We visited Ann & Jamie's Alpacas last weekend & had such a lovely time, I really must blog about it !! :-

Our family went to visit Ann & Jamie Nickerson & their beautiful Alpacas last weekend.

The weather was sunny & warm which added to our enjoyment, but also added to the enjoyment of the Alpacas, as apparently they need a lot of vitamin D, & as their fleeces are thinner on their bellies, they love to lie on their backs & sunbath!

We were able to choose one of the boys each, to take for a walk. We rounded them up into a pen in order to put a harness & lead on them. They are very gentle, quiet animals & stood patiently as we grappled with the buckles - they have not yet been shaun, which meant that the harnesses were a little more awkward to put on.

Then we ambled slowly across a field of sheep & lambs, through the woods & down to the broad, before continuing on in a round back for tea & carrots out in the garden!

Ann also has a wonderful Yurt where she make exquisite felted & knitted items from the soft Alpaca fleece.

What a lovely day we all had. The Alpacas are really very special, it was a joy to meet them.

Liz Christensen

This year (as usual !) my New Years resolution was to paint more, & happily I can finally say that I am succeeding.

My problem is that I am used to painting nudes these days, & as I do not have a model available every time I wish to paint, I am now searching for other subjects. I have tried a few, but my eye is always drawn to solid forms like animals & trees.

All the other 'usual' possibilities seem to need to be approached in a completely different way, so I think it will take time to understand what I want from them & of course, how to tackle them.

When I think of a landscape it seems so flat compared to a figure, but may be this is what comes from living in the Norfolk Broads !
Still life I suppose might seem more appropriate, but somehow lacks something - possibly the fact that it's not alive?!

I decided that I should start a new sketch book to get used to painting & drawing outside - just quick little doodles - no pressures to make anything look good or finished.
 So I ventured out last week & am very grateful to Nigel & Carol at Norfolk Boats in Horning who have allowed me to visit their small stretch of river bank to sketch.
I attempted some geese as they waddled around for a few minutes before plopping into the water for a swim !
Also,up on the hill, Little Kit Flyers - little they were & little they are, being only about 2 inches tall !

'April is the cruellest month.......'. Oh no it isn't.
I love the lengthening days when the clocks have gone forward; primroses and daffodils all over the place, violets secretly getting on with it and all the finches in our garden and beyond auditioning for Gareth Malone!
 
However the studio across the yard is still a bit spartan, and so I've been drawing, tracing and cutting lino in the comfort of the kitchen; near the coffee and the biscuit tin.


(Let's hope supper has no lino shavings by way of flavourings.)
I've brought in some daffs from the garden in bud and also nipped down to the farm shop along the main road for tulips. I love their curves. You can draw them in continuous lines and develop lovely patterns.

In the cupboard next the pantry are jugs (various) and one I particularly like was given to me by Chris (youngest daughter's boyfriend). It's a practical shape and pretty, and just right for Spring flowers among other things.
 
So from notebook to lino come the tulips in a jug, abbreviated and developed but essentially what's sitting at the end of the kitchen bench.
 
Now, if we could have a day or two of slightly warmer weather so the inks will roll and I don't get frost bite........... I might be able to show you a proof or two.
 
Watch this space.......!!