Things may be looking a little sparse in my garden right now, and they are certainly rain-battered, but against the odds, the first signs of life are stirring. I’ve placed a garden table by the kitchen doors. It’s a favourite old French metal one, on which I group together my smaller pots of bulbs. Admittedly, you have to look hard to see much activity at the moment, but I can watch the hopeful progress of the iris reticulata, crocus and narcissi.
Things are a little more colourful inside the house. I’ve started painting again, using sketches from my summer holiday to France, where I visited a wonderful fruit and vegetable market.
As I sold a jug painting just before Christmas, I’ve decided to paint another one. This is also a potential design for a new tea towel. I’ve signed up to take part in Peterborough Artists Open Studios for summer 2024, so I need to plan my paintings and some fresh merchandise. I know that times are hard for lots of people, and not everyone wants to buy paintings, so I am aiming to have some less expensive items for sale. So far, I’m looking at tea towels, coasters and cards.
And in other news, I’ve started 2024 as I mean to go on, with lots of running! I’m not a natural, but I do love taking part in parkrun, and I enjoy the endorphin rush afterwards.
Happy New Year – thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I shall be updating periodically through the year. Please do get in touch if you’re interested in the paintings, or my journalism. My direct email is fionacumberpatch0@gmail.com