Spring cleaning…
Posted on February 22, 2020
It’s been a while… but I’m getting ready. I recently came across these photos of two drawings I made in our garden…I am not quite sure where they are in my studio so it’s time for a little Spring cleaning, followed by some gardening and definitely pastel drawing outside… Have a lovely weekend! 🙂
Sunshine inspiration…
Posted on January 5, 2020
In January, there is nothing better than reminders of sunny days. Looking through some of my pictures made in Mallorca brings back good memories and inspiration for the year ahead…can’t wait! Wishing you sunshine inspiration too…
Happy New Year!
Posted on January 1, 2020
Wishing you the best for the year to come – have fun, health and happiness!
Frosty morning sunrise
Merry Christmas!
Posted on December 24, 2019
Three little Christmas Cows’
Wishing you Twelve days (and more!) packed with Love, Happiness and Peace
Remembrance
Posted on November 10, 2019
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Laurence Binyon
A new departure…
Posted on November 6, 2019
This image evolved from a chance mark made with the palette knife, I could see a red sail clearly and the rest followed. It’s lovely to let the paint take the lead every now and again… you never quite know where you’ll end up, but it’s always an adventure! 🙂
A New Departure
‘A new departure’ on the easel
A new departure
The picture is currently drying and so still fixed to the support board. The image size is 20cm x 22 cm / 8in x 8.5in.
Once dry it can be mounted or framed ready to send…’
For all enquiries, please click here and complete the picture enquiry form 🙂 🙂
Are you ready?
Posted on August 24, 2019
Still on the easel, but ready to go!
This is another foray into acrylic, which I have enjoyed using for a change. I have found them difficult in the past but have discovered that I have been using them incorrectly! I have always used a tiny amount of medium with a lot of water.
This is bad for the paint which can ‘split’. It is a polymer, so needs the medium to stretch the paint and allow it to flow. I now use plenty of medium with very little water and it works so well.*
This painting is the result of this learning, so it was great to make it!
Postscript 1/11/19 – I’m delighted to report that ‘Getting ready’ has now sold.
* Footnote: Advice on the subject of acrylic medium from Winsor & Newton:
Tour de France 2019: Stage 21 – Rambouillet to Paris Champs-Élysées
Posted on August 13, 2019
Bonjour! Stage 21 – So here we are! The last stage of this year’s race. It’s been amazing – Today’s stage is the final piece of the puzzle with celebrations for the GC riders and one last burst for the sprinters. Where do they get their energy from? I imagine that the mountain climbers just sit quietly at the back after their effort. Paris was beautiful as ever – and possibly the only part of Europe not drenched in rain. The sun sank perfectly behind the Arc de Triomphe, lighting the Champs-Élysées in gold. Caleb Ewan burst through, apparently from nowhere to take the stage win. A very Cavendish-like performance and great to see.
The sun shone all afternoon for this stage and presentation of the new champion, Egan Bernal. This quiet Colombian is the youngest rider to win the Tour for 110 years. He did it with great style and great modesty. At 22 years, he has the cycling world at his feet – with so much to look forward to and enjoy. A champagne moment indeed!
The Tour de France 2019 will live long in my memory, I hope it will for you too!
Au revoir!
Here are my pictures 🙂
Click on an image to see in full – Medium and measurements are listed below. Click here if you wish to enquire further
All images copyright Maxine Dodd.
For in-depth race analysis, delivered with fun and wit, I highly recommend ‘Velovoices’ but don’t forget to come back to ‘Racing Lines’ for the pictures!
Have a great day! 🙂
Tour de France 2019: Stage 20 – Albertville to Val Thorens
Posted on August 12, 2019
Bonjour! Stage 20 – It was ‘all change’ at the top of the General Classification at the start of the day. After three weeks’ intense and astounding racing, the top three were now Egan Bernal, Julian Alaphilippe and Geraint Thomas, in that order. The last Alpine stage would determine the outright winner, with one last climb at the finish in Val Thorens. The weather still threatened but the day began well, Bernal changing his customary white, Combative shirt for the Yellow Jersey and Thomas aiming to swap places with Alaphilippe to take second place.
It was a large group that broke away at the start with Jumbo Visma and Ineos heading up the second tranche. There were several cracks in the field though, as the stage progressed. French hearts were broken again when Alaphilippe was dropped with 13km to go. He continued with great resilience to end the day in fifth place.
