Memories from a lovely time in the Creuse Department of France.

The River Sedelle which was so beautiful I could have spent the entire holiday painting up and down the river with all the gorgeous views. The light through the trees and the ever changing colours in the water.

River Sedelle, France.  oil on canvas

Weekend at Staithes Art School

A good weekend in Staithes at the Art School, with Robert Brindley as tutor. These two in the Beck just waiting for a painter to happen along!

A couple of visitors.  oil on board. 10 * 12 ins

Gargilesse, France.

Another reminder of a wonderful holiday in Les Marronniers in the tranquil Creuse Department of France's Southwestern Limousin Region. I originally painted this after a lovely lunch at the Hotel des Artists. However things did not go well and I scraped it all off when I returned to the Studio at Les Marronniers. I was very disappointed because the light was so gorgeous, so here is my attempt painted in the studio, with the memories of that day.

Gargilesse, France.  oil on board  10*12 ins

Sun and dappled light at Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens

How wonderful to finally emerge from the gloom that has hovered over the East Midlands for what seems to be weeks. I was at Kelmarsh two weeks ago sketching in the cold, so it was lovely to be back in the warmth.  Although in amongst the trees I was still wearing my fleece!

Kelmarsh Woodland Walk.  oil on board. 10 * 12ins

Last French painting!

This painting was half done whilst I was still in France, and now finally finished off in the Studio.  The work is the Studio at the The Marronniers (the chestnut trees) where I stayed.  The sunshine reminds me how lucky we were with the lovely sunny weather!

The Studio, Les Marronniers. oil on board
 

St Benoit du Sault. France

The last day I was in France we visited the beautiful town of St Benoit du Sault, which had a large medieval part. By the time I came to paint this lovely corner the sun had gone and the light was very flat. However when I got home I found a had a great photo in full sun, so I have tweaked this painting to bring in the sunshine.

St Benoit du Sault.  oil on board

Argenton-sur-Creuse, France

Mill House. Beside the Creuse River.

Argenton-sur-Creuse, France. oil on board 10*12ins



Le Moulin de la Folie

The Mill of Madness! Crozant, France.

A really gorgeous location with wonderful weather.

Le Moulin de la Folie, River Sedelle. France.  oil on board 10*12ins



Looking forward to France

I have just painted this from an old photo I took somewhere in the south of France, several years ago.

I'm off next week painting in France in the Limousin area.  I have never been there but it looks rather lovely. The weather looks just a very few degrees warmer than here! Hat and gloves in my case.

Sun and shadows.  oil on board.

Marmalade and Lemons

Another complicated still life.  I think I may stop just for now............

Marmalade and Lemons. oil on canvas.

A Few Shiny Things

I have been playing about with still life recently, and seeing how complicated I can make it! I have so many bits around the house collected over the years. Here are just a few in this one.  Another on its way.

A few shiny things. oil on canvas

Dovedale, Derbyshire.

This lovely view of the River in Dovedale brings back memories of a beautiful day painting and sketching there last Summer. I think I'm addicted to painting water!!

Dovedale. oil on canvas