What a gorgeous hot sunny day it was today. Fingers crossed it’s going to stay that way. I know, we are in Scotland!! We felt that the day helped us feel good about Inverness, really positive towards it. This second hand bookshop in Inverness was overflowing with people and books. Can you see the woodContinue reading "Inverness"

A suburb of Glasgow, Giffnock has great accommodation at the Orchard Park hotel. Orchard Park hotel Giffnock. Inside was this gorgeous oak staircase. Very glamorous. Today we headed to Inverness. We stopped at Perth on the way and spent time sitting in the park, with an ice cream ( mine was vegan) from this funnyContinue reading "Giffnock"

For those of you who are not friends or family I shall let you know I was born into the Clan of Dunlop. Quite a prolific group in Hawera but over here there is a town as well. Dunlop This is the tiny post office in tiny Dunlop where I posted a letter to PamelaContinue reading "Dunlop"

When I came to London in 2015 I discovered an art supply shop called Cass art supplies. I put that shop on my list of places to go to in Glasgow. I got what I needed for my residency but I must say that Micheal at Studio art supplies in Auckland has a far widerContinue reading "Glasgow"

Left Dublin today and flew to Glasgow. Just a quick note to show you this painting…… The Clarence Hotel Dublin, with the green roof. The hotel was very good. Right on the river, close to everything and easy walking around. BUT!! This hotel is owned by Bono and U2!!!! Unfortunately they weren’t hanging around whenContinue reading "Dublin hotel"

At a place called Monisterboice we saw some very large, very old Celtic crosses. I had to draw one of the two. Just a quick sketch before we moved on. Had a walk around the city of Belfast. Even had a moment to sketch in the middle of the city. The hustle and bustle ofContinue reading "Belfast"

How about this for a library? The Long Room Library, Trinity College A massive vaulted space. Still a working library for students at Trinity College. Their most famous book is the book of Kells. Farmleigh estate was part of the Guinness dynasty. Now owned by the government and used as accommodation for overseas dignitaries .Continue reading "Dublin 3"

In the Connemara district I found my next studio!!! That’s me standing outside my next studio. This is inside my next studio!!! Aren’t those beams absolutely amazing? Unfortunately, as you may have noticed, my next studio is already taken. It had been stables for the pit horses at …. A little climb down into theContinue reading "Connemara and Galway"

Saw a lot of Dublin today. Mainly running between shop verandas to keep out of the rain. Our best plan was getting on the hop on hop off bus and staying on to do the circuit. Eventually got off to see Dublin Castle and Christ Church Cathedral where I found the floor tile’s fascinating. MedievalContinue reading "Dublin 2"

Another few hours sitting in an airport. Decided to practice my blind contour drawing (not looking at my page. Just the subject). Capturing the essence of the subject. Not all of them work! I like blind contour most because “mistakes “ are totally part of the process and never a mistake. Dublin is such aContinue reading "Dublin"