studio paintings

Well Ive just had two whole days manning the old gaol. Its a lovely spave but after spending two boring days there last weekend , I decided to go prepared to paint between talking to visitors. I didnt get that much done, but did a couple of landscapes and a still life of Irises and eucalyptus. Hopefully Ill get out sometime this week. Next week Im off to Venice :-) Hard life...

Purple Irises, Eucalyptus and Chamberlain W/C 20 x 16

Kingston Barges 16 x 20 studio painting

Old Gaol

Well finally my Old Gaol studio is open. I had the preview on Friday night and we had a great turn out..over 200 people. I didnt really know what to expect but it went well and 9 pictures were sold. Saturday was busy too but sunday was deadly! I sat there from 10 am until 4pm and only had 4 visitors.It was disgusting weather though. Its on for another week and then it will be used mainly as a studio not a gallery. It will be open by appointment if anybody is passing and wants a look. I have posted a couple of pictures of the gaol and of the small 6 x 8 still lifes I did on sunday to eleviate the boredom :-) This weekend I will set up a proper still life and do something more ambitious.

The Old Gaol opening night

Fresias 8 x 6

Back in the beautiful Kent Landscape.

Well in the last month Ive painted all over the inclnuding Maine and London but have not painted the place I love best..home! I live in a truly beautiful area and sometimes it takes me a few trips away to realise Im taking it for granted. I havent painted much the last week but was joined by my friend Roy Connelly for an hour on the river Rother yesterday and today I went to the neighbouring village of Peasmarsh and did two paintings before being rained off. Id hoped to have stayed out all day but stulpidloly I forgot my coat and just got too cold.  For a change today I did something I felt reasonably happy with .My first one was really just a tree study, but with the autumn colours it was begging to be painted. As my friend Roy said These autumn colours are natures gift to painters :-) Thats it for now..lets :-)


4pm on the Rother  8 x 10



Afternoon Light Peasmarsh  8 x 16



Autumn Trees Peasmarsh 12 x 16



First post for ages!

Well since I returned from the states I  have had very little time to paint. Infact Ive only done 4 paintings in the last two weeks, which is probably the least productive Ive been in the last 4 years! Ive had so much to do not least trying to get The Old Gaol studios ready for my forthcoming show that statrs on 12th November. I hope its going to be a good event and I have been very well supported by my painting friends. There are going to be some real gems on display. John Stillman, Trevor Chamberlain , David Bachmann and Peter Robson have already delivered their work and now Im just waiting for Roy connelly, Chris Daynes, Mike Richardson and Rowan Crews. Im excited to see what they will bring. Last week I joined Mike Richardson at Strand on the Green where we painted all day and then we visited the Affordable Art Fair at Batterse where we were both exhibiting with Enid Lawson. I had a dissapointing show there this year and only sold one. Compared to the 7 I sold last year it wasnt very good. Worst of all I thought I gave better work this year...maybe Im getting worse not better! Anyway below Ive posted 3 from last sunday and a couple of tasters of whats going to be in the Old Gaol :-)

Strand on the Green 16 x 12

Dusk Battersea Embankment 8 x 10

Morning light, Strand on the Green 12 x 16

Pines at Alatar Seville by David Bachmann...I love this!

Working Tug at Gravesend, watercolour by Trevor Chamberlain

MAINE TRIP

Well Ive just returned from 8 great days in MAine. The weather was very mixed but managed to paint everyday even in the rain. When it got to bad too stand out Chris and I just sat in the front seat of the Dodge Charger hire car..not a great idea when you are as messy as me. It was fantastic meeting up with my American friends and to have the opportunity to paint with them. As well as meeting Skip Whitcomb, George Strickland, Ken Bachaus, John Budicin and Don Demers that I already know I got to meet and make friends with Stuart Fullerton, Steve Curry, Mark Rittorno, Ray Roberts and Christopher Blossom. It was very interesting to see everybodies different kit and approach , especially choice of subject matter. As usual the week went far to quickly but hopefully this will now be an annual event. Not necessarily in Maine but at different locations throughout the States. Anyway below Ive posted some images of my work and painting friends. I didnt do as much painting as I ordinarily would have as we also spent alot of time sightseeing, eating, drinking and talking :-)

Before the rain, East Boothbay 12 x16

Boat House East Boothbay 12 x 12

Another boat House 12 x 12

Afternoon light Boothbay Harbour 8 x 16

George Strickland, Cosy Harbour

Wet day Ocean Point boothebay 8 x 10

Add captionohn Budicin at Pemaquid Rocks, with Chris Daynes, Skip Whitcomb and George Strickland

Ken Backhaus at Cosy Harbour.

Late Afternoon Light Cosy Harbour 8 x 16

Mark Rittorno at Pemaquid

Morning light, King Phillips Trail, Boothbay 12 x 16

Parked up by the rocks on Southport Island 8 x 10

Towards Monhegan Island 8 x 10

A great new friend..Stuart Fullerton

Cosy harbour fishermans huts 12 x 12

Lobster boat 8 x 10

Pemaquid Rocks 12 x 16

Skip Whitcombs painting of Pemaquid Rocks

Skip at work

finished off my latest studio painting

Well Ive finally finished off ( Maybe thats te right phrase) my latest studio painting. I enjoyed doing it but its completely different to paint outside on a small scale. In many ways I find it much more difficult especially only using the study for reference. Maybe I should have taken some reference photos to help. Will have to try and remember to take photos of the scene when I finish painting outside. Im definately going to try lots more big ones in the studio especially when the clocks go back in a few weeks time. Anyway here it is.









Udimore Pines 30" x 40" oil on canvas



Some from The past week

 Havent done a huge amount of painting for last two weeks, hence the reason I havent updated this blog. Ive been working on a big studio painting that Im donating to Benenden School Trust which they will auction in  November. I missed last weeks Wapping trip but went this week to Richmond which was great. It was a lovely day and well attended with well over half the Wapping Group turning out and at a guess about 6 guests. Next wednesday is the last Wapping day of the year which is at Greenwich when the season is finished with Whitebait Supper. After that Im off to Maine for 8 days on Saturday..I cant wait. Ive just gessoed 30 boards, hope to use them all:-) Also this week my work is in a mixed show of still lives at Avery Contemporary Art in Cranbrook and at The Battle Contemporary Art Fair.Thats it!

Johns view Wittersham  12 x 12

Udimore Pines 30" x 40"...studio worknot yet finished





On the Thames at Richmond 12 x 16

By the Lock Bridge  9 x 12, Richmond...wonky figure need sorting :-)

Late Afternoon Richmond Bridge 12 x 16