Progress so Far

Yea! I'm plastered. All feels a bit more secure - let the itching begin.

It's almost a week now since I arrived back from France and it's 16 days since I broke my ankle.

At Stansted with nurse Brian

I am getting very good at lassoing my foot with a knicker leg also at going up and down stairs on my bottom. Things I am not good at are crutches. Main problem is that the leg taking all my weight is in need of a new hip. Yep - more metal work. My arms are getting stronger, for the first couple of days they felt bruised as if I'd had a work out at the gym. The other difficulty is getting down to and up off the floor to go down the stairs.
I can't get into our bathroom with steps down as there is nothing to pull myself up on, also they are cold tiles. I tried it once, not a pleasant experience. So it's a strip wash in the spare room.
We have the decorators here painting the outside at the moment so have to be up early as they're here by 8am and you never know which window they will appear at.

I have had to cancel so much, the main thing being a painting trip to Venice with two dear friends. We were staying in Ken Howard's Venice studio. Can't begin to tell you how disappointed I am about that one. Painting friends will understand.
Yesterday I found out that I had been selected as one of only 30 artists to take part in plein air event in Norwich. A great honor but fear i may have to turn it down as I would have to rely too heavily on someone to help me.
I have had to let my friend Linda down too. I was one of the demonstrators for A Brush with the Broads, something else I was looking forward to .

One thing I refuse  to miss out on is a reunion I have organised for the painting group that came to Holt Hall, Norfolk. Twenty or so of the best painters and loveliest of people I know. Some are coming from Holland. We are all staying in Blakeney and painting the North Norfolk coast. Haven't worked out how I will get about let alone paint but wild horses won't keep me away from that reunion.

Food wise we have been coping well. or should I say Frank has. He has been a star and produced some fantastic meals. I have been online Tesco shopping and the little man that brings it has been good enough to put it all in the kitchen for me. I have borrowed a zimmer/trolley from dad so I can move stuff around.

Today I have asked Frank to leave some ingredients out and i am going to attempt to cook. I've found the if I kneel on a stool with pot leg then I can stand a bit longer. Trouble is, the leg and ankle are still very swollen and if it isn't elevated it does start to throb rather. The bruise shows above the cast and is giong some wonderful colours. No - I am not going to paint it.

Haven't worked out yet how to paint. I do prefer to stand but that isn't going to happen. I'll let you know how I get on with that when I get into the studio again.

Meanwhile I'm trying to decide how to decorate 'the pot'

All suggestions welcome. Please note painted toenails. I couldn't manage them myself so waited for my daughter in laws, surely one of them would help????? No way. Aparently they don't 'do' feet. Fortunately my friend Sandra came to the rescue.

Dad's 90th & a Family Weekend

Well my Dad hit the 90's on Friday and to celebrate on his birthday I took him to the local where some his friend s were waiting for us

Dad, Pam, Noel, Betty & Mo

A great time was had by all and he thought that was it! Nope - another surprise was installed for Saturday.
He walked into my lounge Saturday lunchtime to be surprised by all of his Great Grandchildren popping up from behind the settee. Poor chap, glad his heart isn't too weak. The look on his face was a picture

Surprised

It was great to have all our boys, their wives, & children plus My brother Peter, wife Jill, Daughter Rachel & Granddaughter Paige. Also Aunty Jonnie, Steve, cousins Lisa & Sean and their children Molly & Grace. In all 16 adults and 9 children. There were a lot of helpers with the presents

I have to say my daughter in laws were brilliant. I am out of action with a broken ankle and only managed to get home from France on the Tuesday. I'd been a bit worried as to how I was going to manage but everything was sorted. The food was very good and Rohan made the most amazing cakes and puddings - what stars. I didn't set my good foot inside the kitchen once.
Mind you , those that know me will know how frustrating that was.

Then we attempted the impossible - getting all the grandchildren together for a photo.
I think it went very well, we even managed to get Summer in the picture for the first time.

