My Weekly Newspaper Column

Has come to a halt!

The recent recession has resulted in a drop in advertising, which has resulted in a cut in pagination.

It has been such an amazing opportunity!

Local response has been more rewarding than I could ever have imagined and although I am obviously sad to see it go, I am so thrilled to have had the platform.

My artistic adventure continues to surprise and thrill me, ever changing, ever learning and offering the most amazing experiences.

Thank you to the Editor, John Elworthy, for choosing to shine his spotlight my way.

Column Week 32

This is my newspaper column, in print today in the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard:


I spent the bank holiday at Go Ape, a high wire forest adventure course in Thetford Forest, Suffolk. Not one for heights myself, I helped to keep little baby Ellie occupied while I watched my children swing through the tall trees attached to harnesses. It actually looked like great fun and they certainly enjoyed the course.
By midday the sun had broken through the clouds setting the perfect scene for a BBQ lunch, which we spent the rest of the day working off with long walks through the trees and maze, finishing the day with a game of rounders on the huge green and a couple of quick sketches for my journal.

Cambs Times Pet Of The Year Commission

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Now that my portrait of LoopyLou is in the safe hands of her owner I can reveal it to you. I remembered to take photographs through some of my painting stages and also made a note of my palette which was all W&N Finity brand acrylic paints:

Yellow Ochre

Quin Violet

Titanium White

Burnt Umber

Diox. Purple

Paynes Gray

Here are the stages in order:

WIP 1

WIP 2

WIP 3

Finished Painting

Column Week 31

'Like a finely tuned orchestra, my garden plays a never ending concerto . The birds sing unashamedly, calling those they love, while the fish in the pond plop vicariously providing a deep bass.Machinery long gone from the fields - nature reunites with her rightful territory and one can't help becoming lost in her song!'

Column Week 30

This is my newspaper column, in print today in the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard:



I recently took my Son Harry on his first visit to the Fitzwilliam museum in Cambridge, where we spent the afternoon sketching and browsing.
The building itself, designed by George Basevi, first opened to the public in 1848 and is nothing short of spectacular.
In 1816 Richard, VII Viscount Fitzwilliam of Merrion, bequeathed to the University of Cambridge his works of art and library, together with funds to house them and there began the foundations of a collection that has continued to grow ever since. Paintings and prints by artists such as Goya, Picasso, Constable, Monet, Titian, Pissarro, Degas, to name but a few, decorate the gallery walls, scattered in rooms between marble columns and decorative plaster.
The Charrington print room currently houses an exhibition entitled 'The field calls me to labour' showing watercolours of nineteenth-century rural Britain by Robert Hills and his contemporaries and the Shiba gallery displays ‘Fifty Etchings 2005’ by Christopher Le Brun.
Of course, there is a lot more to the Fitzwilliam than paintings, sketches and sculptures; coins, tombs, mummies, jewellery, armour, manuscripts…the list goes on. The Fitzwilliam is a huge trinket box filled to the brim with delicious gems and entrance is free!

http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/ (closed Mondays). Tel: 01223 332900
If you would like to see more, my daily journal entries can be found on my blog : http://artbyanita.blogspot.com/.

Column Week 29

This is my newspaper column, in print today in the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard:

'Crocs'

What woman doesn’t love her shoes?
The fact that they always look so cute in smaller sizes doesn’t help my obsession either because I am only a size three!
So it will come as no surprise to hear that my collection often lends itself to my creative side, appearing in many of my art journals, posing for me when I’m at a loose end for what to sketch. I’ve dabbled with a few designs of my own too, which can prove quite frustrating when I fall in love with my results only to realise that I’ll never be able to purchase a pair!


'Aretha'

I remember my very first heels…As children we would visit my Great Nanny Titmus, nicknamed ‘Little Nan‘ because she was so petite. Her bed was in the lounge and beside it was an alcove in the wall, shielded only by a curtain, where some of her clothes were hung. We would drape the coats over her Zimmer frame to make a camp and I would try all of her dress hats on. She didn’t mind, all the time I remember her smiling and encouraging.
There was a brown suede pair of heeled ‘winkle pickers’ that I loved, so elegant and they looked as new as the day she had purchased them. I can’t remember how old I was when she gave them to me, along with my favourite brooch of hers, but I do remember wearing them. I cared for them as she had but I wore them out. Loved them but ruined them. I still have the brooch and the shoes will live on in my mind always.


