Highlights from my month as ‘Artist in Residence’ in the ‘LSA Artroom Gallery’ in the centre of Leamington Spa. It’s been great getting to know all of the other artist volunteers- what a wonderful community we have there!

The LSA Artroom is a community gallery in the center of Leamington Spa. There are approximately 100 works by 100 different artists on display at any one time, the exhibition and theme changes every month.

Pre-mixing a combination of colours that are not necessarily what I see, but what I want to use. I’ve been wanting to work in corals and olive greens for ages now and never found the right flower/ leaf combo…

A nod to the old Dutch masters!
‘At the turn of the 17th century, Netherlandish artists such as Ambrosius, Bosschaert the Elder were among the first to produce paintings that exclusively depicted flowers.

Peonies in my favourite vase - set up across the room on purpose - I figure if you can’t see the detail you can’t paint the detail!

I painted all five of these this week, experimenting with different colours and marks each time. I set up the still life across the room next to a sunny window to get some lovely shadows. It’s so nice to finally see some sunshine!

I painted these flowers as I normally would but wasn’t happy with the finish, so I distressed it by rubbing it back then ghosted over some of the edges and the background.

I always think that Hellobores are just as beautiful as orchids, but far less ‘show-offy’!

A great honour to be invited to talk about my work and demonstrate live. As a creative introvert I’m far more comfortable expressing myself in paint than I am in words, so I was really proud of myself for stepping up to the challenge.

A really enjoyable day spent life drawing and painting under Neil Moores tuition at Spencer’s Yard, Leamington. Our model was a circus performer and could hold the most fantastic poses!

Loosening up for spring!

LARRY the English Springer Spaniel looking magnificent and very ‘at home’ in this muddy backdrop!

I loved doing this portrait and leaving much of the tonal ground and its texture untouched. It’s always a treat to be able to paint a landscape around a portrait…a reminder of a time and a place as well as a much loved pet.

I’ve just finished teaching a 2 part online course for @ardingtoncrafts where we’ve been exploring the importance of creating and maintaining strong Notan designs in our paintings.

12” x 12” oil on board

12” x 12” oil on board

8” x 8” oil on board

Limited palette of muted tones - maintaining pre-planned values (Notan). Notan is the study of ‘light/dark harmony’.

A post Christmas warm-up painting from a chilly St Ives. We’ve collected many a shell on this beach - and it’s great for sea glass too!

‘Mother Nature’ never fails to impress me…this flower was perfection.