Recent Paintings

Here's a picture of the canal near Beeleigh painted from a photo I took when I was in Essex a few weeks ago . I have painted this tree several times but mostly in the summer with the sun shining  through the translucent green leaves with cool deep reflections in the water. This time it was a surprisingly sunny late November day. Most of the trees had lost their leaves but not the oaks which were still resplendent in their golden crowns.

This is another picture I painted this weekend. It's of the east shore of Loch Lomond a few miles north of Balmaha from a photo I took when I did a 3 day West Highland Way this summer. Both these paintings are for sale at my Etsy shop.

Last week purchased a pair of vibram five fingers. I have been tempted by these weird looking running shoes( they are like gloves for feet with separate toe pockets) since I first read Born to Run about six years ago However I was put off by the price (£100 or more) and  my fear that they are a bit gimmicky. However I spotted apair for £67 on Amazon and took the plunge So far I have been very impressed . They are very comfortable and have a more protective sole and better grip than many of the other minimalist shoes I have tried.

Autumn

We have had more good weather but autumn is progressing at a pace . The trees are now changing colour, yet it is still warm and sunny . Today I ran into town then did a sketch in Glen Nevis .Running home with the sun low in the sky, the bracken  on the hills and the turning leaves was like running through a symphony of red orange and gold.

Glen Nevis 

The track between home and the Nevis Range access Road. I'm so glad that the mornings are becoming lighter after months of running to work in the pitch dark. It will be a while before I can run home in daylight too. This sketch was done last Autumn when the colours of the hills were particularly beautiful with vivid hues of red orange and brown.