The Petrel Station ii is inspiring the amazing artwork of Bron There was a Storm Petrel singing in there again last night

My last day has come too quickly. Gathering sketches as fast as I can whilst the mist swirls around me, gulls chortle to each other, an oystercatcher ‘peep peeps’, and seals call below. Love love this special place Skokholm Island

Totally blessed to have spent a magical week painting on Skokholm Island with this gang. I always seem to find myself amongst really special people, who are willing to share their knowledge, time and humour: it leaves me feeling just a little bereft as we say goodbye!

Sad scenes this evening as Midnight Glory managed to lose a lifeboat, getting ever closer to Skokholm in its failed attempts to retrieve it. The lifeboat has come ashore below the auk ledges, bringing with it the risk of a 200l diesel spill, rodent stowaways and disturbance

When the wind finally dropped on Skokholm Island , it was great to be able to get the big rolls of canvas out and work at a larger, more expressive scale to capture my impressions and recollections of this special place.

The lifeboat is now ripped open, with its 190 litres of LSMGO (low sulphur marine gas oil) leaking out. Strong winds and a sizable swell mean it cannot yet be removed. The only positive is that the rough sea is dispersing the fuel and the auks are staying clear of the white water

We had a visit from Greg and Jinx, the latter a 4 year old Cocker Spaniel trained to detect rats thanks to Biosecurity for Wales (administered by RSPB Cymru). There was no sign, although we'll need a follow up visit in 3 weeks, whilst trail cams and chew blocks have been deployed

Back in the pottery studio today using my latest experimental glazes on different clays to see if I can create ceramics that reflect the incredible colour palette of Skokholm Island Despite appearances, I’m hoping some of these fire to create burgundies, lime greens and oranges🤞

Tywi Valley Open Studios 27th July until 4th August. I’m delighted to be a part of this again and can’t wait to welcome people back to the studio to have a go at a collaborative painting and see all my latest work. Every day, except Tuesday and Wednesday, 10-5. See you then.

Now that it has been delivered to my client, I can reveal the commissioned triptych. I’m so thrilled that she loves the colours, marks and textures that evoke the sounds, sights and feelings of Mynydd Amanw and the Palycwrt.

Hung the very next day!! I love what my client has done with her commission. Hanging them in the gable space above the doors means the abstracted landscape of Mynydd Amanw almost merges with that of the garden, expanding the view, bringing the wilderness right into the room.