Pays Basque

Sometimes, a girls' holiday is just what you need. As we set off in the van, driving down the west, Atlantic coastline, both of us felt our cares dissolving in the salty sunshine. Two weeks later we are back, sun-kissed, surfed out, and very relaxed.

 A big thank you to Natty for lending us his beloved van. Next stop - Outer Hebrides. It will be a world away from sunny France but I'm looking forward to some real wilderness.

Whitstable

We had a day out, just the boy and me by the sea. We swam, ate fish and chips and then tucked up for a night in the campsite. After the recent, enforced time indoors, it felt like magic.

The sea never fails to make us both smile.

Oil Painting

I did a week of oil painting with the artist Michael Major at the beginning of June. Two large paintings later, I only wish I had more time to keep playing.

Worm's Head

Winchelsea

Michael Major himself

Oil paints are intensely satisfying to use; distinctive of smell and thick with oleaginous promise. It was a great week.

Lately

I've been inside a lot lately looking after the boy. He's much better now and it's been great to spend time outside again. This morning I rose with the lark (or not, here in Hackney) for a canalside
wander.

 I'm starting to think more about my next body of work around the waterways of London.

Smile

I've got many things I could blog about right now (amazing photography course and also a week of oil painting with Michael Major) but it's sunny so I'm just going to post a photo from last weekend that makes me smile every time I look at it.

The llama's name was Bruce by the way. I'll be back here soon with some more photos from both workshops.

What's in a Name?

You may have noticed that I've just changed the name of this blog. If the new one needs an explanation: spit bite is the most free way of applying acid to a plate in etching (my favourite way of creating images) and sand, well, sand is my favourite thing to have between the toes. I'm in the middle of building a website - this doesn't naturally come easily to me - and you will be able to find it at http://lucydevenish.com/. Seeing as I'm putting the best of my art work on there and will continue to do so, it means that I am freer to use this space as a place just for me. So here's to recording the best parts of this summer, with plenty of sunshine and sand, I hope.

Final Show

Here I am at the private view of my work
The Journey Series last week. I felt it went well and it was great to have support from so many loved faces. More pictures of this latest body of work soon. Right now, I'm off to enjoy the sunshine!