This is a wonderful drawing of the photo of the new baby sister in the womb, by Fred, 4, who has seen the picture.  I told you children can make marks with great ease, and I certainly could not have done better.  He loves doing his drawings and can write his name very well.  I must get his Mother to sign the Portrait. We are all very excited by this new person to our family.
I have been making lots of mess in the studio and the paintings are starting flow with not too much struggle.  I work with a mirror opposite my easel so that I can turn and see the reflection of what I am doing.  It gives a good perspective and can show glaring mistakes, some of which I love and keep in the finished work.  There are many Vases of Flowers, landscapes and gardens moving off my palette knives and brushes.   I will post them on the site soon.  I have used masses of paint and am trying out a new paint and will let you know how I get on with it.  Great that February is looking bright and sunny now, hooray.

I have been back in  the studio for 3 weeks.  Christmas was a busy time with family and grandchildren.  Small boy in his first Nativity Play.  He is 4 and played a sheep, a particularly vigorous one, but if I may say so he gave the part his all, certainly singing lustily.  Small Beatrix, nearly 2, had us all to attention and sorted.  She is a very formidable small girl, but a delight.  Ava, 9, looks after her two siblings with purpose, no slacking.
My work in the studio is sometimes accompanied by one or two of the grandchildren, who turn out amazing artwork at the drop of a hat.  Very frustrating when it takes me weeks or even months.  The break over Christmas was good, but I always long to be covered in paint again.  I am trying out more spontaneous ways with the oil paint.  Very satisfying, but rather worrying.  I have an exhibition coming up in April at Aubergine in Wimbledon.  Off to seeTwenty-Twenty in Much Wenlock this week.  The Lion Gallery in Leominster sold masses over the Christmas period, so I am feeling very happy.