Working en plein air by the banks of the River Nent in Cumbria, an AONB I feel blessed to be an artist. My next large abstract/ slightly spiritual painting is well on the way this week and in this video I show you lots of preparatory work to get to this point. Watercolours, felt tip pens, oils and acrylics all feature this week in several sketchbooks as well as work on the easel. I have also been selected to be part of an exhibition at CasildArt in Marble Arch, London to celebrate International Women's Day IWD. To say I am thrilled would be an understatement!

A very varied week this week. I have been out seeking landscape inspiration for my next painting along the beautiful River Nent in Cumbria as well as framing my large abstract painting called Somewhere In Between and smaller abstract paintings that are now finished, which are all looking fabulous in their Farrow and Ball Winbourne White frames! These smaller pieces are definitely Affordable Art, due to their size and would also make great gifts for an art lover. I have also been stretching canvases ready to start my next painting based on the River Nent and finishing off a couple of small experimental pieces, and experimenting with pattern as a structure to help with composition, also experimental, in readiness for this next painting.

Another week of being out and about - delivering cards and visiting galleries - its been a full and fun packed week. And the medium sized abstract landscape painting inspired by the captivating church in Les Chapelles, Northern France, is now complete! I am truly delighted with this colourful, vibrant painting, boasting an appealing looser finish while maintaining its intricate pattern. The unique manner in which the church seems to emerge through the space in between is especially intriguing!

Back from France I have been straight into work, visiting locations across Cumbria where I sell work, as well as beginning to develop my two paintings currently on the easel. My journey through Cumbria has been an exhilarating mix of peace, learning, and spontaneous adventures. The fabulous Rydal Mount was as usual a real treat, while the Keswick Museum and Art Gallery served up a cultural feast. Handling the snow showers became an unexpected yet delightful challenge! Amidst this exciting mix, I've been able to enhance and evolve my two smaller paintings, first started in France, and now being perfected in the inspiring landscape of Cumbria.

This week I am on the hunt for more gold leaf for my paintings in Northern France. I visit several art shops including Burolike and La Tete dans Le Cadre, before eventually finding it at an old favourite of mine - Cultura in Laval. I have also been busy in my studio and have two new paintings well on the go, ready to take back to the UK this week to finish off and get framed up ready for sale. My fluorescent theme continues, and at the moment is providing a real vibrancy to the paintings, which I like, although I am influenced by the weather in my paintings and so a trip back to Cumbria might make them a little more subtle in colour - we'll have to wait and see!

Here is a little sneak peek of my upcoming artwork! This small abstract landscape in mixed media is still waiting for the perfect title. It draws its inspiration from the captivating l'eglise at Les Chapelles. It's currently in the sketchbook stage, but I can't wait to bring it to life on canvas! It follows on from the painting I have entered into the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition titled 'Somewhere In Between' and uses the same vibrant fluorescent colours as well as pattern merged with the landscape view.

I’ve finished my painting inspired by the Church of the Paraclete, Kirkhaugh, near Alston in Cumbria. I’ve also entered it for the Summer Exhibition at The Royal Academy of Arts, London - so fingers crossed!!

This week I travel from my studio in Cumbria to my studio in Northern France, and take in some grandparenting along the way. I have discovered through the grandchildren the fabulous paint sticks and have now added them to my armoury of portable art materials for when I am on the move. Not only are they versatile, they are also very clean and easy when I am out and about. Being on Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to Caen also gave me a fantastic opportunity to see the Spinnaker Tower as we left port, and this is something that will definitely feature in a future painting. I am hugely exited to continue with my abstract landscape painting inspired by a church in Kirkhaugh and hope to have it finished this week, now I am back in Les Chapelles.

I explore the Church of the Paraclete at Kirkhaugh in Cumbria, the only church with that name and the only one with a 'Fleche' Spire, which translates to 'Arrow'. As I am interested in the piercing of the space in between earth and sky, this seemed a fantastic subject for my first abstract landscape painting of 2024. Using a fluorescent pattern to fill the space between top and bottom, I have then begun to paint over this using sketchbooks and photographs from the church as a starting point, in mainly greens and reds. Additionally, I have been preparing some Limited edition prints for Rydal Mount and Gardens, which re-opens on 8th February.