We've been adopted!

She who owns the sofa rules the house!

Max and I have been adopted. 
We believe this little brown cat belongs to a neighbour but she spends almost all day every day with us. Perhaps because she likes company and Max and I are nearly always at home, or it may be all our lovely soft, cosy surfaces!
And doesn't she look at home among the cushions?
That cute wink says it all; "these fools are my kind of people" :)

Journey to London's Mall Galleries

Heading for London's Mall Galleries exhibition hand-in

Yesterday Max and I drove down to London to hand in my Diamond Jubilee painting, 'A Right Royal Street Party' at the Mall Galleries. It's the first time I've ever thought to exhibit any of my paintings, taken up as I am with commissioned artworks.
Actually, it was quite an adventure, hiring a van and the two of us taking my carefully prepared and wrapped painting to the hand-in. And as it was a Saturday we were able to drive around the capital without the extra expense of the Congestion Charge. 
I've always loved London and took photos of the journey to give you a taste of our day :) Now I need to get back to my ongoing commission work whist anxiously waiting to hear if my painting is selected for the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours Spring Exhibition. Fingers crossed!

And our pictorial journey ends with yet more art :)

 

Thanks again, Leicestershire Life!

Max and I have been rushed off our feet these past few weeks with all sorts of family events & crises. 
Happily, the lovely people at Leicestershire & Rutland Life have cheered me by once again featured my work, this time telling the story of the 'A Right Royal Street Party' Exhibition at Leicester's West End Gallery, in their most recent (October) issue.
To all concerned at L&RL, thank you for believing in me, and to everyone who continues to support my work, thank you again for attending the exhibition & for purchasing the magazine.
PS If you don't yet have a copy of the magazine & would like one, contact Leicestershire Life on Tel 0116 251 2512 or email info@leicestershirelife.co.uk

The Barcelona Album

Yesterday I came across the (real) album of photos Max and I put together using 'Blurb' following a visit to Spain a couple of years ago.
The Barcelona album contains some great architectural shots and is our take on one of the most creatively interesting and beautiful cities of the world. 
The album is also available to view online. To see the photos click on the pic above. To be taken to album purchase info on the 'Blurb' site, click here. 
Well, a girl has to ask :)
The album also includes some daft photos of Max and I enjoying ourselves on holiday and very possibly the worse for wear!
Don't say you haven't been warned!

Chaos averted once again!

My new commission is coming along nicely. As usual I overworked the early stages and had to be persuaded to cut back on the number of ideas originally included: there's a subtle difference between an artwork looking busy and being busy. Max says I always want to over-complicate my paintings and he's not wrong :)

All that Jazz - with Clare Teal in Concert

Clare Teal in concert, Leicester 14.4.

My agent's a big jazz fan. Her health not being up to attending award-winning singer Clare Teal's Leicester concert last night, Max & I were asked if we'd like to go along instead.
We were glad we did; although we know little of her work, Clare did justice to every song. She's very funny and her band was wonderful! I particularly enjoyed her version of Snow Patrol's 'Chasing Cars'.
Don't think I'll ever be a jazz fan (with the possible exception of Billie Holiday) but hearing music being played & sung as well as this is something special.

Finished!

Finally completed the family portrait for TV presenter, Anne Davies. Think she's going to be pleased. Max reckons it's the best thing I've done, but then he says that every time!
(This is the pic at tracing stage)