The copse on the hill.
High Trees
An ancient site.
Clouds scud – fly by
A Storm will blow,
And rouse the world.
Sleepy valleys,
Shaded by darkening clouds, ~
Let it rain, wind blow
Bring relief
From drought.
CMB© 2026
The copse on the hill
Category: Sketching
Pouring
Acrylic on canvas, abstract poured blue paint, I filled, then used a toothbrush to add wispy texture. As a matter of interest in this orientation I think it looks like a lions head?
Kaleidoscopic
Another experimental piece. There were 6 bottles of new iridescent acrylic paint at art group. Each bottle had a little cap inside the lid to stop the paint leaking out. They all had paint adhering under the caps so I used them to create dots of colour. The central yellow circle was created first using all the paint under the cap swirled round in the surface of the canvas. Each other dot only used the paint under the caps and making an uneven surface. The extra patterns were brushed on afterwards.
I see a central sun serrounded by a white path, that in turn is circled by trees then flowers. Or a kaleidoscope.
Orange cat
Playing with line, used a toothbrush for the black outlines. Acrylic on canvas. Done at art group today. I gave it to a friend as it reminded her of her cat Marmalade. X
Paint box
Over the years, when I had money, I would treat you to paint and brushes and canvases. The joy of buying a new colour or a metallic tint.
Now I’m retired I still have enough to keep going. I just hope I can maintain my manual dexterity. Parkinsons is a beast.
Choir sketch
I was at the village hall finding out about what groups were doing there (woodcarving, yoga, slimming world, writers group, theatre, and more) when a flash mob of choir members came in singing the Spice girls song “if you want to be my lover” in a really choral way. All their voices were beautifully integrated. They were called ” In Harmony” and really were.
As they sang I sketched them, I did a biro drawing in my notebook. I could only draw their backs because of where I was sitting. I showed them the drawing and they were very pleased. I’m so glad I have this talent.
Painting waves.
Close up of a rough sea I’m painting for a friend. The only time my Parkinsons shake reduces is when I concentrate on painting. It’s not as neat as I would like it to be but I get into “flow” and my movements mysteriously improve. I really should learn more about it but most of the time I’m exhausted.
Painting like this is a way of relearning old skills that I thought I’d forgotten. Onwards and upwards….
Penkhull Church built in 1842
St Thomas church in Penkhull was built in 1842. I painted this banner in about 2017 or 18 I think. Only 175 years later.
Things have changed for women over that time. We got the vote. There is is now a woman Archbishop of Canterbury. We have more control over our bodies our health our education. We have even been around the far side of the moon! And we have had female prime ministers and Presidents. Some countries are trying to remove our rights. We will not give them up without a fight!
Collage
I just found out it has a collaging section where I can upload multiple images then add details like text on the top. This is part way through the process but I’m not sure what else I want to do with it. My cat picture looks like a set of stamps….
Cat cards
Drawing a few cards for an art group I go to’s summer fair. I decided to use cats with patterns as a design. There is a cat in a hat, a sleepy sort of leopard style one and a couple sitting together.
I did quite a few last week of just cat heads and shoulders. It’s nice to just do a bit of relaxing illustration. The pens are a bit dried out so I’ve had to be selective with the colours. X
Mallaband-Brown 