Susan and I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Turin to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. As we were wandering about I noticed a poster for an exhibition of paintings by Monet and Picasso at Palazzo Barolo Turin. I decided to pay a visit and was not disappointed. Although there was only one […]
I was recently asked do a watercolour demonstration for Hartlepool Art Club. They have a fabulous venue in an old church which holds art exhibitions. I had been invited before around 2015 when I did a painting of Newcastle’s Theatre Royal in the rain. The theme this time was still cityscapes so I prepared three […]
Tyne Bridge Print I regularly have online sales from folk wanting a print of the Tyne Bridge. Orders come in from all over the world. Since my first print of one of my Tyne Bridge Paintings, I’ve had to publish quite a number of different versions. These scenes have been taken from all kinds of […]
In the previous blog post I was telling you about our trip to Dubrovnik in August 2022. I found the area near our hotel in Lapad inspiring to paint. There was something about the contrast between the rugged rocks and the turquoise waters very engaging. I was also taken by the trees that could provide […]
Croatia In August we took a weeks holiday in Croatia. We’d heard lots of good things about Dubrovnik, so we booked an hotel nearby in an area called Lapad. The hotel was well located, only a short bus ride from Dubrovnik and right next to a small pebbled beach. I’d used the last of my […]
Watercolour Demonstration In September I was asked to do a watercolour demonstration for a local art group. They wanted me to show them how to do a cityscape. I started on two paintings, one of which I’d painted before. It was of my favourite view of Durham, taken from Wharton Park near the train station. […]
To get men to produce art in prison can be challenging. Since June this year I have been teaching art in one of the regions prisons for the charity Junction 42. The Head of Learning and Skills asked if I would run a project on one of the House Blocks. She wanted the prisoners to […]
San Gimignano I often paint watercolours as a Handmade Card for family members or for very special friends. There are some occasions when I do get commissioned to paint a scene as a special card. In September, a close friend was celebrating his 50th birthday. I knew straight away the subject he would connect with. […]
City Church Portraits It’s a real privilege to paint a Portrait of a Friend. In 2014 I painted a series of portraits of City Church members. These were to hang in the atrium of the CastleGate. One of the portraits was of a gentleman called Leon Le Dune. He sadly passed away earlier this month. […]
Northern Counties Club The Derelict featured in a watercolour demonstration and talk about Junction 42 at the Northern Counties Club. The event was titled “Art in Prisons”. I shared many of my experiences working with ex-offenders. I also spoke about those who are serving custodial sentences in prison. One of the paintings that I started […]