We had some amazing light under the passing storm clouds last week. Here are a couple of photos taken when I was out painting above the Box Valley in Suffolk.

Below, is a photo of the passing storm clouds that I have pasted to the picture I was painting at the time. You can click on the images to enlarge them. It’s interesting for me to look back and see how they compare. If you look closely you can see the rain drops on the painting.

The painting was oil on board, 12×16 inches.

This week Ronald Blythe, the renowned writer on English country life, turned 90.  Last week we were lucky enough to be invited for tea at his wonderful home in the Stour Valley.  He lives in a 17th century yeoman’s cottage that was previously the home of the painter John Nash.

As a writer Victoria was keen to talk to him about his books and you can read her Interview with Ronald Blythe on her blog.

Photo: Ronald Blythe and Victoria Connelly. Photo by Roy Connelly.

Yesterday was spent away from painting if you don’t count preparing 30 of the 50 panels and canvases for my next painting trip.

Victoria and I went to Notting Hill for the London launch of her novel  Molly’s Millions. The evening was a great success.  The paperback sold out completely – they even took down the window display and sold those too.

There is much excitement here at the moment.  Today is the official publication date for my wife’s novel Molly’s Millions.

 She has previously had two novels published in Germany, one of which was made into a film, but this is her first novel to be published in the UK. 

You can read all about it on her website victoriaconnelly.com and there is also a competition to win a signed copy.