I can’t believe that I haven’t posted for such a long time. Things have been hectic and chaotic – I’ve had to move offices and start working with a brand new computer system. Life seems to consist of getting up, going to work, coming back home and going to bed. I haven’t had time to even lift a pencil to sketch – there must be more to life than this.

The Hoppings has arrived! Europe’s biggest travelling fair is here for its annual ‘Race Week’ pitch. And of course the ‘Curse of the Hoppings’ has brought the inevitable wet weather – we had torrential rain on Saturday and it’s been raining on and off ever since so the Town Moor is a quagmire of mud.
When I was young the arrival of the Hoppings was one of the highlights of my year, on a par with Christmas, Birthdays, Easter and Bonfire night. We weren’t well off so never went on holidays – instead I would save my pocket money to spend at the Hoppings – it even had its own smell, a mixture of generators, chips and candyfloss!
I still enjoy walking around the Hoppings but if the bad weather continues I may have to give it a miss this year, probably a sign of getting old......

It's ages since I've posted anything in my blog - work is so hectic I tend to crash out when I get home (or I would if I got the chance!) Have got some cat photos etc to post at the weeknd - might even do some painting.

Good old English Bank Holidays - sunshine and showers, rubbish on TV, bored kids, men attempting DIY- musn't complain, at least I'm not at work today.

Another interesting artist - Sylvia Edwards - who paints brightly coloured, imaginative watercolours. http://www.sylviaedwards.com/bio.html
I also have a large book filled with her striking watercolours - http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0952998696/digitaltruthph08 - it's expensive but I got a cheap almost new copy for half the price.
This book features her work along with other artists - http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1564964345/digitaltruthph08 - out of print but well worth reading.

After messing about with splodges of colour on thick watercolour paper I decided to try a five minute painting of an apple - it's not too bad but I can see I need a lot of practice!

I've been trying to get back into painting after many years - I passed my A level art approx. 28 years ago but I was never a fantastic artist. So I finally succumbed and decided to try and make a colour wheel. Had a look through the Nita Leland book "Exploring Colour" and decided to use lemon yellow, azo yello med., quin red, permanant rose, ultramarine and Phthalo blue (GS). You can just about see my haphazzard attempt. Just to compare a few colours I put splashes of other tube colours around the outside - Buff titanium, phthalo green (BS), cad orange, cad red light, quin magenta, diox purple - all are Winsor and Newton Finity range except for the Buff tit.

which is System 3. My daughter wanted to get involved so I let her paint some of the colour patches.

It would have been my Mother's birthday today - she died December 2005. It's one of those sunny Spring days today, the sort of day she loved - I can picture her sitting in the garden with her cats, soaking up the warmth of the sun........

Thought I might post occasional links to artists I admire. Not all have websites of their own - especially those from previous centuries!! LOL So I'll post sites where their work can be seen.
I want to start with Mary Fedden who is still going strong even in her 90s! There is a book by Mel Gooding showing her work and there will be a new book coming out in June - both are listed on Amazon if you want to check them out. Below is a link for a gallery featuring some of her art.

http://www.clark-art.co.uk/pages/thumbnails/97.html

Anne Redpath is another interesting artist - a short biog and images can be seen at this site -
http://www.bridgeman.co.uk/about/collections.asp?type=cBridgeman%20Artists%20Copyright%20Service&topic=355

Was browsing Amazon the other day (can't resist books!) when I came across an interesting art book. It hasn't been published yet but I've pre-ordered it as it looks good. Looked up Claire Harrigan on the web, couldn't find a site as such but found her paintings on some gallery sites. Was very impressed so I'm looking forward to the book.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Abstract-Techniques-Colour-Painting-Harrigan/dp/0713490551/ref=sr_1_1/202-5001310-9202269?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178189875&sr=1-1