Today Liz and myself ventured to Chartwell House, the home of the wonderful man Winston Churchill and it dind not disapoint. A couple of amuzing events took place.

First notice the lady with a ruchsack on her back. Well behind her was an orange, yellow health and safety barrier, of a type not conducive to a good photo. So I waited a few moments until a person passed it and then took the photo. after which only the edges of the barrier where showing; they were esily removed with photoshop. Cheating maybe, but I got the photo!

Secondly a rather pompous gent of middle years approached me, looked at my drawing and sniffed. he then went on that he had lived in the house where Winston lived in South Africa. I said very interesting. He then stated that he had been give copies of all Winston books, I patiently continued to tollerated him, in time this condecending gent moved off, sniffing as he went. I love meeting all sorts of people when out painting, he was a jem.

Bourght Liz a book by the nurse who looked after him (Winston) in his old age. Nice day out.

 

Today my thoughts are about exhibiting, as yesterday I changed the pictures at my small show in the Ambrose cafe in Hook Heath. Nice coffee, if you get there I hope you like the work.

For the last few years my work has been very studious, looking at trees and all the aspects surrounding them, well that work is going to continue as it slowly evolves in looking at the trees from other perspectives. Three of these works are at the Ambrose, where they are looking at pathways passing thorough the woodlands.

For a break and also my next exhibition (more about that later) my mind is wandering to small harbours and the fishing communities which inhabit them around our coasts. I am changing media to watercolour images, pulled together with a fine ink line draughtmanship; I think it works, it certainly is good fun. Above is a view of Scarborough, which I completed a couple of days ago. This project is great because it gives me an excuse to go go and visit new venues, whilst at the same time working from sketches, sometimes produced on travels many years ago, such as the above..

A note, about the last sentence, keep your old sketches, they bring back good past memories and are a resorce for work in the future.

On Wednesday I had a rare free few hours, when Liz was busy, as a result it was possible for me to disapear and do my own thing for a few hours, lovely; I love Liz, whilst at the same time enjoying my own company for a while. So the car took me off to Polseden lacey for a short time of R and R, or in other words, a spell of chilling with my paints. 

The sun was warm, a picnic sat in my bag, I felt relaxed so when finding a soft grassy bank, with a short, approximatly 30 degree slope, also having a tree to lean against, this was  a natural armchair, lovely, what more could I ask for. Out came some paper, paints and brushes, a couple of cheese and jam sandwhichs (my favorite), plus a wagon wheel, do you remember them? The result after about foury minuets was the above.

In the evening Liz and myself went to see the latest Harrisson Ford film. It was utter rubbish, but very good fun; we did have a good time. Not a bad day.

 

Another view of Paignton, exactly on the opposite side of the harbour from the painting of Paignton which I shared with you a few days ago. The air show was starting and it was getting very noisy, many people were going into the harbour vicinity to get away from all the crowds with their pushing and shoving all over the place. Having said that I watched the second half of the show which I enjoyed, it was very impressive.

Note the method of the painting; very loose watercolour, which is then tightened up with a fine pen work. In this instance I used a pen which was not water soluable, so that where needed, it could be touched up later with a little more paint if nessesary. A very forgiving combination of medias, ideal for holiday painting; at least I think that is the case, you are allowed to disagree.

My tree work continues, whilst as a sidline my direction has changed for a while to have some fun and look for a while at harbours, fishing craft and the seaside. It should be good fun and the results will be in an exhibition in Guildfrord  during November and December this year; however more about that later.