The fictitious but believable painted personality that is Pearl remains a constant companion in the studio. Some readers will remember how she was popping up everywhere during our ten years in Sheffield. Nowadays she rarely occupies the easel where a more figurative style of painting gets priority. When asked to paint her in a bespoke scenario this summer, it was hard to refuse. I forgot how fun it was to mix the auburn hair colour, find ways to include Irene the Cat, float 2D pearls around pencil-thin necks, and liberally blend goofy with glamorous. Already the owner of Paddling Pearl, the outdoor sports enthusiast wanted a keepsake from her vacations in Jávea and this is an iconic view of the Playa de la Grava with Cap de Sant Antoni in the background. Thank you dear Chrissie and Ian. Come back soon!

Xiquet al Far Verd, which is Valenciano for Boy at the Green Lighthouse, won a contest hosted by La Federación de Organizaciones de Xàbia (Jávea) to celebrate 125 years since Sorolla first visited this beautiful coastal town. As Sorolla fans know, the colours and light in Jávea were a source of inspiration for several of his paintings. In 1896, he painted Xiquet de Jávea (read more here). My version is based on a photo I took of a lighthouse in the Port when we lived there. FORXA's aim was to print the winning design on shopping trolleys. The 1st prize was shared with another local artist, Mary-Louise Boardman.

Yesterday on our walk we enjoyed glimpses of lambs, kids, geese and cheeky chickens, some of which were captured on the iPhone (end of this short clip). The main star in this film is Pinky the chicken, 80x80cm painted on wood, 2019.

Picked up a massive supply of citrus fruit this morning and a few went into salt preserves. Weather is beautiful, fit for Three Kings. Four days of rain and tighter Covid restrictions are coming so we took a long walk in the orange groves for a vitamin D top-up.