We finally made it! After postponing the painting holiday in 2020 and in April this year because of Covid restrictions we managed to get to the Kingston Country Courtyard for the long awaited painting holiday last week. As I'd been in hospital in May (another spanner in the works) my friend Phyl came to help me out with the teaching. The weather was kind to us - while the rest of the country was suffering deluges and floods we had wonderful sunny conditions - sometimes even too hot! I had been planning this holiday for 2 years so it was wonderful that it could finally take place. All the planning and research paid off as it proved to be a perfect venue and location. The b&b was very comfortable with wonderful meals and Tony, the owner was very helpful and accommodating. We spent some time in the beautiful garden and the one wet morning doing a colour workshop in the barn, we also walked up to the cliffs at Houns Tout and down into Corfe to sketch the castle. Another day we drove to Worth Matravers and walked to Chapmans Pool for some fabulous views and wild flowers. It was all so successful I immediately booked accommodation for October so we could go back there, and bookings are coming in for that one - if you'd like to join us, contact me for more information and a booking form.

I've been busy during lockdown - it's been quite novel having extended time at home without planning, packing etc. and it's been a chance to reflect and be creative. I've made the Antarctic sketches into a small book:

I did some paintings of the garden when it was at its springtime best:

I did some landscape sketching:

and when I was doing the zoom choir rehearsals I sketched my friends on the screen:

I was lucky enough to go on a fantastic voyage to Antarctica at the beginning of March - and even luckier to make it home on March 15 just before the Covid Lockdown. It was the most wonderful trip full of inspirational sights. We had perfect weather and an unexpectedly smooth crossing over the Drake Passage. I particularly wanted to see the fabulous blues and turquoises of the icebergs and I wasn't disappointed. We also saw three different types of penguins, lots of seals and birdlife and some magnificent whales, both humpback and orca. It was very cold of course and sketching was tricky but I managed some small sketches which I've made into a book, a wonderful memory of the trip.

 June 28-July 3 2020

I've had many requests to run an independent painting holiday again so I did some research earlier in the year and stayed at a lovely place near Corfe Castle - I was impressed by the standard of accommodation, the fantastic location and the enthusiasm of the owner. He has great plans for the future but it is already a very good venue for a painting holiday - wonderful views from the garden, Kingston and Corfe very close by, good local bus service and lots of Dorset coastline to explore. And importantly a large room with good daylight in case the weather isn’t kind. I have spent some time working out the price and was keen to base it on single occupancy. The price is £735 single (already booked up for this one), £820 double for single occupancy, £650 pp for two sharing (discount for non-painting partners). If you would like more information or a booking form please email me, there are still some places.

I've finally finished my instruction book and had it printed - it will be available in the cruise classes and on my painting holidays, but if you'd like me to send you one please email me your address, the cost is £8.50 including UK postage.