Getting inspiration from my little watercolour journal.  It's been fun revisiting these images from past sailing trips, and re-interpreting them in oils.  I'm usually too impatient to revisit a subject, but I'm enjoying this!

Do I work or do I paint?  A tough decision 😅 Finishing off this little plein air sketch today.  Joined our lovely group at Grossi Point in Mapua on Wednesday, organised by @nicolerusselfineart

A good feeling tackling something different.  And these plums were hard to resist, as a subject...and pretty yummy too.  This was something I started as part of a daily challenge back in January...life got in the way a little, and here I am in late February 😅.

Always something for Nick to fix!  This time it was the outboard on the dinghy.  The joys of sailing 😂 Otherwise it's been a perfect couple of days at Adele Island.  Beautiful Abel Tasman on our doorstep.  We are so lucky 😍.

Art in the Park.  What an awesome day it was, and we were lucky to enjoy this spot right by the river.

Trying to find my focus this morning, and getting distracted by my almost finished art works, and dreams of summer sailing.  Coffee helps a little 🤪

Finished, not finished....who knows!   This painting has been driving me mad for some reason.  This is my attempt to capture the view across the hills approaching Wharariki Beach in Golden Bay.  Love those twisty manuka trees and the rolling hills.

Noticing how oyster catchers often keep one leg tucked up as they wait for the tide.  As we approach, these 2 hopped a little away, perhaps keeping themselves warm.  Always lovely to watch 🧡.

Here comes the sun, lighting up my little painting corner.  And everything is suddenly beautiful.

Having so much fun painting these foreground trees.  I need to stop before I get to the "you've ruined it" stage! 😂

Winter oasis in the Abel Tasman.

The best moment!  Seeing our little children's book in the local library 😀

A little sad to leave Adele Island yesterday, but today we're catching up with whānau, and it's good to feel stable ground underfoot!

Friendly little robin (possibly a South Island Robin?...I'm no expert), that joined us on the beach at Adele Island.  They're a fairly common sight in the bush, but this is the first time I've spotted one on the beach.

Swam at Pukatea Bay this morning, and the water was fresh!  Absolutely magic...such a lovely little bay just over the headland from The Anchorage.

10 days into our trip.  D'Urville was where we started...the headlands are stark and dramatic.  This is the first entry in my little visual sailing diary....hard to capture the rugged cliffs in watercolours, but great learning.

Tinkering with this little watercolour & pencil sketch that I started last week.  Spent a blissful morning painting in the gardens at Melrose House in Nelson with our lovely plein air group.  Thanks to #nicolerussellfinearts for organising.

Love my morning walks 💜 This is a tiny wood block painting, inspired by a Spring walk...finally finished.

All set up for the Queens Gardens' Exhibition.  A little too enthusiastic maybe?🤣