Couple of sculptures in the studio of George Parsonage.

George works in the boat shed on the Clyde at Glasgow

Green. This is the base of The Glasgow Humane Society

which has been run by George for many years and his

father Ben before him. The Society is a charity who

look after the safety of those on the river within the city.

They desperately need funding for more lifebelts and

the general running which includes clearing debris and

on occasions, recovering the bodies of those unfortunate

enough to come to grief.

www.glasgowhumanesociety.com

Another wee painting that will be heading down to Devon

in April.

Back when I was living in Texas in the mid seventies the

technician in the art department was a great fella called

Terry Willoughby and this was the number plate on his

pick up. I always admired it and he gave it to me as a

leaving present in '76. Still have it. Think I"ll make a print.

This morning is so grey and miserable looking that I thought

we needed cheering up. I certainly do. This wee painting is

Volissos on the Greek island of Chios. It will be going to Devon

in mid April for my exhibition which opens around the 22nd.

Glasgow Green. I like the contrast between the Nelson monument

and the chimney.

Doesn't look like we'll have a white Christmas but we nearly did.

This was last week.

This is 'Thai Textile with Lillies'. Just back from the framer and

in line for my solo show in Devon in April.

The Stirrup Cup

The Stirrup Cup, hidden away up a wee road on the outer edges

of Kilbirnie is a treasure trove. Owned and run by my good friend

Greta Logan, I never go there without finding something to take

home.

Drive through Kilbirnie and head out on the Largs road.

Just before the golf course there is a signpost for The Stirrup Cup

pointing to the right. This is Geirston Road. Drive towards the top

and just before it, on the right is the turning for the farmyard.

Up until Christmas there will be mulled wine or warming ginger.

I had the ginger and it was lovely.

West Bankside Farm, Geirston Road, Kilbirnie, Ayrshire

KA25 7LQ

www.thestirrupcup.co.uk

Arran covered in snow.

Rowena Comrie

Only two days left to see this lovely exhibition. I saw it yesterday.

Rowena Comrie at the Hughson Gallery, 1 Cleveden Gardens,

Glasgow G12 0PU. Last day Sunday 18th December.

Rowena was one of the finalists in the very last Aspect Prize

exhibition in The Fleming Collection Gallery in London.

In all this winter rain and wind it's time to remember summer days

and lovely bright colours. This is in a Greek market on a hot July day.

By the roadside in Greece

Six whole days since I blogged. Unusual...what was it? The change of

weather probably. From the cold, wet and windy autumn to the even

colder, wetter and windier winter. Ah well...I'm back. And back with a

great book. Peter May's 'The Blackhouse'. This is a murder mystery

set on the Island of Lewis. Strange that I should be reading this the

very week that Lewis has had its first murder in forty years.

This is a good book, the first in The Lewis Trilogy.

I'll definitely be buying the next two.

Not the usual run of the mill murder mystery, it is enormously

informative of life on Lewis and is written with a depth of knowledge

and a confidence which comes only with practice. The story is good and

the dialogue believable. I would expect no less from Peter May who

was one of the main writers on the STV's 'Take The High Road'

back in the day when I was a cast member. From there he went to

Lewis to head up their Gaelic soap 'Machair'.

Now living in France, that wealth of experience is flowing forth in novels.

Well done that man.

I'm not quite finished 'The Black House'....maybe this evening.

Winter roses

Glasgow's Big Wheel

Went on Glasgow's big wheel on Friday. I don't like heights

but was persuaded to go on. Not entirely sure I could describe it

as fun but appreciate that if you don't mind heights then it

is great.

The wind farm on the moor near Eaglesham.

Borderline Theatre

Been off air for a few days as I have been helping designer

Justin Wilson build and paint sets for Borderline Theatre's

new community show. It was all very last minute and we had

four days to do it. The main set is painted on a flat wall. Yes,

a flat wall....good isn't it. The show opens tonight at the

Harbour Arts Centre in Irvine. Only runs for two performances.

Went to the new Wholefoods store in Giffnock. Being something

of a chocoholic I always check out the chocolate bars. This one

I'd never tried before and it's fabulous. Made in Madagascar.

It's got such a complex taste..neither bitter nor sweet.

Hmmmmm.

Dried fish in a fish market in Kalk Bay outside Cape Town.

Iceland

Someone was asking if I had any paintings of Iceland.

Found three including this wee sketch of lake Myvatn.

Huge midges round there. We'd read about them but

nothing prepares you for the actual thing.

Beautiful place despite midge attack.

Candili

Painting of the house we stayed in during the summer.

It's on the Greek island of Evvia.

Dunlop Village Hall

It's the annual Christmas Exhibition in the village hall here

in Dunlop. Opening night was fun and one of my two pictures

is sold. One left.....

Just found this old photo of me drawing in Tobago.

It's a tough life.

Ormidale House, Argyll

During the last week of March next year I shall be heading a

five day art course at Ormidale House in Argyll. Yesterday I

visited Ormidale and think it's a fabulous place.

Visiting chef Stuart Campbell made us a scrummy lunch.

Stuart will be cooking for the art course and I can't wait!

Details of this course will appear before Christmas.

www.ormidalehouse.com

Mcauley Fine Art

Mcauley Fine Art in The William Street Gallery in Edinburgh

are having a Christmas show with small paintings and sketches.

These two are heading off to Edinburgh tomorrow for the

show. Both sketches from Portugal.

Mcauley Fine Art, The William Street Gallery, 10 William

Street, Edinburgh EH3 7NH.

This is a large painting of a lighthouse in Maine.

It's going to be on a new web site which I'll tell you

about soon. All very exciting...watch this space.