Good news this week: both my wood engravings have got through to the final round of the RA Summer Show. Just a couple of weeks to go to find out whether they will be hung in the print galleries.

This picture is a little (10"x8") still life in oil that is nearing completion. I just love lesser celandine with its butter custard petals, when it peeps through in the garden it really is a first sign of spring.

I incorporated a tortoiseshell butterfly that I found in the garden - it hibernated under a plant pot but didn't survive the winter. Its rich orange, red wings were still in good condition to contrast beautifully with the green leaves.