Veg Under The Castle

Husb and I spent most of the afternoon and evening down at the allotment, because it’s dry and sunny and we are making the most of it. Our allotment is below a Norman Castle, which is really quite a spectacular setting for growing some fruit and veg. Here’s a drawing I did of it aContinue reading “Veg Under The Castle”

Etched Out!

Had a full-on intaglio week – made three new solar plates and proofed seven. This is one I based on a much larger life drawing. I’m using text repetitively in some of my work because I like the pattering effect it gives. I drew this onto Mark Resist rather than Truegrain as it’s cheaper –Continue reading “Etched Out!”

Quality Control Kitteh-Style

We’re cropping well from our allotment and here’s Little Ming doing a quality control inspection on our latest pick of broad beans. We’ve grown mainly Claudia Aquadulce that I planted last Autumn; I also tried Imperial Longpod and Red Epicure but they didn’t come to much. We pick the young leaves throughout the Spring becauseContinue reading “Quality Control Kitteh-Style”

Jamming, Scribbling And A Cat

Despite the torrential storms throughout June, we’ve picked loads of loganberries and strawberries. Over 4 kilogrammes of loganberries so far and plenty more to come. We’re running out of room in the freezer so this evening we had a jamming session. And here’s Little Ming posing with eighteen jars of newly made loganberry jam.  There’sContinue reading “Jamming, Scribbling And A Cat”

Solar Plates, Strawberries And A Cat.

Another busy day, drawing in the studio then picking strawberries down on the allotment – the weather has been really bad for fruit. The heat and humidity are perfect conditions for botrytis and quite a few of our strawberries have been affected, so we’re picking whenever there’s a let up in the drizzle. It wasContinue reading “Solar Plates, Strawberries And A Cat.”

Quick Kitteh Scribbles

Some days I really don’t want to draw. Mostly though, I grit my teeth and do it because I don’t want to fall into the trap of being undisciplined. That’s when the cats come in handy. They’re great for speed sketching because, unless they’re snoozing, they don’t keep still for long, they’re very fidgety littleContinue reading “Quick Kitteh Scribbles”

I Don’t Do Nature

I draw people and occasionally, at a push, animals but I don’t do nature. I’ve just finished Martin Gayford’s book about his conversationas with David Hockney and he discusses his new-ish paintings from the countryside surrounding his home in the north of England, so I thought I should break out of my comfort zone andContinue reading “I Don’t Do Nature”

Husband And Horse Slurry.

Had a hard day on the allotment today, both of us doing loads of digging into heavy clay-ey soil. Then when we got home I had to move a huge trug full of horse slurry that had been fermenting all winter and spread it round the rhubarb, loganberries, blueberries and fig. Honestly, it was bubblingContinue reading “Husband And Horse Slurry.”

Casting A Clout.

It’s unusually warm and sunny so husb and I spent a long hard day on the allotment and came home shattered and aching. Every year we resolve to break ourselves in gently, do an hour or so the first time, but we don’t because you never know when it’s going to pour down for weeksContinue reading “Casting A Clout.”