It's been a very busy period since my last blog post, so where do I start??  I guess I'll just start writing and see what comes out.....

Ok, so I'm currently engaged as the Artist in Residence at Sherfield School, a private independent school nr Basingstoke where I spend 50% of my time teaching my own art curriculum, a further 25% of my time organising professional exhibitions for the schools dedicated gallery space and the remaining 25% should be to paint and develop my own work.  This all sounds fantastic, and it is except one thing......the paperwork that teachers have to do!!  Having said that, the school is amazing and the students ability and enthusiasm is matched only by that of the staff.  There is some exciting news coming regarding my involvement in establishing an area of interest for the school, so watch this space!!

I have also been trying my hand at sculpture, working on a figure and now three busts, which has been so interesting and tactile and I have to say very addictive!! I will be continuing with this and developing my work to include terracotta, resin, wax and ultimately bronzes. Subject matter will be busts (faces), figurative work and animals initially and yep even some abstract pieces!!!  So keep checking my website:)

Recently I was fortunate to be invited back as a 'visiting artist' to Sarum Studio - Atelier of Fine Art where I completed my learning with the artist Nicholas Beer.  Its a real privilege working alongside Nick, taking some critiques and continuing the journey of improving my art.......oh and yep, I've been invited back again for w/c 10/08/15.  I love working from life and having someone sit, with the complications and artistic difficulties it brings, it really is the most enjoyable way to work.

I have a number of projects on the go at the moment, working on a series of portraits which I intend to be quite provocative, so again keep checking my website.

I also have a large single figure painting that I hope to start soon which I intend to use to submit to the RSPP or the BP Portrait Award in 2016.  This year I was really happy to get through to the 2nd stage of the BP and in to the top 400 paintings submitted from 2700, though I didn't make the final 55 paintings selected for exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.  Still it was fantastic to have my painting selected from the majority submitted:)

And finally on to the big event that happened this past week.  It was a real honour to be invited to paint a portrait of Capt John Aiden Liddell, a WW1 pilot that gave his life for his country and in doing so was awarded the Victoria Cross.  At only 24 he had flown a reconnaissance mission across enemy lines and came under fire, sustaining a wound to his leg which shattered his bone.  Despite this and the fact that his plane was severely damaged including its undercarriage, he managed to fly the aircraft back and land it, saving his navigator and completing the mission.  The information he recorded may have saved many more lives.

His connection to Sherfield School was quite simply that it was his family home before becoming a military hospital.

Following a commemoration service held in the village, which included members of the armed forces, a piper and dignitaries, there was a further ceremony held at the school.  The dignitaries invited included Brigadier Bruce Russell MBE, the Mayoress the MP for North East Hampshire and the Lord Lieutenant  of Hampshire and it was given to the Brigadier to unveil my portrait (see photos).

It was a humbling experience and my portrait will now be on display permanently at Sherfield School in the Liddell Room.

So a busy period.........what will the next six months bring????