january out and about

Calafornia Poppies, John's Creek, Lake Hawea
Calafornia Poppies, John's Creek, Lake Hawea

Although my sketchbook is never far away on pretty much every trip outdoors, I do also have a new SLR camera, a Nikon D5500, that has become my constant companion. I've had to start using a bigger day pack too, because along with sketchbooks and paints I now also have to carry a tripod, big camera and lens and filters.

So far my 'models' have been very patient. Thank you!

Photo bombed! But I don't mind :-)
Photo bombed! But I don't mind :-)
Near Makarora, Southern Alps, New Zealand
Near Makarora, Southern Alps, New Zealand
Wingsuit BASE jumping, Mt Aspiring National Park, NZ
Wingsuit BASE jumping, Mt Aspiring National Park, NZ
Westland National Park, New Zealand
Westland National Park, New Zealand
Westland National Park, New Zealand
Westland National Park, New Zealand
Westland National Park, New Zealand
Westland National Park, New Zealand
Reflections, Westland National Park, New Zealand
Reflections, Westland National Park, New Zealand
Evening Light, Westland National Park, New Zealand
Evening Light, Westland National Park, New Zealand
Slacklining on the beach, Westland, New Zealand
Slacklining on the beach, Westland, New Zealand
Going savage, Westland, New Zealand
Going savage, Westland, New Zealand
Fire jumping!
Fire jumping!
Perfect calm day, Wanaka, New Zealand
Perfect calm day, Wanaka, New Zealand
View of Lake Wanaka & Roys Peak, New Zealand
View of Lake Wanaka & Roys Peak, New Zealand
Fresh snow and view of Mt Aspiring and the Southern Alps, New Zealand
Fresh snow and view of Mt Aspiring and the Southern Alps, New Zealand
New Zealand Pipit having a little bath
New Zealand Pipit having a little bath
Dragonfly
Dragonfly
Me high above home. Southern Alps, New Zealand.
Me high above home. Southern Alps, New Zealand.
Southern Alps, New Zealand
Southern Alps, New Zealand
Southern Alps, New Zealand
Southern Alps, New Zealand

Next stop February...
Here's hoping February brings more settled and more summer-like weather for longer adventures!

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One of my all-time favourite paintings of a stormy day in a ruined Roman town in Spain.

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summer flowers & an old fence post

summer flowers & an old fence post

16 June 2026

There's something irresistibly paintable about a weathered fence post half-swallowed by summer wildflowers. It's the contrast that does it — rough, sun-bleached wood against the soft, fleeting delic...

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recap! travel sketching in france, 2026

recap! travel sketching in france, 2026

9 June 2026

Five times at Périgord Retreats, and the magic is still there.. Every single time I hop on the train in southern France and get whisked through French countryside and villages to Gourdon Station — ...

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painting zebras in watercolour

painting zebras in watercolour

3 June 2026

Ater spending time in South Africa recently, surrounded by the kind of wildlife you only see there, I came home with many sketches of zebras, giraffes, warthogs, baboons and more and a strong urge to ...

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