Gadding about, and back in the studio
It seems an absolute age since I got any painting done. First the Festival, and its aftermath, then my week away, then framing all the work for the Haylett’s gallery, then clearing out the spare room and then having a friend to stay for a week . . . .
It was so good to get in there this afternoon and make a start on Landlines 7: Lane . . .
Although I did have a good time last week. Despite the heat (VERY hot!!!) my friend from North Wales and I packed in quite a bit. We had a visit to RHS Hyde Hall . . .
. . . and Flatford
which looked so different in its lush midsummer greens from when I painted it in March. From Flatford we went to Castle House at Dedham and looked round the Munnings and the River exhibition, and the rest of the house as well.
On Thursday we had a run down to my seaside outpost to see Graham. This is the evening light on the sea . . .
and a cooling paddle. 
And here are Graham and me with our friend, Martin.
But now it’s back to work again!
This week I will be delivering eight paintings to the Haylett’s Gallery for their exhibition Essex Creeks and Estuaries. More about this tomorrow.
ARTSTUFF stall: Next Saturday I have one of my usual stalls at St Leonard’s Summer Fete in Lexden. This is on from 11.00am – 2.30pm – all the usual traditional stalls and games and refreshments, plus a Uke band, a brass band and a bouncy castle. I shall be selling lots of cards, postcards, little notebooks, plus my Essex Wood and Fingringhoe Wick books – and there may be a few other items! Do pop in and say hi if you are in the area.
. . . And in the studio: After Landlines 7: Lane, next up will be the next in my Four Seasons on the Stour series, which will be Stratford St Mary: Early Summer, and then two dinghies for the Geedon Gallery. I’ve also got to visit my next two Stour places, which are Higham and Nayland – hoping for some days when it is a little bit cooler. And not quite so dry and dusty would be good, too!
Hope the week gets off to a good start for you – keep cool! 🙂