A blissful day spent in Cambridge with Stephen. I like to take my handmade paper sketchbook on our sketch days. The paper is completely unsized, a bit like blotting paper, but I enjoy the challenge and the binding is so lovely too.

It is with enormous delight that I can say that I have been selected to exhibit alongside some of the most skilled seascape painters at this year’s RSMA Annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries. I have so enjoyed visiting the Mall on many occasions over the years and have always been inspired by the incredible variety and skill displayed by the various artists, many of whom are members of the notable societies managed by the British Federation of Artists. It’s such a privilege.

I have never shown work there before. Why? Well I can only say that I have been truly fortunate to have had brilliant support from both clients, collectors and gallery owners and my work has been sent straight off to be displayed in the various galleries that have represented me over the years. My time was always finely balanced between painting, finding inspiration, liaising with galleries, looking at art and tutoring too and that was pretty much how my time was filled.

My working pattern has completely changed since moving up to Suffolk, largely because my husband Stephen and I find ourselves in a caring role for both my aged parents. We are fortunate that we now live together in a house with annex in a beautiful corner of the East Anglian countryside and where Stephen and I also have a great studio set up just a few footsteps away from the house. I now spend most of my time there, in between caring duties, painting as much as possible every single day; it’s my island of calm. Our movements have been significantly limited over the last 4 years, overnight stays are tricky for example, so my studio productivity has gone up enormously, whilst other parts of my artistic endeavours have reduced slightly. I have been delighted to dust off my oil paints after many years, again, as I have more drying time factored in to my practise, as well as continuing to work collaboratively with Stephen and printmaking. Whilst being so fortunate to immerse myself in producing paints, drawings and prints too, I have been acutely aware that the other elements of art practice, that I once did without thought, can’t be left to one side. It’s like a three legged stool; one leg of course is your artistic output, one is finding fresh inspiration and the other is getting out there and finding your audience. I guess that I have been balancing on one leg for a while!

With that firmly in mind, I decided to enter the RSMA this year. I realised as soon as I pressed the submit button for my 2 oils pictured above, how much I wanted to be a part of the exhibition, showing my work with everything crossed, next to such a wealth of talent. That was July… and as time approached to login for the result, I felt some anxiousness as to what the result would be, in fact in all honesty, my hand was trembling. I was blown away that both had been instantly accepted. Just amazing. I have been walking with an extra spring in my step since and am so looking forward to a long overdue trip down to London to deliver work, attend the exhibition and meet some of the RSMA members at the PV too.

If you are visiting London, the show runs from Thursday 21st September to Saturday 30 September 2023, and is open from 10am to 5pm

Firstly, my apologies, I realise that I haven’t added to this blog for sometime. Life has been tricky here, just like it is for most of us at the moment. As well as continuing to paint full-time, my husband and `I have been caring for my parents for the last 4 years. This year has been particularly gruelling, as my 90 year old father has had 3 ops following a spiral fracture of his femur and finally had his left leg amputated in May. He is doing as well as he can, full of strength and bravery as he looks forward to a bedridden existence. We do our very best to keep him entertained and comfortable.

As you can imagine, we have had several broken night’s sleep and an upsurge in phone calls and emails to relevant health care professionals. I have found the Procreate app to be the perfect solution to those troubled moments in the dark. In order to find something to draw, I have been researching famous birthdays and using good Googled images as a starting point… perfect, as I don’t want to turn the light on and disturb Stephen. The following images have all taken around an hour and I have been posting them on my Instagram Sketchbook account, often with time-lapse videos (a lovely feature of procreate).

My passion is to paint the sea and landscapes of course, but working on a likeness is excellent eye training I find. There is no getting away from it! I lose myself in the moment with all my work; I am incredibly lucky that art … and my wonderful husband and family have helped me navigate this period. I hope too that you enjoy the results and can find a similar way to reach a quiet place.

From the 1st March to Easter Sunday, 4th April 2021, I have sketched the beautiful cherry tree outside my window. Using my iPad and the free app ‘Sketch Tree’ I have made daily observations every morning between dawn and around 8pm, reworking it’s bare limbs and branches, charting it’s burgeoning passage into Spring.

This has been an important process that I’ve found really beneficial during the latter stages of our recent UK COVID Lockdown. We all know of the confinement that we’ve found ourselves in over the last year and noting small developments and changes in our surroundings has been an even greater tonic than usual. Every burgeoning bud and shoot has been noted with far greater anticipation and appreciation and I wanted to record a little of this in my sketches here.

This short reel has been put together with 35 drawings, each worked for around an hour.

It’s been difficult to get out and about in a Covid world hasn’t it. Stephen and I have managed to grab a few hours here and there and found some isolated spots to sketch en plein air. We returned to Ickworth House, our very favourite National Trust property this Summer; it’s just on our doorstep and opened a few booked slots after Lockdown. It was fascinating to study the famous rotunda with its intricate scaffolded hat, to allow for essential roof work to be undertaken. We love to spend time there as often as we can, with a view to draw and glad that we were able to do so in these days of deep restriction.

It was our wedding Anniversary in August too and we sneaked a night away at Orford Ness, on the Suffolk coast. A beautiful spot to draw with stunning landscape, beautiful coast and plenty of boats to inspire.

Making a mark of some sort, every day is really important to both Stephen and me. It doesn’t have to be much, but our creativity has helped guide us through these stranger days. It’s important to notice, observe and perhaps record what falls into focus I think and we have sketched, painted, carved, sewn, written and gardened. It helps to simply feel the moment and take a deep breath.

