Portrait Painting - Farnborough Festival.

The weather was absolutely 'challenging' ! Wind, rain, cold! Nevertheless the brave folk of Farnborough continued undaunted and although their clothes may have been sodden their spirit wasn't.

Lots of people requested portraits and because of the general enthusiasm I continued throughout the day and managed to paint seven pictures which I was pleased with.

My first teaching job was at Cove Secondary, which was near by, and I met and painted a mother of a child I used to teach there. It seems he turned out very successfully despite my efforts and still has 'memories ' of my casting him as an Owl in a school play. It was hilarious recollecting the various personalities and incidents which took place. 

Almost Maled it.

Yet another male nude. I have been  going  to life drawing for years in the belief that it is  good practise and a great opportunity to keep my drawing skills sharp. The problem is I have a tonnage of drawings. Going through some of them the other day I was shocked by how many I had done. Time for a cull I think. This is my latest sketch from last week in watercolour.  The pose is not too inspiring. The chair and bin really do not add a very glamorous note.

Oxford John Radcliffe Hospital day

I had to go to the John Radcliffe Hospital with my husband for an emergency visit. He was afraid his sight was deteriorating. He is already registered severely blind as an indirect result of a disease called pseudoxanthinelasticum  or PXE for short.
We are lucky and privileged to have such a great hospital to go to but unfortunately the wait to see the specialists can be lengthy.   I always take my sketch book and draw people waiting. Luckily he got the all clear this time but it is a great worry. The stress must be considerably worse in a country which does not have a care system like ours. I do wish the government would value it as much as the public do and stop trying -I think- to Americanise it.

I have been so busy chatting about work rather than actually getting down to any tangible art.

There are so many networking groups that I could spend my whole time socialising.On the plus side, less physical effort has rested my feet injuries and walking is much easier.

Yesterday I discussed the idea of doing workshops and demonstrations  in the  vast Hobby Craft Store in Basingstoke. B'stoke is not known as a cultural epicentre so there's a challenge.

Pleased with a recent little watercolour sketch quickie I've posted on twitter but can not for the 'Love of God ' upload here. The frustration has caused me to bite my lip. Arggh 

                                 

HURRAH! Finally unloaded pic thanks to chap at Apple Store B'stoke. 💋