During these past months I, like a lot of people have spent more time in my local area, walking and cycling. Not only have I undertaken lots of walks through beautiful countryside, I have also found lots of interesting places to paint just on my doorstep, places that I would previously have overlooked in favour of trips further afield on a bus. For example, in the park next to my house I painted a bridge that I pass almost every day and I plan to paint it again from a different angle. I also enjoy painting on my allotment. The different shapes and colours of old sheds, greenhouses, canes, netting etc can produce interesting compositions. I have sketched chickens and waterfowl from life for over twenty years and have used these to create many paintings that have sold over the years. I also have some of the designs printed onto greetings cards. I was delighted when I recently won the April calendar competition with a small sketch of three hens that I sketched on a hot summer day. They were on my neighbour's allotment and I loved the dappled light on the bird's plumage and the vegetation.