Framed and Sold - Gouache

This gouache/collage was sold at Christmas but has had to wait until now for its owners to return to Tuscany to choose a frame. Now it's deciding where to hang.

There are few things that make me happier than to see my work beautifully framed. I'm inspired to have the other two in this series framed in exactly the same style.

Artist reflected in her own work!

Still life with bottle and apricots

20 x 18.5 cm oil on Canson oil sketch paper

The little stoneware bottle is one of my treasured finds at the antique market at Isle sur la Sorgue in Provence. The apricots are Italian.

I've been inspired to give oils another chance after the delight of watching Sarah Wimperis painting with them in Bedoin. Before I left, I crept into Julian Merrow-Smith's studio in the hope that I might find a mote of brilliance floating in the shifting light. It would appear that I now need to apply myself for twenty years or so.

Watercolour Pot, Mug and Apple

Watercolour sketch - David Garland pottery

These beautiful pieces of David Garland pottery are now a vivid part of my memories of Ruth and Julian's house in Provence. This was a quick sketch to treasure since I couldn't carry away the real thing.

Those of you who know Julian Merrow-Smith's wonderful still life pictures Postcard from Provence will know how he celebrates these objects in his paintings.