I was approached by the Editor of this poetry journal for permission to use my painting; "The Travellers"; as the front cover on the Autumn issue of their quarterly magazine. This  eclectic and interesting collection of poetry and prose has an international subscriber base and I really enjoyed reading my complimentary copy! I was also particularly pleased that the editor had selected a painting from my Imaginative Realism genre.

Despite appalling road works affecting the access on our preview evening, we had an enjoyable weekend exhibition at the Forest Row Hall with reasonable numbers braving the roadworks traffic and unpleasant weather, to come and support their local Artists. There were a good number of sales made by several exhibitors, as well as lots of socializing and general fun. I did well on print and card sales and also sold my large painting "Sacred Grove" the lady and stag seen in the photos below.

A vsitor chats to two of the exhibiting Artists

"It's how much?!!!"

I have absolutely no idea what was going on here!

More visitors and some gorgeous artworks just visible behind by member Artist, Martin Ash.

And I believe we're all being upstaged by the glorious display of Nature's Artwork right outside the door!

It was bitter sweet returning to Malibu at Christmas after the recent, horrible fires. I was terrified it would be totally destroyed and still mournful about all the mountain animals, small and large who lost their lives in the fires. However it was a far happier scene than I was anticipating, already the hills are greening up and although it is true that there are areas of the Santa Monica mountains which are going to be pretty black for quite a while, life is definitely returning fast, even there. Less sanguine for the poor residents who lost their homes and have to start from scratch of course, but the spirit of co-operation and help in the area is remarkable. As was the tremendous work done by so many people there to save not only human lives, but animal lives too. Almost all the horses and pets were saved as far as I know and there is a general feeling there now of increased appreciation for it's beauty and a determination to re-build and fortify and flourish as never before. I salute them all.

A selection of my watercolour landscapes will be on display in the restuarant area of the Royal Oak Public House during March and April, along with a few Oil pieces. These are mostly pieces begun as Art demonstrations and finished up in the studio later. They are very reasonably priced as a result and are mainly framed in simple white frames, ready to hang. If you find yourself in the area, pop in - the food is also very tasty!

I will be in the Arts Garden all day on this date with a selection of recent works on display and prints as well. I hope to be live painting, weather permitting. If you are near this gorgeous venue, please come and say hello. Below the beginning stages of a painting of Welsh ponies that I hope to have completed and on display there.

Due to an upcoming house move, I am currently running a series of studio sales on my Facebook Artist page over the next 6 weeks or so.  Many paintings as much as 50% savings  and some on a "make an offer" basis. Just click on the JaneIndigo Arts header in the picture below to go directly to the page. You can have a look here at the first group on offer and contact me directly from there  if anything  takes your fancy.

As an Artist I love helping others learn to draw and paint too. At my  weekly Art Group I have some lovely attendees who have been coming to sessions for about 5 years now. We do different weekly, but always work from Life at least twice a month. This set up was a Still Life with vegetables from one of the group's own garden -  and was so inspiring I had to have a go myself afterwards! If you want to learn to draw yourself, one of the very best teachers are the common objects all around us. Pick something simple and have a go, it's amazing how inspiring even your weekly shopping can be!

This little guy is off to a new home to a very dear friend in the in the US. I've had this one a few years now and will miss him actually! He was one of the first Sumatran cubs born in captivity in the UK, and I loved meeting, photographing and  painting him. His new owners are very excited though and I know he's going to a very good home!

The lock-down and the presence of the Covid 19 virus has certainly created a challenging environment for most of us in the past few months. Strangely enough, I have found my own daily life not that different - apart from those queues for any and everything of course!  I think many Artists are natural isolationists, so that aspect is not as upsetting as some for me personally. I do hate not being able to travel for instance and not seeing my students! However I've finally worked out how to teach online - something I would never have managed without the imperative provided by the lock-down, and didn't believe possible.

Artistic creativity right now feels very high, and like most people I am doing a lot of walking in the fresh air and feeling grateful for our mainly sunny weather here in England. It is particularly beautiful right now, with life springing forth in glorious colour and sound all around us. Ironic as we continue to battle such a threat to life on the global stage!

For me, Art is the answer - whatever the challenge - and I continue to paint and create as much as I can. Online sales have definitely been brisk as well, with two paintings off to new homes in the past few weeks. My "Baby Arabian", below, went to a home in Scotland and "The Highland Longhorns" here went off to Tennessee in the USA.

I hope that you, the visitor to my site, are keeping bouyant and managing perhaps to find some value in the rigours currently being imposed on us. I know it is very tough for many and definitely requires a shift in both our mental attitudes and our immediate expectations. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones to both the  virus and it's knock on effects in the medical world. However, it will end, and while I suspect the world will be permanently changed by it, perhaps, just possibly in some ways, it will be for the better. We are all having to stop for a while in the midst of our hectic lives, to reflect on the deeper aspects of life - and death - on our beautiful planet.

Another original painting has left these shores this month and gone off across the pond. This is my Arabian Stallion, Oil on Canvas, 24 x 32 inches. It has shipped to Miami and I must say with this one I feel rather like I've just sold a pet! Of course the purpose of painting ultimately is to send them out into the world, and it is always very satisfying to have this happen. Art definitely seems to be in greater and greater demand during this time of isolation for most people, and I think plays quite a role in lifting our spirits. I know that creating it lifts mine!

I have most pieces in my Etsy Shop currently being offered with free shipping including International, and several smaller, more inexpensive pieces available too, so do have a browse   https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheMagicPaintbox