Dogs, Dahlias and a Dash of Fluorescent Pink

Autumn in West Wales has been putting on a show. The mornings are glorious, the beaches are full of characters, and Albert and I have been making the most of every scrap of sunshine. Naturally, I've been collecting ideas for paintings as we go.

Poppit Sands is one of our favourite places. It's wonderful for a walk, but even better for people-watching — or, more accurately, dog-watching. Last Sunday a determined Jack Russell was doing its absolute best to drag its owner into the sea. The owner had other ideas. The dog did not. You can see why I never run short of inspiration.

I've been working on Dog Tales, including six commissioned paintings of people's dogs, as well as a separate series inspired by the dogs I've encountered out and about. I take my sketchbook and camera to the beach, settle down with a coffee, and watch the characters appear. Mr Crow made his customary appearance too, along with some sparrows.

Back in the studio, the sunshine might be tempting, but the paint is calling louder. My easel has been with me for about twenty years and is gloriously wobbly. I wouldn't swap it. My favourite coffee mug has lost its handle, but it's exactly the right size and texture, and its spots match a surprising number of other things in the studio — including my rugs. There are themes, apparently.

I tend to work with a small selection of colours each season. A few dependable favourites stay, and I introduce others when I fancy a change. At the moment it's fluorescent pink. Subtle? Not remotely. Wonderful alongside my homegrown dahlias? Absolutely.

This is my first really successful year growing dahlias, and I'm delighted with them. Their colours are rich and juicy, and their lines feel so fresh and immediate. That's exactly the energy I'm after in a painting. I often work on several canvases at once, moving between them until a series feels finished, then setting it aside and beginning something new.

The dogs, of course, have a habit of sneaking back in. Two little pups belonging to a friend were irresistible subjects, and I've been using their paintings in a reel to introduce Dog Tales.

My favourite way to start the day is early, with a pot of coffee, Albert beside me on the sofa, and a little admin before our walk. After that it's out to the coast with the sketchbook and camera. We headed to Newport and the Parrog in Pembrokeshire. There are beautiful sands, hills, big skies, pink cottages and all sorts of little details worth remembering. And, very importantly, there was a cafe stop and a slice of cake. Research comes in many forms.

The days are getting shorter, so we headed home as the light began to go. I'm still learning how to film these little Studio Journal episodes, but I hope they're giving you a sense of the places, colours and creatures that find their way into my work.

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