Friday, 7th February 2025 - Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club Rain had confined me to inside cleaning. I made Nancy Birtwhistle's All Purpose Cleaner. from her Clean and Green book. A bit of vinegar, a splosh of surgical spirit added to water and in a spray bottle. It seems to work a treat ... so far... and the smell of fish and chips only lingers a short while. I am now investigating green bleach. So much cheaper than ready made cleaners. The jury is out as to which is the better. Tim and I went to see Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club at Benenden School. What a fabulous evening. Two pianists on grand pianos, a guitar player from New Zealand, a drummer and two double bass players. Wow just wow. My favourite song was a Hymn for Freedom - just beautiful. I am in awe. As I type I am watching a heart rending episode of Grantchester. Tears are running down my face. I tried to capture the band this evening from a very bad photo. So a rather sketchy sketch. - - - #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily #sketchbook

Thursday, 6th February 2025 - Talk by Nick Wendy, arty Wendy not gardening Wendy, and I did a reconnoitre of Ruckinge church for a future painting venue for WOKAS. After getting back we did an about turn collect a handbag that we had left in the Church porch. Money and credit cards all present and correct. Must be a very honest area. And a relief. I was back on my hands and knees digging out wild garlic bulbs. I have found a series of audio books that is keeping me entertained. It is a soggy tedious task. This evening Nick Hebditch gave WOKAS a talk about his artistic journey. Loads of inspirational information and pictures. I really want to do more oil painting .... if only I had a Strada easel! I took the opportunity of listening and watching while doing a sketch of Nick and his audience. - - - #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily #sketchbook

Wednesday, 5th February 2025 - Chicken Sitting Gardens are beginning to come to life with daffodil sticks, floriferous snowdrops, head down hellebores and a sprinkling of crocuses. Unfortunately, the weeds are keeping up. I was on my hands and knees digging out wild garlic that has monopolised a flower bed. Good start but lots more to go. I threw the ‘diggings’ into the chicken run. It was funny watching them scratching and scrabbling together. We are looking after our friends chickens while they are on holiday. They made a lovely models for a sketch. - - - #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily #sketchbook

Tuesday, 4th February 2025 - A Sprig of Hellebores I didn't win a Strada easel. I have got over my disappointment. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. Actually I tell a lie. I found it damn difficult. I liked looking at everyone else's paintings. The village fete poster is with the committee. I await feedback. The dilemma this evening whilst studying a sprig of hellebores is ink first or watercolour first. Ink today. It takes a brave and bold artist to go in with colour first. The best part of my day was getting a phone call from my granddaughter. It was wonderful to chat with her. She makes me feel good. Thank you Hetty for making your Grandma laugh. - - - #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily

Monday, 3rd February 2025 - Goodbye Robin Tim and I went to a funeral today. I had only met Robin a few times. He was a very good friend of Tim's older sister Susan. I found him to be a lovely man and it was very sad to say goodbye to him. Days like today make you think and appreciate what we have. It felt strange going to the pub for the wake. The last time I had been there was with my brother and Mum. It was a beautiful view from The Queen's Head Inn. A double page of the misty view in my sketchbook was a lovely way to remember Robin and my Mum. I miss my Mum. I will find out at 2am who has won the Strada easel prizes. I probably wont be waiting up to find out. - - - #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily #sketchbook

Sunday, 2nd February 2025 - Tim and A Woodburner The frost on the grass sparkled with tiny rainbows in the sun this morning. So pretty. The gates were open when we collected our car this morning. It was reassuring to know that even though the drivers door had been left wide open all night our possessions were still there. Nick and Suzy invited for lunch with Si, Lesley, Nick and Alli. We drank lovely wine, ate delicious food (even though my request for custard and ice-cream on fruit crumble did get queried) and chatted for hours. They are very avid readers which is excellent. I now have many book and programme recommendations that I will need reminding of as I cannot remember a single one now. A good way to spend a Sunday lunchtime. Thank you Nick and Suzy for being excellent hosts. I have been working on my commissions. The dry points are printed and now drying ready to be framed. The poster for the Benenden Fete is nearly there in composition. Next I have the fun bit of drawing and colouring. I have got an on-line oil painting course waiting for some spare time - really looking forward to it. It's by an artist Lacey Lewis who I admire greatly. Two quick sketches of our woodburner and Tim working. - - - #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily #sketchbook

