Some lovely people entered my life through an exhibition in Edinburgh a few years ago, including Rona, who later sent a gorgeous photo of flowers in a jug from her mother. I am very grateful for her inspiring image, which was used as a reference for this painting.

After seeing this video you cannot doubt the ability to manifest dreams... or paintings! Todd the Dog is a fictitious character featured in many paintings as Edmund's loyal companion between 2009 and 2014. Otto, a real dog, was born in Valencia in 2016. He suddenly materialised as a temporary lodger at age six months. He is still with us, thankfully. Paintings of Todd the Dog were premonitions of Otto's colouring, short legs, long body, big snout, wild flapping ears and irresistable brown eyes, not to mention the unexpected way each dog found its new home. (Todd was lurking in Edmund's recycle bin.) Be very careful about what you paint!