that very rich seam of inspiration on that long French holiday in 2009.

 This oil pastel study was made today which is slightly smaller than A1. I’d decided that last week whilst exploring this particular plant that the stalk interested me the most. So I made this piece looking at it in more depth. However, I think I may already have the composition that I want to use for a painting so now consider this one just research. I enjoyed making it although am a bit tired as I was up very early. Will share a close-up next which is always interesting as it makes me see my own work differently too.

Here’s a plant drawing I made yesterday as part of my still-life explorations. It’s in oil pastel and soft pencil again on paper slightly smaller than A1. I let the drawing talk back to me and it became the stalk and the shadows around it that interested me most. I took some close-ups which I’ll share next. I feel a painting coming on through one of those. I’m looking for colour and light next to shade in these dark January days through these drawings.

Here’s a still-life I made last Monday on paper that was slightly smaller than A1. I’m enjoying my drawings on this theme as a result of my response to the TV programme, ‘Apples, pears and paint’ that was broadcast on Channel 4 a couple of weeks ago. I have some more thoughts as to how to develop it further inspired by Bonnard, who I’ve always loved, and David Cook an artist who I know and who doesn’t live so far away from me in Yorkshire. My work is always being nudged in different directions by the people I’m looking at, either masters I see in the flesh as it were, or on twitter or the work of artists I know. Ultimately I want to make my own new statement though whatever that is! It may work or it may not, but I never stop trying to say something. It is strange and illusive this visual world. I’m thinking of light and shade, colour and marks as an undercurrent to my days. Motifs and subjects present themselves to me as I go along. These cactii have been in the front porch of our house for a very long time. The bag behind them was given to me by my son. The mango in the previous still-life was a gift from a friend which I very much enjoyed eating afterwards! I bought the lemon and lime myself. These stories weave themselves into my days.