I have been neglecting this blog for too long, partly preoccupied with other things and partly using other media (particularly my instagram feed). However, I like the calmer feel of  blog and I shall endeavour to do more again.

With the Coronavirus lockdown in place this last few weeks I have found myself spending a lot of time painting outside, very lucky to have access to an old orchard and neighbouring fields. I’m also fortunate to have my family around me – my eldest daughter Elsa (heavily pregnant and with time on her hands for the moment) made this short video of me painting in the orchard on monday (observed by her sister, Mair). I hope it gives some idea of the process of creating a small en plein air study (in acrylic on a 9″x12″ canvas) in preparation for a fuller painting. The snippets of birdsong were captured whilst I was working – now that the surrounding roads are almost empty, the sound of these creatures is suddenly exquisitely clear.