The garden is for me a great source of joy, especially in these strange times of lock down and the Corona virus. During these times we have all had the time to sit and reflect - think back whilst also looking forward with hope and even a desire for change. I found myself thinking back to my childhood when I would visit my grandfather and we would sit in the garden or in his old rickety green house looking at the cucumbers and tomato plants. Sometimes we even visited his allotment where you could see make-shift potting sheds and rows of lovely vegetables. Those seemed like such happy, safe and comforting times that were care free  and they were really.
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So whilst sitting here in my studio working on artworks or preparing online classes for my students at school or the adults I teach, I thought it would be nice to remember these times. I have made this picture using the words from the poem by John Clare called 'The Red Robin'. You can see old gardening boots a greenhouse and a man faithfully digging away in early spring. 

​These memories are a great comfort and remind us that normal times are just around the corner. I will be adding this picture to my calendar for 2021 and they will also be available as cards and prints too.

The video above shows some of the stages I went through making the portrait. The most challenging aspects where painting her hair. Creating blends using collage takes more time because you need to print, cut and glue a greater range of toned paper. The result however was well worth all the effort! Jeremy showed his wife Sue the video and he told me she cried - in a good way! For me this is one of the most satisfying parts of marking work like this!
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I am looking forward to painting more like this one in the future!