Time flies ....

I can't believe it's March already!  End of summer  and Perth has endured the second hottest summer on record and the temperatures this weekend are still really hot - even though we're supposedly in autumn, no wonder my poor garden gets confused.  Meanwhile on the east coast of Australia many are being flooded out of their homes ....  my thoughts are with loved ones and hoping they stay safe and dry.

Hibiscus thrives in our hot  summer weather

I have been a busy girl working on the latest assignment - as I posted before - it's the vegetable study.  I ended up deciding to paint the turnips .... basically because nothing else looked appealing in our heat wave conditions and the turnips seemed pretty forgiving.  After all they are grubby and uneven - and I don't mind that.

Setting up and using the sketch book for a trial run with the turnips.

Happy with the colour and texture options and feel satisfied we will get along together.

It's also nice to work with a subject that lasts longer than a day or two!

 With the last artwork I forgot to tape it to my plexiglass board and rushed into it ...

First washes going on ...

This time I set myself up properly - paper taped down, plus two sheets of tracing paper covering the artwork when I'm not working on it .. or to use under my arm in the warm conditions ....

  I keep getting reminded of deadlines and timelines .... in six weeks we leave for London so I can attend the mid-course seminar for the SBA Distance Learning Diploma Course.  I am so excited because it's also a very special wedding anniversary and after the seminar my husband and I will be travelling to France to take a well earned holiday. 

I really have to get a move on with these turnips .... I want to finish early as I lose a month in my timeline for the coursework and need to work fast.  Our business is also increasing in leaps and bounds so between the office and the studio is a well worn path!  If only I had time to take a leaf out of Gracie's book and relax a little more ...