My Personal Favourites of 2016

As 2016 draws to a close I would like to wish you all the best for 2017.

A huge thankyou for all your support and encouragement.

. You all allow me to continue in my art journey.

Here is a flashback to my favourites of the year. Which were yours?

Light Catcher

18x24cm

Shadowland

24x30cm

Bluebell Wood

24x30cm

Autumn Gold

24x30cm

Wildflower Fenceline

6"x8"

Lavender and Yellow

18x24cm

A Quiet Place

18x24cm

Varnishing Day

Paintings ready for varnishing

I normally leave my paintings as long as I can before varnishing so that I know the paint surface is nice and hard before I send them, and I usually varnish right before posting. I have a standard 3 day turnaround for sale to allow for that.

Of course, at this time of year there are always last minute orders so today I busied myself varnishing them plus some extras in anticipation... Monday is the last comfortable day to ensure they will arrive in the US/Canada in time for Xmas so the varnish should be nice and dry by then.


I like to use a satin varnish as I feel this gives a nice balanced semi-glossy surface which enhances the texture of my knife paintings. I make up my own mixture usually 1 part gloss varnish to 2 parts matt. My brand of preference is Winsor and Newton and I buy the small bottles which I tip into a jam jar which is the perfect size.

When I painted in acrylics I only used matt varnish which toned down some of the shinyness of the acrylics but nowadays, I find myself more drawn to the more glossy finish. Maybe I shall start using gloss varnish, but I feel that can be a bit harsh when the light shines on it.

What do you use? Do you varnish or not? Leave your comments below.

Landscape Painting suggestions for Mother's Day

Landscapes as ideas for Mother's Day

 AVAILABLE

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News catch-up and Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Unfortunately over the last  months I have not been painting much due to my Father's illness and having to travel back and forth to England. He passed away in February and I am gradually getting back into painting. It is amazing the healing power of art.

I should have some finished pieces over the next week or so and get back into the swing of things. In the meantime, here are some paintings that would make great Mother's day gift ideas.

 AVAILABLE

AVAILABLE

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AVAILABLE

Miniature Sunset Oil Paintings Video

Sunset Miniature Treasure paintings

4"x4" oil on panel

Available in my Etsy shop

It's been over a month since I last posted. Due to family matters I have been travelling back and forth to the UK and I have had very little time to paint over the last 2 to 3 months.

I returned home yesterday and I have been playing with Windows movie maker. OK so it is not a movie, but I think this is an interesting way to showcase a series of work, What do you think? Is this better/worse/no different than showing the photos one after another in a blog?

Provence Poppy Meadow Series Montage

A montage of some of the Poppy Meadows of Provence

I thought it would be nice to see some of this series together. It makes an interesting montage and shows how the same subject can be treated slightly differently to give a different look and feel. These are all small paintings some are 15x20cm and 18x24cm and all are painted with a palette knife. They can be both frustrating and fun to paint at the same time. The freedom with using the palette knife stops the fussiness that sometimes creeps into my landscape paintings, but getting the sense of distance and perspective is a challenge.

Click Here to see the individual paintings.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sale

I have joined the Etsy promotion for Black Friday. I am offering a 10% discount on all my available paintings in my store. Use coupon code BFCMWEEKEND1 at checkout to receive a 10% discount on any painting.

Valid from today through to Monday.

What better gift to give at Christmas than an original painting.