Summer, Stephen holding Effie, Ivor, Ishobel, Dad, Grace, Rufus, Molly and Lilah

With Rachel & Paige

Rohan, Steve, Adam, Wanda, Rachel, Nathan & Jo

Pete, Dad, Jill, Frank & Mo

All in all a brilliant day. He received some lovely presents including rather a lot of whiskey, We have decided, he won't be preserved - just pickled. Frank walked back with him at the end of the day as he drove home on his mobility scooter. Thanks again all that came and that helped to make Dad's 90th birthday such a good one.

A week in a French hospital

This September I flew out to the Limosin area of France to run my second painting holiday at Les Marronniers near Crozant. Our hosts are Susie and Chris Richards,  a lovely, hospitable couple that moved out to France a few years ago. The setting is ideal with it's own studio and a swimming pool to cool off in at the end of a hard day's painting.  To see pics go to their web site The Forgotten France
The group this time were all from Norfolk and most kmew each other. I knew as soon as we met that it was going to be a good week.

A welcoming glass of champagne

 Things went along really well for the first few days going to Argenton, painting by the River Sedelle, La Celle-Dunoise, Gargilesse, (home town of George Sand)

 Sunday 7th September

Then disaster struck. I slipped going down the wet bank and..........

Four Pomiers

 
The things I do for attention!
Broke my ankle so was to be stuck in a French hospital for a week. I was having a great time with the group, they had been wonderful. Whilst indisposed they pressed on happily without me. Just so frustrating - and - I wish I spoke French

Monday 8th September

I had an op but doctor wouldn't put a cast on until the weekend. Had all my students in today as they fly home tomorrow . They all brought their work in to show me. I was very impressed by their output. They made me a card with lovely comments, it made me a bit teary. All are coming back next year which is great news.
I do have to say that the food here is appalling. Breakfast was a soup bowl of Luke warm milky coffee plus a bread roll, lunch was two slices of very rare beef with carrots and bread roll and tonight it was soggy pizza. Also they do not serve tea or coffee all day, not even a hot drink at night!

 Tuesday 9th September

Now I do have to say, I like my food and wouldn't you think if in hospital then France was a good place to be - wrong!!!

A good hearty breakfast

 There's nothing like a good hearty continental breakfast. and this was nothing like a .............!
On a point of etiquette, I wasn't sure if I should drink my tea with the spoon?

Pasta and ?????

No idea what the second dish was. It wasn't even pretending to be a sausage. It was just bland and tasted of nothing. Once I got almost raw beef with a pile of carrots. Soup was offered each day but the twice I tried it - eeew. Consistency of wallpaper paste and no flavour. They certainly didn't use salt and I wondered if they'd actually heard of garlic

Wednesday 10th

The group fly home today and of course I should have been with them. I can't get a cup of tea or coffee. My bowl of tea at breakfast is the only hot drink of the day. My lifesaver Chris, my host, brought in a travel kettle today after he'd dropped the group off at the airport plus some delicious fruit cake from Susie.
I didn't expect Chris and Susie to visit as I know they are so busy getting ready for the next group. This time it's photography plus, they are 40 mins from the hospital at Gueret

Thursday 11th 

Stiff upper lip getting a bit thin today!insurance company have sent forms to fill in to secretary and no one seems to know any thing about it. Can't book flight until sorted.
On a lighter note, I had a delicious piece of boiled fish today which went so well with the boiled rice and to accompany this , there was a salade verte (read, two leaves of Iceburg). Can't wait for tonight's treat
So far I have read five books and just downloaded two more. Have got 20 games of scrabble going on with friends and getting very good at Sudoku.

