Lovely arty week

Snowdonia in the sun, acrylic on Indian rag paper

Snowdonia in the sun, acrylic on Indian rag paper

Dropped off my painting at the Llewellyn Alexander gallery -www.lafp.co.uk - in London this week: I sold one there last year, let’s hope I do the same this year – here it is.

Then felt I could indulge myself a little, so checked out Sarah Adams’ big oils, great slabs of rock created with a pallet knife and a lot of enthusiasm. http://www.sarahadamspainting.co.uk

Then finally revelled in the Geoffrey Key exhibition at Messums.  He is a bit cubist, a bit Picasso perhaps, but with very much his own take on it.  He comes from Manchester and hence must be constantly compared to Lowry, at least the programme notes kept on doing that, which must be very annoying as he doesn’t to my mind resemble him in the least.  http://www.geoffreykey.com

My great learning point was that anyone who is anyone is framing their paintings in pale grey, darling, must go and paint all remaining frames forthwith!

Came back to a wild wind-driven sea, so here is a picture of a slice of beach …..

A slice of beach ....

A slice of beach ….

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Talked out!

A week of talks – spoke on my project and book on the sailing ship the City of Ottawa to Rhyl History Club on Monday.  I was amazed by how many enthusiastic members it has, and by the warm welcome.

Then this morning was again made to feel very welcome by old friends at Nant y Mor sheltered accommodation in Prestatyn.  They really made me feel really special, and had some interesting stories of their own to tell.

Captain's map: the CofO at Plymouth.  Oil, work in progress, in my studio

Captain’s map: the CofO at Plymouth. Oil, work in progress, in my studio

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The Welsh Book Council rocks!

Trip down memory lane this Tuesday, as I revisited Aberystwyth: a happy memory round every corner.  Dropped off copies of my book “The ‘City of Ottawa’: the story of a sailing ship” at the Welsh Book Council there, copies were in W H Smith Rhyl by Friday!  Really amazing organisation!

There are copies are in Waterstones Llandudno as well now: the media empire grows!

Ah the happy fish and chips we ate at the foot of this tower!

Ah the happy fish and chips we ate at the foot of this tower!

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Latest news from Penlan Publishing!

There are interesting new developments in the life of “The ‘City of Ottawa’: the story of a sailing ship”!

'The "City of Ottawa": the story of a sailing ship"

‘The “City of Ottawa”: the story of a sailing ship”

It got a good mention in this month’s Welsh Coastal Life.  It progresses ever closer to being sold at Waterstones in Llandudno (they agreed to stock it ages ago, but it seems to take a while to negotiate their systems!), and is now available from Amazon.

And most exciting of all, it may get a French edition, published in Quebec!!!!!!

As a lover of all things French, especially the language, this is a particularly thrilling possibility for me!

 

 

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Super parrots!

Parrots, Macaws and Cockatoos by Elizabeth Butterworth

Parrots, Macaws and Cockatoos by Elizabeth Butterworth

www.elizabethbutterworth.com

Researching bird pictures in advance of my next project, I’ve just discovered the wonderful paintings of Elizabeth Butterworth.  Amazing parrots, superb cockatoos!  Each feather is lovingly portrayed.  So inspirational!

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Good day for Penlan Publishing!

A day of techno wizardry – impressive for me anyway!

A good mention of “The ‘City of Ottawa’: the story of a sailing ship” in Welsh Coastal Life magazine.

And it is now on sale on Amazon!

Below is the book cover, plus a photo of the latest C of O painting, complete with reflexion of the photographer!

The 'City of Ottawa' arrives at Plymouth, June 27th 1863 - latest painting, acrylic on Indian rag paper

The ‘City of Ottawa’ arrives at Plymouth, June 27th 1863 – latest painting, acrylic on Indian rag paper

'The "City of Ottawa": the story of a sailing ship"

‘The “City of Ottawa”: the story of a sailing ship”

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Pleasure boats in Rhyl!

On another note, my friend Pat Longfield has just reissued his book ‘A Trip Round the Bay – recollections of pleasure boats at Rhyl 1936-6′.  Really interesting personal memories of a life spent on boats in Rhyl and in and around Rhyl Harbour.  It’s available price £6.99 from Aquarius on Market Street, Rhyl.

Three of the fleet of driftwood and mosaic boats I've been working on recently!

Three of the fleet of driftwood and mosaic boats I’ve been working on recently!

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