Today I have added a new theme to this site in order to optimise for access by iPhones and iPads, which I have noticed more and more visitors are using. Whilst the site did work OK on the iPhone, this new theme should detect the device being used and instead, present the content in an iPhone or iPad friendly way, allowing content to be read more easily.

Whilst the images should scale OK, I am aware that the galleries don't so if you are reading this from an iPhone, thanks for visiting and please accept my apologies for the erratic display - I am working on fixing it.

It has been far too long since I had a day out actually taking photographs - so much time lately spent writing proposals, preparing submissions, writing articles, working on my website and of course, the inevitable admin and accounts which just have to be done. So as I had to stop over in York to participate in an Assessment Day with the BIPP, I planned to spend a day at RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate.

What a great day! The weather was gorgeous - not too hot but nice and warm, the sun not too bright so no contrasty shadows - in other words a great day for flower photography.

After the various submissions and applications I sent off a couple of weeks ago, the first successful one came through today - I have been accepted for the selling art fair Art In The Pen in Skipton, North Yorkshire held on the weekend of the 14-15th August.

I'm really pleased about this - I first heard about it last year but having committed to the Grassington Arts Festival and being so close to completing the MA I thought it best to leave it. I applied this year in good time and am delighted to have the chance to take part and am already planning the work I am going to display and how to set up the space.

What is interesting about Art in the Pen is that it is held in the cattle auction rooms in Skipton - I've not been before but it sounds an interesting space and according to their site there is hanging space on the railings. It is an indoor event to which thousands of visitors have attended in the two previous years, with a considerable number of sales being made, so it sounds like it could be a busy couple of days. I am really looking forward to it.

If you are local to Skipton, do come along and say hello.

Thoroughly enjoyed the day at PromArt in Grange over Sands, Cumbria today. Despite the wind, there was a great turnout, of both artists and visitors with all kinds of art including ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, paintings, mixed media and photography on show. There was a steady stream of visitors all day from 10 til about 4. I had a lot of interest and sold several pieces including canvasses and prints as well as the greeting cards which always seem popular. The wind made things a little challenging but I will know better for next time and will use a different way to display. I will certainly book to go back again so if you missed it this time, the next one will be the last Sunday in June, then July, August and September.