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I find sketching to be great fun and very relaxing.

Here is a selection of my 1930 series. Several are abstract ink sketches and there are also a couple of coloured charcoal and pastel mixes. I must thank British artist Mo Welch whose works inspired me. Thank you Mo.

In September last year I spent 15 days walking across England with friends. We went from Robin Hoods Bay on the east coast in North Yorkshire 191 miles to the west coast to St Bees in Cumbria. A life experience. I took hundreds of photographs and even made a YouTube video which I have put at the bottom of this page. Over the last few months I have also done a few paintings inspired by the photographs and memories.

Just read an article on the BBC and saw a Frank Auerbach painting that sold for a lot of money. I set a 2 minute challenge for my husband and I. What do you think? I think Patrick won with his creation. It looks closer to Frank Auerbachs creation than mine!

Growing up in Cambridge my bicycle was just part of my life and my means of transport. I never considered using it as exercise, just a thing to use to get me to where I wanted to go. What a surprise when I moved away and when it was lifted out of the removal van the moving van men laughed at it! It was a “sit up and beg” purple bike with a large wicker basket on the handle bars and an old worn out bag on the back. That bicycle had grown up with me.

Here are a few paintings of my bicycles.

Just a little post ….

It is my watercolour and ink painting on yupo paper of a slightly peculiar and cross looking orange cat!

Yupo paper is fun to work with. It is a compelling and unique alternative to traditional art papers. It’s a synthetic paper, machine-made in the USA of 100% polypropylene. It is a waterproof, stain-resistant and extremely strong and durable medium that enables me to create wonderful, free flowing, radiant images.

I realise I seem to have got a bit addicted to painting Lisbon trams. You see it’s that brain of mine again. Looking up the meaning of Addiction is seems it is a brain disorder characterised by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli, despite adverse consequences.

Well I hope you do not find my tram paintings affect you adversely. I have certainly found painting them rewarding and enjoyable, but just in case it becomes a serious issue I think that’s enough for a while, before I become ‘tramatised’. What’s next … Windmills, bicycles, any suggestions?

Leaving sunny Southern California was hard but I am settled back in Portugal, the sun is shining and my painting gear is scattered around.

I have just completed two paintings on Yupo paper, a media I love, although it makes me do some pretty weird stuff at times. Look closely at Blue Tree Hugs painting. What do you see? My Red Poppies are more conventional.

2017 my goodness! Happy new year to you all. What are your plans for the year? Mine are to continue to enjoy life, travel, explore and PAINT.

Now is a good time to look forward and get on with living.

Having said that I thought it was about time to update this blog. A number of my more recent works are now on the front page and if you feel like it, you can even buy my orginals as well as prints.

I am feeling excited, worried and humbled. This weekend I will be displaying my art at a public event. A first for me. I will be exhibiting at the Silver Coast Open Studios event in Portugal.