Sarah Anderson Martha Gellhorn was one of the finest war-correspondents of the twentieth century. She learnt her craft for war reporting in the Spanish Civil War where she worked for Colliers; this was where she grew up politically: ‘We knew, we just 
knew, that Spain was the place to stop fascism. This was it. It was one … Read more
Ivan Chambers, the witty, erudite and distinguished bookseller has died at the age of ninety five. Chambers was born in Philippopolis in Bulgaria on January 20th 1902, where his father was working on the financial side of a silk spinning factory. He returned to England as a small child and was educated at St George’s … Read more
As a child in London, Lesley Blanch and her parents were often visited by the Traveller, a mysterious Russian, who enthused the young Lesley with Siberian stories and tales of his daring-do. This passion for Russia and things Russian never left her: the ‘Love of my heart, the fulfilment of the senses and the kingdom … Read more
By nature, Richard Trench who has died from a heart attack at the age of 48, was a nomad. He was a scavenger for information and because he found almost everything interesting he adapted to any situation with relative ease. This desire for knowledge made him a very lively companion; he took a keen interest … Read more
I am going to have an exhibition of my paintings in Aldeburgh in Suffolk at the beginning of November during the poetry festival which is over the weekend of November 2nd. This is exciting but also rather daunting – I need to produce around forty framed pictures which I will need to sell as I … Read more
Just back from a glorious 2 weeks painting in Provence – near Apt. Ten students, one tutor and delicious food and drink. I used a combination of gouache, watercolour, ink and pastel. I decided that I love pastels and must instantly invest in more colours. Unison in Northumberland seem to make the best…. To see … Read more
I am having a joint exhibition at the Tabernacle from May 9th-13th. This came about as I met my four fellow exhibitors courses we all did at the Royal Drawing School. They ran a series of courses on painters who had painted in London – Hogarth, Turner and Blake – hence the theme of our exhibition. … Read more
This coming weekend is the Dovedale Arts Festival in Derbyshire. Music, literature and paintings in a beautiful setting. Eight of my recent  collages will be on show along with two other painters.
My exhibition at the Tabernacle has finished – it went really well and I sold lots! People went on being very complimentary and continued to say that my paintings made people feel happy – which really is the best thing anyone could say. There is also something very gratifying about seeing one’s work en masse and hanging … Read more
Exhibition going well – very positive feedback. Some people like the more conventional paintings – but many prefer my collages – which I Â really enjoy doing. Somebody emailed me to say that he could see my paintings made people happy – what a compliment. The exhibition will stay on at the Tabernacle until Saturday 14th … Read more