AUGUST NEWS

31st August: I have to share this accountancy story with you all. I'm in the office today and I have been catching up with the Company accountant. She has just returned from her holiday, a week long break for both her and her grandchildren. She tells me shortly after they arrived at their beach resort, the ice cream man turned up. Both kids wanted one but Gran said no as it was too near dinner time. She promised them ice creams the following day though. Well, the ice cream man didn't come, nor the next day, nor the day after that. On day 4 they set out and gran promised them ice creams. 3 each !! I guess being an accountant, using the accrual method, bring each daily amount forward it certainly made up the losses.

30th August: It's business as usual again. Always quite sad when the last of the Spring/Summer bank holidays has passed - a sign that Autumn is on the horizon. But ....... it does mean that the next bank holiday we enjoy will be at Christmas. And you know me & Christmas. I won't say I'm counting the days just yet, but I ain't far off. :)

25th August: With the Bank Holiday weekend nearly upon us, I just want to let readers know I'll be closed for business from 26th to 29th August. All internet orders received by 4.00pm today have been posted. My next posting day will be Tuesday 30th August.

Hope you all have a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend.

24th August: It's just not right for August. As I came out of the post office yesterday, wearing a long wooly jumper and Uggs, another lady was going in, wearing a rain mac and wellington boots. We exchanged a few unpleasantries about the weather and joked about our 'Summer' footwear. What was suppo paperwork1

sed to be a 'garden day' turned into an admin day instead. The front hedges will have to wait till the weekend - weather permitting. But - boy am I please to have caught up with my paperwork - nice empty 'IN' tray and nothing in the 'OUT' tray. It's the same feeling you get when you've caught up on your ironing - speaking of which, that's all done too :)

23rd August: Windmill Hill must have the shiniest cars in any cul-de-sac ever. Long term readers will remember Shelby, my neighbour's youngest daughter. Shelby often used to pop over and help me with my gardening when I first moved into the street. Some 10 years later, she's still a lending a hand - and filling her summer holiday time by cleaning cars. And I mean really cleaning. The motors are polished inside and out, the mats are freshened with shake & vac, the windows absolutely sparkle. So, if any visiting students would like their cars booked in for a full valet service while you're painting, just let me know and I will see if Shelby can fit you in.

21st August: During a recent seascape lesson, a student made a couple of changes to the painting subject, going for a much greener background sea, for example. He decided to add a few little cascades of water dripping from the rock and also played with the foreground surf. It was good to see a student with the confidence to experiment. In fact, so much so, he decided to add a very distant lighthouse in the background. I've lifted this photo from his facebook profile - but I think you can just make out the lighthouse along the horizon line. Really nice touch, isn't it?

19th August: iPhones are clever pieces of kit and everyone I know who has one agrees. I'm intrigued how it can tell the difference between a finger touching the screen and the rubber end of a pencil, for example. ie, try typing text with anything other than your finger and it just won't work. But, I would be even more impressed if it could tell the difference between the pad of my finger and the pad of my cats' paws. I find all sorts of random screens showing after they have walked their way over it, or better still, given it play taps. As long as they don't start dialing out or sending emails I think I'm safe for now. Bloody cats.

18th August: One of my favourite little tribute bands will be in the area in a couple of weeks. Regular readers will know my love of all things 'Floyd'. I often play their music in the background when I'm having my own little private painting session. I find their music really inspirational to paint to. It will be great to catch up with Lewis and the other members of the band 'Think Floyd' at Felixstowe Spa Pavillion at the end of this month.

16th August: Although portraits are pretty much an individual choice, there's one painting in particular that several people have passed comment about. It's the nude, seen here. So, due to popular demand, I shall be teaching this as a 3 day painting course in October. We will paint this classic subject on 25th to 27th October, inclusive. The cost is £45 per day and includes canvas, materials and equipment. Classes will run from 9.30am and wind up around 12.30am. Do drop me a line or give me a call on 01473 311938 if you would like to book for this course. See Class timetable for details of this and other portrait courses.

15th August: Yesterday I enjoyed a totally satisfying 'switched off' day. I guess you'd call it a right proper day off. I enjoyed some pamper time, some family time and some me time. I resisted the urge to do any chores, website maintenance, paperwork or answer emails/messages. I evenresisted the urge to paint too - even though I have projects to finish. And once I gave myself permission to not work - I felt rather lost. For 20 minutes - and then I enjoyed my day. In fact, it was so lovely I am going to have another day just like it this week. I might even have two.