Saturday, 1st February 2025 - Afternoon Walk I wasn't sure if I was going to continue with my daily artistic musings. A sketchbook would fill in my gaps and craving for drawing between bigger works. I found a gorgeous sketchbook that has sat pristine in my cupboard. Now it has the opportunity to see the light of day. I welcome you to my life in sketches. Tim and I picked up Tony and Wendy and headed into Tenterden. The sun was shining and the perfect day for a stroll. We parked in the station carpark and headed off at about 3ish expecting to return in a couple of hours. The walk took a few unexpected deviations. We stopped for a beer at McCanns brewery. My knee was gripping at going on any downhill trajectory that slowed us down. I did a check on my phone that had an activity log - over 17,000 steps - no wonder my knee gave way!. We returned to Tenterden in the dark but the moon did look glorious. The gate to the carpark was shut and padlocked enclosing our car. A discussion over a beer at The Old Dairy resulted in Pippa coming to our rescue and driving us home. Thank you Pippa we owe you, lots. - - - #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily

Friday, 31st January 2025 - Grape Bowl I have been clearing out my studio so I could print my drypoints. I found have found all sorts of forgotten art materials. Now lots of art ideas are spinning around in my head. I did get the printing done. It is now drying before I add a touch of watercolour. Day 31 #stradaeasel The last day of the very challenging challenge of painting from life every day in January. A bowl that used to contain hyacinths has been repurposed as a fruit bowl was today's subject. I can now wait for the arrival of my new easel!!! - - - #stradaeasel #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily

Thursday, 30th January 2025 - A Promise of Spring A 'to-do' list for today has got longer as the day progressed. A meeting this afternoon with Alison and Wendy contributed to it considerably. We are working on our art groups forthcoming programme. Lots of decisions, emails and searching for guest artists needed. If you know anyone in the Tenterden area who does art demonstrations or workshops let me know. I have been working on a couple of dry points for a commission. I forgot how much I enjoy this slow, messy process. This is alongside a poster I am doing for the Benenden fete that is progressing slowly. I stuffed clothes and soft plastics into their bins in Tescos carpark. A small but cleansing process. Sadly no bargains in the reduced aisle. The sourdough dough it sitting in the fridge. Not much fermentation going on. I think I will bake it tomorrow to give it more of a chance to grow. Brett lent me his recipe book by Elaine Boddy. I have had a quick flick through. There are biscuits, focaccia, and crackers. They all sound delicious. Day 30 #stradaeasel The primroses are just beginning to show their faces. It was dark when I got home so I took a torch to gather a tiny posy for today's painting. I found that if they were damp I could stick them to a plastic chopping board at about 45 degrees. Made it a bit more interesting than another bunch of flowers in a vase. - - - #stradaeasel #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily

Wednesday, 29th January 2025 - The Lost Earring If you are ever passing through Goudhurst and need a coffee Taywells is a good place to stop. I caught up with Gay there today. We are both very proud grandparents. There is a farmshop attached which sells some lovely stuff if a bit on the pricey side. Parkers is an on-line plant/seed website that delivered a large box of things in pots. Wendy recommend the plants for our clay heavy garden. This afternoon the euphorbias and athyriums were able to spread their roots into bigger pots. Goodness knows what athyriums are but I am sure they will be delightful. My son-in-law Brett has been making sour dough for years. He gave me a bit of starter yesterday that I fed this morning and is now very lively. On his advice now is the time to make the dough when I have an active starter. Here I go....! I will let you know how it turns out. Day 29 #stradaeasel The earring that was lost has been returned to me in the post. PS Just in case my son reads this that is alcohol free beer I am drinking! - - - #stradaeasel #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily

