26.12.13

Before January

January seems to have become the quiet month in my calendar. Well, quiet in that all gallery work generally slows down, allowing me time to think about last year and the coming year in a vaguely more strategic way. It's hard to be self employed and strategic but somehow making lists and talking a lot about hopes and dreams seems to sort of work. I also try to get down to the sea, usually on my own. I have become good friends with my sat nav. And taking hundreds of photographs, exploring and walking and watching, collects a little pool of inspiration... Something to draw on in the weeks and months ahead when I am back in urban surroundings.

And being alone is important. Without the interruptions of home life, the superficial things sink under the surface and the deeper stuff rises. It's important. So yes, January is quieter in some senses, but actually it's the springboard for the year ahead. I think it's one of my favourite times of the year. There's an expectation.

But before January arrives... I thought I'd give myself the task of distilling the past year into images. Kind of tidy it all up, label and store it away. So much has happened that it would take too many words and too much time to write it down... Supposedly a picture paints a thousand words so it makes more sense to use images. The images carry lot of meaning, whether or not you know or understand what they are. So here goes...


Beautiful blue skies in Greenway, near Kingswear, Devon.

Whiteout! The tree opposite my house heavy with snow.

A poor photo snapped from my car of my perfect little gallery, somewhere near Port Isaac!

Utterly stunning.... A sea mist over Trebarwith Strand.

Celebrating our wedding anniversary with my sister and her husband. Double wedding 23 years ago...

I loved painting these Widemouth Bay pebbles.

River Dart painting. This was such a beautiful place.

I was so excited and proud about this. What a privilege.

Summer in my front garden park!
A surprising sight one gorgeous evening in Lucca.

Seed head watercolours....painting in the French Alps.

And finally... One of the most enjoyable events of the year when I get to meet

Bristol friends in my open studio. And have a good tidy.

I love my job.