An Artist’s View

Why would I buy this book? Well, like Alice, we all enjoy looking at attractive pictures. A significant section of this work explores the World Heritage site of the City of Durham, showcasing how it appeared before modern developments began to alter the view.

If you are an artist interested in discovering the potential of dry coloured pencil, this book answers many of the questions visitors to my exhibitions have asked. I will explain how I achieve such intricate detail and atmospheric effects in my work.

I have been drawing with pencil since the early 1950s, and, unaware of any books on the subject at the time, I am essentially self-taught. I use the term ‘dry coloured pencil’ because many viewers of my work assume it is watercolour. A pencil is a clean and precise medium, ideal for achieving accuracy, where every touch leaves its mark.

One visitor once commented that my work ‘oozed tranquillity,’ drawing them into the scene and enhancing the appeal of the picture. Drawing heightens one’s awareness of the many elements that influence the choice and creation of an image.

Within these pages, I reveal the techniques I have developed to expand the potential of dry pencil as a medium. I examine the importance of composition, balance, and colour in creating images that are striking enough to be displayed on a wall for years to come.

A Family of the Old Russian Empire

In the wake of the October 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, a young noblewoman in the Russian Empire makes the bold decision to stay behind, while her family scatters across the globe. Her brother flees with the White Russian emigration to New York, while her mother and sister escape to Poland. Strangely, her brother leads his American family to believe that his sister, along with her husband and daughter, vanished during the Russian Civil War (1917–1922) and are presumed dead. But this is far from the truth.

Although his other sister’s life in Poland, marked by tragedy during World War II, is well known, the fate of his sister in Russia remains a secret. In reality, he has secretly maintained contact with her, even sending financial support. Her story is one of immense suffering and resilience, enduring exile to Siberia and eight years in a brutal Gulag, branded as a “former person,” a Soviet term for those of noble birth and supporters of the old regime.

This is a poignant saga of loss, survival, and astonishing strength in the face of unimaginable adversity.

A Vampire's Story

Aura Arrington and Evan Darlo meet by chance on a fateful night in 1716 at Mac Avers Inn, a notorious den of ill repute where no respectable lady should ever find herself. Despite his assistance, Evan is no ordinary gentleman, and his presence in such a place is far from coincidence.

Evan introduces Aura to a world she never knew existed, one far darker and more dangerous than anything she has ever imagined. Can her innocence survive the temptations and shadows beyond her reality? And has Evan finally found what he has spent a lifetime searching for, only to risk destroying the very thing that drew him to her?

Though Aura is engaged in what is said to be a love match, Evan refuses to ignore the spark that has ignited his dark heart. As those who hunt him lurk in the shadows, his pursuit of Aura could come at a dangerous cost.

Faced with an impossible choice, Aura must decide: will she remain in the light, or risk everything to journey into the darkness?

Living on the Edge

Living on the Edge: Monastic Spirituality and the Development of Inner Space offers a profound exploration of Christian spirituality through the lens of monastic tradition, tracing its evolution from the New Testament era to the present day.

Richard Norton, a theologian and former Director of Studies at the UK Centre for Monastic Studies and Culture, examines the lives and writings of pivotal monastic figures including St. Benedict of Nursia, St. Augustine of Hippo, and St. Teresa of Avila, among others. The book delves into the rich history of renowned monasteries like Subiaco, Monte Cassino, and the Peschersk Lavra in Kiev, revealing how these sacred spaces became crucibles for spiritual growth and innovation.

Living on the Edge shows how the development of monastic spirituality was neither problem-free nor straightforward, arguing that the twists and turns of this journey offer invaluable lessons for those of us living outside the cloister. Precisely because of its challenges, the wisdom of these monks and nuns – rooted in centuries of contemplation, prayer, and communal living – provide timeless guidance as we search for transcendence and greater well-being, mental health, and deeper faith.

John Banting and His Circle

“He is surrealist in the unexpectedness of his invention but lacks the solemnity that makes most surrealists so tedious.”

The New Statesman’s judgement of 1938 could apply as much to Banting’s life as to his art. From the Bright Young People parties of Evelyn Waugh’s Vile Bodies to Republican Spain with Nancy Cunard to observing the Anschluss of 1938 with Humphrey Spender. Banting was the archetypal outsider artist with connections. But as the British surrealist movement ebbed after the war, he ended his days in squalor in Hastings, largely forgotten.

In this generously illustrated review, Joanna Ward demonstrates that the contribution of Banting and surrealism to the artistic and intellectual life of Britain should now be acknowledged alongside the kitchen sink realism and other ‘isms’ that contributed to our current identity.

“At last—a fascinating book about a fascinating man—John Banting—one of the great eccentrics of British surrealism—an artist who made life itself a surrealist event.”

– Desmond Morris, zoologist, ethnologist, artist and author of The British Surrealists.

My Choice, Your Voice

Embark on a journey from rock bottom, narrated by a woman in her thirties whose unwavering confidence and resilience drive her forward. When her wings were clipped and her dreams caged, she made a bold choice – one that would change everything.

