Exhibition

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Photo of a glass case with small linocuts inside

It’s been forty years since I had a solo exhibition. At this rate I’ll be 103 when the next one starts. Maybe I’ll have finished some more drawings by then.

Venue: Pembroke Dock Library SA72 6DW. Open 10 a.m – 4 p.m on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m – 1 on Thursday; 10 a.m – 12.30 on Saturday. Exhibition is there until the last day of April 2026.

Four watercolours on display boards
Two watercolour skies exhibited within view of a window
Linocut white poppy

The white poppy has been a symbol of pacifism for decades. The Peace Pledge Union has promoted nonviolent alternatives to violence since 1934.

It’s a family friendly exhibition, with nothing to upset anyone. However, the pictures could be propaganda for a better environment. Viewers so far have been pleased with the light and shadows in the trees. That’s easier than nagging everyone to plant more trees to keep flooding at bay.

Oval dance

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A drawing of seven dancers in a circle

In theory this is an illustration for a novel that has been an ongoing project for decades. They’re practicing for a dance at their midsummer festival. The lady in the purple dress is a character called Amelia Bliss. All of the characters have names that I’ve come across while researching my family history.

In 1871, my great grandfather was lodging with a woman and her daughter. The first transcription I found said that she was Mrs Bliss. Later updates show that she was Mrs Elliss. I was disappointed, but looked for a real Amelia Bliss anyway. The one I found, of about the right age, went on to die aged 25. It’s much easier to find info about people who aren’t my relatives.

My great grandfather was particularly elusive; he was a widower in one 1871 transcription but married in the later version. He’s nowhere to be found in 1861 or 1881, but he was in the merchant navy so could have been anywhere. In 1891 he’s a lodger (or visitor?) at his son’s/ my grandfather’s house. They both worked at the Woolwich Arsenal. His gravestone in Norwich describes him as the beloved son of Isaac and Rebecca Daines, no mention of anyone else.

Red pointed hats

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My social media bubble has been full of red pointy hats for the last few weeks. Other people claim they’ve seen nothing about them.

Thousands of years ago, slaves were given a red hat when they were freed. Versions of the Phrygian hat, pileus or liberty cap have been worn during various times since then. In 1979 I found an engraving from the 1790s which I used to illustrate an A level needlework essay. The people caricatured were wearing red hats and a thin red ribbon around their necks.

The same characters who were offended by pink hats with cat ears a few years ago are complaining about red pointy hats now. Apparently the hats shouldn’t be red. Allegedly they’re just a protest uniform and they’re not enough practical effort. Money raised from knitting pattern sales has been donated to families affected by immigration raids.

Blue Monday

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Glittery crescent on blue paper

PVA glue around the edge of a jar lid will print a nice circle on a piece of paper. Add more glue for more visible parts of the moon. Sprinkle glitter before the circle dries. Add a few paint and/or crayon clouds to the sky.

Picture of waxing crescent moon
Crescent moon picture from above
Glitter shining in the sun

End of year

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A fabric tree with a linocut card and two knitted geese

I printed a midwinter card but didn’t send many copies out into the world. Here it is with an appliqué tree from a few decades ago. The knitted geese are made of aran yarn, too thick but the thinner yarns weren’t available in the colours I wanted at the time.