Anita Davies : Location 2007

Location 2008

2008-02-04T01:26:00.000Z

Tesco Cafe, March, Cambridgeshire.

I seem to be spending so much time with my sketchbooks and journals these days and with my new job as an illustrated columnist, sharing my journal pages with the local community, I'm sure I'll be spending more time with them this year as well.
So, after much thought, I have decided to put all of my location sketches in my original blog this year, along with my daily journal pages and finished artworks.
Hopefully this will make my daily updates easier to navigate and follow for those of you who kindly take your time skipping from one blog to another and also for any new comers.

Click here to view just the 2008 Location Sketches.

Click here to view all of the blog entries.

Thank you all so much for hitching along with me on my travels through this blog during 2007, I hope you will come along for the ride this year too!

TESCO CAFE, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

2008-01-28T23:03:00.000Z

Pigment liner and watercolour in Canson Journal

WISBECH, Cambridgeshire. UK

2008-01-25T23:29:00.000Z

Another sketch created inside the truck, this time while I waited for a better parking position.

TESCO CAFE, March,Cambridgeshire. UK

2008-01-21T20:49:00.000Z

A couple of 60 second portraits while sipping latte in Tesco Cafe this morning.

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, Manea, Cambridgeshire.

2008-01-16T21:26:00.000Z

Quick sketch, my first location sketch of the year, from the car park while waiting for my Yoga class to begin.

17th Worldwide Sketchcrawl

2008-01-10T00:30:00.001Z

The date has been set for the 17th Worldwide sketch crawl

Saturday 19th january 2008

To find others taking part in your area visit Sketchcrawl.com

GRAFTON CENTRE, Cambridge. UK

2007-12-15T01:08:00.000Z

A quick coffee break while shopping at the Grafton Centre in Cambridge.

MARCH POLICE STATION, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-12-10T23:58:00.001Z

Sketched from the truck this morning while waiting for the bank to open.

HINCHINGBROOKE HOSPITAL

2007-12-05T23:35:00.001Z

These are the sketches I made in my journal today at Hinchingbrooke hospital where my Son, Harry, had to have dental surgery.
You can see the entire journal page and read all about our day HERE.

SPIKE & VIOLET, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-12-03T23:13:00.000Z

Arrived a little early for my hair appointment today, leaving me time to sketch another customer before taking the 'Hot Seat'.

DODDINGTON HOSPITAL, Doddington, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-12-03T23:11:00.000Z

The waiting room corridor of the Doddington hospital physio department. I arrived 5 minutes early and he was 5 minutes late...resulting in 10 minutes to sketch!

TESCO, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-11-30T23:33:00.000Z

This is a page from my journal today, which includes another morning sketch session at Tesco.

HINCHINGBROOKE HEALTH CENTRE, Huntingdon.

2007-11-27T22:43:00.001Z

A trip to the health centre at Hinchingbrooke hospital yesterday resulted in this sketch of the dental desk while Harry and I waited for his appointment. The desks are scattered all over the huge building, each catering for different areas and each swarming the people that sit behind them.
The desk should probably have been a little deeper in my sketch, I think a person would have trouble fitting their whole body in the area I provided even while seated but I wanted to emphasise their design as I find them more than a little amusing!

CHURCH STREET CLINIC, Somersham. UK

2007-11-19T22:07:00.001Z

Took Harry, my youngest, to his dental appointment today and managed to make a couple of sketches while I waited. The first sketch was created in the waiting room and the second was created while the dentist tended to Harry.
Both sketches kind of rolled into one another, which I quite like.
No time for messing around, we only had a few moments wait in the waiting room and then, once in with the dentist, it wasn't long before I had to leave so Harry could be x-rayed.
Therefore, I made notes and added the colour on my return home.

GRAFTON CENTRE, Cambridge. UK

2007-11-17T23:41:00.001Z

Indulged in a little Christmas shopping at The Grafton Centre in Cambridge today and took my small watercolour moleskin along for the all essential coffee breaks!

WHITTLESEY, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-11-13T17:30:00.000Z

Noodler's ink in Seawhite sketchbook

Sketched this beautiful gateway, that sits on the corner of a square wall outside St Andrews Hall in Whittlesey, today while waiting for my life class to begin.

I have sketched in this car park twice before:

ST ANDREWS HALL

WHITTLESEY CHURCH

TESCO CAFE, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-11-08T22:35:00.001Z

Another trip to Tesco today and a few quick figure studies while I sipped on a sweet latte, Mmmmm!

TESCO CAFE, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-11-07T07:29:00.000Z

Ink in Seawhite sketchbook

Popped along to Tesco with my sketchbook yesterday morning and, after a hearty breakfast and froth laden latte, I captured the man a few tables up from me in my Seawhite 6x6" sketchbook.

WHITTLESEY, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-10-31T11:47:00.001Z

A quick ink sketch of Whittlesey Church from the car park waiting for yesterday's life session to commence.

FLOODS FERRY, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-10-02T23:34:00.000Z

Noodler's red/black Ink & White Acrylic in large moleskin sketchbook.

Popped to the pet store straight from the school run this morning and had 15 minutes to kill before they opened so I sketched the workshop and van in front of me.
Floods Ferry runs from Doddington straight through to the March bypass, the pet store is at the March end of the road.

LILYHOLT ROAD

2007-10-01T22:28:00.000Z

A few weeks ago I was contacted by the webmaster for a local village website. Adam had came across my sketch of Benwick Playpark, while looking up history on the village through the internet, and kindly wrote to ask me if he could include the image on his new website Lilyholt Road - I agreed and offered another sketch I had produced of the River at Benwick.

I then ventured out to capture the Five Alls pub.

True to his word, Adam uploaded the sketches onto the relevant pages of his website along with copyright and links.

I then received an email from him informing me of an October update where he intended to create a page just for me and my sketches. The page is now up and running and can be seen HERE

A HUGE thanks to Adam Keppel-Garner, congratulations on your informative new website.

MY DOORSTEP

2007-09-30T22:38:00.000Z

The sun shone today and the rain held off, so I braved the Autumn chill and sat upon my doorstep for a while with a sketchbook and my Lamy fountain pen filled with red/black Noodler's ink.
The apple tree has struggled for light with the climbing rose bush and the laurel this year, both need a good trim. However, against all the odds, it has produced a little fruit.
I picked one of these rough, miss-shaped beauties today and plopped it next to some bright, plump berries to create the sketch above.

My attention then turned to my parents house. Just across the yard with nothing and nobody between us but grass and hedge, my children have enjoyed the freedom of being able to safely pass between the two homes throughout their childhood.

TESCO CAFE, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-09-27T19:53:00.000Z

A quick trip to Tesco this week presented the chance of a latte and a cafe sketch or two in my moleskin sketchbook!

Images created using Noodler's red/black ink and coloured pencils

DODDINGTON BUS STOP

2007-09-26T20:38:00.000Z

Doddington Bus Stop
Large moleskin sketchbook, coloured pencil and Noodler's red/black ink

Another sketch from the truck after the school run.
I parked in the lay-by and captured this man in ink and coloured pencil before he hopped onto the bus, I then filled the background in around him after he'd gone.

DODDINGTON VILLAGE

2007-09-25T05:45:00.000Z

A quick sketch from the truck yesterday while making the school run. I completed the ink sketch of the figures quickly on location then added the background and the colour back at home.

Isn't it strange how I make this trip every day and I could not remember what the background would have shown behind the figures, for this reason the background is a little 'imaginative'.

Awards

2007-09-17T22:06:00.000Z

I opened my inbox this evening to find an email from Casey Toussaint gifting me two awards:

The Creative Blogger Award
&
The Rocking Girl Blogger Award

A huge THANK YOU to Casey for her thoughtful email, kind words, frequent visits to both of my blogs and, of course, these awards!

THE FITZWILLIAM MUSEUM, Cambridge. UK

2007-09-14T06:29:00.000Z

Head of Antinous

On Wednesday I decided to take a trip over to the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge to see their current exhibition entitled 'The Gentle Art: Friends and Strangers in Whistler’s Prints'. This would be my first ever visit to The Fitzwilliam and it will certainly not be my last. I had no idea what artistic gemstones it held within it's walls, infact I had no idea The Fitzwilliam had art at all...I was in for a treat!

