May is here and it's still cold!

Well, the essay is handed in and what a relief that is!   It felt quite odd not to be spending all weekend writing.  Now I just have to sort my portfolio and hand that in on 20th May and that's my second year over.  What a life changer it has been.  The third years are leaving and I am very sad.  They are such a great bunch.  I shall miss them so much.

Below are some photos of some of the things I have been busy about, besides the hotel painting commissions and essay writing!

On June 6th, I am boarding a plane for New Mexico for a couple of months to get some big paintings done.  I am looking forward to that for obvious reasons, but also to warm my bones... spring has barely arrived here and today it's blowing a cold wind... 

Waterways i soft ground etching 7 x 7 cm

Lake i soft ground etching 5 x 15 cm

Fen with monoprint on Tosa Washi chine collé  7 x 7 cm

Field and Stream soft ground etching 5 x 15 cm

Return to some serious work!

Water 10 x 12 oil/panel

I am back! My friends left last week and although I miss them, I am happy to be able to get back to some serious work. I have so much to do. I did do a little work when they were here, but there is nothing like being able to work without interruption for hours and hours, which is what I am doing now.

I am finding it hard to know when a painting is finished?! Anyone else have this problem? I have a tendency to overwork a piece and not leave all the lovely underpainting nuances... I have tried to leave more in this one.