And so the autumn season begins with 28 degress temperatures, a week with wonderful friends and the sale of one of the latest works. Kettleness Head from Runswick Bay will be winging it's way to Bristol later today and will be much missed from our walls! We will just have to visit some time!

I was finalising last years books when I got to thinking about this image. I loved her from the thought process to the finished product. I'm sad I sold her, nearly as sad as my husband who had considered moving out with her!Not the model but the picture. 

I'd like to get back to this form of art and disregard those who tell me I have to concentrate on one area or another. Blah blah blah!

It also brings to mind the old figurative work I used to do, from pen and ink to a secretive method that made for great figures, faithful to the beauty of the female form.

I remember getting a commission from one customer whose husband had liked my work at a market in Kent back in 2008. She had one done behind his back for a birthday present. Could do with a few more clients like that!

What I really need though, is some lovely models or a life drawing class close to home. Well being 31 weeks pregnant does make you yearn for home comforts!

You can check out my old works at www.kjbentleyart.co.uk or leave a note on the contact page and I'll send you some sample images!

So today I'm out of the studio box and into a gallery covering for the wonderful Kevin Bradshaw. Nunnington is just about my most favourite place in Yorkshire. 
Pop in for a chat, a browse or better still purchase some of the fantastic works for sale at reasonable prices!

Really just a quick shout to tell you all that sometime early in 2012 I will be releasing a series of oils depicting the lochs and munroes of Stirlingshire and the wonders of the East Coast from Bamburgh (yes I know it's England!) up to Aberdeen. So from B to A by the sea...



...blame the husband he writes this tosh

So what constitutes reasonable working conditions for an artist? Here I am working up a Munroe in Stirlingshire, with the wind blowing a gale and threat of rain heavy in the air.
Ok the car is beside me and I have chocolate in my pocket but really is this right! But of course I love it.
The home option is a 2 metre square cold brick box with huge gaps around the door, windows that are more effective at stopping light entering and plenty of friends of the little brown mice variety to share with. There's no one to complain to bar the husband and he's very often deaf in both ears, particularly when it comes to new studio space! Help, I need more room, who has a spare space near to Malton, North Yorkshire that we can come to a deal over? I mean that kind of deal that costs less than you'd like and includes heating. I do make amazing brownies as forms of bribery if you don't like my brand of art...

Between the two of us, we've achieved a lot today. Found a job for him to apply for, started a new canvas for me, seen our daughter off to school for the first time and he's cooked a few things too.
Some good connections forming via Twitter too and Facebook is as ever the great electronic support.
Just need to find homes for some of the latest works...

If it wasn't for the huffing and puffing husband, doing the accounts, the house would be so quiet! Little Issie went back to school, the dog is sun bathing in the garden, I'm painting my interpretation of Bamburgh Beach. All is well with the world, yet I am slightly annoyed about something and I have no idea what is it or why!
The ramblings of an artist for sure!

So this week my little girl starts school proper, well reception at her local primary school. So scary, the time is flying, she is becoming so confident and grown up yet so fragile and pretty!
I'm also back to school the week after but in a teaching capacity for a group of lovely ladies from Weaverthorpe and beyond. Such fun to be able to pass on the knowledge gained from doing what I love as a living, just hope the living bit gets better soon! haha!

So back from Scotland where 3 new canvases were completed but these were just not quite on the mark!
But I'm back with plentiful supply of ideas, photos and images to create some more including a fabulous panoramic shot thanks to Angus and his amazing new camera.
I think the dramatic hills and burns of Scotland threw my mind a bit, I just couldn't do them justice but it'll come! Back to the studio next week to create more and maybe mix in some North Yorkshire work to assist the creativity.
Oh and friends arrive from Bristol today so much dog walking, pub frequenting and fine food tasting when I'm allowed out of the studio...

All back and relaxed after a fantastic time in Scotland. Will be returning early next year to borrow a dog until our lovely friends return from India sometime after early 2013. Ghillie is a delight, a German Wired Haired Pointer with such character and will hopefully keep Remy in check! Dogs!
Creativity returns to, back in the studio next week but first a weekend with our lovely friends from Bristol. All is fabulous!