20th August 2020

Thank goodness, at last a break in the heat, and some much-needed rain.  This week I have painted one of my flower beds, full of the hot summer colours of redhot pokers and heleniums, the first time in an age that I have used the garden as a subject.  We have also had our first proper harvest of plums since we came here, having netted the trees against the pigeons who like to eat the leaves and buds.

So here is a nice crop of pictures for this week, starting with Harriet's sunflower, another of the sights of this time of year.

Next, Carolyn's homegrown tomato, pictured in a spotlight (hence the shadows) Picked, drawn and eaten!

And now, Sally P's black sand and blue sky - wonderfully vivid on her black pastelmat paper, which really strengthens the colour.

Next, from Frances, A seascape, and the finished insect painting from last week.  It's very interesting to see a painting develop over time. we have had a few this summer, and there are more to come this week and next.

And trees from Les Bragg, drawn on Crete.

Diana suggests that her idea of a painting, whether still life like this, or something different, that predominantly uses one colour, might be an idea to try for next week - so over to you!

And further to her query last week, she says the loos at Lidl in Beccles and M&S in Bury can be recommended.

Here is Jackie's further evolution of the thatcher's field studies. 'I love rural scenes and developed this painting from several sketches of a local field. I later decided to add the Crows and felt they completed the composition.'

Jane has returned to her flowers in a jam jar and given us a completely different version that she says is not yet finished.  This one was made with acrylic inks, and I love the way the shades of colour change along the petals.

So here is my 'By the Garden Wall' and a basket of plums.  They may be jam by next week, I'm not sure what I will do with them, but they are so beautiful that they may have to be painted along the way!