This is a detail of part of this painting, it is a bit startling to see it this large as the laptop has magnified my photo, it’s a bit like looking in a magnified mirror , it shows all of the flaws. She is not as large as this, and she doesn’t dominate the painting, she is infact at the back of it; there is a lot more happening in the painting too. It is full of flowers, birds, insects and other creatures. The painting also isn’t finished yet. Today seems to me to be the first day of autumn, and this painting captures the end of the Summer, so I thought that I would post. More images as I complete the painting, and you can then see how she fits into the final painting.

This is a detail of a much larger painting, that I have been working on, on and off for a long time. I have finally framed it. I think that this is my favourite image from the painting. Why the title? Inspiration I have been looking up the word, and it literally means breathe life into. Art inspires me in all of its forms, but it is the people behind the art and those who love and know me that inspire me most.It is a true gift to inspire positively , to make people feel valued, loved and appreciated.

Here is the whole of the painting, I have tried to show fashions changing during the ten decades that the Society of the Arts has been running. I always think of South Park as a wonderful place and so I featured the bandstand and the clock tower. Darlington is so lucky to have the Park and the Society of the Arts. The original painting will be taking its place with other lovely paintings at the Darlington Building Society in Tubwell Row shortly, I will let you know when this will be.

Here is another image from my painting to celebrate the joy of art and the centenary of Darlington Society of the Art., I think of art as a super power that inspires, calms, motivates, capitvates and moves both the artist and the viewer. More lilies this time Star Gazer ones, white and blue iris and some more Darlington landmarks. More tomorrow, Happy Friday!

Here is a section of my painting Art Full of Love. It’s a big painting framed it’s about 71cm by 81cm. It is a departure for me because for the first time I painted it specially for a special event with a theme firmly in mind. Usually I let the paint decide what I would paint and go whatever way it leads, which is wonderful and free spiritied. This time I had to plan it, and whilst I did incorporate things the paint suggested, the main themes were firmly set. This painting was painted to celebrate the Centenary this year, of the Darlington Society of the Arts. I wanted to include landmarks of Darlington. I also wanted to acknowledge the town’s pioneering link to the first passenger railway in the whole world! I confess the Lilies in the foreground were given to me by my lovely friend I could not resist the urge to paint them.

A little picture that I did when I had Covid in October 2021, I thought it deserved framing. It is a little pastel of the Autumn trees outside. I was not feeling very well at all , and for five days I could not really do anything, but on day 7, I started this little painting/ drawing and it really cheered me up and still does. I don’t do many pastels. Honesty grew in the garden last year, I planted it the year before and forgot about it, It was so beautiful at every stage of its life. I still have some of the silver paper thin seed pods I weaved them into a wreath made from hazel twigs from the garden.

Arcardia a beautiful tranquil place , bursting with life, a golden age filled with freedom and flowers. This was painted in the spring.

When it comes to the hard times in your life, the support of friends is vital, those friends can be human or have fur or feathers , but there is nothing that beats a hug. Friendship is such a gift, you can find it in unexpected places, treasure it and give your friends a big hug.

This is part of a painting I did about this time last year. Just remember that every day is a special day if you spend it with those you are special to you.

Early days on this painting, the orchids are blooming on the bathroom window sill, and I saw the bee in the garden. Spring is coming ……