Nothing really mysterious about the burgers. Beef mince, finely chopped onions, garlic, one or two chillis (depending on taste), chopped coriander (again to taste - I like loads!), two eggs to bind. Dive in there with your hands and mix it. Dole it out in portions and press into burgers. I've found that it helps to part freeze them before putting them on the BBQ. They seem to hold better. Going to try some with Reggae Reggae sauce and chilli sauce as the binder. Teeth melting stuff and all mine because no-one else would touch them! We get some really challenging chilli sauce from a local indian deli. Great with food, but don't lick the spoon - you won't be able to talk for an hour! I'm off up to the studio. I'm going to produce some quick cheap chalk drawings for sale at my next outing. I'll exhibit those alongside my regular stuff - see if I can produce some interest. Have a good bank holiday. The weather here in Brid is absolutely glorious. Trouble is it brings the grockles out. Swings and roundabouts.

No Patsy - no exhibitions this week. I've got two in for submission to one that starts next month and runs until September. I am panicking a bit. I've got a 8'x6' exhibition area to fill in July, one more at the end of July and one at the end of August, plus the gallery wants more off me. I can only just meet my commitments with the stuff that I've got. If I sell any I'm stuffed! I've had an email from a professional male life model. He's seen my website and wants to travel over from Manchester (about 4hrs) and model for me for free! What a compliment! Chill out weekend this weekend. Got the bedding plants in and made up some pots. We're banking on a good summer. First BBQ of the year tonight. I made some Chilli, Onion and coriander beef burgers and a spicy potato salad with roast veggies. Nice! (I'm still waiting for your recipe for salad gravy) A few beers and DVDs tonight and start again tomorrow. Enjoy your course next week. It's doing you the world of good.

Wonderful to see you with such happiness about your course. At last you have found a great teacher and I cannot wait to see all your new pictures.

So glad you are enjoying your new classes Patsy......the teacher sounds very good.....so carry on with your new painting it looks good so far. Love Betty & Max

Hi Patsy, Well done, keep up the enthusiasm and listen carefully to what your tutor tells you, he sounds like a good one. Thanks for keeping in touch, your popping in so often is helping. Sorry I don't have a lot of time right now. Lots of prepping still happening, next thing is our trip to the Wye Valley and our favourite retreat 'Lindors'. See if you can get it by Googleing, it's a lovely place. We are looking forward, so much to running our courses and meeting some more lovely people. Take care now, enjoy your classes. Looking forward to your next pop in. Love M.

I saw so many nice (but not great) watercolours in the last exhibition that were spoilt by a buckled support. It's well worth taking the effort. I've offered a picture for the charity too. It's a good cause and it only costs a bit of time and postage. All power to Beatrice for making it happen. Keep that enthusiasm going. I've lost mine for a while, but it'll be back when I have something fresh to spur me on. You called me a 'lucky burger' in a post and I thought 'What IS she on about?', but then I thought about it and you're right. I've got a wife that pushes me and isn't huffy when I disappear for hours on end, models volunteering, a place to have a studio without having to clear up, representation in a couple of galleries, support groups like this one etc etc. I might have the ability to capitalise but if any one of them was missing I wouldn't be here. Like a lot of us I suppose. We should all count our blessings. It could all be so different.

Looks like a good start. All the best with the rest!

That is a happier bunny...the art looks promising too...

You seem to be in a positive mood. Be nice to see the painting growing. Knock 'em dead gal! PS I didn't have a hangover Saturday. Didn't really have THAT much to drink. Just lack of sleep, late start etc.

Hi Patsy I am brand new to all this and have just seen your comments on my drawings. Thank you very much for them - it is so encouraging. I see from your blog you are in Australia. My brother lives out there and his artist wife, but they never send me paintings of Australia. I wonder if the soil is as red as the photographs make it seem. Sounds you are in a good class. Getting your paper stretched properly makes such a difference and water colours seem to work better on it too. Look forward to seeing some results of your classes! Some red landscapes??? Well done!