Looking up…
August 2023
Sunshine was mythical rather than actual during August which may explain why I became fixated with looking up at the sky and one of the reasons that I did so little gardening. What a summer it’s been - a miserable August followed a July that was the wettest since records began and now it’s officially the start of autumn.
No matter really as I’ve had a lot of work to catch up with and exhibitions to prepare for - in fact this may well be my briefest journal entry yet as I still have much to do and more nights to spend in the studio.
Work in progress…
I don’t know where my mermaid painting came from. Perhaps through time spent waiting for the tiny Pipistrelle bats that arrive here at sunset and watching them flying low over the garden hunting for flies and midges. It’s a time I’ve come to treasure.
In the garden…
Happily, although certainly neglected, the garden almost looked after itself through August.
With bright vermillion flowers and contrasting dark foliage Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ survived last winter unprotected and made a welcome late appearance while echinacea and sunflowers, planted more recently, filled some empty gaps. Long time favourites in cottage gardens, coneflowers now feature strongly in contemporary planting schemes such as Piet Oudolph’s brilliant design for Hauser Werth in Somerset where they are mass-planted to dramatic effect.
In the studio
Preparations for upcoming exhibitions continue!
First up is the SAC Annual Artists Trail Weekend over the weekend of 23/24th September when artists and makers living in the centre of Sudbury will be opening their studios to visitors. The group includes local painters, printmakers, ceramicists, restorers and textile designers and we’ll all be there to welcome visitors and talk about our work. All studios are within walking distance and there will be the opportunity to buy as well as browse. This year I hope to have a few bearded iris for sale along with ceramics and paintings, 2024 calendars and diaries. You are welcome to look at my sketchbooks and I look forward to meeting you.
While you’re here make sure to visit the marvellous new Gainsborough’s House Museum where there are current exhibitions by Maggi Hambling and Suzanne Cooper that are well worth seeing.
At the end of September the 23rd Annual Artworks Exhibition will be taking place at Blackthorpe Barn near Bury St Edmunds. I’ll be exhibting new work along with fellow Artworks members who are all professional artists and makers. The exhibition runs from 30th September to 15th October 2023. I’ll be there all day on Monday 2nd October for a ‘Meet the Artist’ event where I’ll be available to talk about my work in soft pastels and demonstate my technique. Stay for a coffee or sandwich in the cafe while you’re there.
2024 Garden Days Calendars and Diaries have arrived…
It’s always exciting when the new collection arrives and this year we are pleased that delivery is a little earlier than usual.
Print and paper costs have shot up like everything else but we are doing our best to keep our prices as low as possible. As always we look forward to receiving orders from customers new and old - to whom we owe a huge thank you for coming back to us year after year. And don’t forget, there are no hidden costs - packaging is in sturdy reusable envelopes and postage (for UK customers) is included in our price .
And as always…
Thank you for taking the time to read this and your interest in my work.
Happy gardening, stay positive and stay safe all :-)
