A Small Start Back Into Painting

A few months ago we had to clean out my mother's house and in the process came across this old watercolour painting I did when I was 16. These were flowers in our garden and although the composition is not great I am still happy with the way the lavender looks. I used to concentrate on botanical paintings back then as this was the main subject about me. Flowers are so beautiful anyway that they make wonderful pictures plus they're patient sitters!

I haven't had much time to paint this week as I have been enjoying spending time with my cousin Gwendolyn who is over here from Melbourne for three weeks. She is staying with her mother in Waipukurau and has been walking up to town, even going into Electra Gallery to see my work in there. She particularly liked my little tiger head painting so for the past couple of days I have been working on a pendant with the same picture on it for her. I desperately needed to get it in the mail this afternoon in order that it reach my aunt's on Saturday as Gwen is leaving Hawkes Bay on Sunday. I had it all wrapped up and rushed out to the mailbox at 2.10pm only to find that the rural contractor had come over an hour early. I sat on the road wondering what on earth to do when I heard a car speeding back towards me and sure enough there was the mailman who was bemused to confront a mad person waving mail at him. Sweetly he stopped the car and laughed "A bit early for you was I?" and took the parcel. What a piece of luck.

I have also realised with horror that I only have 21 days to complete six paintings- three of them large. I feel tired thinking of it. Another resolution to become really disciplined and set proper working hours......