You may be surprised to realise that I actually wrote a blog post, a LONG blog post on the 17th July. In fact I was so pleased with myself at writing something so creative, that I forgot to press the SAVE button, and when I pressed  "Publish ", it promptly disappeared. For ever!!! 
I have to say, that I took it very badly.. I mean, all that effort, and to be wiped out, because I failed to negotiate the modern world, and be on top of the technology..
Note to self; Don't get so hung up... I am right brained after all.. ( well that is what I am telling myself anyway.. )
So, the lack of blog posts, even though it sounds like a poor excuse is because there has been a lot of painting to get through.. especially with the workshops at the bodnantart.com
​These workshops are roughly taking place once a month now. Contact to book through the above address. Places are limited. It is a fun place to come and enjoy experimenting with watercolour in a relaxed environment. Next workshop is September on Heleniums..
The next big event is The North Wales Art Fest this Thursday and Friday. See poster below.
I am painting there again and would love to meet some of you.. It is a vibrant event, where all we artists come out of our caves once in a while.. There are some fabulous Artists demonstrating also and the brilliant Rosemary & Co for brushes etc..
i will have a lot of work there for sale, and prints and cards also..
Incidentally, my cards and prints are now available in the shop at www.mostyn.org
​So, if you are around, come and introduce yourselves! See you there!

I have now reduced most of the Derry and Inishowen section too, and most of those are framed mounted pieces...

Hi everyone, am having a SALE on quite a bit of my work to make room for new stuff, so I have slashed the prices. Most of it I have priced individually, except the Inishowen and Derry ones. If you see something you would like send me an email, as those ones are in the Glashedy Gallery in Ballyliffin: Inishowen..
Its quite interesting looking back at some of this older work and seeing how my work has changed and developed over the last few years.. Onwards and upwards!

Hi everyone, have gone to ground a bit over winter, as have been preparing for a new workshop in
https://www.bodnantart.com. This one which starts this friday is all but full, but there will be another in April. Please check their web for details ....  So I have been going a bit snowdrop crazy! But you know, as soon as you think you have finished there is always room for one more interpretation ! And I never seem to tire of snowdrops, after the bleakness and dark of winter.. Their creamy buds in the deep earth always make me reach for my brushes!
The other news is that from this Friday some of my work is appearing in The Mostyn Gallery: llandudno , in an Exhibition called " In Bloom" http://www.mostyn.org/showcase/bloom
​So if you are in the area call in.. There is some stunning work in the exhibition, and it is on for the next few months..

Masking fluid, is a medium that a lot of artists struggle with, at times myself included. I have experimented with a variety of brands over the years.. Some are better than others, although what might suit me, would not suit someone else.
Depending which paper you use, it can be difficult to remove, and when you do remove it, the paper must be totally dry. Often I choose not to use it at all, preferring to paint around shapes, and allowing paint to bleed into the areas, which can allow for a softer end result. But when you are wishing to preserve small shapes, in order to have more freedom with the washes, then some masking fluid may be the right choice.
So, back to brands: I like Windsor & Newton, because it doesnt rip the paper ( providing the paper is robust enough ) Recently though I have been using the Masquepen from Cruddas Innovations Ltd, which is available from Jackson's Art Supplies UK, as it has the option of a very fine nib for applying extremely fine lines. You must be assiduous in cleaning out the nib in order to prevent blockages.
I have had trouble with this, and wrote to the company, who very kindly supplied me with more nibs and needles to clean with. The fluid is very easy to remove, not damaging to the surface of the paper, so, worth experimenting with.. so give it a try!

Yes really! How remiss am I? Its been ages!!! I walk around in my own little world picking up ideas, painting like crazy, teaching art lessons, and my.. how time flies!
Yes, I have been busy, and painting lots of Hedgerow pictures.. I seem to be getting more and more involved in that world, as well as doing commissions etc.
The best news is that I now have my work represented in Sandra and Mike Balmer's lovely Gallery in Ellesmere .  http://www.thegalleryatnumber3.co.uk
She is taking a number of my paintings to this years Chester Art Fair
http://www.chesterartsfair.co.uk
This Autumn has shown the most spectacular colours as I have seen in my local Bodnant Garden.. I feel some tree paintings coming on. I have quite a bit of new work too which I will upload on here in the next few weeks.. 
The cut off for animal commissions is the end of November if you would like one for Christmas..
​Lets hope my next post won't be so long!

Yes, sometimes it is so hard to do just that, when there is so much going on.
This month especially, there are a lot of events; At the moment the Eglwysbach Art Show is on in the Conwy Valley for two weeks. try and visit if you are in the area. There is a rich and varied amount of Art on offer in a variety of styles. I have seven pieces in there.
Then this Friday is the North Wales Artfest in llandudno..I am exhibiting there for the two days, then on Sunday 14th will be exhibiting at Hafodunos Hall: llangernyw for the day..
So, for me, this is seriously busy, and it is lovely to meet different people and participate, but I also need quiet to think about my ideas and to develop them! I will be painting at the ArtFest, but I suspect next week will be more productive for me, just messing with my paints and trying out different themes to exploit.. Also don't forget, my Gallery is open every Sunday between 2-4 in Eglwysbach; Conwy..

I know "Weather wise " it has not been much of a summer so far, but the rain has swelled the hedgerows filled to bursting, so inspiration is never far away..
The Eglwysbach Art Exhibition is coming up soon, in the Conwy Valley between 6th-15th August. I have a few pieces in there, and it is well worth a visit for the variety of styles and mediums on show.
In September The Helfa Gelf Art Trail begins and I am open on two weekends..Link below
https://helfagelf.co.uk/artists/liz-bolloten
Also, I am participating in the North Wales Art Fest in Craig Y Don Community Hall: Llandudno..
​Details below: And a big event at Hafodunos on the 14th... More on that later! Meanwhile, how to keep up with all the subjects crying out to be painted ? !

i have just returned from Ireland where I taught a Watercolour workshop at The Art Surgery: Buncrana. The more I teach Watercolour, the more I realise that so many people are genuinely afraid of having a go. I have several students here in Wales who are accomplished artists in their own right, who feel nervous of trying this medium. It seems to have this impression that it is too uncontrollable and that you cannot rectify mistakes afterwards. Well, as I have said before, the way I work, I deliberately make so called " mistakes " because I like to be challenged by the organic marks that arise from the " imperfections " It is true that you need some working knowledge of the techniques first , in order to break the rules later, and that is just the way that I like to work. Many artists like to adhere to the rules, and thats great too. There are some superb painters out there. Each and every one of us needs to find our own voice, and not to be afraid to make errors on the journey to finding it.. So don't be tempted to copy other peoples style as in the end you are selling yourself short.....
Other news is that I have SOLD the large watercolour of the SS Laurentic. This is the one that sank in the Lough Swilly in Buncrana in 1917. I was happy to donate a portion of this to the RNLI Lough Swilly Lifeboat, who also as it happened received their new lifeboat while I was there. There was also another ill fated Laurentic that  sank in Donegal in the 2nd World war that I have painted, and this too, when It sells I will also donate 10% to the Lough Swilly lifeboat again...

I am exhibiting at The Palm House: Sefton park: Liverpool on Monday 30th..
Details here: www.artisansinthepalmhouse.co.uk
Come and say hello if you are in the area... It is a fabulous venue with lots of other Artisans and Crafters ..