A woman of two halves.

Well, actually, more than two halves if that makes any sense, but I’m talking about the artistic me, and the fact that I’m split between my two loves, writing and painting. Having completed my latest work of historical fiction, Kindred and Affinity, a romance – I swore I’d never write romance – inspired by my somewhat dubious family history, I’ve been turning my attention to my painting. But first, Kindred and Affinity is available to pre-order at http://mybook.to/KindredandAffinity It’s not as dark as some of my other historical fiction, concentrating as it does on the lives of ordinary men and women in my home county of Northamptonshire, but it does explore how young women were prey to their fathers’ social and religious convictions, and their husbands’ good nature, and not all my forebears have been men (or women) of good moral conviction – and there hang several other tales already written. It’s at a special pre-order price of 99p/99c until July 12th. Why not take a look?

But back to my art. A long-time member of the St Davids and Solva Art Group, I’m now feverishly getting ready for our annual summer exhibition to be held at St David’s City Hall from July 31st to August 16th. It’s a great exhibition – some twenty-six members exhibit their work, which is of an exceptionally high standard for a local group of amateur artists.

Take a look at the group’s website http://www,stdavidsandsolvaartgroup.co.uk or our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/stdavidsandsolvaartgroup and you’ll see what I mean. A great variety of subjects and media and all realistically priced. Profits from the exhibition go to local good causes.

I’ve just framed my latest work – a seascape, my speciality. I can never remember to photograph my paintings before I put them behind glass, so apologies for the slight blurriness of the image.

Bishop’s Rock Light – watercolour

I love painting the sea around the North Pembrokeshire coast. These rocks lie off Ramsey Island, in Cardigan Bay, just off the beach at Whitesands, near St Davids, and Bishop’s Rock is topped by a lighthouse. The current is very strong in Ramsey Sound and rocks in the sound known as The Bitches are popular with canoeists. I worked on the island for a while, serving teas to visitors, and it’s a fabulous place that is close to my heart.

So, if you happen to be in St Davids during the first two weeks of August, do pop into the City Hall and take a look around. You’ll be made very welcome.

And don’t forget http://mybook.to/KindredandAffinity if you enjoy historical family sagas.