Thursday 29 August 2013

30 Paintings in 30 Days


Having now caught up with things somewhat over the last two weeks, I had intended to get stuck into my writing next week. I have a book that I am putting the finishing touches to and am halfway through another. Not only that, I hoped to spend more time folding and packing my greeting cards and looking for new outlets. Then a couple of days ago I noticed that Leslie Saeta will be hosting another 30 paintings in 30 days challenge at the beginning of September. I have been finding it hard to paint as often as I had been earlier in the year so this challenge should get me off and galloping again.  I'm hoping it will also force me to develop better time-management skills because I still hope to fit the writing and greeting cards in around it.

I feel quite excited about the challenge when I'm not feeling terrified. It's a huge commitment that I made on the spur of the moment, and I haven't had any time at all to get prepared in advance. But hopefully, the end of September will find me high on a sense of achievement - rather than whimpering on the floor in the foetal position.

Now for something totally different. The other day I was once again enjoying the coastline when I spotted this beautiful lizard with it's baby sunning itself in the watery sunshine. I'd never seen a baby one before, but unfortunately I didn't get long to admire it as the mother flicked it into the crack in the path as she bravely remained where she was to protect it.





Friday 23 August 2013

The Lost Art of Room Travel


Our visitors left at the beginning of the week and it is taking me some time to return to my normal routines (if my routines can ever be described as normal.) It was so great having our lovely relatives to stay and to show them the sights. It was a shame that it rained most days they were here, although the garden certainly enjoyed it. But being from the UK our visitors endured it with the good spirits of rainy weather veterans. Of course the moment they boarded the plane the sun came out and has continued to shine all week. The above photo was taken around noon today while walking along the coast to a cafe for lunch with a friend. Yes, I have been catching up with friends this week instead of painting. The weather today was To. Die. For!!

I also couldn't resist boasting (whoops - posting) about my sister's book that has just been published called  The Lost Art of Room Travel. She wrote this over a period of 18 months while semi-housebound with ill health. I'm very proud of her.



Saturday 3 August 2013

Sunny Winter's Day

Today we visited Kings park with my husband's British cousins who are staying with us for a couple of weeks. We've had very wintry weather of late, but today the weather was as stunning as the view - 23C and sunny. I took this photo which overlooks the old Swan Brewery and the beautiful Swan River. Rain is forecast for all of next week so it was great to be able to show Perth off in its best sunny colours.

I am halfway through a large painting for my husband and am hoping to spend a bit of time on it during the week.