Been a bit under the weather lately - either two colds one after the other or the same one continually mutating - but a mild malady I find very good for enforced productivity...

'Winter Tree in a Field', A3 acrylic on canvas (title may need some work!) and
'Brimlad', acrylic 290 x 290mm (an Anglo Saxon girl's name meaning seaway, fact fans)

First boat painting finished in what seems like ages! Another view of Tidewatch II which I seem to paint rather often - I do like its shape though. Hoping that people will understand the title...

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 :)

...states that all artists living within view of the Bass Rock must render it in artistic form at least a couple of times a year. Today I have discharged this duty with this mini-mini (7cm square) for the forthcoming NB Art Group Summer Show. Inspired by a photo I took recently - the colours are fairly accurate (apart from the guy's backpack!)

Just about finished this view of Anchor Green. I may add some lettering to the finger signpost. Or I may not. And I really feel there ought to be at least one seagull (maybe having a peck at the dropped cone?)

Yes it's one of my boat paintings without a boat in it! Just a bit of work to do in the reflections I think.

Deep blue and orange is now a colour combination I wouldn't go for in any sartorial situation, but it makes for an interesting combination in a boat picture. Just blocking out the shapes and colours now, it's always fun to leave the bright orange to the last.

Progress...

The yellow boat Barry B has gone to a new home away from North Berwick now, but he was always one of my favourites. I painted a tiny version of this some time ago.

...or rather, rippling. The texture and colour of the water in the harbour is quite fascinating - almost like a textile pattern in this case. It's not until I really started paying attention that I realised it never looks the same. 

I started this on Friday at the NB Art Group drop-in session. We have two hours on a Friday morning (and a longer four hour stint once a month) in a local hall to work on whatever we like. A nice friendly group - painting, chat and coffee. There is quite a bit of work to be done in the water, with a very small brush. Next work will need to be done with a large one, for a bit of a contrast! Time to give the boats a wee break now I think...

For some unknown reason I had put this painting aside since November. Finished today, big pink rocks and ropes and all.