Thanks, everyone.

The thing with me and art is that I am reasonably good at drawing faces and, let's face it, who wants a miner or Joanna Lumley etc. on their wall? What I want to achieve is to do something that people would like to 'live with' but, up to now, I've only painted three pictures like that and don't want to part with them because I'm hoping that when I die someone in the family will also want to keep them. Having said that though, the standard of other people's work in our exhibitions is really good and, still, they don't sell very many. It's not that they're pricey either.

The thing is, I suppose, the relaxation of sitting painting and drawing and the company of a great bunch of people who make up the group.

When I see some of the offerings that Hockney puts out, and folk exclaim over, I wonder if it's a case of "the Emperor's New Clothes" Because someone has declared him wonderful, everybody else has to agree.

Keep going Monika, if only for the joy of belonging to a group and gaining confidence in yourself.

My sentiments exactly, Monsy, re Hockney et al. (Many thanks for your comments BTW)
This is something which I wrote to our local newspaper a few years ago.
Click on the attachment and when it asks you to open or save, click open. Then, click View and then click rotate clockwise.

Love it Monika, I think some these experts suffer from 'the kings new clothes' syndrome. too lillylivered to say something's CRAP

Excellent, Monika. Well-put and very succinct. How does it go ... you can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time but not all of the people all of the time? Such a pity that those with public money to spend haven't yet twigged this!

Hi everyone .............. long time no see ................hope you are all fit and well and happy.

I haven't done any painting for ages but, we were given this picture at the art group to copy as a little competition between members. That was just before Christmas, and I got it finished yesterday. Mine won't win, by any means, but I'm fairly pleased with the result.

Hi, Monika; I was wondering where you'd got to. Now I know - you were just busy being creative!
You're such a clever girl - that's really pretty; I love all the different, delicate shades of green. with the competition.

Hi Monika, wondered where you were hiding, see now it was behind your brushes, that is a lovely painting and fingers crossed you win.
Good to see you again xx

Thanks so much, dita and andere. I don't suppose I'll be coming much in the very near future as it is the annual art exhibition in April - and, as yet, I haven't anything to submit. Thinks ............ Must make an effort!

I'll pop in now and then - just to keep an eye on you, you know!

That is such a delicate picture, but the colours are vibrant, if you know what I mean!

Very well done!

It was the Art Exhibition yesterday and I only had the one picture (must work harder for the next one ) - mind you, it was a 16 x 12" canvas so took me ages and ages to do. It's acrylic and is of a Cornish garden, but I wanted loads and loads of colour in it, so I made up all the flowers as best I could.
It didn't sell but then most of them don't.

Left click on picture.

Anyway ............... here it is warts and all!

That's lovely - so warm and vibrant. Thanks for showing us.

Monika that is a beautiful picture gorgeous colours, both warm and bright at the same time.
Thanks for showing us. xx

Thanks, andere and dita ................. I appreciate your feedback xx

It's the AGM tomorrow at the art group and, for those of us who fancy doing Steve's (professional artist) drawing of Elvis, there will be a competition for the best one
It has taken me three days, several hours at a time, to complete mine.

Here it is ................. left click to view.