AUTUMN INSPIRATION September 30 2015

AUTUMN INSPIRATION

I revel in this time of the year, the golden sunlight, the lengthening shadows, the leaves starting to change colour. At the weekend I enjoy trips to our allotment to pick pumpkins, dahlias, apples, plums and grapes, and take meandering walks with my family around the Sussex countryside collecting rosehips and sloes. I love researching traditional British recipes and cooking jams, jellies, chutneys and syrups using my allotment and foraged hedgerow ingredients. Successes so far this season include Rosehip and Apple Conserve, Grape and Rosemary Jelly, Plum and Apple Chutney as well as Sloe Gin - which should be ready just in time for the festive season!

Back in my studio, I’m busy working on a new collection of paintings to include some of my favourite British beauty spots - the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District and the Norfolk Broads amongst others. My stretched paper and drawing boards are lined up in my studio like soldiers and I’ve been hand setting, drawing and painting the Gill Sans type for each piece. I’m working on seven new paintings over the coming months and these new designs will be available to buy as signed prints and greeting cards in Spring 2016 (from www.kellyhalldesigns.com).

Lastly, I’m happy to be preparing for a Christmas exhibition of my prints in the stylish Café Lazzati at Southdowns Sports Club in Lewes. The exhibition will be open to the public from 8 November 2015. On show will be a selection of my Vintage Railway and Vintage British Kitchen prints - all available to buy - I know it’s a bit early to mention but they do make great Christmas presents!

That’s all for now and enjoy this Indian summer.