February 18th:  My little cats sure do sleep a lot.  It's their way of conserving energy.  We've all fell into a routine now where I go off to do a class and they slip upstairs for a nap.  When they hear the door open, indicating class is over, they come down for a stretch and a fuss - and food of course.  I guess this time they didn't hear me open the door, so I sneaked upstairs to make sure they weren't getting into any trouble and this is how I found them.  They really like to burrow in and tuck themselves away in the warm folds of my fluffy bed throw.  Sweet  :)

February 18th:  Several of you are aware my eldest daughter decided to change tack and enrol herself into University about a year ago.  She's currently studying design.  Her coursework involves making quite complicated looking models.  This week she popped over and showed me photos of her latest project.  A project that has pretty much been taking up all of her spare time.  She had to design a cafeteria and her model was absolutely amazing.  An ultra funky and very modern look, complete with dynamic lighting too.  Considering she also works as well as this full time course I think she does so well to have the discipline to give 100% to the work that has to be done at home.  Apparently she received the highest mark ever given...........  so I shall blow her trumpet for a little bit and I'm proud of her brilliant creativity and dedication.

February 13th:  Now here's a portrait I was painting last year, in secret, as a surprise.  I managed to sneak away an old black and white photo of my father and set to work on him as a present for my mum.  After working on him in several sittings I wasn't sure how 'bang on' I was.  In the photo my father was in his early 20's, before I was born.  So........I took him up to my mother's to see what input she could give - and she wouldn't let me take him home again.  (So I think I can safely assume I was already 'bang on'.)  For the past few months he's been hanging on the wall in her lounge - watching her in fact.  I took mum to my framers so we could select the perfect frame to finish off the portrait.  We were told it would be ready to collect in approx 2 weeks time.  How spooky, it was actually finished within 3 days and today I delivered him back to my mum, on his memorial anniversary.  It's been 9 years since he passed away but he's been in our hearts and in our minds (and pulling a few strings) every day.  God bless Dad, miss you  xxx

February 12th:  Many of my students have been passing remark about my latest WIP that's been sat on an easel in the studio.  

Today I put the final strokes on this little fella and he'll be delivered, along with another portrait, tomorrow.  I have to say, I'm sad to see this one go.  

Some of you might just detect an essence of recognition about those eyes .  You won't have known this handsome chap at this young age, but he's a much more familiar 'Edward' to us all, now standing over 6 foot tall, aged 17 and my ever attentive assistant.


Fingers crossed his mum will love her Birthday present.

February 10th:  I've been in my element this week as all the classes so far have been green compositions.  I could paint in greens and limes all day long, there's just something about the colours that delight me.  It's my favourite colour - although you'll rarely find me actually wearing it.

Greens, I think, suit black canvases perfectly.  While the black  basepaint was out I thought it might be a good idea to get all the canvases prepped for next week's classes too.  I like to do these in batches and it saves time for me in the long run.  

Here's a snapshot of a small portion of today's painting subject- my old favourite 'Mangrove Oasis'.  It was the subject of the first 'big' class I ever taught.  I was asked if I ever get tired of painting it  - my answer is simple:  It's green and it has trees and I could paint this sort of thing 7 days a week.  But, interestingly, I do get tired of painting some class subjects.  When that happens I simply remove them from the website.  It's no good me feeling slightly 'anti' before a class, I have to love what I do or I'm not giving my students the best I possibly can.  So - that may answer the mystery of why some subjects seem to come and go.

February 8th:  Today I took a trip to my framers to collect some paintings.   My portrait of daughter number 2 is now all ready to hang in the lounge.  It looks a little lonely in the alcove but I hope it will be joined by another couple of portraits fairly soon.  The originals were given as Christmas gifts and I miss them,  so prints will have to do.  I hope to fill this alcove with a selection of portraits over the year.  They do look great hung in a group.

Plus...........while we are on the subject of portraits, here's some exciting news for you all.  Valerie Stewart and I have just finalised the dates of her next UK Portrait Seminar.   We'll be enjoying her company in May 2012 for another 4 days of  Portrait Painting in oils.  You can find details of the event HERE.  Not all of the T's have been crossed just yet but I will update the page (and Sue's News) with more details as and when they come through.  But, for now, you have the dates AND plenty of notice.

Excited ??  I am  :)

If you would like to spend a few minutes enjoying some brilliant portraits you can CLICK HERE to be taken direct to Valerie's website.

February 7th:  I know, I know.......nothing for a week then 5 entries all on the same day.  You've got my cycling mate Pauline to thank for that.  (For the entries, not the lack of).  After first checking that my ISP switchover went well, that my computer was working, she asked 'Where's Sue's News then - we NEED updates'.

So.....I hope there's enough for you here to be getting on with for today  :)

February 7th:  After Art Group, seeing as I had my equipment in a shopping bag, I thought I'd slip over to the shops and pick up some milk for this week's classes.  Of course, it never ends up with just milk, does it.......  With a special offer on carrots that was too good to pass, I decided it must be time to stock up on my very popular carrot and ginger soup.  My girls love it - they are both dieting for their holidays and it's a really cheap way to feel full without fat or sugar being involved.  I always make at least double the recipe so I have plenty for the freezer too.

February 7th:  I keep getting asked about my new additions to the home AND I did promise last month I would include some more shots of my Sphynx duo.  They've settled in so quickly and their health is so much improved too.  They do invite a very mixed reaction from visitors and students.  I describe them as Marmite -  love it or hate it, you either find them adorable or not.  Here's the pair of them totally enjoying the warmth of the fire and each other.  Don't they look sweet (or maybe not!).

February 7th:  As the Art Group is now much closer I can walk instead of drive.  I did get totally blown away this morning but I didn't let it put me off.  It gave me the opportunity to see all the little things you miss when you're in the car.  The many bunches of snowdrops, crocusses (or is it crocii ?) and primroses all pushing their way through the soil.  Even the bushes have tight little buds of green just waiting to burst open.  Very soon we can look forward to the explosion of colour that we all need - roll on Spring, not long now.