From Lesley - 'Only six of us today, mostly huddled in Sarah’s cart lodge, where Sarah brought us coffeethough some braved the drizzle to sketch the house from the swimming pool. No one ventured in though!
The forecast was possibility of rain this afternoon. Instead we had bursts all day.
What we needed is Chris’s weather forecasting stone - See middle picture!'
 Here in darkest Norfolk it rained this morning, sometimes quite heavily, and since then it feels quite tropical, with warmth and high humidity.  I have been painting in my studio, so I could ignore the vagaries of the weather.

Earlier this week Jackie sent me the finished version of the boat she began to paint last week at Sizewell, which makes an almost ghostly appearance in last week's blog. Now it is joined by the drawings she made this morning, most of which seem to be pen and ink, and sometimes wash.

Sally P says 'It rained on and off for most of the day today but there were enough dry times to get out from under the cartlodge and sketch. 
'Sarah provided us with morning coffee and tea and cake in the afternoon and the offer of drawing/painting indoors with even a still life being offered.
'A quick contour of lillies, a semi contour of the milk churn and roller, a semi contour of rhubarb leaves and the a more detailed drawing of the house from the swimming pool.( Which no one was brave enough to go in this year) I am pleased with the house picture. It is not something I would normally tackle but after the huts at Sizewell, I thought why not!

Frances has sent -
'Quick sketch of apple tree in rainy conditions!
One side of Old Hall Farm
View of the house from the swimming pool, which we sadly did not use. Sunny and hot on our way home!!!  Photo of sketch more crooked than actual sketch!'

From Lesley
Thoughts on Exhibitions - responses needed!
9 days ago I sent emails to all 29 members who use it, those who don’t are being contacted by phone.
I was hoping for thoughts  not only on this last, but also previous exhibitions and what members would like to see happen in the future.
So far I have only had 10 replies! 
The deadline of the end of the month is fast approaching: If the working group is to make decisions which reflect the views of members on exhibitions we need more feedback!

Next week we will be visiting Les Bragg in Rushall.  Blog entries to me [Hannah] please.  Have a good week.

A good turn out today, of 11 members, and I seem to have plenty of entries for the blog this week.  It was a day of at least two parts - bright and sunny, and then wet - which does seem to be the pattern at the moment.  I guess we should count ourselves lucky not to be in mainland Europe at the moment, 'plein air' would be out of the question in many European countries this week.
So first, some scene setters from Lesley [Many Thanks - Ed.].  First the ominously changing sky, and then most of the members who stayed for tea. 
Lesley added, 'Altogether 11 people made it to Sizewell Beach today, despite the forecast of rain by lunchtime. Lots of chatting, but everyone ( well most) did eventually get down to work. The morning was gloriously sunny, albeit with a cool wind, but the sky became increasingly ominous (as the photos show) until rain stopped play at 2pm (for all but Angela, Frances and Jackie who stoically continued to work under their umbrellas). There was a mass retreat  (stampede?) to the beach cafe and an early show and tell.'

Before showing the work produced at Sizewell, here is some new work sent in by Diana, who headed her submission 'Inspiration at Last'. 
1 .Working again from google earth walkabout
2 .Multitasking (note the Tour de France!)
3  and 4 . Drawing with waterproof ink pen + felt tips with water splashed on
This seems to me a clever way to get around without going out, and something to bear in mind either when the forecast is poor, or you can't get to the week's venue.

So now to the Sizewell contingent.  First, Frances, who has submitted three sketches:
First… from Sizewell to the south.
Second.
Sizewell to the north.A contrast…I was sitting on the beach by sea poppies looking at Sizewell B. I have written … Nature, her curves and colours will prevail.
Third.  Shapes on the beach, Sizewell.
All watercolour and ink.

Sally P said, 'It was quite pleasant weather first thing but as the day wore on it got cooler and then very wet. Most of us had made it to the shelter of the cafe by then! My offering for today.......some quick sketches. The first one, a pencil sketch and the rest in pen.'

Angela enjoyed the day!  'Here are my pieces from today- great day until rain stopped play! The skies were amazing and fab colours. I messed about with some pastels, then graphite finishing off with just some paynes grey and white acrylic with pastel on top.
It was good fun and everyone enjoyed it I think. It’s a really good venue. The hot chocolate and bacon baps were especially good!'

Finally, Lesley's work and some words from her about the exhibition in Diss last weekend.
'A big thank you to all who helped set up and take down the exhibition.Sixteen members exhibited, two sold pieces and several people sold cards. An email has been sent out to everyone requesting feedback on this and thoughts on any future exhibitions. Your replies to this will  inform the working group being set up to consider future exhibitions. '
Regarding her work, 'Quick loosen up sketch, looking north; abandoned after a Seagull splatted it- rusty discolouration still visible after use of wet wipe...'

Next week, a regular favourite - Sarah Hucklesby's garden - let's hope it's warmer and dryer! 
Send your contributions to me for next week's blog.

A very busy morning in Diss today, setting up the EAG exhibition.  Don't forget to pop in and have a look, if you can.  As you can see below the exhibition looks very fine, and there are plenty of unframed items and cards for sale, as well.  The exhibition is on until Sunday afternoon.  You will also find more photos on the exhibition page, shortly.

The weather was very unsettled this morning, rain and shine.  That didn't stop a number of stalwart members from spreading out through the town to ply their pencils.

So here is Avril's work from today. Despite her saying that 'rain stopped play' she still achieved rather a lot, in my opinion.

Next Harriet, who says, 'Here are two images, the first from this morning, in the rain - perhaps you could say a proper water colour...
The second; a painting that I have started this week and hope to work on in the near future.

Jackie says, 'Just got home. 'Had to dodge the showers today but Sally L and I were determined to get some work done. Started at Fair Green but heavy rain forced our retreat. Second attempt sketched pink cottage next to pub. Rain stopped play. After lunch sat and drew skyline from bench near the mere. '

And so here are Sally L's sketches, as mentioned above.  First a rainy Fair Green, and then the Mere.  I understand by the way, for anyone who doesn't know, that, Diss actually means 'mere', so here is the Mere Mere.

Don't forget to come and collect your work, if you are exhibiting, on Sunday between 4 and 4.30 pm. Next week will be at Sizewell Beach, and I will be doing the blog, so send anything you want included to me.  You don't have to have gone to the venue.  Everyone will be interested to see what you might have been working on, wherever it might have been done.

Wonderful weather today, and, I am reliably informed from several quarters, lovely cakes.  Thanks, Lynda!  A small but select group had gathered but this his photo was taken after Harriet had left.  I know that a number of members then went on to put up the screens for the exhibition in Diss next week, so a big thanks to them.

Carolyn has two interesting and intriguing drawings this week.  Firstly, a dead dragonfly that she has studied very closely, with very delicate wings.  Second, two cats belonging to a friend, who has adopted them following their owner going into a home.  Although they are brothers they are called Milly and Molly - there must be a story there!  I think her friend will love this drawing - the cats have great personality and the drawing is very decorative.

Avril (In the centre of the photo above, although I had to look twice - I think it was the hat!)) has sent in a number of drawings from today in Ian's garden.

Sally P  said she made an attempt at some of the flowers in acrylic paints, unfinished. 'I think the use of the leftover paints is a better image! (To be worked on and made into cards)'
I can definitely see how the leftovers could become very interesting cards.

That seems to be it this week.  Next week we will be setting up the exhibition in Diss at the United Reformed Church.  Sketching and painting around the town is also on the programmes.  I will be doing the blog again next week, so send any work to me.  Hope to see some of you next week.