For one of my Zoom art sessions with my students I set the theme of 'Kitchen'. I always give out the theme 2 days before the session so they have time to consider what medium to use and what to paint or draw. 30 minutes before the session started my fruit and veg box was delivered by Cambridge Fruit Co.

I love these people. When the lockdown started, owner Neil was worried his business would go bust as he delivered fruit to corporates in Cambridge, mainly at the Science Park. He went on Twitter for help before he made his staff redundant. Within a few hours someone suggested he delivered fruit and veg to peoples' homes. Neil asked his followers if anyone would buy and how much they spent on fruit and veg a week and a short time later someone had made a quick website for him. I saw all this happening on Twitter and ordered a 'couples' box which was delivered next day. WOW!!!! That's a man that can make things happen.

Since then I have ordered a 'family' box every week because we make all our food from scratch as my husband is a coeliac and dairy intolerant - yes I know!

But I have diverted...

I was going to do a sketch of the whole of my kitchen for my lesson but the box was too good not to draw.

After I had finished my drawing I posted it on Twitter attaching Neil's twitter name and it was met with a lot of enthusiasm. Shortly afterwards I heard from a lady involved with the Red Hen Project which is a company trying to feed the disadvantaged in the local area during the lockdown and doing all sorts of good work during normal times. Neil has set up a way for people to donate a fruit and veg box to Red Hen as well as Addenbrookes and Papworth Hospitals. The lady, Sarah, ordered two prints including one for Neil. I rang my printer and we worked out a way to get my drawing to him and for me to receive the prints with all the required social distancing. I love how unexpected things just happen.

Here are links to Neil's 'Cambridge Fruit Company', the 'Red Hen Project' and my wonderful printers 'Little Pink Cloud'. Please look them up and support them.

https://www.cambridgefruitcompany.com/

https://www.redhenproject.org/

https://littlepinkcloud.com/

Galleries have to be pretty inventive to get the works of their artists out there during the coronavirus pandemic. Byard Art usually has a stream of potential customers passing by as it is situated on one the most famous streets in Cambridge, King's Parade. However with most people now at home they had to find another way.

They have produced an online catalogue with pages that turn at the press of a button. There is a little bit about the artists and a selection of their work. The 20 x 20 exhibition starts today. I love the thoughts behind the title. 20 x 20 refers to the size of all the paintings in inches, 50 x 50cms, reflecting the year. I was delighted to be invited to take part. I have never painted square pictures, I have also never had to paint so quickly as I am a slow kind of painter because the ideas take time to settle. Imagination. Fortunately I am fairly happy with my new Golden Open acrylics although they are a little bit too transparent for my work but a couple of layers usually does it and they dry slower than other makes.

There are 12 artists exhibiting, 3 from Cambridge and all part of their regular team. I am thrilled to be in this company.

Here is a link to the catalogue, artists are in alphabetical order.

https://issuu.com/byardart/docs/20_x_20_catalogue

As usual Byard Art has an array of 3D work, some really exciting pieces not seen anywhere else. These can be seen on their website or in their gallery window.