I’m still waiting for my stuff to arrive and so am still not painting – I need to focus more and get out and sketch. I’ve been set a task to photograph some stuff for work so I am going to take the opportunity to photograph a bit more than I am supposed to! Shhh don’t tell anyone! Just had some photography books arrive that I ordered that have me learning about apertures, shutter speeds and ISO speeds and the effects you can get. Not that I can photograph anything to put it all into practice. Biggest joke was ordering a book about photographing water – in the desert? hmmmmmm maybe I was hallucinating when I did that – or sunstroke maybe – or maybe planning to photograph mirages! Funnily enough we have a photography competition coming up at work and I am trying to figure out if, and if yes, what to enter – answers on a postcard please! Maybe something from DC.

I was sitting sketching in the corridor the other day – a banana tree – braving the curious stares of my fellow workers – wonderful comments included “Its so nice to have a hobby” and “Could you draw me?” and “You’re so talented” on looking at what looked like a squiggle on a scrap of paper! All I could do not to burst out laughing!

Seriously, I can’t wait to get back to some serious work. The light here is so beautiful, wonderful blue shadows in the evening and early morning. Wish I thought there was any chance of painting plein aire, either without being imprisoned or without frying in the heat!

“The view is loaded with Light, Light, Light, ever changing and so wonderful in its myriad colors.” Candace Faber

I cannot paint the sun on the desert on a bright summer morning, but maybe in terms of paint color I can convey to you my experience …………. Georgia O’Keefe