Back from France I have been straight into work, visiting locations across Cumbria where I sell work, as well as beginning to develop my two paintings currently on the easel. My journey through Cumbria has been an exhilarating mix of peace, learning, and spontaneous adventures. The fabulous Rydal Mount was as usual a real treat, while the Keswick Museum and Art Gallery served up a cultural feast. Handling the snow showers became an unexpected yet delightful challenge! Amidst this exciting mix, I've been able to enhance and evolve my two smaller paintings, first started in France, and now being perfected in the inspiring landscape of Cumbria.

This week I am on the hunt for more gold leaf for my paintings in Northern France. I visit several art shops including Burolike and La Tete dans Le Cadre, before eventually finding it at an old favourite of mine - Cultura in Laval. I have also been busy in my studio and have two new paintings well on the go, ready to take back to the UK this week to finish off and get framed up ready for sale. My fluorescent theme continues, and at the moment is providing a real vibrancy to the paintings, which I like, although I am influenced by the weather in my paintings and so a trip back to Cumbria might make them a little more subtle in colour - we'll have to wait and see!

Here is a little sneak peek of my upcoming artwork! This small abstract landscape in mixed media is still waiting for the perfect title. It draws its inspiration from the captivating l'eglise at Les Chapelles. It's currently in the sketchbook stage, but I can't wait to bring it to life on canvas! It follows on from the painting I have entered into the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition titled 'Somewhere In Between' and uses the same vibrant fluorescent colours as well as pattern merged with the landscape view.

I’ve finished my painting inspired by the Church of the Paraclete, Kirkhaugh, near Alston in Cumbria. I’ve also entered it for the Summer Exhibition at The Royal Academy of Arts, London - so fingers crossed!!

This week I travel from my studio in Cumbria to my studio in Northern France, and take in some grandparenting along the way. I have discovered through the grandchildren the fabulous paint sticks and have now added them to my armoury of portable art materials for when I am on the move. Not only are they versatile, they are also very clean and easy when I am out and about. Being on Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to Caen also gave me a fantastic opportunity to see the Spinnaker Tower as we left port, and this is something that will definitely feature in a future painting. I am hugely exited to continue with my abstract landscape painting inspired by a church in Kirkhaugh and hope to have it finished this week, now I am back in Les Chapelles.

I explore the Church of the Paraclete at Kirkhaugh in Cumbria, the only church with that name and the only one with a 'Fleche' Spire, which translates to 'Arrow'. As I am interested in the piercing of the space in between earth and sky, this seemed a fantastic subject for my first abstract landscape painting of 2024. Using a fluorescent pattern to fill the space between top and bottom, I have then begun to paint over this using sketchbooks and photographs from the church as a starting point, in mainly greens and reds. Additionally, I have been preparing some Limited edition prints for Rydal Mount and Gardens, which re-opens on 8th February.

This week has been yet another fantastic week as I travelled down to the AKA Contemporary Gallery in Cambridge for the preview of their Winter Exhibition where I have the painting 'View From The Tool Shed'

I have also spent the week preparing my canvas for painting my large abstract landscape inspired by the church in Kirkhaugh, Alston, and boy, am I excited!

I have used my Rabbit Skin Size for the first time and can't wait to apply the colours and pattern using natural materials wherever I can.

Can't wait to see the colours come to life on this baby!

AND, don't forget I still have work in a variety of exhibitions up and down the land - so please either call in store at AKA or The Old Cinema, or check out my work online at www.helenalicejohnsonartist.com

I am having a week off for Christmas, which will be the first week off making videos all year! This is week 51 and in week 52 I will be eating mince pies and enjoying family and friends - I hope you are able to do the same, and then I am hugely looking forward to sharing the journey of my next painting series with you in 2024.

It has been a great week for meetings this week - I started off on Monday at the Dennis Kilgallon Gallery to check out the space - and WOW - what an amazing drive to get there - up high in the North Pennines, it really is a gallery like no other!

I have also been to Rydal Mount this week to collect my work and bring it home for the winter - they are closed over December and January and re-open on 9th February - where the tea shop will be stocked with my art work and prints ready for the new season, and of course fantastic coffee and lots of delicious home made cakes!

And don't forget the other exhibitions I have going on at the moment -

• The Old Cinema, Chiswick, London - November to December - Routes Into Nature

• AKA Contemporary Gallery, Cambridge - Winter Open - View From The Tool Shed - December 20th to 27th January 2024.

• Cista Arts - Immersed in Nature: An Artistic Exploration - December 2023

The launch event for AKA Contemporary Winter Open is on 20th December 6pm to 9pm. If you can make it, it would be fabulous to see you there.

This week I travel back from France to my studio in Cumbria, and use the travelling time to think and plan some ideas for my next set of large abstract paintings which will be based on the North Pennines. I am having an exhibition in July at the Dennis Kilgallon Gallery and these paintings will be painted specifically for the exhibition. Of course, if anyone wants to buy one before the exhibition, that will be fine! I hope you like what I've been up to! Please subscribe to my channel if you do!