Cows on canvas has a new home

Cows on canvas has mooooved!

My new studio is in a beautiful Somerset location - just outside the village of Hambridge at Bowden's Farm.  I am very lucky to be surrounded by some fantastic local businesses on the farm and the amazing Brown and Forrest smokery which has a delicious cafe and far too tempting cakes.

Lots of changes over the next few months, so watch this space....

Networking and community

I have just been to the inaugural meeting of the Sherborne Artists networking group @netWORKartSherb. Being an artist is sometimes a lonely old life and it is god to get out and meet up with other like-minded people.

I took my puppy for moral support and spent half the time trying to stop her chewing up the furniture. The other half of the time was spent finding out about the new Sherborne Community Arts Centre which is hopefully being built near Sherborne House, a beautiful part of our ancient town. It sounds like a really worthwhile project - but they have lots of funds to raise in order to build it.

To do my little part I am selling my Christmas Cards this year in aid of the Arts Centre Fund - www.scact.co.uk

You can buy them here

I hope they raise the money. It would be great for Sherborne to have a art hub like this for workshops, performances, exhibitions and to build on the increasingly arty vibe that Sherborne posesses.

Cows on canvas gets all in a fluster

Well - I have had a busy time of it recently. Not painting much at the moment as I have got myself all involved with trying to stop a large supermarket being built out of town in our lovely town of Sherborne. The general consensus is that if we let them come it will ruin our historic and vibrant high street. (Oh and we have a puppy too which I am trying to train not to get all covered in paint in my studio!)

So suddenly, after being a bit half-hearted about these issues - being generally in agreement with shopping locally and supporting local producers - I have decided to put my money where my mouth is and GIVE UP SUPERMARKETS FOR LENT!! Day 5 today and going well. In fact, it is better so far - better food, more friendly shopping experiences and educating my kids about local food production - all positive stuff.

So how will this affect my painting? Well, hopefully the passion that I have for supporting local producers will translate a frenzy of painting local cows. Can't wait to start getting back in  the studio soon - just wish the supermarket menace would go away.....

New christmas card coming soon

Well it seems that all the shops are doing it, so I might as well join in too. CHRISTMAS CARDS!!

New Christmas card this year - Merry and Pippin have had a digital makeover and appear on this year's card. They will appear to buy on the website soon.

My previous design also available from the cards page.

Cows and fizz - a good combination

Some of my cows have gone on a trip to a vineyard - Furleigh Estate near Bridport, to be exact. It is in the middle of nowhere but when you arrive through the fleeing sheep on their farm, a luscious vineyard, nestling in a sheltered valley in Dorset, awaits you.

I painted these cows especially on a grapey coloured background so they would feel at home in the old dairy which is now a tasting room. What a taste it is too - I tried the sparkling wine (from the new champagne region of Dorset?) and it was delicious.

So cow painting this month has had it's perks..... Roll on October - maybe a chocolate factory next.... in my dreams.

Cow paintings to appear on cows on canvas shortly.

Another trip to London for a few select cows!

The sun is shining at last!  To celebrate, the cows are taking a summer holiday to the gorgeously eclectic Frivoli Gallery in Devonshire Road in Chiswick. Florence, Pauline, Victoria and Winnie have packed their bags full of cowy things and travelled up the A303 to see Hazel (the gallery owner) and the rather gorgeous Topsy (a dog/teddy bear) in their new (hopefully temporary) home in London. I think they will look rather marvellous nestled amongst the treasure trove of wonderful things Hazel sells there. I, for one have bought a rather marvellous summer hat there - let's hope the sun stays out so I can wear it!

Last day of cow painting at Dorset Art Weeks

It's the last day of Dorset Art Weeks today and the cows have had many admirers in my studio. It has been lovely to meet so many cow enthusiasts. In particular, it was great to meet a dairy farmer from Maiden Newton way who told me lots of useful and interesting facts about cow breeds (something which I am sadly ignorant about when people ask me) and so fantastic to meet an amazing family from Melbury Bubb who use their smallholding to help adults with learning disabilities work with animals and agriculture.
I've also been to some fabulous exhibitions locally. The inspirational Gerry Dudgeon and his jewel-like landscapes, Rose Hatcher and her colourful and skilful felt work, Carolyn Finch's amazingly detailed  seascapes, Felice Hodges use of chalky and soft colours in her abstract paintings to name but a few.

Now the cows are off to pastures new! Watch this space for cow news!!