GRAFTON CENTRE, Cambridge. UK

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

TESCO, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

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

CHURCH STREET CLINIC, Somersham. UK

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.

TESCO CAFE, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

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

TESCO CAFE, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

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.

DODDINGTON CRICKET CLUB

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!

DODDINGTON CARNIVAL DAY

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!!!

BYGONES CAFE, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. UK

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.

DODDINGTON COUNTRY SHOW 2007

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.