Today was one of those days when with a little spare time appearing, the weather being super, so it was obvious what to do, of we went to Hatchlands for a short walk and a picnic; it proved to be an amazing nature awareness trek. 

On the way there a buzzard flew in front of the car, it was closer that ten yards; with what looked like a rabbit in its talons. Poor bunny.

Then at Hatchlands we strolled to the sheepdip lake and met two Egyptian geese with their young; they were not intimidated in the least by our presence and were happy with us walking not two yards from them. We reached our favorite bench, they followed on behind us, settling only a few yards away; we started to eat and enjoy that awaited  picnic.

Then the peace ended with much screeching and squawking. half a second later a mallard flew off in great haste, with the daddy egyptian goose hard on its tail. The mallard was minus a tail feather or two; a lesson learned the hard way to leave egyptian geese and their young alone.

 A few moments later the goose returned and landed on the water about four yards away, he as high as a kite, all full of testerone, very angry, upset, displaying much agitation, a poor analogy could be,"Not a happy bunny". He squawked and pranced around. Mum came out of the reeds with her two youngsters; she calmed him down a little, I imagined she said some thing like,"Well done dear, now you have done the manly thing, now be grown up and calm down a little" One of the chicks went up to dad, that had a remarkable effect on him, calming him instantly. withing a minuet they all curled up and had a family nap.

We finished the picnic; I also did a very mediocre sketch, which I am not going to show you.

 

Thinking about current events, some years ago I had the good fortune to spend a short time in Rome, whilst there a visit St. Peter's was a must do. Being on a walking tour we crossed the square and then walked on into the central city.

Obviously I wanted to share this image with you because of the events, with the passing of the Pope. It was the passing of a very good man, he was a superb example, who believed in scriptural Christianity, he was loved and will be much missed. Let us pray with compassion for comfort towards all Catholics and especially for wisdom to be given the cardinals as they begin the selection process of the next Pope.

On a lighter side, the sketch above was produced as I walked across the square. Water colour palette and pad in my left hand, with a brush and pencil in my right, this was as I walked with my group. Impossible to carry a water bottle as I had no more hands, so sadly and I apologise for this, spittle had to do for water. No cadmium based paints were used, I think.  Amazing that the picture turned out as well as it did.

Seriously, it was a little heath Robinsonish and the rest of my walking tour did laugh. But we all agreed that we got the picture and it caught the mood. 

Take wild risks, they often work.

 

This morning both being sleepy, we had a ly-in, not waking up until nine; now for us that is lazy.Then looking at our diarys and finding today having a blank page, we realised that we had a free day. So a quick breakfast was consumed and then out to play.

Tangmere was the decided destination. For those who are not aware, it is the site of a Battle of Brittan fighter airfield, which now has a museum on site. An hour or so later we arrived and at the museum which was splendid, we would recommend it to all. The only down fall was that there wasn't much to paint, now for me that is a disaster, so out came my camera.

The idea was to not take any documentary type photos, but to go along the arty line. That's what I did , looking for colour, reflections, contrasts and any thing else. This was the side of a Hawker Hunter fighter.

Occasionally to do some thing different is refreshing and jolly good fun.

 

For the sake of those who feel that I do not lead an exciting life, the other evening we, that is Liz and myself took part in the Japanese, Kit-Kat challenge. This involved tasting about thirty or so pieces of chocolate, then naming them. I got one right!  Enough of chocolate.

My exhibition at St. Columba's is going very well, it is remaining open to visitors until the end of May.

The painting above was also painted at beer when in a relaxed and couldn't care less sort of mood. A splash of watercolour around the boats then let pen take over.  Its fun and relaxing; I particularly like looking for thing that shouldn't be there, such as a car tyre, an open book; but to be honest there is a tea mug nearly everywhere.

A simple trick to draw compositions together on the beach. Notice the cables from the boats, they all deliberately go to a center of interest point; They draw the eye in and help to make the picture work.

See you soon Duncan

 

Liz and myself have just come home from our spring break in Sidmouth, we were tired and needed a rest, as usual the Kingswood hotel in Sidmouth looked after us so well; thank you.

