Milton Avery @ RA

 Blue Trees, 1945

Oxcart on the Gaspé, 1939

Gaspé Village, 1939

Self-portrait with Palette, 1958

I loved the Milton Avery show at the Royal Academy in London. A concise exhibition, beautifully curated - the wall colours really helped bring life Avery's paintings to life. The fact that he was completely self taught and found painting relatively late in life is so inspiring... And I always love a good cow painting, of which there were many!

California

Memories from a Californian road trip earlier this year. Big Sur, Palm Springs, LA... A feast for the eyes, mind and belly!

Punk

Dorrit as a punk... Loved styling this one. Got really in to the customising too!

Carpet Interiors

Thinking about how to make this possible in my Ford Focus...

Wild Swim

A break from the London heatwave last week for an afternoon spent amongst the cow parsley, and wild swimming in Essex.

Jurassic

A shoot on the Jurassic Coast this week - an amazing location, and a swim in the sea at the end of the working day... Could get used to that!

BTS/Coming soon...

Some post swim sustenance before driving home

Market Day

A morning sourcing fabric in Shepherd's Bush Market, to replace some cushion covers that are looking a bit weary. Didn't go for these beautiful brocades - but the shimmering florals clearly made their mark, as I bought this vintage dress (£4!) from Roman Road Market on my way home.

 

Tulip Season

Outdoor Life

 A week in Cornwall catching up with family, and making the most of living outdoors! No one knows how to make the most of things quite like my Mum... 

John Craske's Embroidery

Born in 1881, John Craske was a third generation fisherman and had his own fish shop by the time he was called up to fight in the First World War. Not long after being posted overseas, Craske was discharged from the army having suffered a mental breakdown. In the following years, he found solace in painting and embroidery.

 

Sadly, Craske's health deteriorated further and life became more difficult for him and his wife, Alice. Now confined mostly to his bed, Craske worked from his own vocabulary of stitches and the embroideries were of the coast he had loved his life long.

Master Bedroom

Interiors inspiration: the master bedroom at Palacio de Santa Coloma in Seville, via World of Interiors magazine. Travelling by proxy... I searched very hard for this image online - with no avail. Proof that sometimes print publications are best!

Patchwork

About a year in the making... I've finished my patchwork quilt! I am hugely proud and have been sending pictures to everyone I can think of. I have collected fabric samples and scraps and also embroidered parts...

BTS