Friday 12th 

Rations running low. I've long ago eaten the slices of fruit cake Susie gave me. One of the group left me some Tuc biscuits, I have worked out that if I only have three a day, they should last. On the up side I now get a yogurt with my breakfast, well, Fromage Frais and they know I don't like the soggy flans so, I also get cheese with meals. It's straight from the fridge so I thaw it out on the hot lid of my main course. Yesterday's delight was pasta with a spoonful of boiled mince. Haven't the French heard of garlic?
I have also thawed out some of the nurses. A lot are fine and we just smile at each other or they jabber on in French and I just nod. One though just cannot crack a smile ( it's my challenge of the day) mind you, when the doc is around she turns into a simpering school girl.
Hygiene here is exemplary, when they change and wash my dressing everything touched only with sterile tweezers, one set for removing and one for applying.
Had a good look yesterday and am slightly mystified by a neat square inch above my ankle where they have removed some skin for no apparent reason. The bruise has now crept up to my knee and I will spare you the photos of the incisions on the inside of my leg. The outside though is a neat cut with 24 stitches - sorry are you having your breakfast? They come round here at 5.45am to take your temperature .

Saturday 13th 

Had a major incident today! My internet password expired.
Fortunately a young nurse with a couples of nice tattoos answered my call button.
When I had explained that 'moi mot de passé expirer' she realised that this was a real emergency and immediately rushed off and got me a new one. The old bat I mentioned it to this morning obviously couldn't give a toss.

Sunday 14th 

Pretty uneventful day (again.)
The doc did his round at 8am as usual. You could tell it was the w/e as he hadn't shaved. Must say he was a very nice chap, had a little English. Think he was part of the furniture, must have been there since the place opened, very laid back, longish grey hair and about 70. Also the same chap that straightened my foot (which was at a right angle to my leg) BEFORE I'd had any pain killers!!!!

Monday 15th

New development, I spoke with the insurance company who said it's very important to have split cast put on as many aircraft will refuse for you to fly with new cast. I managed to get this over to the doc this morning when he did his round (complete with simpering bat). He then decided it would be best to travel as I am and have cast put on at home. Does this mean I could have gone home days ago??? - I am NOT going to think about it
I could have risked it couldn't risk Mr Jobsworth being on duty. Met him last time I was at Limoges when not only took fig jam and cheese from my group but also took Trish's lunch

 Had phone call from a French lady who spoke NO English. I grasped something about me leaving hospital aujourd'hui.
Me - non, demain
Her - Jabber Jabber...... departe aujourd'hui
Me - me ne parlays pas Francais
Her - Jabber Jabber..........
Me -je non comprend
Her-Jabber Jabber
Me- pardon
Her - silence.... Hangs up

Not sure if she was telling me to leave today or asking if I was
 
Well we got that one sorted, said lady came to see me with an interpreter. It was about my discharge papers.

I do have to say I am very impressed with my travel insurance. I was moaning earlier on in the year because it had gone up. I think it's about £170.
Well, I have a male nurse flying out today to accompany me home. They've booked three seats so I can keep my leg up and have dealt with all travel arrangements.
They don't normally send a nurse but because of the "complexity and severity" of my injury they feel I need medical attention
One thing slightly concerns me is 'what if I need the loo?' It's one thing having a bed bath by a male nurse in hospital (yes, it happened) but........? It doesn't seem right when you've got proper clothes on

Tuesday 16th

1am

Merde! Nearly 1am here and the old codger a few doors down is kicking off. He's a real pain for the staff during the day, calls them all the time. When I say calls, the rest of us use our call buttons - he shouts. He's obviously in some kind of pain but really, does he have to scream and swear that loud. I can hear the staff shhing him to no avail and now some other chap has joined in shouting for him to shut up cos he can't sleep - hello!!!
Thought I'd turn in early tonight as I'm up in 5 hours

 7am 

 He's here, my knight in shining armour . Not a George Cloony lookalike but a very cuddly, smiley Welshman called Brian ( in combats)
We had an taxi ride to Limoges airport where I direct Brian straight to the cafe for a cafe creme and a croissant - never has coffee tasted so good. All was going smoothly but unfortunately , no lift into plane so mounted the steps on my bottom
 Brian was a star, and for those that need to know, there was a loo stop in which Brian parked the wheelchair next to the loo and stood guard outside. Crisis avoided!

