This peaceful spot in the dunes commemorates a grim past, as it is where Dutch resistance fighters were executed by the Nazis during WWII. The memorial comprises of 4 makeshift 'wooden' crosses cast in bronze. I sat there and reflected on their sacrifice as the wind blew gently through the silver birches, which I imagine were planted there as an integral part of the monument, this stand of trees really resonated with me.

My Watercolour journey is clearly illustrated here as i post the sketch i made on the spot along with the painting I made at home, using a photo I made along with the sketch as reference. I like aspects of both, but if i had to choose there is something about the sketch that draws me to it over the studio painting.

Edo talks about making a sketch from a photo and then working from the sketch as a way to abstract the essence of the photo rather than work slavishly from it. Its a tricky thing as trying to be spontaneous and loose along with trying to maintain a considered approach and a certain accuracy seem to use two different halves of the brain!

Bringing these two aspects together is where I will find my own voice in my art, and this is the journey i'm on.