Tuesday, 28th January 2025 - Fresh for Five Days I have missed a few days yoga. I got on my mat with Revolution with Adriene. She did a mean core session - owweee. We had a lovely day in Wickhambreaux. I have missed them all so much. We haven't seen them for weeks due to viruses that are now departed. Harriet gave us surprisingly tasty chocolate and courgette muffins with our coffee. So wonderful to collect Herbie from school after an excellent day. I am so proud of him. He told us all about his day on the way home, the food and the songs. Hetty and Raffy looked charming in their school blazers. They are growing up so fast it's scary. Back home I was convinced I had left my mobile in Harriet's bathroom on the side of the bath. I took it out my jeans pocket for safety having previously dropped it down a toilet. Find My phone told me it was at home with me. I was very pleased to find it under the car seat. Daft woman! Day 28 #stradaeasel I bought these tulips a few days ago. They have an interesting droop that I needed to paint. - - - #stradaeasel #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily

Monday, 27th January 2025 - Portraits with The Viridians Day 27 #stradaeasel It was a squeeze getting breakfast done and a Tescos delivery sorted in time to leave the house to be in time for The Viridians. I made it in time to Clive's house for coffee. All five Viridians were present today. We were inspired by the pastel portraits we had watched last Thursday. We all can draw a face but it is getting a likeness that is the challenge. My portrait of Clive looks a bit like King Charles. I learnt a lot.Thank you clive for the tuition. Thank you Leelee for the soup. Thank you Alison for the truffles. Thank you Wendy for bringing Ted. - - #stradaeasel #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily

Sunday, 26th January 2025 - The Imposter A beautiful clear sunrise greeted me as I dragged on my dressing gown. I guessed it was going to be a lovely sunny day. Good thing I am not a weather forecaster. It had turned into a disgusting very wet and very windy Sunday. Happy Birthday to our dear friend Pippa. We had a great evening last night celebrating. It was lovely to be with friends we haven't seen for ages. Barry was excellent on his guitar and he played and sung Weather With You to me. Ok maybe not just to me as there was a room full of people but he knows it is my favourite. A couple of enquiries for my art have landed in my email. One is a painting from my website. The other for a couple of drypoints. How wonderful. Day 26 #stradaeasel We have a few chocolates left over from Christmas. Tim has his favourites and I am happy to eat anything from a Celebrations tub. There were a few dark chocolate Lindt truffles lurking in the bottom of a box. I had the idea of today's paining while eating a Bounty, followed by a Twix a - - - #stradaeasel #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily

Friday, 24th June 2025 - After Dinner I have my first bed and breakfast guests of 2025. Most of my afternoon was spent getting the house into order for them. Amazing house dusty quickly the nooks and crannies get without regular attention. They didn't want my malt loaf. I did with butter and it was better than a Soreen. Day 24 #stradaeasel We are into the last week of the Strada easel challenge. There are over 900 participants. My chance of winning an easel is looking remote. I was clearing up after dinner. Lovely subject for a pen drawing. - - - #stradaeasel #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily

Thursday, 23rd January 2025 - Wendy's Malt Loaf Adriene has disappointed me. She is no longer dropping her monthly yoga calendars into my email box. There are ten years worth on the internet I discovered. I am working my way through Revolution. My stomach muscles and arms have had a good workout today. Love the way she teaches. My tax return figures are in, added and delivered to my husband to put in some sort of order for the tax man. Glad that's over for another year. This evening I went to a WOKAS get together. Juliette Dodd was demonstrating portraits. We learnt a lot and are inspired for our next Viridians meeting to have a go at portraits in pastel. Day 23 #stradaeasel I was rummaging through my recipes for a chocolate brownie recipe my sister had given to me years ago. I came across a recipe that Wendy had given me for malt loaf that I had forgotten about. A search in the cupboard and I had all the ingredients. I made two lots of chocolate brownies and a malt loaf. Good use of the oven baking all three at once. It delicious sliced and spread thickly with butter. - - - #stradaeasel #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily

