I will be exhibiting in the following exhibitions. Both are at the lovely Denbies Wine Estate Dorking Surrey.

The painting A Fine Combination will be in the Dorking Group of Artists Exhibition. 13-15th October. Wine and Olives will be in the Surrey Hills Artists Exhibition 16th-29th October.

Artists have to dogged in their determination to reach their goal, be it mastering a new medium or selling a painting that has taken ages to reach fruition. As described in the book “Think like an artist” by Will Gompertz, Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb, wrote of his thousands of experiments that led to his Light bulb moment, “I have not failed 10.000 times, I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those 10.000 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work I will find the way that will work.

Creativity is an iterative process of refining until you get to the point you wish to. That lovely moment when you see that you have painted what had been in your minds eye, or that your painting is finally finished, is worth all the effort along the way.

This painting of an elaborate chandelier of a Hibiscus flower will be in the Surrey Hills Exhibition at Denbies Vineyard October 16th-29th.

Self Expression

Art is a form of self expression, I read. I certainly think so. When I choose a subject to paint and bring the painting to fruition, I am thinking is it “me”. Does it feel right and does it express my personal view of the subject. If not, I know that I need to keep going until it is! I find this works for me and gives me more satisfaction than trying to emulate another artist’s style, much as I admire them. I have learnt a great deal from studying other artists work and am inspired by it, but I try not to copy it. Interpreting what we see is so individual. The complexity and extraordinary idiosyncrasies of the human character is what keeps art endlessly interesting!

Having recently taken my painting “Doughnut Treats” up to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, I was reminded of the story of how JMW Turner had turned up at the varnishing Day of the Summer Exhibition, in his time, and felt his painting was not standing up well against Constables entry. So, not to be outdone, he painted a bright red Buoy in his sea which contrasted strikingly with the green of the water. Since then adding a splash of red to a painting has been associated with Turner.

I have just been painting this complex Little Gem lettuce leaf, thinking it would be good tonal subject. However I felt it lacked a certain something as I approached finishing it, so I have added a splash of red with a radish, and it has worked a treat. It also fits in well with the title. “Little Gem.” I just have to wait to varnish it now.

I have just been notified that my painting “Doughnut Treats” has been selected for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. This is something I have had on my Bucket List for a while so I am delighted! It will be such fun to attend the Varnishing Day reception and Private view in London. What a real treat!

The theme for this years exhibition is “only connect”. This painting of doughnuts reminds us that a treat is a good thing but that too much of a good thing has it’s consequences. Hence the scales and the price ticket. There is a connection between actions and consequences. I love doughnuts but I don’t wish to look like one, so best kept as an occasional treat.

I am fascinated by the uplifting Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi at present. Literally meaning to join with gold. It is a reminder to remain optimistic when things break, be it something physical like a pot or something non-physical like a relationship. It is about the acceptance of imperfections and flaws and the beauty to be found in simplicity. Missteps in life can create resilience and a mended pot can be even more beautiful than the original.

I will be exhibiting in the Surrey Hills Artists exhibition which starts at Denbies Vineyard Gallery on Monday 8th May 23 until Sunday 21st 2023.

My favourite time of year, it’s been a slow start but there is lots going on in the next month or two with fast approaching exhibitions in my mind. I have had a painting accepted in the first round of the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition so I am hopeful that it doesn’t get culled in the next round!

I have just visited the Ditchling Arts and Crafts Museum in Sussex. What a gem! A very interesting exhibition of Craft pottery by Shoji Hamada, a contemporary of Richard Leach and also some woven textiles on display, small but beautiful sums up this museum, well displayed and in a charming rural village I found it inspirational. I am working on various nature inspired paintings at present, both oils and watercolours which will be in The Dorking Group of Artists Spring exhibition 27th April to 1st May at Betchworth Village Hall.

Happy New Year!

Last year was a rather frustrating year for most of us I think, after all those stops and starts during Covid we expected to get on with life with new enthusiasm in 2022. However the news put paid to a lot of that. But all things change…. hopefully for the better this year with a rather more calm and optimistic outlook.

I currently have a few of my oil paintings on show at the South Street Gallery in Dorking. Some calming and uplifting still life subjects. Just the sort of thing that we need to contemplate at the moment. This is a lovely little gallery and framing shop run by Vicky Kirby full of intriguing art work, jewellery and ceramics. I will also be exhibiting with both the Dorking Group of Artists and The Surrey Hills Artists in the spring. I will keep you posted.

The Dorking Group of Artists winter exhibition, which finished on 4th December, looked particularly good this year and I was lucky enough to sell a few paintings. It is always gratifying to know that they have passed on to a new home with an appreciative new owner.

December could be quite dreary if it wasn’t for the Christmassy events and festive bright colours everywhere to enliven it. This weeks frosts have added an extra bit of sparkle in the clear bright sunshine. I will now start planning some new paintings for a new year, perhaps trying some different styles and approaches influenced by recent books I have read such as “Peacock and Vine” By A. S. Byatt, which is about William Morris and the designer Mariano Fortuny. Their fascination with natural forms and with ancient patterns was inspiring. So I am exploring a pattern of stylised Pomegranates in this watercolour I am working on at the moment.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.

Time to hunker down and enjoy your own home. I am beginning to think about how I will decorate the house this year for the festive season. I am usually temped to buy a nice new decoration of some sort, but this year I would like it to be something that will give me some enduring pleasure rather than to be stored away until next year. Needless to say I have a large choice of my own paintings to display. So this year I will have a change of hang and put up the more colourful and warm ones to set the tone.

Christmas fairs abound and I love to browse the lovely arts and crafts that are on offer. This year the Dorking Group of Artists Denbies exhibition falls at the end of November so bringing it into the festive season. Perhaps a new painting would be a great present to someone if you know their taste, or for oneself to solve that “what would you like for Christmas” question!

This painting of sun ripened lush tomatoes, like polished baubles, will be in the DGA exhibition.

Burlesque Tomatoes Oil £225