Waiting For The Boys

The top image was sketched while waiting for my Sons to emerge from the local swimming pool. Some kids were gathered on the bike ramps in the recreation ground, doing anything but riding their bikes!
The bottom image is a ceiling light in my parents lounge.

Sketchdate In Ely

Emma-Jane and I have not seen one another for almost a year, so we made arrangements to get together in Ely and sketch together. We had a great time catching up, lunched at The Maltings and drank numerous cups of coffee in various cafes.

We have planned to make The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge our next trip together and we do not intend to leave it quite so long between dates this time!

Sandringham - 19.10.09

After saying goodbye to Joan at Heacham beach, I stopped in on the Sandringham estate for a quick cuppa, before making my way home.


A fantastic weekend. It was a wonderful way to catch up with a good friend and spend some much needed time together.

Holkham Hall - 18.10.09

Joan and I spent Sunday at Holkham Hall in Wells-Next-The-Sea, a beautiful palladian style mansion where 'The Duchess' was filmed.

We finished our day with a sketch from a bench looking back towards the Hall. By this time I was so cold that I had very little control over my hand and the pen kept hitting the page and making marks all by itself!

Holkham is a fantastic place. With over 3,000 acres of designated walks, I think it would be impossible to cover all of the beauty it has to offer in just one day and will deffinately return....Perhaps in warmer conditions!

Old Hunstanton - 17.10.09

My last sketch of the day, on Old Hunstanton beach watching the sun go down.

Sketched while standing, feeling more than ready for a hot bowl of soup back at the caravan.

Brancaster Staithe and Titchwell - 17.10.09

Burnham Overy Staithe - 17.10.09

I may add colour to this sketch at some point...I took photos in case!

Holkham Beach - 17.10.09

On the Saturday, Joan and I decided on a beach-crawl. We wrapped up warm, packed our sketch kits and headed off to Holkham beach.

Norfolk Lavender - 16.10.09

I arranged to meet Joannie at Norfolk Lavender and, although we left at very different times, we both pulled into the parking area at exactly the same time!
We shared a slice of carrot cake, a slice of lemon cake and indulged in a latte each while we caught up on one another's activities during the huge gap since we were last able to share time together.
It was wonderful to see her again and the perfect start to our exciting weekend together.

We wondered outside to grab a sketch and I managed to find a bench that gave a view of the magnificent building, the greenhouse and the cute little lavender kiosk all together.

Hints Of Gold

A Stroll Past St Peter's

After visiting the bank in Chatteris on Monday I walked back to the car through St Peter's, stopping along the way to take my journal out.

I had to stand to make my sketches but took the liberty of leaning on a nearby grave/tomb to add a little colour. The flower bed in front of the church was made up to look like the Galapagos Islands, complete with sand!

Cathedral Service

Took a trip into Peterborough on Saturday to purchase some pigment liners and managed to catch the last few minutes of the Cathedral service. I took a seat and pulled out my sketchbook as the sounds of the choir echoed through the stone walls...It was amazing!

Heacham Break 2009 - Day 5

Our last day at the coast before heading home.
Plan to be back there again very soon for one last stay before the Winter sets in properly.

Heacham Break 2009 - Day 4

Heacham Break 2009 - Day 3

Heacham Break 2009 - Day 2

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Heacham Break 2009 - Day 1

I'm back from my 5 day/ 4 night break in Heacham along the Norfolk coast!
It's always difficult balancing being in the moment with my family and filling my journal but I did manage a few quick sketches each day.
Here are my pages from day 1.

Into Town

Artistic Appreciation

On Thursday evening I gave a talk on Art Journaling to the over 50's club in the village, I was made very welcome and the group seemed to appreciate my many journals very much.
One of my students, Jane, came for her art lesson that morning, fresh back from a holiday in Spain, and gifted me a filligree pendant and chain she had purchased there. It is beautiful.

Zen

Let your mind wander in simplicity, blend your spirit with the vastness, follow along with things the way they are, and make no room for personal views-then the world will be governed....Chuang-tzu.