A lovely camping holiday inspired this painting. We went for five days to Ling’s Meadow a wonderful eco campsite in Suffolk. Camping in a meadow surounded by birds and butterflies and with Alpacas in the field. We cannot wait to go back. it didn’t matter that midweek we had a massive thunderstorm throughout the night, or that it rained as we packed up we still had a glorious time. When we arrived home it hadn’t rained at all. This is on paper with acrylic paints and ink. When it rains again as it will remember the sunshine!

Into the Garden I started this canvas painting in the Spring but finished it a few days ago. It is 40cm by 40cm. painted with a palette knife and with brushes. The tree is an elm and the blackbird has sneaked onto the painting as he often does. The flowers to the left are clematis. The painting probably works best on the wall and from a distance. I started , as I always do with paints from other pictures I was working on , as I love to use all of the paint up on the next painting, so one painting evolves from the last. The diluted paint is then painted and dripped onto the canvas. On this painting from the dripping the dog and girl appeared, the painting grew from there.

The title of my painting came to me yesterday as l felt l needed a bit of yellow paint to brighten the day, then l added it to my picture and it was like adding sunlight, just like the warmth of a smile gladdens your heart and lifts your spirit. Spreading joy is often unconscious,a smile costs nothing so keep smiling even if for now it has to be behind a mask.

another glimpse of my current painting.The power of friendship allows us to grow allowing us to appreciate how we find kindred spirits in some unlikely places. The dragon is not fearsome and the warrior is not warlike ,friendship is possible between them at least in my painting.

Here is a detail of the painting l am working on. It is about friendship, the sheep is influenced by a sheep l saw on a walk with friends in North Yorkshire. There is a cast of other characters which l will show you in the next few days. The girl l think looks a bit like a friend of mine. Wish l could claim that l aim to paint people infact any resemblance is always by chance.

A little picture of a little blackbird, just a bit of fun. Blackbirds never fail to cheer me up or make me smile. It is often the little things that make us the most happy. I hope my little picture brings back happy memories…… If you like it drop me a line and tell me.

An inspiring song ,full of hope. Our loved ones are always with us ,even when we are not able to see them or hug them, because they are in your heart. This is never more so than when the loved one has died. I painted this to honour those we have lost, but who still walk with us every day in our hearts. For me this is especially Mum and Dad.

This painting is acrylic on paper.l saw the willow and the rabbit on a lovely walk with a friend in Darlington.l can see the white cherry from my window. I was so lucky to see some wonderful photos on the l love Teesdale Facebook Group which helped me with the lambs and curlew.l cannot walk in Teesdale again for a few days yet. Spring is a time of hope and rebirth l hope this painting captures some of that joy.

This piece started out as a cake board.l added textured acrylic and painted it using palette knives. Sometimes with a bit of imagination you can make something lovely out of something that is destined for the bin.

A burst of colour, a spring in your step, let the show begin. This is a little canvas, painted in amazing colours. Live life in colour!!