Duns Castle

Last weekend we drove out of Edinburgh on a bright and blustery Sunday morning to watch our friend Alan compete in a cross-country riding competition at Duns Castle in the Scottish Borders. 

Art production continues unaffected

Due to the credit crunch, work is very slow at the moment, so I've been spending my time doing art. Here's an example. It's a charcoal drawing on a large scale...60 x 85 cm.

Life continues on the estate, but Shannon won't be going back

Last week Edinburgh Art College held its Christmas drinks. The only entrance requirement was that everyone who comes should produce a piece of original artwork on the back of the invitation. Here's mine. It's a pastel drawing from a photograph that appeared in the Times featuring the Shannon Matthews case. Shannon was kidnapped earlier this year, and was later found being held by a relative. During the trial it became clear that Shannon's mother had arranged the kidnapping in order to sell her story to the newspapers.

This the coldest start to the winter for 30 years

Aodan holds onto the top of Arthur's Seat

I made my first digital painting today. I took the sketch that I had done of Aodan and coloured it in with digital paint. It's much less messy than painting with oils.

Hallowe'en Party

Last Saturday we put in an appearance at the rugby club Hallowe'en Party. 

Baby gorilla

I'm fascinating by the similarities, real and imagined, between humans and apes.