Wednesday, 22nd January 2025 - Snowdrops to shed the January Blues For those who wondered what a pomelo tastes like it is like a sour orange or a sweet grapefruit. A rather charming fruit. This morning we drove through the mist and fog to meet Elizabeth and Keith at the Lime Wharf cafe in Northiam for breakfast. I would have taken a photo and used that for inspiration for today's work but it is not in the rules for the strada challenge and I really really want to win an easel so I didn't. I had chilli infused Lebneh with avocado and roasted cherry tomatoes served on sour dough with apricot and date jam. When eating out I try and have something I don't cook at home. This I have never made and it was delicious. Lovely place for brunch. It set me up for another afternoon with my tedious tax return figures. Day 22 #stradaeasel I picked some snowdrops yesterday that were tight buds. The warmth of our kitchen has unfolded some of them. I am home alone this evening and taking the opportunity of indulging in listening to music while tackling a linocut and print. - - - #stradaeasel #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily

Tuesday, 21st January 2025 - Pomelo We have been without power while smart new poles and electric cables were installed. It made me realise how much electricity powers by day to day life. I gave up inside as everything I thought to do, ironing, vacuuming, making bread and blow drying my fringe was not possible. Good thing it was dim lit day to hide my grubby house. I put on my coat, bobble hat, plugged in my earbuds and headed out into a very cold and foggy garden to tidy and clear. My sweetpeas aren't up yet. Day 21 #stradaeasel Just before Christmas Tim and I were delivering Christmas cards in the village. We were chatting with a neighbour who had been shopping to get a Pomelo. He ate them for breakfast when he lived in India and liked them as they reminded him of those times. I have wanted to try one ever since. I found one in the local supermarket. It is about the size of a melon but looks and smells like the cross between an orange and a grapefruit. An interesting painting subject for me to tackle today. A quick google and they are a fruit with lots of lovely symbolism - good luck, family unity and prosperity. Sounds good to me, - - - #stradaeasel #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily

Monday, 20th January 2025 - Wonky Pots No stories to tell today. I have been adding and collating figures for my tax return. Thank you for the book recommendations after my request for them yesterday. Day 20 #stradaeasel From my vast collection of pots I chose three for today. They are all a bit wonky. Some from being handthrown and some because I got the perspective a bit out. I was watching the series Pennyworth that was on the edge of my vision. After last year of painting 366 postcard sized works I am thoroughly enjoying painting bigger. - - #stradaeasel #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily

Sunday, 19th January 2025 - No 11 My sister brought me some earrings for my 60th birthday last year. They are ones I am very fond of and wear lots. Yesterday I was wearing a fluffy scarf that catches on them. I lost one I thought on the streets of Tonbridge which was annoying and sad. Today I got a text from Diane - she had found it in their hallway!!! Great news. I need a new book to read. Has anyone got any recommendations? Day 19 #stradaeasel I was in Aldi . I had read raving reviews about their perfume. Another lady was looking at it with me. There weren't any testers. She was braver than me and opened all three that were on the shelf. We both bought a bottle of Peony Blush. It smells gorgeous. Nice subject for today's painting I thought until I started painting it. I find shine and glass are very hard to capture. - - - #stradaeasel #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily

Saturday, 18th January 2025 - Tim's Loaf Day 18 #stradaeasel Tim was up kneading dough before I had emerged for the day. He was making a loaf to take to friends for lunch. He made two. We have kept one to have a Sunday indulgence with. It is a thing of beauty and made a lovely model for today's painting. This morning I finished making the kitchen sticky with marmalade. It is looking like a firmish set which is always a bonus. I have a tendency to made runny preserves. Lindsey was our chauffeur for the day. She took us to Aldi for coffee beans, B&Q where we found half price cyclamen that I had converted last week. On to Tonbridge to John and Diane's home. We wandered through the streets of Tonbridge and around the castle. It was buzzing. We stopped at Fuggles for nuts, a couple of drinks and more nuts before heading back to John and Diane's for a very long, tasty, lazy lunch. Lindsey, Tim and John have know each other for sixty plus years. Yes, there was lots of reminiscing. - - - #stradaeasel #apaintingaday #katerundell #artblog #dailyart #instaart #instaartist #artoninstagram #painting #watercolourpainting #blogger #dailyblogger #winsorandnewton #ınstadaily