The building itself is magnificent, neo-classical in design and founded in 1816. The entrance hall is a grand feast of marble scattered with various figurines and sculptures. Amazingly, admission to the museum is FREE leaving me with enough money to purchase a treat in the museum shop. I chose a book; 'Treasures of The Fitzwilliam Museum', a beautiful souvenir of my day and worth every penny.

So many great artists are on exhibition that I couldn't even begin to list them. I stood in awe of many, puzzled by some and swept away by others. I saw some I knew and hundreds I didn't.

One painting that managed to 'move' me in a way you wish your own art would move others was a piece by Claude Vignon entitled 'St Jerome'. It was hung quite high on the wall as if not to be as significant as other pieces and yet it caught my heart and would not let it go, I stood so long infront of it that I thought my neck would snap. I have since looked Vignon up on the internet but cannot find the painting to link you, however, as I soon discovered St Jerome was not his only piece to stir my emotions. I find his portraiture to have so much character, kindness and emotion and his style to me appeared so down to earth like a 'poor mans' excellence. You can view his 'Lament of St Peter' here.

To ease my neck I headed to the museum cafe for a latte and made use of the many people of the lunchtime rush in my small moleskin sketchbook with my Lamy fountain pen.

Degas ballerinas are my first memory of all things art, I fell in love with them, as many young girls do, but not because I wanted to be a dancer, because I wanted to some day be a Degas! So seeing more of his work was quite special. I was lucky enough to visit the Musee D'Orsay a few years ago where I viewed a sculpture of his ballerina, my first real glance at a Degas. I made a quick sketch before moving on to Monet, Pissaro, Renoir and Sisley etc...So Much to see!

To name but a few pieces that captured my attention:

Salvator Rosa : 'Human Frailty' - A remarkable painting depicting the vanity of mans achievements and the transitory nature of life.

Giovanni Antonio Canaletto: 'St Mark's Venice', 'Grand Canal' and 'Interior Court of the Doge's Palace' - The most amazing architectural works I have ever had the pleasure of standing infront of.

Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema: '94 Degrees in the Shade - With light bouncing from the rich golds of the corn fields and cream linen calmly guiding your eye into the focal point situated at bottom of the work.

Henri Fantin-Latour: 'White Cup and Saucer' and 'White Candlestick' - Both displaying the beauty of a simple subject wonderfully.

Michael Sweerts: 'Old Woman Spinning' - The wetness of her eyes held my attention for some time.

....I could go on...and on....and on!

My Adaptation of Roubiliac's Handel ~ Original- © Fitzwilliam Museum

I had such a fantastic time and, as good times do, it just flew by and I soon had to make my way back to the truck at Trumpington park and ride.
Later that evening I took my new book into the studio and decided to use Roubiliac's 'Handel' as an exercise reference. I studied the picture of the sculpture for some time before closing the book. I then grabbed a charcoal pencil and my A4 W&N sketchbook, working from memory I started to create my sketch, allowing myself further 'peeps' at 5 minute intervals. I decided to add another challenge to this exercise by trying to change the angle of the child in a believable way, here I believe I suceeded, my child has good proportion and appears nicely grounded at his mentors' feet. I did, however, fail to achieve the beautiful, subtle features that Roubiliac mastered so well on Handel himself.
This exercise took 25 minutes and although I found it massively challenging I did enjoy it. I like the way it allowed me to 'use' the reference, allowing room for change, personal interpretation and emotion, resulting in something unique.

DODDINGTON HIGH STREET

2007-09-11T16:03:00.001Z

HB pencil in moleskin

I arrived a little early at the school to collect Harry yesterday afternoon so I rummaged through my bag to find my moleskin and realised I had left my travel kit at home (This happens when you change handbags mid-week) Luckily I am a forward thinker and had already stashed a HB pencil in the inside zipped pocket of all my handbags enabling me to capture a quick sketch!

DODDINGTON CRICKET CLUB

2007-09-10T21:07:00.000Z

The final Sunday game for the Doddington Cricket Club this season took place on Sunday 9th and I offered to make the 'teas' giving me the perfect excuse to watch my Son play, try to understand the game a little more and capture a sketch.

Oh....They won!

THE FIVE ALLS, Benwick, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-09-07T06:44:00.000Z

The Five Alls Are:
I govern all. -I pray for all. - I plead for all. - I fight for all. - I pay for all

The Five alls is the only remaining pub in Benwick and was the focus of my trip yesterday morning. I parked my truck at the top of Skeifs Row, facing the pub, and sketched it in my large watercolour moleskin sketchbook.

Location Journal Kit

2007-09-04T20:25:00.001Z

I was recently asked what I take with me on location when I sketch so I thought I'd dedicate this entry to the kit I have been using with my Summer 2007 Journal.

My fountain pen is from the Lamy Safari range with an extra fine (EF) nib and a Z24 converter which allows me to fill it with Noodler's Ink, I'm using 'Lexington Gray' at the moment.

I have 2 water brushes in my handbag tin that are filled with diluted inks, one has 'black ink' and one has 'nut brown', both are W&N. These two inks accompanied by the Lamy Safari are the perfect handbag kit, allowing me to add quick values to a mostly monochrome sketch and I keep them in a slim line tin which fits easily in any of my handbags.

My third water brush is filled with plain water for use with my watercolours.

My watercolour kit is a Cotman case that was filled with Cotman half pans which I have removed and replaced with small squirts of W&N Artists tube watercolours. Some of my latest additions to this palette are 'Smalt' and 'Terre Verte' both of which I love and Cerulean blue, which I have never owned until now....amazing huh? Some of the 'hubs' have more than one hue in them. e.g. I have 'Smalt' and 'Indanthrene Blue' sharing a well. This allows me more colours, this small box currently holds approx. 20 hues. The reason for this is that I am using my journal as a way of finding my palette, already some hues need topping up and those that do not require topping up will be fazed out...the theory being that if I haven't used them...I don't need them!

Lastly, an HB pencil and a sheet of 'Bounty' kitchen towel are tossed in for the ride, I love 'Bounty', it is extremely thirsty and does not fall apart when wet which means I only need take one sheet along with me.

All of this then fits into a small pencil case/cosmetic bag.

Towards the end of the Summer Journal I found myself taking just the plain water brush, watercolours and my Lamy fountain pen; a tiny kit that works perfectly well on location.

The sketchbook I used for my summer holiday journal was a 6x9 inch Venezia, a beautiful book with an attractive cover, filled with 48 sheets of 200gsm smooth Fabriano Accademia paper.

THE BUTTERFLY PARK, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire. UK

2007-09-03T07:55:00.000Z

The Butterfly and Wildlife Park at Long Sutton has always been a favourite of ours and, while Jake concentrated on his college assignment at home, Harry and I paid it another visit.

The pond inside the enclosure looked fabulous with all it's water lettuce so I purchased 10 from their shop so we could put them in our own pond back at home.
The enclosure has thousands of butterflies as walking through it feels much like a fairytale. There is a crocodile, turtles, lizards etc... and many birds. One of the doves took a liking to Harry and climbed onto his hand, it then allowed him to walk through the entire closure - 3 times! - while still sitting on his hand and at one point climbing onto his shoulder like a pirate pose, which made Harry very happy. Both of my boys have been naturals with animals, they live in the country and have always been surrounded by nature and it's natural cycle. It was wonderful to watch Harry walk the same path as his Brother before him, so relaxed and with such an obvious bond between him and the creature.

A day at the Butterfly Park would not be complete without a visit to the children's adventure playground, the farm and the cafe. The cafe sell an array of home-made cakes, eight to ten inches deep, laden with creams, jams and icing sugar dusting, a delicious way to take a break from the heat of the enclosure and refresh!

HAMERTON ZOO, Hamerton, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-08-31T22:25:00.000Z

Hamerton Zoo is always a good day out and their recent additions made it all the more enjoyable on our trip last week.
The White Bengal Tiger and the Scarlet Ibis made it into my Summer 2007 Journal, my first visit to Hamerton with a sketchbook in tow!

