Swan-tastic!

I've sold all three of my new swan paintings. This is great news as they were a departure from my usual style and I wasn't sure how they would go down....

Best of Luck to the Blacksmith's Inn

The new owners of the Blacksmith's Inn, formerly the Blacksmith's Arms, in Westow, popped in to the gallery yesterday to buy some prints from me to decorate their newly-refurbished pub.

Mark and Jane Scholefield are re-opening the 300-year-old pub, which has been closed for two months, as a traditional inn and have restored its name as well as its former darts, dominoes and cricket teams.

The couple, who used to own Will's Bar in Malton Market Place, will continue to run a restaurant alongside the pub.

They bought a print of my red stag painting and one of my saddle back pig picture.

It is the opening night tonight and I wish them well. I hope their new customers enjoy the pictures...

Barn Owl is Back

Barn Owl on Fencepost, oil painting

The wild barn owl that I feed from my garden bird table is back at last. He disappeared over the summer after the tawny owl, with whom he guardedly shares my outdoor dining table, went for him. I expect the encroaching cold weather has brought him back. That and the fact that the tawny owl is less prevelant now that his chicks have grown up.

Mist Lifts

I've been flying my new barn owl in the living room. She's still a bit young and has a lot to learn, so at the moment this is probably the safest place for her.

I got her in the summer after my last pet barn owl, Fern, sadly died. She's called Mist.

New prints for Christmas

I've published three new limited edition prints of my paintings. They are:

'Wren on Hook'
Image size: 15 x 30cm
Click here for details

'Fox on Lookout'
Image size: 45 x 30cm
Click here for details

'Long Tailed Tit on Catkin II'
Image size: 15x30cm
Click here for details

Each print is one of just 850 editions and is available loose, framed or mounted. If you're thinking of ordering one as a gift for someone special this Christmas, take a look.

Mull it over

It's been a busy day in the gallery, inspite of foggy wet weather. (In fact it may have helped!) As well as enjoying the show, visitors have really appreciated a warming glass of my mulled wine. Lots of people have asked for it so here is the receipe for my mulled wine mix:

1 bottle of red wine
1/4 litre of orange juice
1/2 cup of sugar
1/4 litre of water
1 mulled wine spice bag

Put all the ingredients in a saucepan and stir until the sugar has dissolved. If you want to spark it up a bit - swap the water for 1/4 litre of brandy, which gives it a very nice kick!

Funny Fungi

We have had such a dry September the fungi is later than usual. But this current bout of wet weather has brought it all out now. I love the colours and shapes that you get.