This is a view towards Westward Ho! from above Appledore.
I was lucky to visit the area for the first time in June this year.

Westward Ho! from Appledore

In an ideal lifetime every year should be memorable.
For me this was the year I went properly professional as an artist/tutor, and therefore it probably will be.

It is only over the last few years I’ve discovered that this way of life is one that I think can provide me with the necessary motivation and a sustaining sense of purpose.  And perhaps even income.  There are plenty of things in life to cause us anxiety, but as in life in painting we have to ‘enjoy the process’ one step at a time.  I try to view everything I paint as ‘just practise’, and an agreeable way of passing the time whilst feeling that I am engaging with the world, creating something, and learning – slowly.  It is easier said than done, but to me the psychological battles are a big part of being a painter.

Maybe it would be good if we could view the middle of the painting process as the most important part, rather than the end, or the beginning with its associated fear.  
Perhaps I should try leaving a painting in the middle each time, so I’m finishing and then starting again each time I paint, rather than starting at the beginning and finishing at the ‘end’.  Theories to the approach or philosophy of the painting process such as this are very important for me, if not to others.  I know that they are at least as relevant to ‘success’ and enjoyment of painting as having a technical grasp of the medium.  So, I’ll make a note of that and try to put it into practice.

I’m just going to post some photos here which are relevant to my 2016.  Some probably more self-explanatory than others, and please forgive me any indulgence but I think I’ll let them tell the tale without any words.  There were plenty of plein air day trips – the biggest privilege of this lifestyle for me – where the paintings themselves did not come off, and won’t be seen again.  But I have memories of being out in the landscape, feeling inspired and accompanied by nature, whilst enjoying my artistic challenges – on the whole!

I want to say thank you to all the art groups who kindly invited me to visit them this year, and my ‘students’ (as if I really know anything) who it has been a pleasure to meet and share painting with.  Thanks to the ‘Exiles’, my plein air painting friends for having me with you and providing opportunities to paint that I wouldn’t have otherwise.  And thank you again to everyone who has bought a painting off me too (I know your names!).  
Happy Christmas and all the best for the new year.

(Click to enlarge an image and page back to return here)

My long-suffering angel. Father Ted style.