Here’s a sneak peek at some details of  the new Shelf Portrait painting that I finished this week:
‘Beside The Seaside’

I especially enjoyed painting the shells and pebbles, as well as the detail of Hokusai’s ‘

The Great Wave off Kanagawa‘, possibly the world most famous woodblock print, on the cover of Iris Murdoch’s ‘

The Sea, The Sea

Once it’s dried and varnished it will be off down to London for the 

 on Hampstead Heath in May.
I’ll be going down with it, and I’m looking forward to venturing into the Hamptead ponds for a swim 🙂

Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside!
I do like to be beside the sea!
Oh I do like to stroll along the Prom, Prom, Prom!
Where the brass bands play, “Tiddely-om-pom-pom!”

I’m not sure there’s much of a chance of catching a brass band on the prom these days, but I don’t think that would stop me from heading to the seaside if I had half a chance!

Easter holidays is the classic time to head for the coast, I wonder where you might all be off to? I’m hoping for a day trip to Formby beach – a beautiful spot with pine forest, sand dunes, miles of sandy beach and even the chance of spotting a red squirrel 🙂

Above is a sketch I did there last Easter – I can’t believe it was so sunny!!