Okay, well it's not just May that's gone a bit mad for me, April has been a crazy busy month too but everything just seems to stepping up another notch in May. Jane and I move into our fabulous new studio in Dacre Banks on 1st May, with a launch event on 12th & 13th May scheduled (see events page for more details). Then the lovely James Stone, from Treasure & Relish, has invited Jane & I to take part in their Spring Open Event in Harrogate at the end of May (again see events page for more info).

So as you can see, May is shaping up to be a pretty busy month in all. So my sketchbook project contribution has been finished today, ready for dispatch tomorrow (meeting the postmark deadline by the skin of my teeth) and the next couple of weeks will pass in a flurry of painting, framing, mounting, hanging and marketing!!

If you do happen to see me at the end of the month and I am sitting in a corner rocking backwards and forwards, be kind and make me a cuppa!!

The last four weeks have seen the season rapidly change from frosty mid winter scenes to spring flowers and birdsong with the promise of summer BBQ's with friends almost visible on the horizon.

Although I do love the cosyness of winter, I'll be the first to admit that my motivation and energy levels really start to wane if it goes on for too long. I am not a naturally sunny early morning person at the best of times so waking up to darkness outside makes me just want to crawl back under the covers to wait for daylight, but three kids generally makes realising that particular inclination an impossibility! Add into the mix that I seem to have the circulation of a snake and I have reached the reasoned conclusion that I am made for sunnier climes.

So while I plan my escape to a perfect tropical island (one that is miraculously devoid of bugs, things that bite, hurricanes and anything unpleasant) we have got down to the serious business of clearing the garden of it's winter debris ready for a much hoped for BBQ season here in sunny Nidderdale.

In terms of my work there is plenty happening on the painting front with several submissions scheduled over the course of 2012. 'Distortion' is almost complete and my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project 2012 is well under way. Sketches/composition layouts abound for new pieces and a few more days in the week would be much appreciated - failing that an extra hour each day............please???

Signed up to the Sketchbook Project 2012 in the middle of January and my lovely little blank sketchbook arrived a week or so later.

So now my head is full to bursting with the ideas about how I am going to fill those snowy white pages inspired by the title I picked of 'Distance & Time'. It's only fair to warn you in advance ........ it's going to be pretty bonkers with plenty of psychedelic inspiration, symbolismm and references to Alice in Wonderland (not sugary.....kinda of dark I am thinking at this stage - I am bit obssessed with tunnels in a 'falling down the rabbit hole' type way). Tame is just not how I roll anymore people ;) ......

Well, that's it. The kids went back to school today after what I can safely say was one of the BEST Christmas holidays ever. Good food, plenty of walking and lots of relaxing with the most important people in the world - my wonderful little family.

2011 was a pretty turbulent year for The Payne crew - don't get me wrong it hasn't been all doom and gloom but there have been some pretty humongous challenges to overcome through the year.....