This month I took a look back at a Summer page or two from each of my sketchbooks over the last fifteen years...
2009... Those that know me, know that in very hot weather you'll find me ensconced in the deepest shade I can find and most of these drawings were made sat firmly in that shade. Here, somewhere in the south of France and El Cotillo Beach, Fuerteventura
2010... A hot shimmering day out the back window of Mum's house
2011... The riads, markets & gardens of Marrakesh
2012... At Kew Gardens. I remember seeing this monumental David Nash sculpture as if it was yesterday, it so blew me away.
2013... Darling Rozzy sleeping in the garden
2014... Sophie & Jack drawn on one of the last days of
University in Potager Garden, Falmouth
University in Potager Garden, Falmouth
2015... The Summer after Uni I worked at Cass Art in Charring Cross. I used to keep myself from going stir crazy by drawing the customers. My line manager was a monster and the day after I quit I returned to get this sketchbook which I had left. All my drawings had been ripped out but I still have this record!
2016... Cooking up feasts in the huge kitchen at Château de Queille near Toulouse
2017... I drew this farrier called Beggi in the mountains in Iceland. Drawing someone at work is always a mutually peaceful event, we both get on with our private tasks with a sort of silent understanding, but I remember this time as particularly special; both of us completely focused and quiet.
2018... Sleeping dogs on long Summer days - Algie and Buttie
2019... Hot pink sunlit tiles
2020... A rainy afternoon in the caravan in Wales when Ella told us she was pregnant with her first and we all read our star signs.
2021... Fen lying upside-down on the arm chair when I was ill, you can see all my notes to cancel things on the paper too.
2022... Returning to Fuerte, this was drawn in the beach bar where we ate sizzling salt prawns, patatas bravas, parrot fish and sardines.
2023... And Ellie, picking asparagus, early last Summer in Wales.