'Bette'

If you would like to see more, my daily journal entries can be found on my blog : http://artbyanita.blogspot.com/.

These designs are available as Greeting cards via my store at GCU

Column Week 28

This is my newspaper column, in print today in the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard:



Hunstanton beach is often referred to as ‘Sunny Hunny’ and with numerous visits tucked under my belt it’s easy to understand why. I have driven through hailstones that made it impossible to see the road, forcing myself and fellow traffic to pull over ‘sit it out’, I’ve driven through high winds and even snow! On each occasion my arrival at Hunstanton has been celebrated by bright sunshine and the calming reassurance of a worthwhile trip!

On Monday 28th July Harry and I ignored the weather report and set off for a day at the beach. It seemed many shared in our positive attitude; the main beach was scattered with deck chairs, bright coloured buckets and lots of bare skin. Once again, we had been blessed with sunshine.
Some time late afternoon we were surprised to feel the occasional raindrop, a warm mist that both Harry and I welcomed in the heat. Others were not so welcoming and a sudden panic spread, until only the hardy were left to enjoy the last few hours in the sun. We later discovered that the light mist had been the tail end of an enormous downpour that ripped it’s way through Wisbech, the beach had been our umbrella.

Hunstanton beach reminds me that a positive attitude brings reward, that a pinch faith goes a long way and that to fully appreciate the sunshine, one has to get a little wet now and then!

If you would like to see more, my daily journal entries can be found on my blog : http://artbyanita.blogspot.com/.

Column Week 27

This is my newspaper column, in print today in the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard:



The 'Close to Home' project I started back in May has taken a knock by all the rain we've been having this summer. I sketch the houses 'plein air' which means I complete them whole on location, so the wet spell made it impossible to get any further forward leaving my target of three houses a week more than a little dented.
Then the school holidays began and it seems unfair to traipse my youngest around to sit in front of peoples homes and sketch every day, so I have some catching up to do! That said, I have completed 16 of my hoped 36 sketches and I still have some time before my planned exhibitions nearer the end of the year. I'm hoping a late summer will enable to me to pick this project up after Harry's return to school.
Seeing a strange woman perched on a chair outside your home is not something you witness every day but local reaction has been fantastic and I've met some wonderful people through this project who have made me feel so welcome - Thank you!

CAMBS TIMES ONLINE - Pen Pal Column

Column Week 26

This is my newspaper column, in print today in the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard:


The school holidays are in full swing, my most favourite time of the year where I get my children all to myself and our schedule is all our own.
My eldest has his own activities and interests these days, so I get a few moments with him before dropping him off at a cricket ground or gymnasium but Harry and I still get to share every moment together and we try to make the most of every day. Memories are made all sorts of ways, including day trips that can play havoc with the purse but the best memories are fairly reasonably priced, if not free, and involve time shared rather than money spent.
On Wednesday afternoon we took our lunch to Gaul Road play park and spent a couple of hours laughing, talking, playing and being invaded by ants!
Moments like these are when we are closest and I learn how individual my kids are. Times like these are essential to me, Harry has my full attention, we share our thoughts, hopes and dreams, our parent-child roles are pushed into the background and we are friends…Best friends.
Memories such as these are Priceless!

Column Week 25

This is my newspaper column, in print today in the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard:




With every baby there seems to come a stack of soft toys and my boys have been no exception. However, amongst the piles of stuffing and fur, there is always a favourite!

My eldest took a shine to ‘Edwin’ who used to hold a big yellow star in his hands that played ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’. The star was misplaced many years ago but Edwin survived and was promptly gifted to my youngest, Harry, from his big Brother the day he was born.

Harry’s favourite is ’Screwballs’ a rough coated dog that flops around his bedroom waiting patiently for that bedtime hug.

I can’t remember any of my soft toys from childhood, let alone my favourite, memories like these are so easily forgotten. Hopefully my sketchbooks will provide answers for my boys when they too realise that time has stolen some precious moments from their minds.

Column Week 24

This is my newspaper column, in print today in the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard.