PRIORY GOLF CENTRE, Wimblington, Cambridgeshire.

2007-08-31T00:00:00.000Z

View across the course from hole 1

On Bank Holiday Monday we took a trip into our neighbouring village, Wimblington, to the Priory Golf Centre. A small, friendly, informal course ideal for children and families. While the kids played I perched my chair and sketched.

Hole 1

WASHBROOK FARM, Doddington, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-08-30T17:58:00.001Z

View from Washbrook Farm - Summer journal 2007

A lazy Sunday afternoon spent savouring the delights of a friend's nearby farm gave me the chance to sketch the landscape across the Fen while the opposite sex indulged in a little fly fishing on the lake.

Harry flyfishing at Washbrook Farm - Summer Journal 2007.

I was at Washbrook Farm back in June for their annual country show where I sketched members of the 13th Alabama Infantry

COLTISHALL, Norwich. UK - Norfolk Broads

2007-08-28T02:15:00.000Z

Saturday 25th August was the official date for the 15th Worldwide sketchcrawl and I spent it sketching through Coltishall with my dear friend Joan Sandford-Cook. Joan has recently moved to Coltishall in the Norfolk Broads and it was my first visit to see her and her new home.
I started the day with a sketch of her new lounge, open planned, looking through to her dining room, with it's raised fireplace and neutral palette.

We then headed left out of her road to Coltishall Common along the river Bure where we indulged in a latte at The Rising Sun before seating ourselves under the oak tree on the common to sketch the thatched boathouses.

Still under the oak tree I created a quick watercolour sketch of the landscape along the river, a most beautiful backdrop. I went straight in with paint in this landscape, no pencil sketch, and while it is very basic in skill I feel it captures the memory well. I shall practice this technique more.

From the same position under the oak I turned to my left to see this beautiful, historical house through the trees.

Back at The Rising Sun, we made full use of the many customers to create a few quick figure studies.

Back at Joan's we threw some cushions onto her garden furniture and 'Mmmmmmm'd' our way through a delicious bowl of local strawberries with cream. Before packing up to head home after my stay I captured a corner of the garden that has a small rockery waterfall dividing the lawn from a seated area entered through a trellis archway.

A wonderful place and a memorable trip spent in fantastic company made this my most favourite sketch crawl to date. A huge thanks to both Joan and her husband Clive for their hospitality and friendship!

GONE SKETCHCRAWLING

2007-08-23T23:49:00.000Z

Saturday 25th August is the 15th worldwide SketchCrawl.

To participate simply wander out with your sketchbook in tow and make a pictorial account of your day.

To see other artists who will be taking part in your area and to upload your sketches into the worldwide forum, visit SketchCrawl.com

I am visiting my dear friend Joan Sandford-Cook tomorrow in her new home in the Norfolk Broads and we will be sketching together on Saturday.

I will, of course, upload my sketches on my return....See you then!

ST MATTHEWS CHURCH, Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire. UK

2007-08-23T19:25:00.001Z

On Tuesday I took a trip over to Sutton Bridge to deliver some paintings to the annual art exhibition at St. Matthew's Church. I was lucky enough to find a parking place right outside the church and took full advantage of my position by sketching the entrance from my truck.

I was invited to exhibit three paintings in total so I chose three of the four pieces in my 'Precious Moments' collection. (top two and bottom right)

Clockwise:

1. God's Little Helper - Watercolour

2. Alone Time - Watercolour

3. New Frock - Soft pastel

4. Unconditional - Soft Pastel

OLD HUNSTANTON BEACH

2007-08-17T23:29:00.001Z

Summer 2007 journal

At around 3pm last Friday we took some BBQ's down to Old Hunstanton Beach and watched as the sun set on the sea. We did this last year too, hard to believe it was a year ago...Time flies!

Summer 2007 journal

MEPAL OUTDOOR CENTRE, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-08-15T01:20:00.000Z

Summer 2007 journal

Mepal never fails to interest my youngest, Harry. With it's ball pools, sand pit, splash pool and other outdoor activities Mepal provides a great day out at the bargain price of £3 per child.
I took my Niece, Harry, my Mum and a picnic!

The entrance has two huge tent like structures that roof the indoor activity buildings, I managed to capture one of them in my sketch this time around.
You can see sketches and photographs from my other visits to Mepal this year HERE and HERE.

BENWICK PLAYPARK

2007-08-13T20:44:00.001Z

Summer 2007 journal

After feeding the ducks along the Nene river at Benwick, the kids and I strolled along to the nearby play park. They had fun while I tackled the impossible angles and nightmare perspectives of the resident slide!

ELY, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-08-13T01:19:00.001Z

Summer 2007 journal

A day trip with my Niece and Son to Ely resulted in a little shopping after seeking refreshments in Starbucks. I visited Tindalls stationers who stock many art materials and I purchased a W&N tube of Terre Verte watercolour and a sketchbook, with a canvas cover that you paint yourself, which was on sale for £1.99...Bargain!

We had lunch at The Maltings before stopping on the green alongside the river where I found time to make a quick sketch of The Kings School Boat Club.

Summer 2007 journal

CLEY BEACH, Norfolk Coast.

2007-08-11T16:38:00.001Z

Summer 2007 journal

During a recent trip to Hunstanton Beach we hit traffic and our detour decision took us right up to Cromer, where we drove around the Norfolk Coast back towards Hunstanton, stopping to dip our toes at Cley beach along the way!

DINOSAUR ADVENTURE, Norfolk.

2007-08-09T01:27:00.000Z

Absolutely fantastic day full of good 'old fashioned' fun!

DINOSAUR ADVENTURE WEBSITE

DENNY ABBEY AND FARMLAND MUSEUM, Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-07-26T22:58:00.000Z

Summer 2007 journal

Today Harry and I visited Denny Abbey and The Farmland Museum in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire. We managed to have a good look around at everything before the rain set in when we made our way to the cafe for a hot drink and a slice of homemade cake.

The atmosphere was very welcoming and all of the displays/exhibits were tactile and child friendly They have a large model of a cow that's filled with water that the children can practice milking on, numerous activities among the museum collections and a playhouse with dressing up clothes and plastic vegetables.

Walnut Tree Cottage was so quaint with just 2 up and 3 down, the rooms were very small and basic and it was amazing to see how much work went into a weekly clothes wash or making a meal. The kitchen utensils were limited as was space and worktop, yet these people would have baked their own bread, made their own cream and butter and largely survived on produce from their land. Most people now have kitchens at least three times the size, utensils and gadgets coming out of their ears, food delivered by some supermarket or another and take-away at least once a week.
Certainly food for thought!

Summer 2007 journal

RIVER NENE, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-07-24T22:34:00.000Z

Summer 2007 Journal

Met up with the girls in Town today for lunch at Panini's. After lunch we took a stroll along the River Nene before stopping to sit in the long, bank grass to chat and sketch for a while.
I sketched Joan sketching, full of concentration with the warm wind blowing through her hair.

GEORGE CAMPBELL LEISURE CENTRE, March, Cambridgeshire.

2007-07-23T21:03:00.001Z

Summer 2007 journal

Today we took a trip into March to the George Campbell Leisure Centre and, while I sketched, my Mum took a dip with her Grandsons.

I've sketched people almost everywhere, cafe's, shops, parks and I thought those sketches were challenging but a pool full of crazy kids letting off steam in moving water provided some brand new difficulties. I had just seconds to capture the essence of the moment before my Sons, the perspective and the light moved again changing everything completely!

Summer 2007 journal

RIVER NENE, Benwick, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-07-22T21:58:00.000Z

Summer Journal 2007

Took Harry, my youngest, to Benwick river this afternoon to feed the ducks. The sun shone brightly and quite unexpectedly and together we took full advantage of this rare pleasure.

MY YARD

2007-07-22T00:40:00.000Z

Harry's Shack- Day one - Summer 2007 Journal

First day of the school, summer, six weeks holiday and first entry in my new A5 Venezia sketchbook which I have started specifically to journal about each day of the holiday.
(Read more here)
I had to scan in two halves, so my apologies for the line through the image.

