The Shop Operative

The Outlet Operative : Yes I'm an Outlet Operative says she it's very important occupation… .without us the world would come to a halt....wow says I.....who was it told you that ?....the head of our outlet operatives....ahhh says I....that must be right then....sure is says she....who am I to doubt you.....

Cap Boy

Cap Boy : Oh Boy I like your cap…it's my favourite cap…I have a few….it's my "where it's at cap" " I have a "where it's at hat" says I….we look at each others headwear…we declare a draw…Under my "where it's at cap" is where I rap….he said a a parting shot….

The Dealer

The Dealer : Really an odd job man….willing to do anything that comes up….but his main interest is buying and selling furniture… if you want a table or some chairs he's your man….always

really happy and cheerful…..worryless…what is his secret?

The Writer

The Writer : He looks like a florist I know...but he says he's a writer....what do you write says I?...stuff he says...what sort of stuff....oh you know writers stuff....I saw this was getting nowhere so I just went on with the painting…..

The Student

The Student : A fellow art student of many years ago wonderful blond hair and a long neck I wanted to get her to put it up into a pony tail so I could paint a Picasso of my own.

Reflective Apples

Fruit of the Day : Reflective Apples : This works…I've taken the long view and included three apples on glass to get a better reflection than yesterdays painting...good fun to do ...this is a good area for expansion...more fruit on glass...

The Designer

The Designer : Another go at portraiture…this lady is a designer of clothes she tells me..she sat very still while I painted her...probably thinking I was past being designed for...although she did say I looked like an artist.....is that a good thing?

Free Grapes

Fruit of the Day : Free Grapes : Not free as in free from a friend ( although they were ) I mean free from the packaging…my friend Humph had brought these around for me to eat or, and, paint..

Three Mates

Fruit of the Day : Three mates : The lonely apple of yesterday has been joined by two green mates...' oh good' says red ' I didn't like it in the dark' 'you'll be safe with us 'says green 'come a little more into the dark....' 'aren't you afraid of the dark' asked red 'oh no' says green ' have to heard of the term 'mugging'? no says red what does it mean….come a little more in the dark and we'll tell you......

Take Us to your Leader

Fruit of the Day : Take us to your Leader : Three aliens have just landed and need to find out what this planet is about…the quickest way find the leader and work back from there...or it might just be three cherries sitting around waiting to be painted by a passing artist...

The Older Artist

Portrait of the Day: The Old Artist : This is a very old artist … still painting ...when he could be sitting in the sun on some nice beach somewhere warm...but no...he is still trying to improve... still finding painting compelling and just can't stop creating new stuff..seeing what happens in the next painting...still full of ideas......what's that all about then?

The Producer

Portrait of the Day : The Producer : This is a painting of a friend of mine who is a producer the likeness is not good…this portrait painting is harder than it looks....but I'll keep going.....till someone recognises themselves.....

Moody Apple

Fruit of the Day : Moody Apple : I was trying to get a little moody in this one...just a spot light on the apple against a dark background...I left the highlight right to the last moment...after getting shadow of the stalk right...and them waiting...taking a deep breath and then painting it in.....thrilling! and the whole painting comes alive ….​

The Artist

Portrait of the Day: The Artist : Trying to get my portrait painting better I'm starting with this painting of an artist friend of mine…he asked me who it was...well it's a start....

Apple Reflection

Apple Reflection: Back to the still-lifes for a bit…a lovely red apple lit from above on a glass on a table...the reflection is showing.

Don't forget if you live in England there is a great exhibition showing the work of the Hampshire Artists Co-Operative at

Hinton Ampner in Hampshire UK SO24 OLA from 9th Jan -

- 5th Feb  11am - 4pm…come and have a look and enjoy…

Hill Town

View of the Day : Hill Town : More island towns perched at the top of an island… the views are great but the getting there is a nightmare.. but worth it for the views…There is such a place in Spain….but can't remember it's name…it will come to me at some point…..

Harbour Town

View of the Day : Harbour Town : After a day of sailing getting back to harbour is a comforting feeling…you may have had an adventure in rough weather...or just a nice day out....whatever the story it's alway nice to get home into the comfort of the harbour.

Moonlit Harbour

View of the Day : Moonlit Harbour : There is nothing so nice as after spending a day out at sea to come back to the harbour that you left 6 hours ago ad have managed to find your way back…it's a real thrill to see the harbour from miles away and gradually sailing nearer and nearer to the entrance ....knowing that in half an hour you can be in the warm and cozy bar eating and drinking and looking forward to a good nights sleep.

Dipper

T​weet of the Day : The Dipper : A short-tailed, plump bird with a low, whirring flight. When perched on a rock it habitually bobs up and down and frequently cocks its tail. Its white throat and breast contrasts with its dark body plumage. It is remarkable in its method of walking into and under water in search of food usually up stream.

Yellowhammer

Tweet of the Day : Yellowhammer ; The yellowhammer is a passerine bird in the bunting family that is native to Eurasia and has been introduced to New Zealand…. it says in my bird book...passerine?.... something to do with their toes and the gripping of their perch....you learn something new every day.

Blue Tit

Tweet of the Day : The Blue Tit : Another Blue Tit... I think that that is because there are so many in our garden. As soon as I put out new nuts in the feeder out they came, hanging comfortably under the feeder much to the pigeons annoyance….who have to wait underneath for any titbits.

Sunny Fields

Landscape of the Day : Sunny Fields : Seeing the sun is a thrill here…can't wait to get out in it. lets go for a walk … don't forget the gloves....and the umbrella ....and the wellington boots...and the hats.....

Harbour Mouth

Landscape of the Day : Harbour Mouth : Plenty of sailing here..down the coast find the harbour mouth….and into the town....pick up a tin-opener....return trip.....6 hours of sailing in all and pilchards for tea....yum yum.

Hill Island

Landscape of the Day : Hill island: We have moved to Hill Island…much better house and what a view…did you bring the tin-opener?….no, but we can get one at the shops...an hour by boat and two hours by road (plus renting a car...).........have we made the right choice?

Neighbours

Landscape of the Day : Neighbours : Getting a bit crowded down here...there are no hills left...they all have house on them...it looks like a cake factory....what happened to the lakeside? time we moved on…but where to go?

Lakeside Community

Landscape of the Day : Lakeside Community : More friends gather and buy hills and put houses on them…soon a community is formed...sounds fun...how often will we get there ?...did you bring the tin opener?....it's two hours to the shops.....was this a good idea ?

Lakeside Getta Way

Landscape of the Day: Second day of my trip around the lakes of New Zealand this time two friends have built their Summer houses on neighbouring hills…not too near.... a wave away...an hour by road.

The folks who live on the Hill

Happy New Year everybody out there !: Ah a New Year there is always a hopeful feeling at this time of a year ...all the year ahead what could possibly go wrong....we'll see…New Year new subjects... this week for me, are hills and islands, inspired by the landscapes of New Zealand ...hope you like them