Bluebell Coffee Shop is situated in the grounds of DJ Nurseries in Chatteris and Mary and Jean work hard to make it the total success that it is.
There are a few key elements I look for when I visit a coffee shop; welcoming atmosphere, cleanliness, good food, reasonable pricing, comfort and, above all, good manners…The latter seems to be a rarity these days!
Bluebell’s has it all, along with traditional feasts that send your mind plummeting back to ‘The Good ‘Old Days’. Custard and puddings, meat and mash and homemade slices and pies decorate the menu along with a more traditional version of my café favourite ‘Latte’ described at Bluebells as a ‘hot milky coffee‘.
I opted, as I always do, for the All Day Breakfast which could quite possibly last you all day long and is so immaculate in presentation one could believe it had been popped through the dishwasher before serving!

If you would like to see more, my daily journal entries can be found on my blog : http://artbyanita.blogspot.com. Wednesday Morning Art Workshops, Doddington. Contact Anita: 07790554201

Cambs Times Online

Column Week 23

This is my newspaper column, in print today in the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard.

I was invited to participate in the Rose Fair again this year, an annual event in the heart of Wisbech. On Wednesday I parked myself outside the Museum on my travel chair, displayed some of my creations on the railings and pavement, sat back and enjoyed the sunshine with my latte. I was fortunate to catch Leverington School Molly Dancers in my sketchbook quickly before the rain set in and I was forced to pack away in record time. Such a shame, I seem to remember the same thing happening last year.

On Friday I returned with my Mum for a casual stroll. St Peter’s Church had their usual flower arrangement exhibition which never fails to impress. It smelled and looked divine, I would love to have stopped and sketched a while there but it is such a popular exhibit that it‘s difficult to find the space. Out of the church and back into the sunshine, we visited Wisbech market a while before I snuck into Terry’s Dinner to pick up a take-away cheese burger and chips with a latte which was a bargain at £3.75 and tasted delicious!

If you would like to see more, my daily journal entries can be found on my blog : http://artbyanita.blogspot.com. Wednesday Art Workshops. Doddington. Contact Anita: 07790554201

CAMBS TIMES ONLINE

Column Week 22

This is my newspaper column, in print today in the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard:



I am currently taking part in an international sketchbook exchange with three other artists whose blogs I visit frequently and work I admire; Margaret Storer-Roche based in Arizona, Jennifer Lawson from Maine and Nina Johansson from Sweden. We have chosen the Maruman watercolour sketchbook for this project, the book pages are folded rather than cut so you can open the whole book accordion style to reveal a huge length of continuous art works.

We have each given our book a title or theme and filled ten pages with our own interpretation of the theme before sending onto the next artist to do the same. I have called my book ‘A Taste of Home’ and filled my pages with sketches from around my home and garden and a self portrait in purple and blue hues.
Eventually we shall each end up with our own books again but filled to the brim of delicious sketches and works to keep forever.

I am very excited to be taking part, although it is very nerve wracking waiting to hear if you book arrived safely through the post.

You can see how the Maruman exchange is going at: http://marumanx.blogspot.com/
If you would like to see my daily journal entries they can be found on my blog : http://artbyanita.blogspot.com. Wednesday Night Art Workshops. Benwick Road Recreation Centre, Doddington. Contact Anita: 07790554201

Column Week 21

This is my newspaper column, in print today in the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard:



During a recent trip to Coltishall to visit my dear friend Joan Sandford-Cook, we took a drive to sketch the mills at How Hill. There are 3 mills in total, all built to drain the Broads marshes.
In Roman times How Hill was an estuary but in the 5th and 6th centuries the sea level dropped providing land where plants started to grow, giving the Saxons perfect grazing for cattle.
Boardman’s Mill, also known as Skeleton Mill, was our first stop, built in 1897 by Daniel England, it is an open timber trestle mill that suffered wind damage in 1938, recently restored by the Norfolk Windmills Trust.

Turf Fen Mill, built by William Rust in 1875, was our next stop. Typical of the brick tower mills you see throughout the Broads, it was also recently restored by the trust.
We spent a wonderful, relaxing afternoon by the River at How Hill, soaking in the sunshine and admiring the fantastic views.

