Cat and Gerberas gouache and collage.

Tippi & The Gerberas - 28 x 28 cm gouache & collage

Some of my favourite Sydney things. My model is Tippi, my daughter's much loved cat.

A few of my favourite things - gouache

Gouache & Collage 29 x 29cm

Ducks, feathers, eggs, lavender, butterflies and the Tuscan landscape are some of my favourite things. The hidden favourite is the inspiration of British artist, Mary Fedden.

The idea for this painting has been stewing ever since I was sitting admiring a host of butterflies around a lavender bush and along came a duck - chomp!

Monotype and a Blogger Visit

Con Sale 15 x 16cm monotype

It's been a busy week. Joan Tavolott Watercolours by Joan made a whirlwind visit from her holiday base in Venice. We walked in the hills and painted in town. Joan completed a beautiful postcard-size watercolour of a Castiglion Fiorentino alleyway. I didn't complete my painting of an old door - too busy talking! Next day I travelled as far as Florence with Joan in order to introduce her to my favourite art shop, Zecchi. Unfortunately they had closed for the August holidays. We compensated ourselves for the disappointment by buying Lamy Safari pens.

Joan also got a taste of printmaking while she was here. I found the monotype above where I left it drying weeks ago. It's a rare departure into the abstract for me.

Joan has been painting Venice at the rate of two pictures per day for the past month so her blog is a feast of little watercolour gems. Inspiring!

Sunflowers and A Winner!

Just back from a delightful couple of days with friends in Todi. Their house on the Umbrian hillside is surrounded by sunflowers. Something about sunflowers reminds me of people - happy people. These remind me of all the delightful people who support this blog with loyal and encouraging comments.

Today's the day I announce the winner of my Blog Birthday watercolour giveaway.

And the winner is........

Oh dear, I've mucked up the cut and paste of the number generator so please trust me when I say it was No.6 - and that means the winner is Dominique Eichi of Dancing Strokes. I'm about to send you an email requesting your snail mail address, Dominique and then I will send off your watercolour.

Thank you all so much for your greetings - and I'm so thankful it wasn't Dermott's number that came up!