Today we erected Harry's new play den that he has chosen to name 'Harry's Shack'
It's a beautiful little shed with a small veranda and high bunk inside with it's very own little stairs.
We situated it opposite the studio on the yard side, this way I can be close while he plays and do some work at the same time.

I found a blank, little, slate, name plaque I purchase some years ago and painted it up while the shack was being put together...Harry adores it!

It has drizzled with rain all day here AGAIN, the only break we had from drizzling was when the heavens opened but I am so pleased we managed to get the shack up - A great way to mark the first day of the summer holidays for a nine year old and Harry is always so very enthusiastic and grateful about everything you do for him.

HOLBEACH, Lincolnshire. UK

2007-07-19T21:12:00.000Z

A necessary trip to Holbeach, to get my truck serviced, produced this rapid sketch today. The journey takes me approx. an hour and I then had to wait around for a further four hours, a wait I really could have done without. I spent ages walking, what seemed like miles, looking for the cafe I visited during my last trip to Holbeach but could not find it and started to doubt what little sanity I have left. I later learned it had recently closed down!

My virus symptoms are manageable now but I still feel drained and try as I did, I could not get inspired. Tired with all the walking I finally took rest on a bench situated just outside of the church when an elderly woman asked if I minded her joining me. Hilda and I chatted for some time before she felt rested enough to continue along her way, it was a pleasure to spend time with her.
Once Hilda and I parted company I gave my small moleskin sketchbook one last tug from my bag, hoping something would catch my interest. When I realised nothing was going to attract me today I decided to simply sketch what was in front of me and get 'something' down on that cream sheet of paper.

I had just started my sketch of 'Butties', a sandwich bar across the road, when a woman walking her dog asked about my work. During our conversation I learned that Janet was also an artist and a writer. We chatted like old friends for quite some time and left with the promise to get in touch and perhaps even spend a sketch day together!

I finished colouring my sketch back at home this evening from memory which means it's probably inaccurate as my mind wasn't on top form at all today.

Hilda and Janet made my long wait bearable. The time they chose to share with me today lifted me and made an otherwise difficult and frustrating day something special to remember.
I am most grateful to them both - Thank you!

MY DROVE

2007-07-18T22:58:00.000Z

Click for larger image

This is the view across The Fens from both my lounge and my dining room windows.

This year the farmer has planted linseed, my most favourite of crops with it's tiny blue flower heads, and for the past couple of weeks this is what I have faced each morning when I open the hall door and enter my lounge.

The Fens are renowned for their huge, magnificent skies, this is the same view at different times of the year:

These are the views that decorate our evening meals as we sit at the dining table. They are the reason I had a window seat built and the reason I have roller blinds throughout my home...So I can roll them all the way up and bring the outside in.

NEW - NitsasNoodles

2007-07-15T15:16:00.000Z

...My new card store at Greeting Card Universe!

MY GARDEN

2007-07-13T20:37:00.000Z

7.45pm this evening, sitting in the doorway of the studio looking out onto my garden across the deck.

'Like a finely tuned orchestra, my garden plays a never ending concerto . The birds sing unashamedly, calling those they love, while the fish in the pond plop vicariously providing a deep bass.
Machinery long gone from the fields - nature reunites with her rightful territory and one can't help becoming lost in her song!'

CUTTING EDGE, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-07-12T13:16:00.000Z

On Monday I took a detour on the way to the supermarket and headed down Gaul Road in March. On the left surrounded by residential properties sits a hair salon all by itself called 'Cutting Edge', such a quaint little building, it screamed out at me to be sketched.
I had to park up on the pavement at the end of a junction to face the building, so I dare not stay too long, just long enough to capture the essence of the spot and a quick photograph for reference back in the studio.

The following days proved rather busy but I finally got around to adding colour today.

WHITTLESEY BUTTERCROSS, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-07-10T19:35:00.000Z

I left early for life class in Whittlesey again today, parking in a lay-by facing the Butter Cross, I sketched from the truck.
A pigment liner, small travel set of W&N watercolours and a water brush were the tools I used to fill another page in my large watercolour moleskin.

MY GARDEN

2007-07-09T22:11:00.000Z

Pigment liner and watercolour in A6 Venezia sketchbook

The good weather continued today until thunder storms took over at around 3pm. So, I took a chair into the yard side of the studio, behind the summerhouses, and sketched my gorgeous haven of creativity.

I do not usually see this view, I enter from a door on the garden side and when I throw the French doors open and sketch from the small patio I usually face out towards the Fens, it made a nice change...I could stare at her all day!

I moved into my studio last August, such an exciting time...I still feel those same butterflies, as I pass through the lavender and step onto the deck that leads to her, even now.

DODDINGTON CARNIVAL DAY

2007-07-08T00:04:00.000Z

Today was carnival day in Doddington. Sadly I couldn't make it to see the floats pass through the village but I did make it to the recreation ground at Benwick Road for the sports events and fare afterwards.

It was very busy partly due to continuing support from the villagers and partly due to the sun shining for what felt like the first time in weeks!

I sat just outside the refreshments hall which probably wasn't such a good idea as everyone that passed me either going in or coming out making them 'mobile' models in the strongest sense, speed was of the essence and no sooner I put pen to paper they were gone. In hind sight I should have grabbed my camping chair from the truck and situated myself across the other side of the sports field where spectators were lazing on the grass and soaking up the sun.

I did manage to come away with something in my W&N sketchbook though and although the quality is nothing special they will at least serve as memories of the day.

My youngest hit 3 out of 3 on the coconut stand, he is 9... Way to go Harry!!!

WISBECH, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-07-06T22:29:00.000Z

I went to Wisbech Rose Fair today fully intending to represent the Fenland Visual Arts Collective. I arrived early and sat on a bench in Museum square sketching for a few moments while waiting for a friend.

Sadly, the windy weather did not ease and soon we were joined by rain causing us to head home. I was hoping to get some serious sketching this year, they have a band that plays opposite our allocated space and I had really been looking forward to capturing both them and the crowd they generate in my sketchbook but it was not to be.

Remarkable weather for July!

ST ANDREWS HALL, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire.

2007-07-03T22:20:00.000Z

Large Watercolour moleskin, Noodler's ink and watercolour

I had a few moments before life class today, so I sat in the truck and sketched the venue, St Andrews Hall in Whittlesey.

BYGONES CAFE, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-07-02T23:29:00.000Z

What a day!

I had to go into Wisbech today so I thought I'd make a day of it and take my sketchbooks along, it has some fantastic architecture. No sooner I had stepped out of the truck it tipped down with rain and I mean literally tipped down! I spent my whole day skipping from one shelter to another in hope it would soon stop but it didn't.

Soaked, I ventured into a favourite little cafe of mine in Wisbech called 'Bygones' and this is where my day began to brighten up, not because of the very few sketches I finally managed to make but because of the company.

I met Elva, a wonderfully warm, mature woman who asked if I minded her taking a seat beside me. We talked and talked as if we had been friends for ever and her appreciation of life was a welcome inspiration on such a day. Elva noticed I was sketching and, after taking a look through my moleskin, she confessed she 'made things'. Intrigued, I listened while she explained she made houses and buildings from her empty cigarette packets then she took me towards the back of the cafe to show me the replica of 'Bygones' she had crafted. It was fantastic!

Elva was sunshine on a gloomy day.

One of the things I have enjoyed most about my location sketching is the fact that it allows me time to just stop, sit, think, SEE, appreciate and share special moments with such interesting people I may never have found the time to meet otherwise.

CHATTERIS SURGERY, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-06-29T18:27:00.000Z

Made good use of the few minutes I had to wait in the doctors surgery on Friday afternoon. The guy next to me had obviously suffered a much longer wait than I because he actually woke himself up with the noise of his own snoring!

Please don't worry, I am fine, it was a routine appointment.

DJ GARDEN CENTRE, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire.

2007-06-29T16:46:00.000Z

Thursday...My moleskin, sunshine, latte and a fantastic English breakfast shared the morning at DJ's Nurseries...What a way to start the day!