The stage was taken impressively by Vincenzo Nibali, who was tenacious! The sight of last year’s winner, Geraint Thomas crossing the line with his team-mate and this year’s winner Egan Bernal, was quite wonderful. It wasn’t the result we expected, but everything about this race has been unexpected – and all the better for it.
On to Paris…Here are my pictures 🙂
Click on an image to see in full – Medium and measurements are listed below. Click here if you wish to enquire further
All images copyright Maxine Dodd.
For in-depth race analysis, delivered with fun and wit, I highly recommend ‘Velovoices’ but don’t forget to come back to ‘Racing Lines’ for the pictures!
Have a great day! 🙂
Tour de France 2019: Stage 19 – Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Tignes
Posted on August 11, 2019
Bonjour! Stage 19 – WELL! This was the stage of all stages! The race changer for many reasons, but primarily for the remarkable ride of Ineos’s Egan Bernal – what a star he is! It’s hard to know where to begin really – the heartbreak of Thibaut Pinot’s retirement is a start. One of my favourites and vying with Alaphilippe for the Yellow Jersey, should he fail. Poor Pinot’s injury proved too much and his team mate William Bonnet put a consoling arm around the inconsolable Pinot as he stepped off the bike and out of the race. ,..
The course was a short but brutal one, with five climbs, including the highest this year, the Col de l’Iseran. The stage was set to finish in Tignes. The day began well in sunshine but as the day progressed, purple storm clouds could be seen in the distance. Bernal was the first to cross the infamous mountain, closely followed by Simon Yates. Bernal closed the timegap on the GC and overtook Alaphilippe whilst he still climbed. He crossed and began the most hair-raising of descents to try and keep his shirt… and then, the hailstorm and mudslide. We saw a snow plough clearing mud and hail away further down and the race had to be stopped. There was no winner for the stage. An emotional Bernal is in Yellow for the defining stage tomorrow.
What a day! Here are my pictures 🙂
Click on an image to see in full – Medium and measurements are listed below. Click here if you wish to enquire further
All images copyright Maxine Dodd.
For in-depth race analysis, delivered with fun and wit, I highly recommend ‘Velovoices’ but don’t forget to come back to ‘Racing Lines’ for the pictures!
Have a great day! 🙂
Tour de France 2019: Stage 18 – Embrun to Valloire
Posted on August 9, 2019
Bonjour! Stage 18 – First day in the Alps! There were significant and notorious climbs today, including the Col du Izouard and the Gol du Galibier. The scenery was breathtaking at times and strangely surreal at others, with the grey, mauve and ochre earth giving great colour.
In the race, the day belonged to Colombia – a lovely surprise in this ever-surprising race. The win went to Nairo Quintana who has had a quiet race until today. He soared to victory, followed swiftly by Roman Bardet, who took the Polka Dot jersey. Both men looked much happier than they did in the Pyrenees!
The highlight for me, was the descent on the Col du Galibier – the climb was brutal but the descent looked worse – and all the riders were exceptional coming down. Not only fast but a long descent, so their control was phenomenal to see. Colombian fans lined the route and had not only the reward of Quintana’s stage win but witnessed a terrific challenge from Egan Bernal – what a fabulous talent he is!
It was a fantastic stage – and with only two days to go, the race seems wide open! Here are my pictures 🙂
Click on an image to see in full – Medium and measurements are listed below. Click here if you wish to enquire further
All images copyright Maxine Dodd.
For in-depth race analysis, delivered with fun and wit, I highly recommend ‘Velovoices’ but don’t forget to come back to ‘Racing Lines’ for the pictures!
Have a great day! 🙂
Tour de France 2019: Stage 17 – Pont du Gard to Gap
Posted on August 7, 2019
Bonjour! Stage 17 – The course followed on from yesterday’s stage, starting at the breathtaking Pont du Gard and working its hot path to Gap. This was a hilly transition stage, taking the race to its closing and decisive mountain stages in the Alps, before heading for Paris. There was a lot at stake for all teams and their riders. Mitchelton-Scott’s Matteo Trentin broke away to take the win, in a lovely solo effort.
Here are my pictures, 🙂
Click on an image to see in full – Medium and measurements are listed below. Click here if you wish to enquire further
All images copyright Maxine Dodd.
For in-depth race analysis, delivered with fun and wit, I highly recommend ‘Velovoices’ but don’t forget to come back to ‘Racing Lines’ for the pictures!
Have a great day! 🙂
