Returning to the same place each year to paint against a backdrop of changing faces and presences, is mirrored by the stasis of a protected place. But of course it changes gradually as well, like the lines on a face or my face in a self portrait. These dips into that place each Summer are dips into a rendering of where I am, even whilst painting brick, stone and render. I painted there with the hope of children, with thoughts of both parents departure from a life, during breakup and amidst love and hope the day before my wedding whilst nevertheless saying goodbye to my mother. Now I paint there again with a smile on my face.