Still trying to catch up on things! Not a lot of painting taking place.  I have been trying a particular subject, but just can't seem to get the colours I want.

Managed to get my paintings back from the shop up the road.  I wish they had told me that they were closing the premises, because I would have removed my paintings earlier.

Meryel and I are trying to put an exhibition together, just the two of us.  However, it does involve some leg work and we haven't yet fixed a time for it.

Not a lot else going on.  Hope to have tea on the boat this afternoon as we are now getting lovely sunny afternoons.  Still a cold wind though.

Won't be long before we go on holiday, so we are beginning to get that sorted as well.

 Phew. What a week!  Lots of stress build up to exhibiting, then the stress of the exhibit, then the aftermath when I have to sort out the money and produce the accounts.  We had a reasonable number of visitors, considering the weather was bitterly cold.  Fortunately no rain.  We sold a reasonable number of paintings, 14 between 5 of us and quite a few cards.  I sold three, which I am really pleased about, and I sold a painting to someone who had bought one at our previous exhibition at Quarr.  Fantastic.  It was a birthday present for her.  I am absolutely over the moon about it.

Just a small picture of my exhibition area.  Sold the top left pictures on the upper rail, plus an oil painting.

We have another one scheduled at Quarr for this time next year, so perhaps I had better start planning now!  

Poor old Perry was left with the job of looking after the dogs, feeding, walking etc. for six days.  That's pretty tough.  However, as soon as it was over, the boat had to be lifted out for its annual scrub, so now it's my turn!  At least we have a bit more sun. 

I had an email from my lovely friend in the States.  I was so great to hear from her, although I think it's all a bit tough her side of the water.  Hope it gets better soon.

The dogs are fine, although a bit silly as usual. Although the sun is shining it's still very, very cold.  I'm sure it will just flip over to hot and we'll all start moaning about the weather being too hot!

My outside painting on Friday was at Compton bay (cold as usual) and there must have been about 20 surfers in the bay.  Incredible.   

So after a rather intensive period, I'm trying to catch up on things now.

Take care to anyone who reads this....

 Jusr remembered I hadn't written anything today, so this is going to be a bit rushed.  Firstly, I did actually manage to get on the website last week - miracle number one!

I have been continuing with my little oil paintings, and also with my swimming.

Didn't go painting plein air because it was just too cold.  It really has been quite bitter here even though we are finally getting some sunshine.

Our exhibition is next week and I have finally got all the paintings etc. ready.  There was even an article in the County Press.  I am sure it's going to be chaotic and quite stressful, but I really do hope it's going to be a success.

I've ordered a few sketchbooks that were on offer at Jacksons, probably shouldn't have.

Fingers crossed for next week.

 Got a bit behind with blog, mainly because of the weather, which has been incredibly cold. Consequently not felt terribly motivated.  Although have been fiddling about with paints haven't really done anything worthwhile.  Even going out on a Friday plein air painting has felt like a bit of a trial.  I have however been tidying up some of the oil sketches I have done, and they look a bit better.

Additionally we have an exhibition coming up at Quarr Abbey in a couple of weeks and there has been quie a lot of preparation for that.

The dogs have not wanted to go out in the cold weather and nor has Perry, so there has been a bit of cabin fever at home.

I have continued the swimming,  a miracle really.

I am now going to update my website, which could be a problem, as I have forgotten how to log on etc. Oh well, fingers crossed.

 Cold wet and windy week again.  Painting has been somewhat limited in terms of progress.  Stilll working at the oil still lifes, although with very mixed results.

Trying to get to grips with this.  Background a very serious problem.

I know, could have taken a better photo.  Anyway, it's a thing I'm still working on.

Our Friday plein air was at Cowes - again cold and windy. I only stayed an hour and did a pen sketch.  Not a very inspiring place when the weather is cold. However, in the afternoon we went down to the boat and had cake and a cup of tea.  Only wish the sun had shined.

I had thought about updating my website, but if I'm honest with myself, I haven't really done any "quality" work for a while now.  Perhaps that's another area I should be working on.

Swimming is still happening. I'm away to Daniels's this coming weekend.  Let's hope the weather is a little more favourable than it has been of late.

 Again not a lot this week.  Very  cold again.  Workmen here for a few days doing the facia boards, soffits etc.  Swimming a couple of times. In terms of painting and drawing, I think the cold makes it a bit difficult for me to get motivated.  I did do a few bits and pieces but nothing spectacular.  I've been doing a bit more oil painting (from zero that's not a lot), and the gouache is progressing slowly.  Did a paintalong session yesterday, in gouache, which was quite fun and today have been doing a still life in pen, watercolour, gouache, and this afternoon I'll try it again in oil.  But again nothing spectacular. Bit of sun would help.

 Not a lot this week. It has been bitterly cold.  Didn't even manage to go swimming this week, one day because I had a painful shoulder and the other because a huge traffic jam stopped me getting to Newport.  Went to art group on Tuesday and what could have been a good presentation, turned out to be rubbish because of poor sound quality our end.  Shame.  Didn't go painting on Friday because i) it was very cold and ii) meeting later and in a pub was going to be a bit like a coffee morning, and it would have been a long way to go on the bus for that.  I know.  I'm being a bit miserable.

Done a few gouache and watercolour sketches but nothing significant.  Tried doing what is called Master Studies where I take parts of a good master painting and try to match colour and paint stoke.  Not easy, as I don't have that many books to choose from.

Scaffolding surround the house at the moment for the replacement of facia boards.

Hopefully next week will be a bit better because it was certainly a bit difficult to get up and at it this week, and certainly was on the edge of a bit depressing!