This last spring I got particularly interested in painting birds and used both my favourite mediums: pastel and oil.

During the late spring, summer and early autumn months I did very little painting as the garden took over all my time and creative abilities, and when I did try to paint nothing seemed to go well. I now have a stack of rubbish paintings that I may, one day, go back to, or I may paint over.

Recently I have returned to painting with more vigor, enthusiasm and the palette knife. I have really enjoyed using the palette knife, and have tried it out on landscape, florals and even birds.

Using the palette knife has helped me to loosen up and try new ways of painting. Most recently I have been working on Autumn leaves, using a rag to spread the paint and a brush to spatter the paint.

I have been having a lot of fun and also selling quite a few paintings as Christmas approaches.