Stay safe and well and thank you for your support always

Lorna x

I am so delighted to say that I am now the proud owner of a beautiful Smart Garden Office studio. I can’t recommend them enough. From the design process, support in approaching the local council for approval, communication to the site build itself has been excellent.

My husband Stephen and I can’t wait to get going in The Old Workshop Studio, with beautiful views of the Suffolk countryside. We have lots of plans which I hope to share as we settle in.

The studio is dedicated to my dear cousin, John Prichard who sadly passed away in 2017. He was a remarkable man; deeply intelligent, kind, witty and a keen artist all his life. We wouldn’t have this beautiful space without him. Thank you always John.

I have finally received approval for my Smart new studio to be erected at my home this coming January. I can’t convey how relieved and delighted I am! I will again have a dedicated space to get back to painting proper and will endeavour to post progress of the project in the new year.

2019 has been a year like no other for us. My husband and I are now main carers for my parents, who have made a monumental move to join us here in Suffolk. Project house has completely overwhelmed us, as we have tailored our new home to ground floor living, whilst maintaining it’s vibrance to suit 3 generations. We are very blessed that it has worked so well and the installation of a proper work space will be just fantastic. My painting output has been limited as a result of this, but I have enjoyed sketching and working towards two charity events this year. The frustration of having many materials in storage, limited time and space has been so difficult to manage at times and I can’t wait to find my feet (in paint) again.

The studio will be situated on the edge of a wood, just a little way away from the house and surrounded by potential inspiration. We hope to develop its use over time and will keep you posted on this.

I would like to thank you deeply for your continued support and patience over the year and wish you all a very happy Christmas and a full brush in the New Year.

With love, Lorna x

What an exciting time I had at the live auction of work for Article 25 10×10 Drawing event at RIBA in London last month. My painting ‘Liquid History’ was sold together with over 100 other great pieces, including one of our collaborative pieces, an Anthony Gormley, Jeremy Deller and a Giacometti and helped to raise over £50,000 for the charity.

Here are a few shots of my work under the hammer conducted by Adrian Biddell, ex principal auctioneer at Sothebys

I was very proud to be a part of this most excellent event and am so glad the funds raised from the sale of ‘Liquid History’ will be helping to rebuild communities around the world and hope too my painting will bring years of pleasure to the kind collector who won the bid!

“Liquid History’ Charcoal on St Cuthberts Mill Saunders Waterford paper

The warm balmy weather continues and we are taking every opportunity to paint and draw in situ; usually in Suffolk, by a wood or lake, with a cafe nearby! Of course, it’s not off limits to sketch in light drizzle, heavy mist or a stiff north westerly, but the countryside is so inspiring at this time of year; spotlit by the low angle of the bright Autumn sun, deepening the forms and textures through intriguing shade and dazzlingly bright highlights. Just an hour or two sat in our folding chairs with very basic equipment; a tiny watercolour field kit, a brush and water in a recycled bottle is just what’s needed to record the scene and refresh the eye.

The location this time was Lackford Lakes near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. It is managed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust and is popular with birdwatchers and walkers, (as well as artists). Kingfishers join a wide variety of birds nesting there, in the chain of beautiful lakes, reed beds, meadows and dense woodland.

It was tricky to pick a subject to focus on; the expanse of glittering water was very tempting, (but we had sketched a similar view just down the road at West Stow, just a week or so before). Or the bright, vivid greens and yellows of the areas of woodland, turning here and there to amber and framed by a thick network of twigs and branches maybe… though we thought it seemed a shame not to enjoy the full warmth of the sun. Perhaps the far reaching views that skirt the nature reserve with fields of bleating sheep and tall, confident thistles poking their heads above the thicket? No, we fancied a little water, clear reflections, trees and branches; offering the opportunity to explore shapes and patterns in negative space and with good contrasts of colour and tone.

We found a not unsubstantial lake to one side, but much smaller than the main bodies of water that Lackford is so well known for. We decided to set up there. It was a quiet spot, a very short walk from the path, solitary and still. The sky was almost cerulean and completely cloudless and the trees were very patient models, holding their motionless pose for us, just the occasional mallard quack broke the silence. A nodding branch framed the composition and for me, this became the main subject.

Unusually, the light remained pretty constant throughout the duration of our session and little or no adjustments were made. The clouds chasing across the sky normally throw down their dull blankets here and there, but there were none here. (I love the challenge of changing light by the way, its essential then to work quickly to record a view that works as a whole.)

This day was different somehow; for us a much needed immersion into a secret world. We were onlookers to a rich environment teeming with life, quietly undercover watching Nature do business with the elements. A perfect hour of calm.

Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Lackford Lakes

Ahh this has been such a wonderfully nourishing day; we have really needed to blow away the cobwebs and get out into the great outdoors.

West Stow is a place close to our heart, fond family memories for Stephen and now for me too, as I get to know Suffolk. I have never wandered around the lake there and we chose the most perfect day to do just that; warm, windy and with the most magical shimmering light playing over the water.

We found a spot and unfurled our folding chairs. Stephen wanted to paint and I chose to draw. We spent a wonderful couple of hours in total peace and quiet, just punctuated by the occasional moorhen call and a big Labrador sniffing at our sketch bag. So important to find these times; I have lots of information for a painting now and am refuelled for the studio in the morning.