13th August: I saw an upsetting sight yesterday - yellow leaves falling - lots of them. This mid August morning feels more like Autumn than Summer. Its wet and grey outside and it's my day off :( So I will resolve myself to indoor activities. Actually, exciting indoor activities which do involve brushes. After breakfast I shall wallpaper the corner of the lounge (well, it's exciting to me). Next up, I need to start decorating the bedrooms ready for their new carpets in September. They are going to have a complete makeover.

The bedroom furniture is over 25 years old and will probably do another 25 years too. The units have survived 3 house moves but I think it's time for a very new look. I may be after some flatpack-putting-together and blind hanging assistance soon.

12th August: Yesterday I returned home to the words every mother would love to hear: 'How do people cope with unemployment?'. My daughter Stef has a week off, between jobs, starting a new and exciting job on Monday. After 4 busy days she's totally bored. Despite organising an afternoon bbq party, sorting out her bedroom from top to bottom, listing last season's clothes on ebay, cleaning my patio, attending some chores in town, helping me do a run to the tip, and catching up with friends - I have been surpised by a spotless house, a cooked dinner and some home made chocolate brownies. I've got 3 more days of this hyper activity to tap .......... we could move mountains over the weekend between us.

I have to say, lady luck has definately been with us these last few months. Stef was simultaneously made redundant AND offered a position with a new Company within hours of each other. Her 2 hour daily commute is now reduced to 20 minutes too.

Big, big congratulations to Stef, considering the amount of applicants who applied for the job. I'm very proud.

11th August: Remember me saying last month how a visitor, upon seeing this portrait, thought she was a little too pale? Well, he called by this week and I wanted to show him the changes made to the portrait based on his input. A darker glaze and a few more shadows has given a much richer and duskier finish. The completed version has been drying on my dining room wall. Once again, it now looks quite different from the image I showed you in July, now the dark hair has been added.

11th August: Ahhhh - I have just seen the sweetest little cuddly figure. Nic, an arty friend of mine had tagged me on facebook in a picture she had found. She said the photo instantly reminded her of me.

I've seen Bob Ross portrayed in many ways, but never before in wool. Complete with a proper clear palette and white handled brush, someone has depicted his character well. Even down to a miniature Bob Ross Original image sitting there on the easel.

If anyone ever spots a version of this without the beard and moustache, and spiky red hair instead of fuzzy afro - do let me know ;)

10th August: Earlier this week I took a booking for 3 days of portrait lessons in October. Running from Tuesday to Thursday inclusive, from 9am to 12pm on 4th to 6th. As it's a nice little 3-day run of lessons, I thought I'd add it to my timetable page. If anyone else would like to come along and join this class, please contact me for details.

Of course, if you'd like to learn portraits sooner rather than later, and you don't want to paint for 3 consecutive days, you can book weekly / monthly classes at your convenience. The choice of subject is up to you. Give it a go - guaranteed results. Using this brilliant and simple technique you can make a beautiful portrait painting to amaze your friends and family. At just £45 per 3 hour class, which includes all materials and equipment, you might want to think about creating a rather unique treasure to give someone for Christmas.

9th August: Just last week I had a student with a problem. Her gift voucher had expired. Nevertheless, she called me to see what could be done. At the time her gift voucher was issued, it carried a year's expiry date. It's the first time ever I've had this happen, but the problem was easily resolved. I offered the student a private painting class for half price instead and she was more than happy to accept it. As Jenny hadn't pre selected her painting subject, I made the choice for her and we knocked up this little number, loosly based on my Golden Lake DVD. If you'd like to paint something similar and are just a little too far away for a lesson - you can't go far wrong by investing less than £12 on this 100 minute informative DVD step by step oil painting tuitional (and that price includes postage too). Click HERE for details on how to buy, or drop me a line if you'd prefer to purchase without using the online shopping cart.

8th August: Just an update on the Valerie Stewart Portrait Painting Seminar, half the places have been booked already. If you'd like to join us for this exciting opportunity to learn portrait techniques do give me a call or drop me a line - but don't delay. You can reserve your spot for 7 days, pending deposit. All details can be found HERE. I have been asked by a couple of people if I will take instalments against the seminar, rather than a lump deposit - and the answer is YES. Contact me direct for details of how to do this.

Yesterday over dinner I was bringing my portrait assistant, Edward, up to date with the familiar faces he will be seeing again next May. I think he's looking forward to it as much as the students.

