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

Latest work

Well havent had much time at all to paint lately which is a bit depressing. Last wednesday I went to Hoo Marina near Rochester with the Wapping Group. It was very interesting and despite the weather being very poor to start it ended up as a very nice day. I didnt do as much as usual just 2  16 x 12s. I spent alot of time looking around in particular at the Ships Grave yard. There must be at least 20 redundant Thames Barges in different states of decay, all tethered together on the waters edge. At low tide it was quite a sight but difficult to make work as a painting. There were also a couple ofvery nice barges which I always enjoy painting. On staurday I only managed to get time to do one painting in Rye. I found a great little corner up by the church but alas the idea was better than the execution :-) Supposed to be of to Mortlake Brewery tomorrow with Wapping Group but not so sure I can afford the time this week. Only 2 and half weeks to my trip to Maine, so lots to do.

Thames Barge at Hoo  16 x 12

Barge Graveyard Hoo  12 x 16

St Marys, Rye 16 x 12

latest paintings

Well Ive had one of those really frustrating periods where Ive honestly felt like giving up. I went painting last week in Faversham for the whole day with firends and for the very first time ever didnt finish a painting . Infact I sneaked off and ad lunch and then had a nap by the river. I wiped one effort out and snapped another and then just watched the others paint whilst waiting to go home. Probably my worst painting day ever. I then decided to go out and paint something Ifelt familiar with to try and make myself feel better and sort of get back on track. I did two paintings , one 12 x 16 of pine trees at Udimore and the other 16 x 12 of an old oak on the corner of a field near Rolvenden. Neither are great but theyre a whole lot better than anything else Ive done for a while..in my opinion anyway. I really enjoyed the corner of the field painting and Have decided I have more of an affinity to this sort of subkject..perhaps I just find it easier to paint :-) Thats it for now. If the weather is okay Im off to Hooe Marina on wedsday.

Udimore Pines 2  12 x 16

A corner of the field 16x 12

A few from the weekend.

Although it was Bank Holdiday weekend I didnt get much time to paint. Still got a couple of landscapes and a still life done though, so did get my fix. Dont know what if anything Ill manage to get done this week.Dont think Ill get a lot of time or opportunities to paint but will take my pochade box with me incase I get a bit of spare time.

The Old Oak 16 x 12

Walking the dog, Reading Street 10 x 8

Figgs 7 x 9