DODDINGTON VILLAGE, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-06-28T16:23:00.000Z

Pulled the truck into the car park of 'The George' public house this morning and sketched the house opposite, next to the Methodist Hall.
It's such a pretty house with it's deep blue shutters and unique trees lined up at the front looking like lollipops.
My mind occupied, I forgot to take the name of the house, it's bound to have one many do around the village.

I may colour this at some point or at least colour those decorative shutters that always catch my eye as I pass daily.

CLARICE HOUSE, Suffolk, UK

2007-06-25T16:21:00.000Z

Fireplace in the 'Summerhouse' room

I have just returned from another relaxing and pampered weekend at Clarice House Residential Spa in Bury St. Edmunds. This time I was joined by my Mum and our friend Shelley.
Lots of laughing, lots of nattering, a little champagne and I still managed a few quick sketches.

Mum and I stayed in the Summerhouse room which has a lovely old fireplace with aqua tiles, I have stayed in this room before but haven't yet sketched it...Until this weekend.

Late Sunday morning Shelley and Mum read a little and I took advantage of the situation long enough to make a quick sketch of them both.

Shelley reading

Mum reading

Some of my previous visits to Clarice house can be found HERE.

SPIKE AND VIOLET, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-06-22T06:33:00.000Z

CLICK TO ENLARGE

My hair is long and every time I decide to have it cut and the receptionist at the salon I am calling says 'Sorry, nothing today but I can fit you in next....' I tell them I'll check my diary and call back...which of course I don't, until the next time I decide I really need a hair cut, when the whole scenario starts over, this has been going on for two years!

Finally, I managed to get an appointment and keep it but I had an hour to kill before my stylist was free so I sat outside Panini's Cafe in March town with a long, hot, latte and sketched the front of 'Spike and Violet' hair salon. Once I finished my coffee I went across and sat inside the salon on the comfy sofa where I sketched one of the chairs before Lucy called me over to tackle my locks.

FOOTSTEPS, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-06-21T12:57:00.000Z

Yesterday morning was spent at 'Footsteps' being pampered then, while I waited for Mum, I borrowed a chair from the waiting room and sat on the opposite side of the road to create the sketch above.

MY GARDEN

2007-06-19T22:57:00.000Z

Pigment liner and watercolour

Had a few moments spare this morning before my life class and took full advantage of the temporary sunshine with my coffee and sketchbook. It's hard to believe this evening, now the thunder and rain have won battle with the huge Fenland skies, but my few stolen moments with the bees and butterflies make the crashes of the night seem a little more bearable.

MY GARDEN

2007-06-18T00:23:00.000Z

Ta da!

Added colour to my pond sketch in the studio last night after taking mental notes on colour and reflection while in the garden yesterday.

I have to say I really enjoy using the Venezia sketchbooks and they look so pretty with their red, chequered covers. The paper receives ink well and watercolour remains bright after drying.
I have been using many different sketchbooks this summer, a sort of test to find their uses and disadvantages so I can perhaps select one and keep everything together working page to page from day to day, so far, I find myself steering between the Venezia and the Winsor & Newton heavyweight. The W&N takes everything I have thrown at it with ease but I like the texture in the Venezia for watercolours. Then there is the moleskin sketchbooks...Excellent to scan, lie nice and flat when working, a dream with coloured pencils but not so good for watercolour. I tried the large watercolour moleskin, I'm not so keen on the landscape format and didn't like using the brushpen and watercolour pencils in it much, the paper seemed to stain very easily, but just recently I used my pans in it and it was much better, nice infact!

Decisions, decisions!

For now, I shall feast among the varied haven of sketchbooks in my studio and just enjoy!

MY GARDEN

2007-06-17T15:57:00.000Z

My garden because I made it!

Just 4 years ago the whole area I now call home was nothing more than thistle and stinging nettle, dense, tall and spiteful. It has taken a lot of hard work and many a lavender bath to get to this stage but the benefits are worth every sore moment.
I started with the borders at the front of my home first and they are now well developed and relatively easy to manage.

The addition of the summerhouses have proved to be such a focal point.

The back borders are a little newer, while they are already beautifully developed, the weeds have yet to bow to my authority and the fact that I have neglected this area of the garden so far this summer has not helped at all. Today I put a few hours in and filled my trolley to overflowing from just a 2ft square patch!

No garden would be worth all the hard work unless you could afford a few moments each day to enjoy it, so this afternoon I took position on my sun lounger, between a cloud of lavender and a burst of poppies, in front of the pond and created the sketch below.

Noodler's Ink-A6 Venzia Sketchbook

I plan to colour it in the studio later this evening when Sunday lunch is all cleaned up and my laundry is up to date....oh yes, and I have soaked my sore, tired muscles in a deep lavender bath!

OLD BAKERY CAFE, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-06-14T14:39:00.001Z

Moleskin sketchbook, ink.

Since it's difficult to position myself across the road from The Old Bakery Cafe to sketch it, I decided to sketch some of the interior while waiting for the Museum to open Wednesday morning.

CROSS KEYS INN, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-06-12T08:31:00.000Z

You may remember I sketched the exterior of the Cross Keys Inn from outside the Old Bakery Cafe a couple of days ago, well yesterday I went inside!

I saw the 'Morning Coffee' sign as I was driving through Chatteris and decided to park up and pop in and I am so pleased I did, what a feast for the eyes! The inside decor consists of an inglenook fireplace, old blacked beams, brass and iron tools and ornaments, big lamps and cosy sofas and chairs.

I sat in one of the bars, on a little sofa, sipping my latte with just the two cleaners for company, both very friendly ladies with kind smiles, from here I sketched the scene before me in my large moleskin.

DODDINGTON COUNTRY SHOW 2007

2007-06-10T21:53:00.000Z

Last year the 13th Alabama Infantry elected me as their 'resident' artist and today I went over to the country show at Washbrook Farm, Doddington to spend a couple of hours with them...sketch book in hand!

The infantry went about their day as I set up my chair among them and captured a few sketches in my A5 Winsor & Newton, working directly with ink. A fantastically challenging and productive afternoon and an opportunity I am most grateful for.

THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE ART FAIR 2007

2007-06-10T00:27:00.000Z

I spent a wonderful Saturday browsing hundreds of artworks with my dear friend Joan at the Cambridgeshire Art Fair held at Chilford Hall, Linton.

There were two artists that appealed to me greatly and both for the same reasons. Although their styles were quite different, the confident brushstrokes, courageous application, sense of motion and knowledge of subject made me stop in my tracks. These works called to me, appealing to my love of the figure and my passion for 'unfinished' or 'raw' pieces.

I was fortunate to meet Louise Mizen who was tending her own stand, her dancer collection caught my eye from an adjacent stand and I couldn't wait to feast my eyes upon her bold style. Her horses were also very appealing.

Marc De Corte was not at the fair but his art made a huge impression on many others as well as myself.

Joan and I lunched in the old barn restaurant where we were faced with a 'quiche' that tasted, looked and acted exactly the same as an egg custard with peppers in. I do not recommend this, a very unusual quiche in anyone's book! The coffee and the lemon cake were much nicer.

We broke for refreshments again at around 4pm, not realising how quickly the time had passed. This time we sat on the deck at the back of the 'Vineleaf' and this is where I managed to capture a quick sketch, my only sketch of the day, in my small moleskin. Chilford has it's own vineyard and winery, so a purchase was a must before we left, I chose a Sparkling Rose which is now chilling in the fridge.

It was a fantastic day and Joan and I returned home feeling both inspired and knackered!

CROSS KEYS INN, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-06-06T09:20:00.000Z

A quick sketch of The Cross Keys Inn, sketched from the Old Bakery Cafe late morning yesterday while sipping on a hot milk coffee.

BELTON HOUSE, Lincolnshire. UK

2007-06-04T22:40:00.000Z

Part of the water feature at the rear of the house opposite the fountain and orangery.

My latest trip out with my sketchbook was at the weekend when I travelled for just under two hours to reach Belton House, one of the finest 17th century country houses in Britain.