It was so good to see hubby Frank waiting for me at the airport. He'd taken a taxi to Stansted to drive me home in my car that was there - happeeeeeee.

Called in at P'boro hospital enroute home. They took more Exrays (sharp intakes of breath) and will send me an appointment to get plastered. 
Amazing that, the French doc said how important to get plastered straight away and P'boro are going "yeah, whenever" plus my prescription was dismissed "nah, we don't think you need that" what about pain killers - nurse puts 4 paracetamol in envelope. They were still offering morphine in France (didn't take it tho')
 

4pm

Finally, I'm home. I'm put on the settee with a glass of chilled white wine (yes, I know it's early) while darling Frank cooks Steak, asparagus, chips and more wine. It was cooked to perfection and tasted delicious.  So happy to be back and in the arms of the the one I love.

Frank is now talking of tagging me so that I can't leave the country!!

Teaching at Dedham

26th July - 2nd August I find myself once more back at the lovely venue of Dedham Hall. I come here every year for a week and love it. Many of the students are regulars and have become friends now but it is always good to meet new people. This year I had 7 new students.
We get to meet and introduce ourselves over tea & cake at 4pm on the Saturday, then after a bit of unpacking and putting art gear into the studio we meet in the bar for pre dinner drinks. Dinner is a three course meal of a very high standard. After which we convene in the studio where I run through the proposed programme for the week. Nothing is set in stone at Dedham as it depends on the weather and the mix of students.

Brook Street, Dedham. Oil demo on first evening

Sunday is spent in the grounds for two reasons, one, it is very busy in the area on a Sunday and two, it is useful for me to see what medium everyone is working in, to see the equipment they have and where they may need help.

I gave a watercolour demonstration in the garden and a few decided to try the same subject

Greenhouse watercolour demo

I chose to stay in the immediate area on the Monday too as I wanted to work in the studio with a couple of the group that needed a bit more guidance before we went out . First task was to make a grid colour chart to show different mixes of a limited pallet. I set the challenge of only working with three colours for those that wanted to try. The results were very good and people were surprised the range of colours they could mix.

Tuesday we went to Pin Mill, a favorite spot with many artists. I got there early and was able to do a quick painting before people were set up

The Butt & Oyster, Pin Mill 12" x !0" oil on board

In the evening after dinner I gave a couple of demos on putting people into a painting and how to paint boats

drawing boats & adding tone to give form

Figures and shadows in a painting

On Wednesday we went to the river. It is a half day for me so I always nip off to get some of my own painting in. In the evening we eat in the main restaurant unfortunately not all the group were eating with us as some had family nearby.

Wednesday evening meeting for drinks

Watercolour demo on reflections

Rowing boats for hire

Thursday we took off for Woodbridge. It was an extremely hot day and some chose to stay in the studio so I split my day. I did manage to paint this quickly in-between helping those that came before I went back to the studio.

Woodbridge

During the week I like to cover oil, watercolour and acrylic. Here is a demo using the Atelier Interactive acrylics

Limited pallet, acrylics. 10" x 14"

Friday we stayed close to base as people wanted to finish off work started earlier in the week. The studio was cleared by 4pm so that i could set up the final exhibition. Jim & Wendy come over at 6.30 with drinks and nibbles. After supper we have a last gathering in the studio and i give each person a critique 

Yet again it was a brilliant week and I'm already looking forward to a return visit next year

Pintar Rapido

I did it, I bought my two day artist pass for Pintar Rapido.  This an art event in London,  open to artists of all skill levels from professionals and amateurs right through to beginners.
Saturday 19th July I headed off for the boroughs of Kensington & Chelsea. First job was to call at Chelsea Town Hall to register and have the official stamp .

