I am due to have an article published in the June issue of The Artist magazine which should be available from April 17th. It covers the comparative advantages of working in the studio and ‘en plein air’. I also describe my working practice and painting technique in the stage by stage development of the watercolour, ‘Broughton Bank and the Cleveland Hills’ pictured below.

The first results of my winter studio work have now been added to the portfolio section.  Three new paintings can be found in the watercolour landscapes section, one on the oils page.  I hope you like them.

With the 2019 exhibitions concluded, I have been able to shut myself in the studio and concentrate on new paintings. My main inspiration has been as a result of completing the Coast to Coast Walk from St. Bees to Robin Hoods Bay in September. Taking fourteen days to complete the 192 miles the walk passed through three National Parks; Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors providing plenty of spectacular scenery. I am at present working on a large watercolour of Borrowdale (see photo), a view seen in late afternoon after a day of torrential rain, the cloud briefly lifting to expose the Borrowdale Fells seen from above the village of Seatoller.

My next and final exhibition of the year is on Saturday/Sunday 9-10 November 2019 at the Whitworth Centre, Station Road, Darley Dale, Derbyshire DE4 2EQ.  Entry is free and the fair is open 10.00 – 16.00 on both days.  I will be showing alongside other members of Peak District Artisans, so it’s a great opportunity to shop for those special Christmas gifts and cards.

Once again Wirksworth is getting ready to become a very large art gallery!  As usual I will be exhibiting at Church View, The Croft, Greenhill, where visitors will receive a warm welcome.  The show will be open from 10.00 to 17.00 on both days.

I was delighted to learn that my painting, The Pennine Way near Hayfield (see image below), had won a County Council Award at the 2019 Derbyshire Open.  There is still time to see the exhibition which includes an excellent range of work – it continues at the Buxton Museum and Art Gallery until Friday 13 September.

Thanks to all who came to see my work at Holymoorside and Tissington.  My next show is the Peak District Artisans Great Dome Art Fair  on 19-21 July.  A great opportunity to see a wide range of art and craft under the glorious dome of the Royal Devonshire Campus in Buxton.

It’s May!  Time for my first show of the year, and once again I am participating in Derbyshire Open Arts at the perennially popular Holymoorside Village Hall from 25 – 27 May.  A mix of artists – some new faces this year – and as always tea and cake available.  Hope to see you there.  Full details on the exhibitions page.

As we move into 2019, I will be taking part in the Peak District Artisans Winter Exhibition at Chatsworth House near Bakewell.  Take a walk in the parkland, enjoy refreshments in the cafe and come and view the creations of a group of highly skilled artists in a range of media.  The show opens on 10 January – for further information please see the exhibitions page.

My next – and final – show for 2018 is on 3-4 November, with fellow members of Peak District Artisans at the Winter Artisan Fair, The Whitworth Centre, Station Road, Darley Dale, Derbyshire, DE4 2EQ.   23 artists and makers will be exhibiting so plenty of opportunity for Christmas shopping! The show is open between 10.00 and 16.00 on both days and entry is free.