Katharine Rowe

We took our first big adventurous family holiday this year to Costa Rica. It was so exciting to take the children somewhere so different from the UK and see such an array of fabulous animals (sloths consistently winning the ‘best animal seen today prize’). I was really inspired by the vibrant colours of the jungle and made several watercolours and took many photographs of the flora. I now plan to work on a series of Jungle paintings. Here is a step by step record of my first one.

Costa Rican Jungle, 85x45cm framed, £800

I’m making the most of peonies being in season and have used three glass vases here to explore the different play of light on different shapes of glass. The painting is not currently framed but I am going to frame it in a moulded pale grey frame with a white slip.

Today is my last day in Sprout Arts. It’s been a fantastic 10 days in this lovely gallery.

Many thanks to all those who have come to the exhibition.

This is one of the paintings on display in my exhibition at Sprout Arts in Furzedown. It is so lovely that peonies are back in season, my favourite flower.

Pink and white peonies in enamel jug, 60x80cm framed, £850

I am happily exhibiting again at the lovely Sprout Arts gallery in the Furzedown area of Tooting.  I opened this morning and will be open until Thursday 25th May. Do pop in if you are in the area.

74 Moyser Road, Furzedown, SW16 6SQ.

I have been working on a fabulous and unusual commission over the past few weeks; two baby elephants on a pink background. Here are the steps that I work through for a commission, starting with a watercolour sketch and then the oil painting in 5 steps.

Congratulations to my friend Laura Culpan for curating this fantastic exhibition and sale of gorgeous cubes filled by over 50 different international artist in aid of The Cure Parkinsons Trust. The sale opened at 8am yesterday and by the time I had visited at 10am half the works had sold. Not surprising as there were some gorgeous pieces included.

On until tomorrow at Bonhams, New Bond St. London.  https://cure3.co.uk/artworks/

I went to a very moving exhibition at the Barbican yesterday of Richard Mosse’s photographic/video work. Mosse uses heat sensor photography usually used by the military to record human drama. The film at the Barbican centres on European migration and is a feast for both senses and soul.

On until 23rd April Barbican.org

I had a very sweet commission this week from a lady who asked me for pencil drawings of her children’s very favourite teddies. Patches and all.

After multiple attempts to secure tickets for this sell-out show, we finally arrived yesterday afternoon along with the rest of South London. I went with a friend and our two 9 yr olds and two 7 yr olds. Once armed with the audio-guides, the children were off. Apart from a few sharp steers away from the more erotic pieces and one particular drawing including some choice expletives, the kids loved it as did we. The first two thirds of the exhibition in particular were excellent. The portrait room was heaven, as was the photography room. I’m not so keen on the later work but Hockney clearly still enjoys his painting and is an inspiration to artists everywhere.