Happy New Year!

One of my New Year Resolutions is to make a concerted effort to update my blog more than twice a year. Huge apologies for my tardiness! And I wish you all a very Happy New Year.

Last year I left you in the midst of the Surrey Cow Parade. I completed Leafy Moo, and then was asked again to paint another cow, in two weeks! This one was for Kier Construction, in aid of Alzeimers Research. I managed to design and complete her in time!

The Highway Cow'd- for Keir Construction in aid of Alzeimers Research.
'Leafy Moo'- for Hart Brown Solicitors in aid of Cherry Trees Respite Home.

They were then auctioned off, along with 20 others at Sandown Racecourse in September. They both raised a total of just over £8,000! I was thrilled to bits and it was a fabulous gala evening. I am grateful to still be in contact with Cherry Tree's Respite home, and have donated my time to them to create an ongoing mural for their reception area.

I also created a mini Leafy Moo as a souvenir from the Surrey Cow Parade! Continuing my muraling (is that a word?!) I am now working with The Weald Primary School, Beare Green, Surrey, creating 4 murals for the front area of the school. Here's the first one, in place. It looks small- But it's 2 metres by 1 metre highAnother two have just been delivered, but are not in place yet. My next one will be designed with a very talented student at the school on Monday!

At the end of 2016, I created a new Christmas colouring book, to sit alongside my Fractured colouring book, and Alphabet Animal book. It sold well, and hopefully keep going all year! I have plans to create another book. This time a meditiative, relaxing theme.

I have been very busy with numerous commissions for my customers. Working closely with clients is something which inspires me and I find incredibly enjoyable. Two paintings which were requested, was from a gentleman who works for Wasps rugby club. He loved my Fractured style, especially the sport paintings. He kindly sent me reference photos of the team members and then developed two acrylic paintings based on them, their speed and their movement. I hope I have achieved the dynamism!

An award I have recently won was from the 'Light, Space Time Gallery'. I entered this piece below - The Jewellery Box. This is a little different for me as I generally don't copy photographs. However, I staged and positioned these items for the photo, so I guess there was a bit of creativity there! It is completed in coloured pencil, which is becoming a firm favourite for me as a medium. I have also just joined The Australian Coloured Pencil Society to add to my list of memberships!

Next on the list is a new solo exhibition at one of my favourite venues, Denbies Wine Estate. It will be taking place there from Monday the 3rd April until Sunday the 9th. I will be exhibiting original artwork, my published books, sculpture and painted animals, inspired by my taking part in the cow parade! I hope you will come and visit me as I will be there every day painting.

I promise to be back very soon!!! Bye for now.