7th August: I've gone and got myself well and truly distracted this morning. First thing when I woke up I checked my hole cos I'm dead chuffed it's being sorted. (I know, it's the simple things that keep me happy.) And I decided, as I was drinking my tea, to get the wallpaper stripped off. I knew I had a stripper somewhere in the shed so I threw on some sweats and braced myself for the dark cobwebby store. Typical - the stripper had to be in the shed loft, didn't it. So in I squeezed and found what I was looking for. In doing so, I've also found myself a major job to tackle. What I thought may have been an Aladdin's cave is actually a Steptoe's yard with years of hoarding and debris of everything imaginable. So, today it's my mission, after stripping the wallpaper, to start clearing out the shed. One car boot load at least once a week straight to the local tip. I reckon there must be about 30 tins of paint in there alone. So, it's gonna be a messy, dirty day and I'm sure I have cobwebs in my hair already. Now - where's the bin bags?

6th August: Well - my hole situation was well worth mentioning. I was thrilled to receive a phone call within the hour from Ben saying he had sand, cement, some broken bricks, a trowel and a free afternoon. In less than 12 hours since my post on Sue's News, it's been sorted. Bricked, cemented, and cleared away, I just have to wait for the mortar to dry before I can paint the outside and poly filla & paper the inside.

Not only that - I'm delighted to hear my knight in shining armour thinks the bulky air conditioning units shouldn't prove to be a problem to remove either and has someone in mind to help lift them down from the side of the house.

I'm now racking my brains thinking of other odd jobs I can post on Sue's News. I'm more than happy to swap, hour for hour, art tuition for odd jobs.

6th August: Have you ever lived with something objectionable for so long that you just got used to it? This nasty hole has been with me since my birthday back in March when an air conditioning unit was removed from the lounge. This 4 inch diameter opening, stuffed with newspaper, was ugly for the first 2 weeks, then I just got used to it and barely noticed it anymore. Till now.

It needs to be fixed and I shall be looking for a handy man next week - but not before giving a shout out on here first. If there's anyone who can fill this for me (no need to wallpaper and decorate - just the filling) I will offer a free painting lesson worth £45 - portraits, oils or Pop Art, in exchange.

And if anyone is particularly brave, as they are rather high, I have 2 more air conditioning units that need ripping out. That's gotta be worth some more free lessons - or a portrait commission. If interested, give me a bell or drop me a line.

5th August: Bridesmaids ............. gotta be done. One of the funniest films I've seen in a long time. I nearly chocked on my dolly mixtures during the jewellery shop scene. Highly recommended if you are looking for some entertainment this weekend. Not just a chick flick either, judging by the many males in the audience.

3rd August: Finally - a really hot summer day - it was lovely to have the studio doors flung open wide for today's class. Thing is, I forgot I had

the house patio doors open too. This meant we had 2 little uninvited visitors waltz in and join us. I gave them both enough time to satisfy their curiosity, let them make friends before popping them back in the house.

My 2 little companions really are causing quite a stir amongst students and visitors, being so unusual. Yesterday Crinkle, (shown here fearlessly watching the thunder and lightning of this evening's storm) helped my heating engineer fix the boiler pump. She was in his tool bag, in the airing cupboard and on his lap as he worked away. He didn't mind a bit, was fascinated by her in fact. I reckon he spent more time fussing and asking about her after the job was finished than he did on the actual job itself. Wrinkle, well he was too interested in napping to be bothered by it all.

These little innocent, affectionate and loyal creatures have only been in my life for 7 months - but after waiting over 20 years to own such a breed I can honestly say they totally exceed all my expectations.

2nd August: One thing I've come to look forward to each week are my Boss's 'Dynamo' stories. For those of you with sky TV, you may have caught Magician Impossible on Thursday nights already.

I've only ever heard the stories about this incredible illusionist ..... until last night when I viewed the programme for the first time.

Another thing I really look forward to, which always follows the Dynamo stories, are the amusing debates we share pondering how this clever magician performs his brilliant illusions.

Anyway - for those of you who haven't yet seen this amazing guy - try and catch him on Watch, Thursday nights at 9pm. I'll be interested to hear your theory on the 'butterflies'.  I think I may have this one trick sussed.

I think I've also just stumbled upon my next subject - as most of you know, I really do like a very dark background to my portraits and this image of Dynamo is going to be ideal.

1st August: First of August !!!! Already !!!! Where has the first half of the year gone? It will soon be time to put up the Christmas Trees.

Funny enough, the topic of office conversation today turned to winter and snow. My office has a very rural setting, reached by narrow and winding country lanes. It's been on my mind, these last couple of weeks, as to how accessible the roads are when we have heavy snowfall.

It's bad enough tackling Windmill Hill when we've had heavy snowfall. My Boss assures me the worse part, driving wise, is the office car park. Mmmmm, I can live with that.