I have a demonstration on my oil painting technique in May, and nows the time to begin to think about the ground I want to cover - if only to make sure I don't suffer from too many nerves before the talk...

So what can I talk about? They want to know about my working practive, and theyt want to see me paint something reasonably good. In the art demo world its know as the 'money shot'!

Winter still keeps hold of this part of the world, February was cold, and now March hardly seems any warmer...we keep watching the weather forecast for any sign of advancing spring.

Painting wise there's very little inspiration to be had at this time of year, but portrait commissions continue to flood in. Sometimes its good to be able to start a commission, it takles away the the blank canvas syndrome, where you stare at the pristine white canvas and don't want to spoil it with a painting.