Sunday

I am an early riser, especially in the summer, so I find myself breakfasted and sorted and wandering down to the summerhouse studio about 10.00am. I like the solitude to get things organised and have time to review the previous day's work. I have started making notes as part of that review process and also writing down my decisions of where to go next. I will then often go for a wander round the grounds, not often making sketches but I will take photographs. It seems silly to be in such a beautiful location, a flower painter's paradise, and not take advantage of it but I had set out with the intention of following a programme I have set myself to paint more abstractly and exploring the idea of painting intuitively. So I am treating this Artist in Residence as an opportunity to paint for two week unhampered by the normal demands of everyday home life but with quite a limited focus and the intention of getting the job done (i.e doing what I wanted and intended to do). I hope I can fulfill my aim and not get distracted with 'oooh I could paint this, or maybe that, or I could sit in the walled garden and sketch', as is my usual approach. This way I may have several paintings to take back home instead of itty bitty pieces of nothing. (However, I am also enough of a realist to know that when I get home and review my finished paintings I will look at thenm and think "What the heck is that?" and then paint over them but at least I will have a good paint surface to work on:)

Sunday must have been day trip day for many local people. The hall and grounds were very busy and we had more visitors and lots of very interesting conversations. There is a gallery in the courtyard and cafe area which is available to hire and two women artists are exhibiting their work in there. Both have very good drawing skills and seem specialise in flower 'portraits', people portraits and animal drawings and paintings. All of a very high standard. Unfortunately, they do not seem to be getting as many visitors into their space and those that do seem less willing to engage in conversation. Perhaps it is our intriguing location in the the attractive summerhouse which draws people to pop in and have a look.
Calling this one finished for now but now wondering if it needs something more at the right hand side.