Thursday 7th July at John's

After a cloudy start, today brightened up to a lovely sunny afternoon.  I arrived at John's after driving down Fiddler's Lane, which proved rather unnerving.  My car's warning system was screaming at me all the way that I was too close to the side ... both sides in fact!!!  It is so narrow.  Such are the risks of Suffolk.
Some folk had already gone when I arrived but I had a wander round, was shown John's beloved oil-smelling studio, took a few photos and was promised more from Sally P. later.  I had a thankfully more comfortable return journey via Cock's Road.

First one or two of the photos I took.  John's house has a very rural setting, as you will also see from Frances's  sketch below.  Sandra and Angela are sitting beside a colourful herbaceous border

The first work I received from today's location was by Frances, who says she only had time for one sketch before having to rush off.  She has called it "View through the Hedge".

Avril's is not from the location but from a photo taken in Kenya. as she coould not go to John's this week.  

Carolyn has been working in the garden again but doesn’t find it easy.  She really prefers working on a table.  The redcurrants were done with crayons and the garden view was with Inktense - hence the dry and wet versions.

Diana didn't get to the location today and has dug out another ancient sketchpad to show us:  (1) Hoxne Vicarage and Bodmin Moor  (2) Ludgate Causeway  (3) and (4) back and front of John's (formerly her old) house.

Sally L is on holiday and promised to send a postcard this week.  Here it is:  A view from the back of our hotel of what was probably at one time a rather grand house and terrace garden, now apartments.  Horrible perspective challenges;  too hot to concentrate.  (Naples)  (Perspective looks fine to me - Noreen)

Although I (Noreen) went to John's this morning, I was not able to do a painting.  Here is something I did at home - another pastel painting of a view  just off Lowgate Street in Eye.  

This is Maggie-Anne's depiction of one of the buildings in John's garden (the studio, perhaps?)

This one is a drawing from Hilary, from the visit to Walberswick on 16 June.

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From Lesley:  Here is my offering, using inktense pencils and graphic twin felt tips. It’s the landscape just outside John’s garden. The brick building is his studio.  I was only able to stay for the morning.

​Now for the images Sally P sent in.  First, she tells us twelve turned up today. Several had to go early due to other commitments but there were 6 of us that stayed for tea, cake and biscuits.  John is in the first photo, on the left.
​After a grey and blustery morning with the threat of rain it turned out to be a gloriously sunny day by the end and we were looking for shade!

Sally sent two pieces by Angela - an oil of silver birches using a palette knife, and a sketch.

Then a pastel sketch of an artichoke by Sandra.

Next Sally's own work.  A drawing of fields from John's garden.  Followed by a mixed media painting looking through an arch towards a herbaceous border.

That's all for today.  Keep painting and send your work to Hannah next time  (14th July, Diss).
Have a very good week.  
​Noreen