Apparently I have to add to my first post to open my blog properly, so that is what I am doing here. Anyway, to get the ball rolling, I can report that I have managed to produce three paintings so far this year, none of which I think are suitable to post on the gallery. One was a pen and wash done with a matchstick, which was ok, but tended to look like I had had an accident with some soot as the lines were very heavy and black. The next painting was my attempt at a rather boring scene of a lighthouse and a couple of huts in the middle of a desolate marsh. I tried to liven the painting up with a moody and interesting sky but as I am not know for my skill with skies, it didn't really cut the mustard when it was finished. Neither of these two would have helped to maintain the high standard of work on the gallery if I had posted them, so they have been relegated to the 'failed' drawer of my desk (one stage up from the bin). The third painting was a portrait for a friend and was personal so I wouldn't presume to post it. I am working on a boat painting at the moment as I always seem to return to boats when I am struggling. The first bit has gone ok but I still have lots of time to make a pig's ear of it. I am trying to make the colours on the hulls interesting and varied but the danger is that there will be too much colour interest and the two boats in the composition will end up fighting with each other. Lots of decisions still to be made. Who said painting was relaxing!