In progress...

Detail..

Studio time...

This is what I've been working on lately...

Cushions...

I've been working on a lovely commission to make this set of six cushions for a friend and colleague with impeccable taste!

For a bit of Wednesday inspiration have a look at these beautiful laser cut envelopes.

Summer round up...

I thought it was a good time for a summer round up, the last month has been quite hectic. We had a great trip to enjoy the sun and surroundings in France, a quick stop in Surrey to take a boat out on the Thames (something I had never done even though I was a student in Kingston for 3 years), visited family in deepest Herefordshire and got cracking on making new canvases in the studio. I'm full of inspiration and am looking forward to a long weekend in the studio with my paints. Hope to pop in and see some of the sights of the Preston Guild Festival this weekend too, there should be lots of exciting things going on.

Studio...

Very excited to say that I've got a new studio which I'll be moving into it from the 1st of August. It's in an old mill building about 5 minutes walk from my house, so couldn't be more ideal. It will be so nice to see all my work in one place for once.

(This picture isn't the view from the studio by the way, its from a trip we took to the Lake District a couple of weekends ago, although it would be an amazing spot for a studio!)

Sketchbook pathways...

Pushing the sketchbooks...

Friday jam...

In between painting this weekend, I finally found the time to try a spot of jam making, which I've been meaning to do for a quite a while. Whilst we were camping in Shropshire in the early part of last week we went to a pick your own farm and got a basket full of strawberries, so there seemed like no better time to make jam!

Working away...

Wednesday evening...

Doodling...

There's nothing like a bit of doodling to bring out the child in you!

Llyn Peninsula and Snowdonia...

Our long weekend camping in Wales brought an interesting weather combination, rain, winds and then surprisingly sunshine. However even in the rain the Llyn Peninsula was very beautiful, and we got impressive views of the sea from the campsite. The last two pictures are of Snowdonia, I loved the colours in the misty weather.

Light...

A light filled weekend, making the most of it while the weather lasts...

Thursday Inspiration...

Artist Bo Christian Larsson

Imagine...

We got married...

The wilds of Scotland and back...

We're back from our adventures in the Lake District and Scotland - all married! we stayed here and a suprise magical mystery tour from one of my best friends that took us here . I've taken hundreds of photos, there seemed to be inspiration around every corner, the paints will be coming out this weekend.

Yellow tractors...

Trying the best to make the most of the new longer evenings, even if it has dropped down to icy temperatures again. A bike ride always manages to blow the cob webs away...

Park..

You forget how much fun the park can be until you take a little person there. We had a nice day out in the spring sunshine (ish!) on Sunday with our friends and their little girl. Driving through the countryside to get there definitely made me impatient to get my paints out.

Invites...

It's has been a very busy old month. Planning a wedding, even a very simple one seems to take up quite a lot of time! Not that I'm complaining, although I did have to reign in my invite ideas - it's so tempting to use the opportunity to present everyone with an individually made artist book, but would probably only serve to confuse a fair few people!

Miniature worlds...

Somebody showed my these postcard today at work - how amazing are these miniature worlds, just makes you want to climb inside and take up residence...

Sunday, Sunday...

Cabins...

Imagine waking up to that view! If you fancy a bit of escapism found via

Natural colour photogravure...

This weekend saw more painting, this was taken from an old postcard sent to my mum from Scotland, when she lived in London in her early 20's.

Box of paints...

Some times when your having a hard week it's best just to get out the paint box...

Happy new year...

Hope everyone had a good Christmas. Can't remember if I mentioned it but my very good friend has a beautiful new website, check it out if you have a minute.