chaffinch miniature watercolour painting

Chaffinch © Tracy Hall 2010 (shown enlarged)

1.75" x 2.25" watercolour on board

Over the past few days we have enjoyed watching a group of chaffinches who have joined the regulars at the feeding station in the garden. It has become so cold there is ice floating on the shore below the house so they really do need all the help they can get right now.

It is four years since I started this blog and I'd like to thank all of you who take the time to stop by and post comments or send emails. I don't always manage to reply but I really do appreciate every one. Although I did start a page on Facebook this year, I am not very good at it and blogs remain my favourite. I marvel slightly at those who manage to do it all and still find time to paint! I know I can't.

I haven't been able to post much of my illustration work this year as now I mostly have to wait until after its been released before I can show it, for which I apologise, but here are some of the latest puzzles that have come out - I only wish they all sent samples as its always great fun to see them.

Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and all the very best for 2011.

the lunar eclipse and a book

This was the lunar eclipse this morning at 7.40am (apparently the last time this happened on the winter solstice was 1638, and the next time will be 2094). Not the best photo, but the best I could do and it was pretty impressive.

Is it just me or is there a face in there?!

I also received my copy of 'A Masterclass in Drawing and Painting Animals' this week from Lorenz/Anness Publishing who had asked if they could use some of my paintings in the book. I know the publication was considerably delayed so its nice to finally see it! Its written by wildlife artist Jonathan Truss and Sarah Hoggett and I noticed BBC Wildlife magazine has a current competition to win copies. I haven't had a chance to dip into it yet (hopefully I can catch up over the holidays) but it is beautifully produced.

Labradors portrait

Rolo & Bella © Tracy Hall 2010

11" x 15" watercolour on arches

These two labradors belong to a wonderful couple who have asked me to paint all of their dogs over the years, so it was a pleasure to be asked again. They have been patiently waiting since 2009, but since Rolo is a new addition to their family hopefully that worked out well in the end.

We still have lots of snow. The birds are enjoying the food we're putting out and amongst the others it was nice to find a chaffinch this morning as we don't often see them - closely followed by a sparrowhawk, who cleared the garden of birdlife in a flash.