If you would like to see more, my daily journal entries can be found on my blog : http://artbyanita.blogspot.com/.

Wednesday Night Art Workshops. Benwick Road Recreation Centre, Doddington. Contact Anita: 07790554201

Column Week 20

This is my newspaper column, in print today in the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard:



Sir William Cordell acquired Melford Hall after the Dissolution of the Monasteries and entertained Queen Elizabeth 1 there in 1578, a stained glass window now marks her visit.
Since 1786 Melford Hall has been the home of the Hyde Parkers, a distinguished naval family who fought hard and died for their country, naval art and spoils of battles fill the house.

In 1942 fire struck Melford but recovery was quick and a repaired Melford was transferred to the National Trust in 1960. Sir Richard Hyde Parker grew up at Melford, with memories dating back as far as 1942, watching the house burning as a child of five years, he speaks so warmly of Melford and one feels a true 'family' atmosphere within his words. I am sorry to say I did not feel this warmth at Melford, the house, despite it's treasures and memories, felt empty and cold. Doorways were roped off forbidding access to the very few rooms on show making it difficult to see anything among the crowds that piled in together as the large Tudor doors were opened.

Beatrix Potter was a cousin of Ethel, Lady Hyde Parker, the Grandmother of the present Baronet. Lady Ulla Hyde Parker refers to her as 'Cousin Beattie' and remembers her drawing some of the Jeremy Fisher illustrations at Melford.
To be able to look upon many original watercolours and notebooks in her hand was fabulous.
Potter's work has such amazing detail and character, perfection gained from a timeless study of nature.

I felt Melford needed more, it watched as visitors filled it and still longed for a family to feed it's walls with love. However, the treasures within are well worth the visit.

Melford Hall, Suffolk : 01787 376395

Column Week 19

I have been eyeing up these brightly coloured peppers sitting in my fridge for days now and Wednesday night I finally scooped them up and found time to sketch them in my journal. On Thursday I sliced them in half and stuffed them with a little flash fried, finely sliced bacon, chicken and mushrooms, topped them with a modest chunk of strong cheddar and popped them in the oven for around 15 mins. I served them with penne pasta in a tomato and basil sauce.

For dessert I treated myself to a couple of the beautiful handmade chocolates I'd purchased in the new sweet shop 'Chocolate Haven' just opened on Chatteris High Street.

Delicious!

My Column Online at the Cambs Times

Column Week 18

The imperial War Museum at Duxford is one of those places I’ve been meaning to visit and never got around to until this week; I thought Harry would enjoy seeing all of the planes, so he and I set off with my Mum.
Entrance is free for children but the adult price of £16 was a bit of a shock. However, strolling through the vast grounds, viewing hangar after hangar of exhibits I was soon of the mind that my ticket had been worth every penny.
This is an amazing place and, with the help of reconstructed scenes and hoards of information, the day turned into a wonderful journey of learning for all three generations of my family.

‘I gained a whole new appreciation for those who had gone before me; courageous and undoubtedly scared. From somewhere deep within they drew a strength that allowed us to walk freely amongst the beautiful beasts that contained their hopes, dreams, prayers and lives within - launching them into the unknown!’

If you haven’t already visited I recommend a trip to Duxford, I’ll be returning very soon.


If you would like to see more, my daily journal entries can be found on my blog : http://artbyanita.blogspot.com/. Wednesday Night Art Workshops. Benwick Road Recreation Centre, Doddington. Contact Anita: 07790554201

Column Week 17

My newspaper column this week, in print today in the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard.

You can now flick through the pages of The Cambs Times online just like a normal newspaper HERE. My column appears on page 16.

Here are the original images from this column scanned from my sketchbooks:

Column Week 16 & Pet Special

My newspaper column this week, in print today in the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard, can be viewed here:

CAMBS TIMES ONLINE

Pen Friend, with Anita Davies

'Back to Normality'

©Anita Davies, all rights reserved

As it appears on the page:

The newspaper also ran a Pet Special this week, highlighting my work as a competition prize:

You can now read the Cambs Times online just like you would a normal newspaper. Sign up is easy and can be found here:

CAMBS TIMES E-EDITION

Column Week 15

Click image to enlarge

This weeks entry for my illustrated newspaper column, printed in the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard today.