time out

Got a bit overwhelmed with the pressure associated with painting lots of commissions recently.

Getting my groove back by having drawing days mixed with painting some small still lives. Being mindful, appreciating the small things. Taking time.

clever

After much success with our vertical herb garden we've expanded into vegetables.

Amazingly rewarding though truly a labour of love tackling the caterpillars and possums... and who knew that dogs loved strawberries? Audrey's been staking out the strawberry bed and making short work of the ripe ones before we get to them.

Self-sufficiency is probably a bit ambitious but home grown salads every night are definately worth it.

hmmm... perhaps it's time for chickens?

she's back

Hello Spring, I missed you.

painting

'I saw a kind of something' A.A. Milne

fly away

Some new oils online  today.

A new series 'Up on a clear day'. Trying to find a bit of clarity... like a glittering prize.

beneath

'Beneath'
76 x 100 cm
Acrylic and pastel on canvas.

i stand for mercy

"You will achieve more in this world through acts of mercy than you will through acts of retribution." Nelson Mandela

experimenting

A couple of years ago I stopped painting in oil paints because I developed an allergy to the thinners and turps after extended use. Even wearing gloves the fumes alone seemed to result in red rashes all up my arms. So I moved to print making for a while (mostly woodblock, collotype and drypoint to avoid the new range of chemicals introduced with zinc plate etching). Then of course I have been back to painting with acrylics.
However, by last February, I found myself a bit lost on the way somewhere and decided that a new medium might help lift me out of my funk. Since then I have been back in the studio with some 'water mixable' oils to avoid the turps... and life is good... the only downside is that given they take weeks to dry... I'm running out of room!

amazema

Regram of photos of two of my paintings with such beautiful styling by Amy from Amazema Interiors. You can follow her work on instagram @amazema_interiors

family time

'It's opener there in the wide open air' Dr Seuss

Fresh air and family at my sister's farm. Quite perfect... and definately 'opener there'.