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When my son was little he struggled with his temper. A doctor sat him down one day and told him about the Anger Monster. He explained how his behaviour was like a little Anger Monster who got really big when he allowed it. He told him that when this happened the monster was stronger and became the boss of him. Like most small children, my son didn't like anyone being the boss except him.

Stage 3: Rainbow Over Ayres Rock Oil Painting Contrary to my last post I have not worked much of the foreground. Instead I wanted to work the sky more, lift out the rainbow and finish Ayres rock. I did manage to lift the rainbow however it is too yellow and will need reworking. The sky has improved however I need to remove some of the yellow in the lower area and work the horizon so it ties the

Stage Two – Ayres Rock Rainbow 760x1020mm (30x40 Inches) There is something wonderful about the formation of clouds in the sky. I have worked up a few hours in oil on this painting. I began working the sky and really enjoyed painting the clouds. As a result I hope to do more skies in the near future. They are not finished but well under way. I moved all over the top area and then moved onto

Stage One - Rainbow Over Ayres Rock I started the painting from the photo I took of Ayers rock and the rainbow this week. I will post the progress. This is the initial block in which I used acrylics. The second stage will be in oil as I find oil paint easier to blend for things like sky and I am more familiar this medium especially for landscape painting. It was an incredible photo so I hope I

Wow, I have recently returned from a trip to Northern Territory I feel so inspired by the landscape and itching to paint. I was surprised I would enjoy this area so much. I had the most incredible trip with my daughter and fell in love with a man who has in recent months handed his life over completely to God’s will. This man loves us dearly and spoilt us with the very best accommodation and

Still getting over jet-lag, which seems to have hit me from both directions at once, which is what you get for flying to the UK for three days.

Lots of people have written to tell me about the UK 160 top Books for Boys initiative -- http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article1796075.ece. It's a sort of government sponsored Guys Read initiative. I'm pleased to be on it (three times), but am a bit puzzled by the list -- I suspect because The Times has left out the categories, age groups and so on that it comes with (eg, the first 14 are obviously "Books of Facts"). I think Neverwhere or Good Omens would be better on the list than the Mirrormask book, but there may have been categories I don't know about.

I didn't really like Michael Hearst's Music For Ice Cream Trucks when I first heard it, but I've discovered it to be the perfect palate-cleanser when iTunes is on random -- the Ice Cream Trucks songs always make me smile and relax when they turn up. I'm not sure I like them as a meal in themselves, but they are amazing at the right time. Much like ice cream.
http://cdbaby.com/cd/michaelhearst

I missed the last visit to the bees this weekend, what with being at Alan and Melinda's wedding, but the Birdchick writes about it at http://www.birdchick.com/2007/05/belated-bee-report-unregulated-comb.html
(you can also read her account of birds spotted out here at http://www.birdchick.com/2007/05/everything-but-oriole.html and her review of the copy of Clan Apis I forced her to read at http://www.birdchick.com/2007/05/clan-apis.html).