Hello spring bloggers!

Are you full of the joy of spring?

Aren't trees interesting? Such individual things. Our wonderful wild cherry blossom are just on the cusp of bursting forth. Their little pinky-white buds are teetering on the edge of flowering. They are at least 50-100 feet up high, right up against the Swiss blue sky. Very pretty today. They know I am just waiting to pounce with my new camera. They are right!

I did a lovely view of Lake Leman in Switzerland yesterday. In gorgeous, sloppy, messy, oils, of course. Nothing beats slip-sliding in oils. Just trying to keep if off the floor is the tricky thing. Because my studio is far too nice for spills. It will find a home in a gallery in Zurich for now. It's huge! Lovely to work on such a huge canvas. I can only really do really large ones for here, since shipping internationally is high.

I do do some commissions though, if you would like a similar one done. I've called this one 'Nature's Window' since it's such a beautiful natural view. Those reflections were lovely to do, especially with a palette knife.

Mmmmm, just had a lovely meat pie for lunch. My husband and I often take turns to do the pie, ready-made pastry of course, makes it so much easier. So easy to do, since you kind of throw all the vegetables in at once. Very tasty thanks. Gives a real boost to the afternoon's painting, too.

Yes, where was I: yes, there's quite a process to an oil painting. When you've finished it and it's touch dry you oil-out the painting. This protects it from the varnish and brings out all the rich colours of those oils. But you have to wait a while for it to be touch-dry first. Then, usually after about six months it has hardened enough to put on a fine layer of varnish. Gloss or matt, it's your choice really. I like a little shine, to bring out those rich, deep colours.

Anyway, hope your tulips are blooming!! www.boundlessgallery.com