I have to apologise for writing this blog so late! I returned from France at the end of July with 33 kilos of luggage having experienced 3 seasons! My main concern was for the paintings to arrive safely and fortunately there were no leakages! It was hard to imagine when I left the UK in early March in the midst of the flooding nightmare, that I would be away for 5 months. The painting and nature has been a lifeline.
I watched with interest the growth and development of the sunflower crops and was finally rewarded by standing in amongst them mixing my yellows and gold palette. The landscape was lit up by the dazzling yellow heads in all their various shapes and sizes.
One memorable day, in the midst of painting a landscape behind a tall hedge, I was interrupted by an unusual sound and decided to go and investigate. As I peered round the hedge I came face to face with a tall Frenchman wearing a straw hat with a canister of weed killer on his back and various pumps. I don't know who was more surprised but was greatly relieved when he said he would return the next day to finish the job!
Painting in 34 C degrees was quite challenging and I was getting through the paint at the rate of knots. I was very taken with a Renault van which I was told was 61 years old the same age as the owner of a local vineyard. I loved the subtlety of the grey paint work.
I departed from Toulouse airport and arrived back in the UK to a grey sky and massive drop in temperature. I plunged myself back into the Shropshire life and spent some idyllic days painting harebells in a friend's meadow. It was a joy to see the variety of garden flowers and not to mention a favourite of mine, nasturtiums. I was fortunate enough to paint at Wild Bunch, cut flower company. https://wildbunchflowers.co.uk/order-flowers/
Since then I am currently taking part in a mixed exhibition at Red Dot Gallery in Painswick, runs until the 1st November: https://reddotpainswick.co.uk
I will be taking part in the Open Art Exhibition at Ludlow from 31st October until the 22nd November 2020.
