234 entry

Wow, I looked at this diary today and two years have passed. Where did that time go?

So it's now 8th June 2025 🤪 and a sunny Sunday morning.

 2024 

A year full of visits to France; Spain; Cornwall x 2 ...

Exhibitions 

 https://www.artlook.org.uk/

Hilliers; 

Hampshire Open studio;

Salisbury Hospital

It's the year of the Bee. 

If they all became extinct then so would we, 

we rely on them for pollination so be kind to them...

My year of 'Naive Art.'

This is Matilda and I LOVE her 

Under is Albert and I LOVE him too but not as much as Matilda

Below, shouting at you, is Sid

and below him is his mate Charlie.

These characters that I have created are like in Beatrix Potter books. She relates to her illustrations - Peter Rabbit especially - as family! 

I spent time down at Woodgreen Hampshire Open Studio and using stick, ink and watercolours these guys emerged. I think they are great.

I added a flower one as well. 

I tend to draw people as I like the movement

The style developed into this...

onwards 

My 10th book was published. 

👏👏👏

Bottinest Bumblebees 

£8 +P&P

A rhyming book about two bee friend collecting pollen from the  New Forest.

Go to my website - now if you wish for more information and my email address

(new website) 

 

https://www.sarahorchardart.com/

As to holidays:

Cornwall

Easter we all meet - this year it was 25. 

Starting in about 1964

(2023 this was painted)

then to Lower Tremorn for our summer holiday.

Asturias - to see my lovely cuz and wife. Wonderful time.

Sergeac - on a felt making course for a week and I LOVED it.

The year ended with a look to the past through my 2023 diary and thoughts of what 2024 would hold.

Now onwards into 2025

233 entry

 

It is October 2023 the world is in quite a turmoil. 

I have feel more in my confidence my art. This is due to commissions really.

Still doing my Wednesday class after 12 years and what wonderful people.

 We have wilded our garden and seeing the development of wild life increase is a delight.

Therefore update of my garden blog is a joy.

Below are some of my achievements over the months. Some I enjoy some not so...

My niece is 40 this week. I did her a card of her family. 

watercolour and pencil.

I was given two commissions to be achieved in Monochrome. 

I enjoyed the tonal aspect so much that I did my own painting. 

Tethering Drove entrance to the Purlieu.

(2) This is Lady Mile Hale Purlieu

monochrome watercolour 

(1) Woodgreen Common

Monochrome watercolour

Just playing...

My friend and I walk on a Monday. We sit in the church and chat..

This is at Florence Nightingale's grave in Wellow.

I used my black pentel brush pen for the marks. Quite pleased with it.

My girlie and lovely boy hugging. part of my 'swatch' diary.

My lovely Dads is in with my beautiful Mums now. 

We visited Sibford Quaker Meeting house where they are now buried with the rest of their family..

My sister and brother in law have been married for 50years in September

The painting is for them of their whole family. I did enjoy painting it.

This is the church that they got married in in Ealing London

Pencil and watercolour

This is Charlie 

He is in one of my books

'Philip the Pheasant'

This is Sid

I love Sid and Charlie even though I 'made' them 

An anniversary card...

A painting for a 70 year olds birthday.

The view from our cabin at Lower Tresmorn - we love that place!

I did a workshop with Karen Welsh. 

This is my completed work.

I do rather like it but shall not be using acrylics again  through choice!

I enjoyed minimalising the subject and the pastel shades..

My ninth book. 

'Daft Donkeys'

£8

Absolutely love it. Worth buying as it epitomises 

the donkeys on the New Forest!

A couple of the iPad illustrations from the book. Ideal for chi;ldren and adults alike.

It is written in rhyme ...

 232 entry

Nearly a year has passed since I last updated this blog.

I have spent a lot of time with my 'swatch' (8) - daily diary; walking log (3) and Random Garden log (1)

I love to record, in my walk log, flora and fauna over the years; to see the variation of life on the Purlieu (New Forest) 

In my swatch I record important days in my life - again over the years.

Just playing...carbon pencil & watercolours

A visit to Wendy Lady's house resulted in this little illustration.

My beautiful girlie chose two little kittens. Brother and Sister... SO gorgeous!

They are now a year old and still a delight!

Coach House Studio for the 9th year I believe.

Woodgreen

Fabulous!

My oldest niece got married. 💕

I have been walking with a local friend and her fabulous wonderful dog for nearly two years now...

This is a sketch in charcoal and watercolours; done as a memory.

Christmas card - 2021

My lovely friends birthday present. Framed painting in charcoal and watercolours.

A windy day on the Purlieu...

I'm out walking again! 😍

Valentine  2022

To my wonderful lovely boy of 43 valentines...

Cornwall 2022 

We made it!

💓What a great week we all had celebrating the life of my lovely Dads 💓 

26 family member went for the week.

Michael Ernest Bond 

1928 - 2021

In memory of our wonderful father, father-in-law, grandfather and great Grandfather