Also as usual Beer was visited a couple of times for a little R and R painting on the shingle beach and around the fishing boats. Our first visit was on a lovely day, with a  horizon to horizon blue sky, lovely. The only down side was the ever so cold and fierce wind; being hardy and refusing to be put off, a warm coat, jumper and scalfe were donned and a painting I did go facing the full onslaught of the wind.

The water colour started well; however my drawing board was vibrating wildy as the wind tried to steel it from my hands, I persevered.

Soon after my water bottle was blown away.   Soon after that after my water colour pallet was upturned.

Refusing to be beaten, my brushes were put away and out came a pen. So a half water colour--unfinished work was continued in ink. The end result was not brilliant, but great fun. I will not show you that piece.

Two days later, the wind having abated, a return trip was undertaken, water colour work on my mind.

So sat in the same spot as before, I started a rendition of the chapel, a rock arch in the cliffs; perfect weather for water colour. A short while later one of the fishermen came over to chat, I know some of them quite well, with a mug of tea for me (no charge), and a natter, very pleasant. All in all a super morning.

I love painting out side, it is so changeable and such good fun, you never know what is going to transpire.  Try it.

 

 I lead an art group which meets every Thursday afternoon in Andy's on Goldsworth Park, we as a group were asked to paint some bird nesting boxes for the new church garden; all good fun and a bit of a change. Everything, that is paints and brushes were provided, so we just enjoyed ourselves. Fourteen were painted, much more than were needed, I assume the excess boxes were sold to buy plants, or something else gardenish.

It was so good putting aside for an afternoon my usual serious arty ministrations and just playing for a while. Others of a more serious dispossession also relaxed a little, the rest just loved the non to serious play. Now working with about twelve people in  a cafe with acrylic paints is asking for accidents and occasional paint splodges where they were not intended. So I needed to be very much on my guard with a damp cloth in my hand, doing the odd quick wipe up. Brushes need washing constantly, dirty water removing and replacing with clean, very busy but good clean (after a wipe with my cloth) fun.

So next time you pass St Andrews garden look out for our bird boxes. Adding a final thought, we did wonder if some of the birds would suffer migraine attacks with their new brightly coloured home.

 Conversation was lively, banter flowed back and forth, those of a more serious nature relaxed a little and just painted away, trying not to make to much of a mess. Now working in a cafe with many people painting with acrylics was asking for trouble; paint on table surfaces for example. So I needed to be constantly on my guard, walking around with a damp cloth, cleaning brushes, moving and changing very dirty water, But it worked well, all paint slashes were to the most part avoided or removed promptly, it was a very pleasant afternoon.

So next time myself or others pass the church garden we will be able to see our art work on display. We all hope the the birds don't get a migraine with all their brightly coloured nesting boxes.

Well my exhibition has been running for a little over a week now and thankfully it is going very well. This set me thinking as to why we exhibit?

 There seem to be three, maybe more, reasons to show your work; the first is money, it does cost to exhibit, so naturally that needs to be taken back and to sell a piece does cover the costs. Secondly the purpose of art is to show your thinking, understandings, ideas and skills; sharing these and helping others to see as well. Then the last reason is a much misunderstood word, ego. Look at me aren't I great; that thinking I dislike utterly; however there is an element which must not be overlooked. I know that my work is ok, but I do need encouragement in order to continue. The positive feedback which I am receiving at the moment is much appreciated and is much needed affirmation to continue; so thank you all for your comments.

The painting above is of a collection of various dried leaves, this technique I was demonstrating to a workshop last Saturday, which was as super day; I did enjoyed myself as I am sure the attendees did also. Leading workshops, teaching, encouraging, affirming, it is such an honour and a lovely way of making new friends. Out of interest the session was over suscribed, a few who hadn't booked turned up; we all squeezed in and had a good time. If any of you who attended that workshop are reading this; well I must say, "Well done"

, there was much thinking outside the box and experimentation. I had not thought of using leaves as printing blocks!!!! It was a good day.