This must be the longest time I have ever spent on a painting.

Started about 19 years ago, I put it to one side waiting for inspiration on how to proceed and it just got covered up in a rather dusty corner as life happened all around me.

When my studio needed repainting in the summer I found it again. It is finished now, awaiting a final varnish before it appears in the Cambridge Drawing Society exhibition from 9 - 16 April.

This year I am joining two other local artists and showing my work at the Old Dovecote, Church Street, Chesterton. Cambridge CB4 1XQ.

It is a fantastic venue in the studio of Diana Kazemi just down the road from St Andrews Church. Diana makes elegant, functional pots from porcelain and stoneware clay, decorated with rich glazes. She also makes miniature clay mice which are ideal for stocking fillers.

Tess Ainley is also exhibiting at the same place. Tess is a mixed media artist making quirky collages which include life drawing and stitching on handmade papers. She also makes wearable art and will be selling her beautiful handmade stitched cards.

I have several new prints for sale including my very popular tree of Cambridge which is my own personal view of the wonderful city where i live. Besides my paintings and prints I shall be showing some of my original silk cards, hand made, hand painted baubles and a few 3D sheep.

So if you are looking for an original Christmas present do come and visit. Mulled wine and mince pies available.

The Autumn Drawing Society Exhibition is open during half term.

I have 3 paintings on show here including two of my small detailed paintings which are part of my Silvanite Tree series. These two have silver leaf and copper leaf to accentuate the trunks.

Cards are also available.

This is a great show of a high standard.

Saturday 17 October 10am to 12pm

Join our Saturday session on Mixed Media learning some new techniques with acrylics, collaging and using bought and ready made stamps.

A small group of 6 people taught by painter Maureen Mace and illustrator Evi Gstottner in Maureens studio in Cambridge. Lots of personal attention and help in this fun and creative course.

At the end of the session you will have created a unique piece of art on canvas ready to hang on your wall. 4 hours of fun for £50 which includes ALL the materials.

Book now to reserve your place. Telephone 01223 500909

Improve your drawing and painting skills, plus an introduction to all kinds of media including silk painting, mono-printing and 3D alongside some art appreciation.

The classes take part in my studio. Group classes take place on Wednesday morning, Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. They are for a ten week term.

I also offer Private Tuition and Art Vouchers which can be used as a gift for a birthday or as a taster session. For more details visit the website below.

Many thanks to everyone who came to the pop up shop at St Andrews Baptist Church. Great venue and lots of fun.

Following a very successful exhibition at Addenbrookes a few years ago, I am very excited to have been asked by Cambridge Drawing Society to include one of my paintings in their exhibition in the long corridor at the hospital near the Treatment Centre.

Two years ago I took my art students to see the John Craxton exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum and I set a project based on his work. The results were quite stunning and you can see them on my Cambridge Art Classes website. As I paint alongside the students I started this image during the lessons and completed it in oil some time later.

The pictures here show the original Caxton version which is full of rather dark dreams and mine which is about the delightful fresh light of dawn when the day begins.

There is lots to do with Cambridge Open Studios looming.

Shown here is one of my new, as yet unfinished, paintings that will be part of the Silvanite Trees series.

These oil paintings are made of lots of layers and take a time to paint as each layer has to dry before I can add the next. I love doing the detail using my tiny brushes. Yet to be added is another layer of gold branches, more leaves and some pink flowers will cover the tree.

I shall give it a temporary varnish before framing the painting for July.

The Tree of Cambridge

is a one-sided vision of the Cambridge I live in.

It all started with a list of people, ideas and objects and has led to my own personal view of Cambridge. Nobody yet has recognised them all.

Most people will recognize Kings College Chapel and evolution and could say why they are there, more difficult is the swan and the plate of cakes. And they all inhabit a gloriously old tree with a copper leaf bark. Have a close look and see what you can find.

Dawn Chorus

is a much smaller painting where a flock of white birds are waking to a still bright moon.

Tucked away in the beautiful town of Ely is a tea-room.

The Samovar Tea House and Gallery is a joy to visit. Marta, the owner, certainly knows her teas and how to present them. They arrive in a glass teapot so you can see the leaves turning the water brown. Alongside is a jug of water kept hot by a candle.

To go with the tea, there are also coffees, are a delicious array of home made cakes, panninis, sandwiches and salads.

The atmosphere is great with lots to look at on the shelves including Russian dolls and a huge collection of teapots.

Exhibited there at the moment are 17 of my paintings and prints. So do go along and sit at the table made from an old door complete with keyhole and enjoy the atmosphere.