Built between 1685 and 1688 for Sir John Brownlow, the 3rd Baron of Great Humby, Belton stands in thousands of acres of parkland. The 3rd Earl Brownlow restored the house in the 1870s. Through marriage the property passed into the hands of the Cust family. John Cust was created Earl Brownlow and Viscount Alford in 1815.
The 7th Baron Brownlow gave Belton to The National Trust in 1984.

1 2
(1)One of the many stone garden decorations situated at the rear of the house in formal setting close to the fountain and orangery (2)

Queen Adelaide stayed here and has a room named after her, King George III was entertained here and Edward VIII often stayed here before his abdication.
The author Edith Wharton was so taken by Belton House that she had a miniature version of it built in Massachusetts.

Belton has been used as a setting for many television series and dramas including 'Pride and Prejudice', 'Tom Jones', 'The Buccaneers' and 'Bleak House'.

The Chapel - Sketched from the balcony area where a cosy arrangement of upholstered chairs are situated.

The Chinese Room - Bed canopy.

The Chinese Room is the room in which Edward VIII liked to stay when he visited Belton, sleeping in the mid 19th century bed with its glazed chintz hangings.

~~~

This was the first time using my handbag sketch kit in a National Trust property. I have previously used my A4 Venezia sketchbook but could rarely sketch inside the properties because there is no seating for visitors and the book is too large to balance, hence missing out on sketching all those gorgeous, ornate interiors!

I decided something needed to change on my return from Wimpole Hall last week, so I took two brush pens, a pigment liner and an A6 spiral bound W&N sketchbook into Belton House with me and created the two monochrome sketches above.

My kit worked beautifully, the A6 was easy to hold, even with my sketch bag on my shoulder and the brush pens filled with ink added a little tone instantly, just what I was hoping for.

I created the colour sketches in the gardens directly into my A4 Venezia as usual and on my return home I tore out the interior sketches from the W&N, mounted them on black paper and stuck them into my A4 Venezia. They look great and everything is all together, just as I like it!

~~~

More information on this property:
Heritage Trail

Stately Homes

Photographs of Belton by Lincolnian

MY GARDEN

2007-06-03T23:48:00.000Z

A very quick sketch of the statue that sits on my rockery leading towards the summerhouses.

MEPAL OUTDOOR CENTRE, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-06-02T21:57:00.001Z

Lge moleskin sketchbook, 0.1 pigment liner, black & brown ink

After sketching Doddington church I went onto Mepal Outdoor centre where I made this sketch.

DODDINGTON CHURCH, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-06-02T09:06:00.000Z

Lge moleskin sketchbook and 0.1 pigment liner.

The sun finally broke through yesterday and lasted the whole day. My eldest decided to make the most of the good weather by meeting friends for some cricket practice and I made use of my journey to deliver him there by creating a quick sketch of Doddington church. This view is quite a distance from the church and there is a huge field leading to the spot I sketched but time was limited and it was the church itself and the surrounding rooftops that caught my interest, so that is where I concentrated my time.

MY GARDEN

2007-05-31T23:03:00.000Z

Ink and watercolour in A6 Venezia sketchbook

“The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious to the rose” ~ Kahlil Gibran

Me?...I am an optimist...There are no thorns on my rose!

I was elated to be able to enjoy the garden for a spell today after the incessant rain that has tormented each passing day. Everything, including the weeds, looked luscious and green against the blues and purples flowering in the beds below them. Thistles stood proud, claiming their spot in my absence, displaying their sharpness smugly as if to realise their victory. The damp ground beneath my feet played a melody upon the soles of my old suede friends and the sky, busy with birds and a valiant butterfly, carried the sweet smell of life.

FRANKIE AND BENNY'S, Huntindgon, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-05-31T01:45:00.000Z

A trip out to Frankie & Benny's restaurant in Huntingdon today prompted some quick sketches in my small moleskin sketchbook using my new handbag sketch kit.

I had a crayfish cocktail starter followed by F&B's famous BBQ chicken and ribs, which I would have loved to have sketched for you but they just didn't stay on the plate long enough I'm afraid.
I assure you...they were delicious though!

The sketch to the right shows part of their menu decorated with old Italian photographs and the sketch above shows the glazed cabinets that run adjacent on two walls filled with various jars and bottles.

DODDINGTON HOSPITAL, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-05-29T23:36:00.000Z

A visit to Doddington hospital took up the best part of my day today so I made good use of the waiting time using my small moleskin sketchbook and Edding 1800 profipen.

I tried out a new handbag travel kit I've been considering consisting of two brush pens filled with diluted ink; one brown and one black and a pigment liner. Notice: no pencil or rubber, this is my new personal challenge 'Lead-free Figures'.
The diluted ink seems to absorb into the moleskin paper much easier than watercolour and will save me having to cart my watercolour pencils around for a hint of tone/colour required on location.

I enjoy a neutral or monochrome palette in art so I felt this new kit was worth a few test sketches. I am pleased with the results and the limited kit fits neatly into my slim Caran D'Ache pencil tin which, in turn, fits neatly into my tiny handbag...Perfect!

WIMPOLE ESTATE, Royston, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-05-26T21:31:00.000Z

I first visited Wimpole Estate while accompanying my son's class on a school trip several years ago, as we walked through some of the grounds I remember looking over at the hall and promising myself I would return to this magnificent place, on Saturday, I did just that!

Wimpole Estate is huge and it's impossible to expect to see everything on one visit. The property was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1976 by the last owner, Elsie Bambridge. Therefore, like most of the NT properties, the hall opens at around 1pm making it impossible for me to visit during the week and still collect my children from school. The park and gardens open earlier which means I will be able to return to them with ease, so I chose to visit the house on Saturday.

I could easily spend a month at Wimpole and still find little corners of interest, architectural delights, unusual plants. There is also a farm so animals are also a subject here. The stables are no longer used for horses though, they contain shops now and this is where we sat to drink our last coffee of the day before leaving. I managed to make the sketch below while we drank and then coloured it from a photographic reference on my return home.

Sadly, I do not have any sketches from inside the hall to share with you which has made me re-think my National Trust sketching kit. I currently use an A4 Venezia sketchbook for all my NT properties, stately homes and churches. It is a beautiful book and although I am very happy with it's performance it is more than a tad clumsy to carry around these wonderful houses. No seating means standing to sketch and this is impossible with the A4 Venezia which results in me leaving without any sketches from the inside. Occasionally a steward has allowed me use of their chair and on one occasion I managed to stand and sketch on the right hand side of my large book but it is a problem and one I realised I would have to resolve this weekend after wanting desperately to record some of the rooms and realising I would have to leave with none of them.

I don't want to change books, I love the Venezia, so as a resolve I have decided to take an A6 wire-o sketchbook with me on future NT visits. While outside I shall work in my A4 and while inside I shall work in my A6, directly with pen which will help in my aim to cut the pencil guide out. I will then cut out the small sketches and mount them into my large book so everything is still together, which is important to me for a reason that is beyond me!

ELY, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-05-25T23:33:00.000Z

I returned to Ely again this week and took lunch in the garden at the Almonry Restaurant where there is a fantastic view of the Cathedral and other beautiful architecture. From my table I could see this cluster of buildings clearly.
Time was limited during my visit but I am pleased to have captured at least one quick sketch in my large moleskin sketchbook.

MY GARDEN

2007-05-25T10:00:00.000Z

The new steps leading up to my front door where a porch is currently being built and the little shed, where my freezer and laundry facilities live, create an interesting frame for the view across the Fens from this angle in my garden. The telegraph pole is my only obstacle for miles allowing me to view the seasons as they play with the landscape.
This is where the sun sets, delivering endless drama night after night, from pink, candy cane stripes to the roaring flames of hell itself before tucking it's weary head beneath the crops.

PECKOVER HOUSE, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-05-22T23:58:00.000Z

I spent a sunny Tuesday afternoon at Peckover House, a National Trust property situated on North Brink in Wisbech. On this visit, I decided to make the most of the good weather and sketch around the wonderful gardens.

