OH March, what a TREAT you’ve been so far! I’ve been lucky enough to spend lots of time by the sea, and the sun has shone (sporadically!).

I’ve now finished my painting of St Michaels Mount, adding more loose brush strokes in the foreground, but keeping the background more detailed. I think it works well. I’m really pleased with this one. It’s still in its drying stages (the oil is very thick and 3D in some places!), and then I need to varnish it, then have a think about what frame might compliment it. And finally.. choose a name!

Last weekend I spent the day in the beautiful Cotswold Village of Broadway, at a workshop run by the artist Claire Henley. Broadway Arts Festival runs a huge array of art courses, and I try to book myself on to one or two a year, to keep techniques fresh and fun! This particular class was focused on using collage to portray a Cotswold scene, and of course, I chose Cirencester. I had a great time, and finished this piece during the day. It’s going to inspire a bigger painting, which I plan to paint in oils, but this acrylic piece deserves its own moment. It’s the viewpoint from the back of the Bathurst mansion house, whilst standing in Cirencester Park, and a route I often walk with the dog. The trees were layered up with lots of tissue paper, and if you look closely, so is the church! The tissue paper in the sky gives a sense of moment and allows your eyes to move across the piece, giving (I hope!) the illusion of an Autumnal wind. It’s going to be available as a greeting card soon, to accompany my other local Cotswold scenes.

Talking of local scenes, Ive just started a new Cirencester watercolour. This time, Im focusing on Black Jack street. It’s in its very early stages, but the bones are there and I think it will be a great addition to my local portfolio.

I whizzed back down to St Ives mid March, to drop some stock off at one of my stockists, and to scout out some more potentials. Whilst I was there, I treated myself to a trip around the Barbara Hepworth museum, to celebrate International Woman’s day. I spent a wonderful time just sitting in her old greenhouse, with the fragile, dappled March light streaming in, soaking up the creative vibes which must infuse the walls of this marvellous place. Sculpture is something that interests me and being in the gardens and studios where Hepworth created some of her most amazing works is pretty special. I highly recommend it if you’re in the area.

Now that Winter is behind us, and Spring is here, I switched out my ‘Winters Quiet Glow’ painting from the Phoenix cafe in Cirencester and changed it for a ‘Rainbow’ print. It’s a fun, hopeful, and uplifting piece and I think works well on the wall alongside the others.

Many of my original works still hang in the Local Information Center in Cirencester, so if you’re walking past, do pop in and have a look.

I travelled across to the glorious city of Bath to watch my husband run the Half Marathon last week. I lived in this magnificent city for 4 years, whilst studying at the University and whenever I visit, it feels like coming home. The light there is just superb, and I find it really inspiring. I captured this photo whilst happily wandering around and it shows this light beautifully. When the sun comes down between the buildings, it really does make the honey coloured stone absolutely GLOW. I’ve added it to my inspiration wall in the studio, and plan to paint this at some point.

Finally, I’ll be at the Cornhall Craft market in Cirencester this coming weekend (28th and 29th March) on the Saturday and the Vintage and Artisan market there on the Sunday, with a range of originals, framed prints and greeting cards. If you’re in the area, pop on by and say hello :)

Thankyou as always for following me on my arty journey :)

Charlotte

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March ‘26

February ‘26