I was very pleased to find out that my painting 'Lobster Pots and West Bay' is one of 140 works to have been selected for exhibition at the annual TALP Open at the Patchings Art Centre in Nottingham. Organised by The Artist and Leisure Painter magazines, the exhibition will run from July 14 to August 14, and then online from 15th August at www.painters-online.co.uk

Nearly time for the annual Art Show at the St Andrew Blackadder Church in North Berwick High Street. Now in its 17th year this exhibition features the work of around 60 local artists and raises money for the Church Repair Fund and a selection of local charities. During the show tea and coffee along with homebaking is served - even I am baking! (a rare event, if I am honest). Opening hours 10am until 5pm on Good Friday and Sat 20th, and 1pm until 5pm on Easter Sunday. Note that the exhibition is not running on Easter Monday this year, but if you still need an art fix then pop down and see me in my beach hut studio!
All my paintings in the exhibition shown below.

This week 8-16 September sees the 50th Annual East Linton Open Art Show. This annual event was first held in 1968 when it was organised by the East Linton Traders Association and has been run by volunteers ever since. Read more at eastlintonannualartshow.weebly.com/ 
I am pleased to be one of the committee members who helped with the slightly daunting task of hanging nearly 300 works of art that were submitted! I have three framed works on display this week - 'Misty Autumn Woods'; 'Paragon & Design' and 'Two Yellow Floats'.

And what a summer it's been - weeks and weeks of warm sunny weather. I have been at my beach hut studio nearly every day, painting and meeting interesting people. Last week the Fringe by the Sea was in town too, so we were sharing our space with two Spiegeltents, interesting music and the daily tantalisation of wonderful cooking smells drifting over from the food court. I may have succumbed once or twice...
No hut today, or yesterday, as it has been rather damp. I have finally finished this painting 'Paragon & Design' and treated myself to a new tiny paintbrush (having ruined the old one!).
Next stop - the Edinburgh Macmillan Art Show at Bonhams in Edinburgh

I seem to have been a little remiss in updating my blog recently so here are three bits of news all wrapped up in to one easily digested bundle...

1. I was delighted to be voted the winner of the Public Vote in the recent Dalkeith Arts Spring Exhibition held in the Riccio Gallery in Dalkeith, with my painting 'The Meadows in the Snow'.

2.  I am currently exhibiting some of my boat paintings in the lovely Number Four Gallery in scenic St Abbs, as part of their Spring Exhibition. This is a lovely gallery with a very fine mix of work on display and well worth a visit. http://www.numberfourgallery.co.uk/

3. I'm back in my Beach Hut! Yes, beach nut no 5 'Lamb' at North Berwick Harbour is again my home for the summer, providing a space to work and display my artwork. Still a little chilly some days but I'll be there when the weather is reasonable, from about 12.30 onwards.

A new venture which is fundraising for the main 3 Harbours Festival in June in Prestonpans, Port Seton and Cockenzie. I am taking part along with about twenty other local artists. The exhibition is taking place in Prestonpans Town Hall on 24th and 25th February - tea and coffee will be served and there is also a raffle.

My new home/summer studio for the months of July and August - maybe into September if the weather is good enough - is hut no 5 down by the Lobster Hatchery at North Berwick harbour. Moved in just over a week ago and it's fair to say the weather has been mixed! Although we've had visitors even on the quieter days and I've got a surprising amount of work done and met some very nice people. I plan to be there most days, from 12 noon onwards. My arty neighbours include Andrina Wright Artist and Ronnie Fulton Ceramics.

​Preparations well in hand for the North Berwick Art Group's Summer Show which starts this weekend. Details in poster below :)

A very busy week for me as not only am I preparing for Gardening Scotland and the two pallet gardens that we build there, with the build on Thursday, I am also getting ready to show at this year's 3 Harbours Art Festival. I will be in Venue 12 the Chalmers Memorial Church in Port Seton along with nine other artists from Saturday 3rd June until Sunday 11th. I plan to be there all week with some drawing to work on. I'm so organised I have even worked out my layout!
More information on the festival and brochure available here www.3harbours.co.uk/

or, working to a deadline. Not something I experience too often these days, other than when I have a commission, but having said I would produce a pen & ink drawing of the Kirk that is what I am now doing!
The Exhibition at St Mary's Parish Church in Haddington takes place from Friday 12th May through until Sunday 14th. I was delighted to be invited to exhibit at this show along with some very well known names. It will feature glass, ceramics, jewellery and prints as well as paintings and is a good chance to see the beautiful church itself. it was looking particularly fine yesterday when I went to take a few photos with lots of blossom on show. Proceeds from the sale of works will go to the St Mary's lighting project.