Summer is comin'

   It's been a strange spring in many countries I know, but in Malta it has been rather lovely in an unsettled way. Usually the days would be getting hotter and hotter, but this year has been very windy and has even rained recently! In JUNE!! I only remember it being like this once before, many years ago when my children were still at school.....

    Anyway, it's been great for painting outside, as there are clouds and actual Weather. The sun has been hot enough to ripen and start to burn the fields, so everything is turning golden brown and the green is disappearing. 

   My neighbour Mary, a farmer through and through, brought me these artichoke heads to paint (actually she dragged me down into the fields to cut them down) so I had to oblige! They are wonderful things - left to go to seed like this the centres turn the most amazing shade of almost neon purple. They are then cut down to feed the animals during the summer.

   

Soon it will be too hot to paint outside during the day very much, but I am looking forward to painting in the evenings at the Malta Arts Festival events, including the jazz fest

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