All of my sketches were created in my A4 Venezia sketchbook with an 'Artline' pen and some are coloured using a St. Petersburg set of watercolour pans.

TESCO, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-05-21T22:30:00.001Z

After grabbing a quick sketch of Jubilee Gardens in the morning, I later went on to Tesco, a great chance to plonk myself in the cafe with a nice big latte and take advantage of all the free models!

I happened to have my little book of challenges in my handbag with me and completed EDM challenge #36 - To sketch in public.

CHATTERIS, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-05-21T22:25:00.000Z

Pigment liner and black ink in large moleskin sketchbook

This morning, after taking my eldest into school, I parked up in Chatteris and made my way towards the benches opposite Jubilee Gardens. Here I sat and took in the morning facing a clock and a funeral parlour...A gentle reminder to make the most of every minute perhaps?

14th WW Sketchcrawl - Ely

2007-05-20T22:47:00.000Z

Saturday the 19th marked the date for the 14th worldwide sketchcrawl.
Diane and I decided to take part and chose Ely, Cambridgeshire as our location, we were met by Emma-Jane on our arrival.

After a browse in Tindalls at the delicious art materials where I purchased a bottle of black ink, our first stop was a chair opposite Starbucks.

We then moved onto the green outside the cathedral where The Chantry caught my eye.

From the same spot on the grass I turned to sketch the entrance to the cathedral while E-J finished her sketch of the yummy chocolate cake I had purchased in the market.

It was a most enjoyable day spent in great company, I'm so pleased Emma-Jane managed to come along. As always, I wish I had sketched more but the afternoon wind, good conversation and hot coffee shared our day.

I hope to go back to Ely with my sketchbooks in the not too distant future, such a fabulous town scattered with fantastic architecture and then of course there is the cathedral itself, I visited last year, such brilliant workmanship surely deserves another entry in my sketchbooks!

RAMSEY, Cambridgeshire, UK.

2007-05-19T23:14:00.001Z

On Friday the sun shone and I managed to get out for a while with my sketchbooks. I visited Ramsey where I took a stroll through the shops on Great Whyte before heading towards Rendezvous cafe in The Mews for a bite to eat. The long and very wide street known as Great Whyte was originally an open waterway connecting with Bury Brook. In 1852 a tunnel was constructed, this was inadequate to cope with floodwaters and so in 1854 two additional culverts were added. Today, the street is divided down its centre by a raised pathway.

I decided to sit at one of the tables outside the cafe and managed to capture a few small sketches between mouthfuls of food and coffee.

Saint Thomas Becket is a beautiful church dating from about 1180 and, unlike many churches, it is always open to the public. I was fortunate enough to have the whole church to myself on Friday afternoon.

I finished with a quick sketch of the former spinning school before making my way back home.

Gone Sketchcrawling

2007-05-19T00:23:00.000Z

The 14th Worldwide Sketchcrawl takes place tomorrow and I will be once again taking part.

This time I am going to Ely, in Cambridgeshire UK. If anyone would like to join me, I will be outside Tindalls & Superdrug on Market Street at 11am.

Thankfully the weather report has improved as the week has gone on, albeit a tad windy! If it does deteriorate I shall seek shelter in Ely Cathedral - The sketch opposite was created on a trip I made to the Cathedral last year.

You can take a virtual tour of Ely Cathedral HERE!

*The rain let up and the sun shone brightly here in the Fens today and I actually managed to get out with my sketchbooks at last. I visited Ramsey but haven't yet had time to scan the images, I will try to fit it in after my sketchcrawl tomorrow.

MY GARDEN

2007-05-15T19:19:00.000Z

The weather here in the Fens has been dismal recently, making it impossible to get out on location with my sketchbooks and the forecast for today was much the same.
So, after finishing a lily study in the studio last night I decided to make a grid in my garden sketchbook and make good use of the sunny intervals between the rainfalls the next day.

Around midday I was lucky enough to capture around twenty minutes of constant dry weather and, to celebrate, threw my French doors open in the studio and made a sketch of the old barn opposite. My studio sits on a spot that once belonged to another barn much the same as this one, before we pulled it to the ground to make way for the new, thick concrete base. I have no regrets, I love my new studio, but it's nice to have one of these old characters still watching over the yard.

Gradually, I managed to fill my grid. One before lunch, two after, one after the school run and another before dinner. I decided to keep them simple and add a splash of my favourite garden colours as a background to set them off.

DISNEYLAND PARIS - Day 4 - 06/05/07

2007-05-12T15:38:00.000Z

Pigment liner and watercolour pencils

Our last morning at Newport Bay Club hotel was spent packing our cases and purchasing new ones to bring all our souvenirs home in. I thought the Disneyland Paris suitcase would be a nice reminder of the trip while proving useful for my future art trips. We had our final breakfast before heading into Disney Village for some last minute shopping. My Niece and my youngest had a turn on the bucking bronco machine, which was hilarious to watch and we had a last coffee before boarding the Eurostar.
I started the sketch above the previous day, a view from the balcony of Sleeping Beauty's Castle looking down into the park, and coloured it on my return from photographic references.

Below are all my sketches from the trip together, I wish I could have made more on location but I'm sure they will prove to be a wonderful reminder of the fabulous time we spent there and of my Mums very special 60th Birthday celebrations.

THANKYOU Mum and Happy Birthday!

DISNEYLAND PARIS - Day 3 - 05/05/07

2007-05-11T14:57:00.000Z

Pigment liner

On the first day I was silly enough to take a ride on Space Mountain: Mission 2. Ride?...It felt more like an assault! My head was continually banged from side to side during the ordeal and I felt like I was sandwiched between Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. It threw my head around so violently that my earring came out and plummeted into the darkness beneath, lost forever. So, you can imagine my hesitance looking up at Thunder Mountain but I decided to take the plunge and go for it. Was I glad I did?...You betcha'! It is a fantastic ride, packed with thrills and turns and I loved every minute. Using the VIP tickets, everyone decided to go again and I sat out with Mum to capture a quick pen sketch.

Later that day we bumped into the big blue guy from Monsters Inc, Sullivan. He decided to be playful with Mum, which I think nerved her a little more than she let on, he was anything but predictable but great fun!

HB and blue watercolour pencil

DISNEYLAND PARIS - Day 2 - 04/05/07

2007-05-10T10:43:00.001Z

On accessing our rooms we found that our windows were blocked with plastic sheeting because maintenance was going on outside the building. I could tell my Mum was disappointed so I went back down to reception to complain. The concierge was very apologetic and agreed to move our luggage to new rooms while we were out enjoying the park the following morning, by way of an apology she handed me seven VIP Fastpass tickets - No more queuing for the popular rides!

I woke before everyone else, grabbed a coffee and headed towards the lake at the rear of the hotel. From my chair in the sunshine, I sketched the Hotel New York across the lake before capturing a quick sketch of our hotel, looking up at one of the many architectural fancies that gave it an unmistakable nautical presence.

Disney wouldn't be Disney without the many characters floating around the resort, I managed to get a couple of them to sign my sketchbook while politely ramming my Son's autograph book in their faces. They are quite amazing, not just grown ups in silly outfits, highly trained, they take on the attitude, actions and mannerisms of their character. Each experience was like meeting the real Disney character and Harry, my youngest, was in awe.

DISNEYLAND PARIS - Day 1 - 03/05/07

2007-05-09T13:08:00.000Z

Pigment liner and watercolour pencil in W&N Artist journal

I finally got to bed just after 1am on Thursday morning and was woken again just after 2am by my Niece who had been suffering through the day with a stomach ache which had woken her. She settled down with me and we managed to grab a couple more hours sleep before the alarm sounded it's painful tune in my ear. I consumed as much coffee as was humanly possible and handed out another round of sickness pills before the arrival of the minibus and we set off towards Waterloo station on schedule.

The 'Joy Ride' travel sickness pills worked an absolute treat. Not only did we all travel the whole way without feeling in the least nauseous but I actually travelled through the whole Eurostar journey backwards! I couldn't believe how good they were, usually I wouldn't have lasted more than 5 seconds facing the wrong way on a journey, if in fact I had even made it though the minibus trip beforehand.

