the artists wife

Pump Room, Bath

“Pump Room in the Snow” is a large studio watercolour by my husband Alan Reed based on studies made on location in Bath.

Over the last two years he entered the Bath Prize, a painting competition  held annually in Bath where contestants are given a specific location in Bath to paint “plein air”. Once they have painted their allocated scene before the competition deadline, they can enter other paintings they may have done of Bath.

In 2010 he came runner up with the painting of the Royal Crescent and in 2011 and won first prize for the best painting of the Circus in Bath.

The little girl dressed in a bright red coat (our eldest granddaughter Emily) added an important focal point to the composition. The original watercolour can be seen at the Studio & Gallery in Ponteland.

Paintings of Oman for Queen Elizabeth

http://main.omanobserver.om/node/31076

“Alan Reed works on location by capturing scenes both by camera and in a small watercolour sketchbook which is with him all times. A limited edition facsimilie of this book has been produced on handmade paper, bound in red leather in a slip case. Each book is numbered and signed by the artist. Copies of this exquisite book are available from www.all-manahil-books.com.  and also Alan Reed Gallery

With a reputation built up over 30 years of painting many art collectors now beat their way to his studios.

Now he will have a new honour — his work on Oman being presented to the collection of the Queen on the occasion of a State Visit to the Sultanate”. By Maurice Gent

For more details of this sketchbook and painting techniques see Alan Reed’s Blog

Mint

Had loads of fresh mint left over from the megga curry night so used some of it in the salad we had with home made quiche and new potatoes, was delicious.

There is now just enought left to make another cocktail  - add to a splash of gin, dry martini, elderflower cordial and slices of lime. Very refreshing.

Busy day again today in Alan Reed Gallery, with phone ringing, customers arriving and dog barking all at the same time, just as well it was Nicola’s day in to help out. It brightens my day up no end on the days when she is in as she is so jolly and fun to have around.

Had loads of orders this week for Northumbrian Castles ! strange how you get a sudden run on certain prints, then some weeks it’s all Italian prints !

KLM & Cocktails

Still trying to sort out the KLM flights and complaint, they are almost impossible to talk to and up to this point not at all apologetic or sympathetic - very disappointing indeed.

Apart from this, other admin I managed to make a pot of home made Chilli and Carott & Corriander soup.

Alan’s Mum popped around with some home made Hot X Buns, I can tell you they are the best ever. I never buy them after tasting hers ! She is such a sweet gem.

I looked online for “What to do with fresh Mint” as I had some left from the “megga curry night” and found some amazing ideas. 

However, I am so looking forward to going to Oman now and need the break, although a lot of it will be work related. Who cares as long as there is sun, sea, sand and fantastic food, not to mention the good hospitality. Now I sound like a travel agent! 

Oliver will be dog, house and Alan Reed Gallery sitting and he is even tidy, what more could we want.

Just finished a hard days work and sitting down with a cocktail of Gin, Dry Martini, Elderflower Cordial, Fresh Mint and Fresh Lime Mmmmmmmmmm

Very relaxing!

Knee Arthroscopy

Well,  I am now recovering after my latest surgery this week on my knee. This was a long overdue operation as I have been in quite a lot of pain for some time now, but you know what - I wish I had done it years ago. Even though it’s understandibly sore now, I have a feeling that it’s going to solve a lot of problems once the wound has healed.

Christmas week and it’s never been busier ! just as well I have done my present shopping as I have 3 appointments this week at different places: Lymph node clinic, Cancer Clinic and Kidney transplant clinic all of which I am going to have to be ferried around.

Anyway, onto a lighter note, I am so excited for Christmas as I have some amazing presents to give out to my loved ones. Can’t say what they are for obvious reasons.

The fresh free range turkey will be collected on Wednesday from Blagdon Farm Shop and from past experience will be delicious. Me and Alan will cook it together following Jamie Oliver’s example along with home made stuffing and all the trimmings.

Christmas eve will begin the festivities with mulled wine, Prosecco,Pannetone,home made mince pies (Louise has made the sweet mincmeat and I will make the almond pastry) sherry and lots of spectacular food and nibbles for anyone who come to visit us.

Our kids and grandkids will be staying with us and it will be crazy but fun. One present is allowed to be opened on Christmas eve, then one in the morning before bacon sandwiches all round, and so the frenzy will begin!! Not forgetting of course the reason why we are celebrating and that is the birth of our preceious Saviour Jesus.

The Alan Reed Gallery has also been very busy this week with people buying beautiful paintings, prints and originals the most popular being “Theatre Royal in the Snow” which features our Grandaughter Emily, the edition is almost sold out now.

I wonder if it will be a white Christmas here in Newcastle this year !