Take her hand and step through the fires of hell on a path toward healing. As the temperature rises, prepare for a flood of emotions born from the darkest moments of her life. From deep pain to the relief of finding safety, her story unfolds in raw and unfiltered honesty, offering a powerful testament to survival and self-discovery.

With every step, she unravels the ripple effects of her choices, revealing the sacrifices made to protect those she loves. Her journey is one of vulnerability and strength, told through the window of her soul, where pain and solace intertwine beneath the moonlit sky.

This book is an invitation to reflect on your own lived experiences, to find connection in shared struggles, and to know that no one should have to walk this path alone. Stay with her until the end. No one needs to be this alone.

How to Be the Grit in the Oyster

How to Be the Grit in the Oyster delivers a unique and successful model for leading business change in an increasing diverging environment. Change is no longer escapable, businesses are continuously changing yet most transformations fail, often quoted at 75%. This figure has not improved over time. There are articles and books purporting to address this issue and most of these focus on process and defining the change required. This book, based on the authors experience takes a different path. It asserts that at the core of this failure leaders take little account of the impact of the drive for diversity alongside societal diversification and they have failed to adjust their leadership style and delivery models accordingly.

Our workplace is more diverse than it has ever been. It appears that leaders have been blindsided by the intended consequence of this – that we all think and behave differently. Leadership models and delivery practices have continued to be implemented along historical lines built during the decades of compliant workforces. Younger generations have been freed to think and behave as they wish. A kind of emancipation of diverse thinking.

To lead in this new paradigm requires a different approach. The Grit in the Oyster achieves three outcomes for the reader. Firstly, to get them to the ‘aha moment’ that we are living in a different environment. Secondly, to get them to realise they need, as leaders, to behave in the right way to create the space for teams to blossom and then finally, a model to build and guide teams to successful outcomes.

Truth About Ruth

Ruth Sands is married yet unfulfilled, yearning for an outlet to express her profound emotional truths. She longs to share her gifts but remains loyal in a stagnant marriage. Her job brings her to a grand house filled with larger-than-life characters, where she experiences the best and worst of humanity. Her employers, Guy and Astrid Pettison, are an eccentric and fascinating couple in Ruth’s eyes, their peculiar union a constant source of intrigue.

Ruth forms a cherished friendship with the wise and elderly gardener, Ron Jolly, and his beloved wife. However, it is her growing relationship with her boss, Guy, that begins to meet her emotional needs, igniting deep sexual fantasies and a yearning to be physically desired. Yet, an ominous presence lurks within the household in the form of Jan Starr, the resident cook. Ruth’s feminine allure and presence threaten Starr’s devious intentions towards Guy. Anyone who crosses this woman faces danger, and Ruth most definitely carries the perilous bell.

The Danger of Living

In the mid-1950s, as France teeters on the brink of civil war, two young painters find themselves swept up in a whirlwind of love and adventure in the heart of Paris.
Monique, a beautiful and feisty French woman, and Michael, an idealistic Englishman, come from vastly different backgrounds but share a common passion for painting. Their paths cross in the vibrant, tumultuous streets of Paris, where their love blossoms amidst the chaos of a nation in turmoil.
As they navigate the challenges of their time, their bond is tested by political unrest and personal dilemmas. Will their love survive the storm, or will the forces of history tear them apart?
A captivating blend of romance and adventure, this story paints a vivid picture of a city and a love that defy the odds.

I Will Swim to Rottnest

I Will Swim to Rottnest follows the journey of an aspiring athlete as she pursues her dream of swimming across the famous Rottnest Channel. Facing numerous challenges, she draws motivation and inspiration from others, altering her path to achieve the extraordinary. As the big day approaches, nerves set in, and the crossing itself tests her with the channel’s notorious wind, waves, and wildlife. Nothing will stop her from achieving her dream, and the feeling of triumph as she finally crosses the finish line is unparalleled, with cheers from the crowd and the island’s local quokkas watching on.

Based on a true story, this inspiring tale will touch your heart and hopefully encourage you to keep chasing your own goals and dreams.

Wriggly the Earthworm Stories

Meet Wriggly, the little earthworm with big adventures!

Through these charming and imaginative tales, children will discover the fascinating world of earthworms and their important role in keeping gardens healthy.

Join Wriggly as he wriggles his way through delightful escapades, learning and exploring in the soil beneath our feet!

Henri Tebbitt: The Story of My Life

Henri Tebbitt’s lifespan could never be considered as being droll! He experienced many things in his journey through life, from manning street barricades in Paris against the Germans in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) at the ripe old age of 16, to dining with Charles Dickens while at the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Kent. He lived a life that would be the envy of most. He visited most of the countries in Europe, spent time in the United States and Canada, before permanently settling in Australia.

From 1867 onwards, he enjoyed a regular allowance from his father, the compliments of an inheritance, and enjoyed an additional income through his much-admired paintings and his fine playing of the pianoforte, of which he was seen to have a natural talent.

He considered his happiest days of life were those 34 years in Australia with his second wife, Robertha. His celebrity through his landscape paintings gave him contentment.

Henri’s artistic skills are well represented today in all the major galleries throughout Australia.

His fame was such that upon his death in 1927, his obituary was carried by all the major newspapers in Australia.