Fellow artists registering at Chelsea

I chose a spot on Chelsea embankment. Not only was this new to me but I also had a completely different range of paints. I was trying out Mussini Artist Resin Oil colours as I was writing an article on them for Paint magazine.

Chelsea Embankment

There were artists every where and it was great chatting to them, quite a few turned out to be Facebook friends. So good to put a face to a name and meet them in person. We have even tentatively arranged meeting up for painting sessions in Norfolk
I spent longer than usual on my painting, usually when I paint plein air I only paint for a maximum of two hours. I think this must have been three hours painting, I was there a lot longer though chatting to passers by.

Next job was to take it back to my car and pop it in a frame. It was then with feelings of great trepidation, that I handed it in to the Hall to be hung for the exhibition the following day. Walking along Kings Road I came across more artists that I knew. The atmosphere was amazing.

Sunday 11am the exhibition opened to the artists, there was such a buzz, quite a few paintings sold early on then just before12 noon when the public were allowed in was the prize giving

Roger Becket organiser announcing prize winners

 Peter Brown was one of the judges. First prize was for £1000 which was well deserved, can't remember the young man's name but it was a cracking painting

The Exhibition

We all had our pictures taken when we handed in.

Handing in

Final Painting

The whole event was so incredibly well organised and ran really smoothly. Pleased to say that my painting sold too.
Will I be back next year - you bet I will!!!

Painting Abroad

It's been a while since I wrote anything here in spite of good intentions.
In March I went to Essaouria with friends Linda Mathews and Haidee Jo Summers for a week of painting.

Orange Seller, Essaouria

Had a fabulous time and met some lovely people including a couple of American Artists, we all went to the fish shacks for meal one evening

At the fish shack with our new friends

Then, in May I took off to Greece to the lovely island of Hydra with my mate Helen Herbert.

Helen & I finally getting to Hydra after a day of cancelled ferries and taxis

Our artist friend on the island found a room for us and we painted every day even though it was colder there than the UK. It even rained on the last day but it didn't stop us.

Omilos Resaurant

Kamini in the rain

June 8th I flew from Stansted to Limoges with a group of students where we were met by our host for the week Chris. After a pleasant drive north we arrived in the beautiful Limousin Region of France.
What an amazing area, it's called "The Forgotton France'. I for one wont forget it!!

Collage of the area

Most of the group worked in oil which I had sent out in advance along with canvas boards.

here are a few of my paintings most of which were demonstrations done on location.

Demos in Limoges

 

Oil Demo, Spalding Art Society

It's always good to give a demonstration on the home front.
I have been involved with the Spalding Art Society on and off for the 33years. This Tuesday was the AGM and I am now the new chairman. I look forward to the challenge and hope to build up the numbers. There was no getting out of going to the AGM as they had me booked to give an oil demonstration - crafty lot!!

The first painting of the evening was painted from a sketch I'd done in my village of Moulton. I'd got soaked because the rain crept up on me from behind as I was looking at a sunny scene. Suddenly there were strong winds and a downpour. Everything blew over.

The Sketch

 I was pleased to have another go at the subject. This time I worked larger using a 14" x 18" canvas board

Demonstration

It's interesting to compare the two. I definitely prefer the tree in the first one. Mind you it's never easy working from the side & under artificial light. The second painting makes the land look flatter, this is because of the exaggerated perspective of the road. The sketch almost looks as if it's going uphill.

I finished the first painting in good time and had 30 minuets left so dashed off another from a plein air painting that I'd taken along. This is smaller 10" x 12'.
I was trying to illustrate the use of a limited pallet

2nd demo - Cromer

I felt more pleased with this. I guess I don't like painting Green!

The next meeting for the Art Soc. is at Pinchbeck village Hall. Tuesday 1st April when we have Angels Damond coming with a talk on textiles. Angela specialises in using natural dyes to colour her fabrics and thread including historic woad and weld. She combines hand and machine stitching. This I look forward to seeing.