I had thought I might catch up on some sleep throughout the journey but I guess I'm just too nosey to close my eyes for long so I took advantage of some time on the Eurostar and fitted a few quick passenger sketches in between excited chit chat.

Our hotel collected our luggage from the Eurostar but checking in wasn't until after 3pm, so we wasted no time at all and headed directly towards the Disneyland entrance.
What an entrance! Stepping beyond the gates was like being zapped into another world.

Pigment liner and watercolour pencil in W&N Artist journal

Entering Frontierland was like being zapped all over again, rustic wood huts, log cabins, crates, cannons and jagged rocks created the scene and even the atmosphere and climate seemed to change. Here I opted out of yet another train ride and took a few moments to sketch a section of the Thunder Mountain roller coaster.

We had our evening meal at Planet Hollywood where I indulged in the largest rack of ribs I have ever seen. When we ordered dessert I asked the waiter if he could pop a candle into the selection as a celebration for my Mums 60th birthday...a little white lie as her Birthday wasn't until the 5th but I wanted her to celebrate each day we were there. Shortly after my request, a waitress appeared and stood my Mum upon a chair in full view of the whole restaurant before screaming...yes literally screaming ...Happy Birthday to her.
Mum turned a little scarlet in the cheeks but deep down I think she rather enjoyed it!

DISNEYLAND PARIS - I'm Back!

2007-05-08T19:09:00.000Z

"I don't want the public to see the world they live in while they're in Disneyland. I want to feel they're in another world."

- Walt Disney

For me, Disney succeeded in his wish.

Entering through the huge iron gates, face to face with the pink fairytale architecture, one would find it difficult to recall anything but dreams and fantasy. I've spent a magical 4 days in Walt's creation and my face aches from smiling as much as my legs do from walking.

My sketchbook made it back safely with me and I plan to start scanning images from it tomorrow to share here with you.

Thank you all for your patience!

Gone Sketching - in Disneyland Paris

2007-05-02T20:59:00.000Z

This will be my last post for a few days, I'm off to Disneyland Paris and I am taking my sketchbook.

I have just had my 'joy ride' (travel pills) and am now desperately trying to feel tired enough to grab a couple of hours sleep before we are collected at 5am... God help me!

See you all on my return, hopefully with lots of interesting sketches to share.

DISNEYLAND PARIS - Countdown Day 1

2007-05-01T21:45:00.000Z

Just one more whole day left until my Disneyland Paris trip...So excited now!

Mum has organised a minibus to collect us at some unearthly hour Thursday morning, which presents a challenge for me in itself as this is usually the kind of time I go to bed...not get up!
My youngest, Harry, myself and my Mum do not travel too well. I am absolutely fine if I am driving but a good passenger I am not! So, I've stocked up on some travel pills and plan to pass them around before bed Wednesday night, then again before we leave Thursday morning, Hopefully they will make our journey more pleasurable.

I had to laugh at the name of the pills, I feel I should be wearing a hoodie and travelling at 60mph through a shop window, in a stolen car, while taking them!

ACRE ROAD, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

2007-04-30T22:21:00.000Z

Pigment liner and Derwent watercolour pencils #36 & #67 in large sketchbook moleskin

A drive into town this afternoon, to collect some last minute purchases for my Paris trip, left me with 40 minutes before the school run. Just enough time to grab a latte, cheese sandwich and a quick sketch outside my favourite cafe 'Panini's'.

Sun blazing down onto the aluminium table, latte close by, I began to scout my location and my eye fell upon Acre Road. This narrow opening between the high street shops leads the way to the library, Acre pub and the car parks, the sun cast huge shadows between the buildings and the distant hint of foliage made for an interesting composition.

I used two watercolour pencils to emphasise the tonal values in my pen sketch, while trying to consume my delicious sandwich before the sun turned it into toast!

MY GARDEN

2007-04-29T22:44:00.000Z

Pigment liner & watercolour: A6 Venezia sketchbook

Just outside and to the left of my bedroom window sit my summerhouses, raised on a decked platform, surrounded by lavender, shrubs and wild flowers.

The railway sleepers add a rustic edge to the surrounding, contemporary gravel and the remnants of forgotten buildings lie to the right of the summerhouse, providing the perfect crutch for rockery plants...their whispers echoing through the hollow depths.

The step up onto the deck leads the way to my studio with a view out to the small pond and rear flower beds. Periwinkle weaves it's way through the darkness beneath the decking, popping up randomly as if to take a deep breath. Jasmine hugs at the lavender and winds it's clutches around the magnolia like an infant dependant on it's Mother, yearning to be held...to be loved.

Anita Davies : Location 2007

Location 2008

TESCO CAFE, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

WISBECH, Cambridgeshire. UK

TESCO CAFE, March,Cambridgeshire. UK

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, Manea, Cambridgeshire.

17th Worldwide Sketchcrawl

GRAFTON CENTRE, Cambridge. UK

MARCH POLICE STATION, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

HINCHINGBROOKE HOSPITAL

SPIKE & VIOLET, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

DODDINGTON HOSPITAL, Doddington, Cambridgeshire. UK

TESCO, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

HINCHINGBROOKE HEALTH CENTRE, Huntingdon.

CHURCH STREET CLINIC, Somersham. UK

GRAFTON CENTRE, Cambridge. UK

WHITTLESEY, Cambridgeshire. UK

TESCO CAFE, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

TESCO CAFE, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

WHITTLESEY, Cambridgeshire. UK

FLOODS FERRY, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

LILYHOLT ROAD

MY DOORSTEP

TESCO CAFE, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

DODDINGTON BUS STOP

DODDINGTON VILLAGE

Awards

THE FITZWILLIAM MUSEUM, Cambridge. UK

DODDINGTON HIGH STREET

DODDINGTON CRICKET CLUB

THE FIVE ALLS, Benwick, Cambridgeshire. UK

Location Journal Kit

THE BUTTERFLY PARK, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire. UK

HAMERTON ZOO, Hamerton, Cambridgeshire. UK

PRIORY GOLF CENTRE, Wimblington, Cambridgeshire.

WASHBROOK FARM, Doddington, Cambridgeshire. UK

COLTISHALL, Norwich. UK - Norfolk Broads

GONE SKETCHCRAWLING

ST MATTHEWS CHURCH, Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire. UK

OLD HUNSTANTON BEACH

MEPAL OUTDOOR CENTRE, Cambridgeshire. UK

BENWICK PLAYPARK

ELY, Cambridgeshire. UK

CLEY BEACH, Norfolk Coast.

DINOSAUR ADVENTURE, Norfolk.

DENNY ABBEY AND FARMLAND MUSEUM, Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire. UK

RIVER NENE, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

GEORGE CAMPBELL LEISURE CENTRE, March, Cambridgeshire.

RIVER NENE, Benwick, Cambridgeshire. UK

MY YARD

HOLBEACH, Lincolnshire. UK

MY DROVE

*NEW* - NitsasNoodles

MY GARDEN

CUTTING EDGE, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

WHITTLESEY BUTTERCROSS, Cambridgeshire. UK

MY GARDEN

DODDINGTON CARNIVAL DAY

WISBECH, Cambridgeshire. UK

ST ANDREWS HALL, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire.

BYGONES CAFE, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. UK

CHATTERIS SURGERY, Cambridgeshire. UK

DJ GARDEN CENTRE, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire.

DODDINGTON VILLAGE, Cambridgeshire. UK

CLARICE HOUSE, Suffolk, UK

SPIKE AND VIOLET, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

FOOTSTEPS, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. UK

MY GARDEN

MY GARDEN

MY GARDEN

OLD BAKERY CAFE, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. UK

CROSS KEYS INN, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. UK

DODDINGTON COUNTRY SHOW 2007

THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE ART FAIR 2007

CROSS KEYS INN, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. UK

BELTON HOUSE, Lincolnshire. UK

MY GARDEN

MEPAL OUTDOOR CENTRE, Cambridgeshire. UK

DODDINGTON CHURCH, Cambridgeshire. UK

MY GARDEN

NEW - NitsasNoodles