A Crit group is a group of artists taking turns to show their work, while the other members of the group offer their opinions on it. Critique based on the word 'criticism', usually has a negative connotation, since to criticize something usually means to point out faults. So it sounds like it could be a scary experience. But eight artists gat...

I stayed with friends in a lodge in Cropton Forest. One of the days we set off for a visit to Staithes. A sunny day and it was a pleasant drive over the North York Moors and out towards the coast. I've visited many of the towns and villages on the East Coast on childhood holidays and with my own family when our boys were young and our preferred tri...

Happy New Year and a special thank you to all of you that bought my art last year. This year is a special birthday year for me and I've got lots planned so I'll be doing more travel and hope to paint more buildings outside Cumbria though there are still many buildings I want to paint in West Cumbria. I've had my eye on a number of industrial sites ...

 The bulk of my career, my working, waged life has been in Education. If you include my own school life, I was involved in the education system for 42 years. I've been a pupil, an undergraduate, a teacher and an adviser. I still go into schools sometime, it's such a joy to work with children. I'm looking forward to a project in Beckermet Schoo...

 I was away last weekend at my own gallery event so missed out on the opening day of The Shipping Brow Gallery. It was much anticipated and is a great asset for Maryport. The Gallery stands at the bottom of the brow in Maryport, a striking blue and yellow, calling out to be explored.  The ground floor, reserved for local exhibitions, curr...

On our return to Kirkcudbright, I was filled with trepidation. I was excited to have received an order from The Tolbooth Art Centre for eighty cards but no idea whether any paintings had sold. When we arrived, Michael told us I had sold three paintings and thirty-six cards. Naturally I would have liked to have sold more paintings but happy that it ...

We could have done a day trip up to Edinburgh to see the Grayson Perry exhibition but combining it with James's birthday we decided to take a long weekend break.  Thanks to seasoned Edinburgh visitor, Sal Calvin, for recommendations on good central hotels, we booked The George on George Street.  First inconvenience of the day was wak...

 We arrived in Kirkcudbright on the 31st October just as the Tolbooth Art Centre was about to open at 11 O' Clock. It is 40 miles from home as the crow flies across the Solway but 100 by road.  My husband, James helped me unload and stayed around to help with the hanging of 16 framed paintings of buildings and streets of Kirkcudbright. We...

 Kirkcudbright is a lively fishing port in South West Scotland, nestled in a sheltered bay on the River Dee. Beautiful coastline and rolling countryside surrounds this pretty place of wide streets and colourful houses. Whitehaven, on the other side of the Solway, once a thriving Georgian port built by the Lowther family through the exportation...

 I'm an artist and my days, weeks and months are filled predominantly with art. One third of the time I'm making, one third I'm promoting and one third I'm selling. But that doesn't mean I can't have fun along the way. I try to coordinate my deliveries with meeting up with friends for a walk or lunch or a visit to a museum or, yes you've guess...

So today I took part in an art day led by tutor, Rachel Metcalfe. The room was full of eager participants from Gosforth and District Art Society.  Rachel is a visual artist specialising in abstract landscapes. She is a Primary School teacher and also a tutor for adult Cumbria learning, so she has an abundance of talent and experience. Encourag...

 I've had such a busy, but enjoyable week of art and connection. Early in the week I had my delivery and collection day at Castle Framing. Not so much to drop off this week, just a commission, two prints and an original to frame for the upcoming 'Coming Home' exhibition at Florence Arts Centre.  I had quite a lot to collect though. I mana...

Every year in early September, the artists that are part of the Eden Valley Artistic Network hold an Open Studios Event. All across Cumbria artists open up their studios or gather together in churches, community halls or art centres to exhibit their work and talk to visitors about their processes.This year I am exhibiting again with Nanette Madan. ...

Phew!! What an amazing weekend. A whole year in the planning of the 2nd Annual Factory: Festival of Creative Arts. This year we wanted it to be bigger and better than last year.  We named the event Factory because it is held on the site of the famous factory that was the Home of Cumberland Pencils. A gorgeous art deco building now refurbished ...

I thought I'd share a 'day in the life' today as it has been varied and pleasurable. The day always feels so much more promising when the sun is shining and the weather forecast suggests it's going to be good all day.First stop was Gosforth and District Art Society. We meet once a week in Seascale Methodist Church. It's a lively group of mostly ret...

 Sunday evening in my van in checked pyjamas snuggled under my alpkit sleeping bag and my furry blanket. I'm warm under cover, not toasty but it's May so I've not put on the heating. The top is slightly open bringing in the country air.It's all quiet except for the gentle bleating of lambs and the occasional owl hoot. I'm hoping there won't be...

I trained as a teacher, working in Schools and then as a Professional Development Officer for Cumbria Education Authority organising in-service courses for Primary School Staff. I've always loved working with children and when I was made redundant I set up my company and started freelancing in schools. To begin with I was doing poetry workshops and...

Postbox Nerd So I've recently been called a postbox nerd and I guess it is true. I've always liked postboxes with their bright red coats. But it was in lockdown that I became more interested. If you google 'postboxes near me' you are directed to a website with a map with all the postboxes on. During lockdown I would orienteer myself around the map ...

You might never have thought about commissioning a piece of art but it is a great way to get something very unique and personal. In the run up to Christmas, I was very busy doing paintings for presents. Most of these were individual houses, but I have completed public buildings and churches for people as well as terraces and streets.Wedding and Chr...

It was an early start for me. Driving through the busy west Cumbria traffic up to Wigton to meet Alison. Then Alison took over the driving to Kelso. Snaking through the rolling hills of Reiver country, spotting the Pele towers on the journey; Gilnockie Tower, just south of Langholm and Fatlips Castle perched on the top of Minto crags above Teviotda...