This is the final sketch from the drive down from Skye to Loch Lomond as the rain and fog really swept in - as indeed it did whilst I was drawing this one.

​Obvious lesson learned: If the weather is fine when one stops to draw, do not dither by eating one's sandwich first. Either multitask or simply delay the fodder intake until after the drawing is done!

So, not quite 30 but here's a collage of my September creations. The cloud-works took days in some cases and I hadn't factored in the multiple 12 hour drives so my aim of 30 was probably a little steep this time. I do feel that yet again my work has developed along a whole stretch of inspiration though, so am pleased that I took part in this (totally free) international initiative. The next one is in January (watch for the sign-up call at https://www.saetastudio.com/30-in-30.html if you're interested) so I'd better get myself all sorted out before then!

​This week has been one of getting ready for and then setting up for the Intel exhibition this month. It's the one exhibition that has space for most of my pictures - will post the photos of this on Facebook shortly (Art by Lynne Forrester) and then here when I've collaged it in a couple of days.

​Happy Sunday's everyone :)

Finished framing these last night all ready for them to go to their new abode in Bristol. These blue abstracts are some of my favourites from the work I've produced this year and it's lovely that someone else wants to have them in their home so they can see them every day.

​I do the choosing and putting together of the frames myself and am somewhat fanatical about it. It sort of completes the creative process for me. Obviously it's down to the customer if the work is a commission but the pictures always look more 'finished' when framed.

There's something about the historic site of Glenshiel in the Scottish highlands that halts the soul and changes the atmosphere as I drive through. The highland road goes through the middle of the glen and I've always wanted to stop and absorb the beauty. I'd love to spend more time there but I was in the middle of a six-hour journey, so will content myself with a charcoal sketch for now :)

The blueness of the sky was beautifully chilling this morning as the sun woke up and stretched itself across the clouds. Fog and rain followed later (bringing the old adage of 'red sky in the morning shepherd's warning...' to mind) but this was a lovely start to the day.

Had to be incredibly swift this evening as the colours only allowed me a quick glimpse of their brilliance before settling behind the horizon. Sometimes I'm torn as to which bits to partake in but it's always the colour and texture that gathers my inspiration.

What a stunning burst of orange peeking through the clouds this evening!

The mornings are becoming as mesmerising as the evenings as the daylight hours reduce and I can manage to capture both. Even though the sun rises on the other side of the peninsula, the sky opposite my house becomes swathed in pinks and oranges as the colours ricochet around the clouds.

Last night's sunset was my first real go at capturing the colours in the sea, sky and islands as the sun fell behind North Uist. Autumn isn't just a season for the trees and plants it seems, these September colours are just amazing to see and to draw.

Things have been decidedly bonkers this month and over the next few days I'll be posting my 30 paintings in 30 days pictures. The whole point of the exercise is to create as much as possible, but I think I might extend my personal timeframe informally to account for all the exhibition prep time that has taken up my attention.

​Made the executive decision to test the ankle a bit more and come up to Skye for a few days. The colours in the skies have changed even in the brief two weeks I've been away - the above picture was inspired during last night's sunset.