A cold windy day at Broadstone Christmas market today for our pop up art gallery. I managed a quick sketch before my hands seized up. Hopefully we (Broadstone Art Society) raised some useful funds for our chosen charity Mosaic which helps bereaved children.

This is the painting that wasn’t accepted for the Wild exhibition at the Gallery Upstairs, not sure why the curator didn’t like it but I will save it for our exhibition in February.

I am pleased to say that my painting “Dolphins off Old Harry rocks” has been selected for the exhibition “Wild” at the Gallery Upstairs in Poole starting on Friday. I entered two paintings convinced that the other one would be accepted!.

I completed another painting of Corfe Castle station because I have sold the two I did back in the summer. I have also ordered some cards with this picture following lots of requests for them during both recent exhibitions.

Met with Bournemouth and Poole urban sketchers on Poole Quay this morning. It was cold but bearable in the sunshine. These two bikers attracted my attention although one of them rode away before I finished! Do you like the new group stamp? First time it has been used, thanks to Doreen for designing and getting it made.

We had a life model at the art society last night. I prefer drawing female models but Robin had a great range of poses and props so it was an enjoyable session.

Our session at Broadstone art this morning was all about Not Painting! Using unconventional methods of applying paint, ink and pencil to create different marks. Our tutor Margarete showed us some of the techniques she uses before we all had a play. I find totally abstract work difficult so I decided to draw ovals with my left hand and try to discover heads in them. I really enjoyed the process and am quite happy with the results.

We went on a trip with the art society to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in London yesterday. Travelling by coach from Poole we were joined by two pretty young ladies,Amy, the granddaughter of Carole who organised the trip and her friend Alice. They allowed me to do a quick portrait of them on the way up, I was quite pleased with it despite the odd extra line as the coach moved. The exhibition was fascinating, quite a few of the pictures made me wonder how they were chosen and some of the prices were staggering but overall it was a really good day and very inspirational. Thank you Carole for organising the trip.

There was a huge turnout at Poole Park Run this morning, a lot more than I managed to fit into my sketch. Lots of dogs, buggies, children and runners of all shapes and abilities. It’s a great event, I would join in but I’m too busy painting!