Spring Painting Projects

Leo Tolstoy writes in Anna Karenina ‘Spring is the time of plans and projects’. This spring has certainly brought me a wave of inspiration and creativity, and I am pleased to be able to share the fruits of my labour with you.

The early April sunshine has encouraged the buds and flowers on the trees and plants to burst into bright green new leaves. A bloom of cloudy blossoms brightens every hedgerow and garden. The birds have become more vocal, waking us at around 5am, even before the sun has quite put in an appearance!

The light in my studio changes year round and there is movement in the spring light, with branches bouncing in the breeze and the creatures of the garden emerging from their winter hide-outs.

Butterfly Pendants & Brooches

We are fortunate to live in leafy Devon, with fields surrounding our little hamlet and we enjoy a variety of garden visitors. I love to watch the butterflies flitting past and busily getting on with their bustling activities. They have inspired me to go miniature with my newest paintings, creating ‘Victoriana’ style pendants and brooches, painted with these colourful creatures.

The butterflies I have painted are all native to the UK and can be found in my garden at various times when the plants are in flower. Have a look at Countryfile’s Butterfly ID Guide for more information about the butterflies you might spot in the countryside.

These pieces have proved popular and I have really enjoyed creating them. Each piece is completely unique, set in vintage pendants or brooches which I usually find in online auctions. I am very much looking forward to taking some of my new work to Toby’s Garden Festival at Powderham Castle this weekend – I hope I may see some of you there!

I list non-commissioned pieces in my Easy store – there is a link on my Buy page. If you have an idea in mind, please do contact me as I may be able to design a bespoke piece for you.