Serene tree


Recently I decided to do a series of very quick sketches inspired by my local walks with the dogs. Next I thought about translating a serene feeling I always have when walking at that location, the trees dangling branches in the stream and the winter light. The result was my oil painting above, painted in 3 hours. I hope you enjoy looking at it and the sketches.

Enjoy your day.

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Winter finds


Winter lakeside:

Grey pools binding

With silver speckled rinds;

Threads and reeds surfing

Across leafy waves,

Warmed by gentle waves.

Winter is hanging on, but I like its inky beauty and sparkling surprises.

Winter walks


January’s lamp black trees

Dripping tears.

Weeping tangled larches

Tickling lichen bark;

Crows huddled in puddles,

Riddles in ink blotted dark skies.

Welly prints in sticky mud;

Children dropping crumbs

From winter tarts.





Happy New Year! Stride out on winter walks, feeling crisp air brushing your cheeks. Stop and listen to the birds. Watch the wintery dark tree branches dancing in bracing wind. Welcome January! 

Christmas cheer


The post box bulges

Once a year, full

Of wishes and Christmas

Cheer. Small and perfect;

Large with glittered stickers,

The post is ready to go.

Vague addresses like

Cottage by the loch, loch sheil:

Once a year the postie will

be determined to deliver

Christmas cheer; driving on

Bumpy tracks through snowy

Woodlands where curious deer

Leap and peer at the postie

Driving oer misty mountains,

Watching swans skating.

Deep in the forest, animals,

Fae and elves meet by the light

Of the wintery moon.

Wishing you all a happy Christmas and a healthy, lucky New Year! 

Thank you to all my readers and followers without you this blog wouldn’t be here. Christmas cheer. Hugs and warm wishes! 

Stag in a magical woodland


I have been walking alot through woodlands lately, enjoying the amazing light filtering through the trees and the warm copper hues of the fallen leaves. A couple of times I have spotted deer running startled by the dogs. I love them, they are magical creatures and have inspired me to draw and paint this scene of the stag in a magical woodland. I hope you enjoy it. Have a great weekend. 🙂

Autumnal treat


Autumn’s door closes as

Winter’s door opens to

A welcoming hearth of

Glowing embers: friends remembered.

Bessoms sweeping crispy leaves,

Birds feeding on filigree seeds.

Sipping warm mead, reading

Gilded tomes about far away homes,

goblins,  gnomes, fairies and

Treasure troves.

Rambling in the Fairy wood


In the Fairy Wood a cool wind sings

Songs of summer past: Larks and cherry blossoms

Rambling roses for fairy posies.

Speckled yellow, ruby and rust leaves swirl,

Crunching under toes.

Dappled light, warm and bright Iilluminates

 faces of forest mythological creatures,

A shadow show emerging; tree nymphs, Boris the troll

And frolocking fairies.

Brooding skies like galloping waves, 

Tallow mallow ggiant’s fists!

Twisters suck up golden mists.

Garden of dreams


Autumnal leaves tumbling wishes in threes;

 Zinnias zooming high, catching sunbeams;

Glowing mountain ash berries: a magical tea;

Rest in the healing garden of dreams.

Restorative walk



I always find walking along the North Norfolk coastal path calming restorative. The endless skies of clouds whch make dreamy characters from children’s picture books and the gentle salty air filled with samphire and sea lavender. The colour palette and interesting wild textures inspire me to write and paint.

Here are two textured painted sketches of the atmosphere evocative of Stiffkey salt marshes. I hope you enjoy t

Dreamy Meadow



​Lazily, toe by toe,

Treading on wispy grasses;

Soft silk bed of fresh miniature flora.

Soaring high –

 Skylarks, their

Singing lingers like lover’s whispers

Before vanishing through dreamy vapours.

Cow parsley’s filigree fountains

Shower the wake of Ox Eye daisies.

Hazy white petals slightly dazed, 

Enjoy sherbet scented kissing wind.