Well the first of three showing this autumn of my work, is now only a week and a bit away. The show is taking place throughout the Epsom Mental health Week, which has the title of "Love Me Love My Mind". It takes place at St Barnabas Church, Temple Road Epson from the 7th of October this year until the 15th of the same. As my role there is a residential artist I will be there 9 till 3ish each day and will be free and pleased to chat. Lots of other super things are happening as well.

The show this year is called bright things, because it is looking at the colour and vibrancy within nature and music; see the above image. For Epsom the picture framing is finished, there are only all the little bits to do, which you forget about until the last minuet. This morning, after finishing this, my plan is to relax and do nothing much of consequence. Has my wife other plans?

The image is of a typical village church in the Normandy corner of France; they are so tall and narrow. Sketching as you go is a special way of seeing a country, as this sketch was produced, three local ladies who were working in the grave yard came over and just spent the time of day with me. They were pleased that their church was worthy of my attention.

Just occasionally you see something and say, "Whoooo", or something like that. Well at one of my groups yesterday a chap was doing pontalistic (dots) ink work. he had two bottles of ink open, different colours and a pen in each hand. I suddenly noticed that he was working with both hands and two pens at the same time. Now that is co-ordination. He was doing  a drawing of a sea shell and it was pretty good as well. Impressed is the word.

Well its back home now for a short while and I might try to take it a tad easier; just for a day or two. My next event is in Epsom in about four weeks time, most of the preparation work is done, so all that wants doing really, it to tidy up everything which has been happening over the past few months and at the moment is making my desk look rather untidy.

The above drawing is of a farm in Normandy about half a mile from where we were staying. It was a lovely afternoon and Liz and myself just sat in the car, a long way down this very rural, wild and rustic lane. Liz was reading, whilst I was sketching; very peaceful.

You might have noticed my absence over the last week, the reason was simple. With fifteen others we decamped to Normandy and stayed for a week in the above delightful chateau. Lots of time and chances to spend with friends and just purely by chance, opportunities to paint and sketch.

Although a little tired and weary the building was marvellous and owed by a super guy called Mark and his wife. The chateau has become Marks purpose in life, he spends all his time doing electrical, wood, gardening and whatever else needs doing. Nothing was to much trouble, we were made to feel very welcome and we had a rather palatial time. Lots of adventures as well, but those are other stories.