Liz Graham-Yooll

My husband flew a balloon in Tuscany and I had many flights with him and others. I always took my small camera and sketchbook with me, in the hope of a slow flight! This one was over and down into our village street. Never forgotten!

We had a slow flight over our nearby village Trequanda and I just had time to sketch the man who was just getting up in the morning!

Oil on canvas 110cm x 116cm We flew often this way as it was the land just above our old mill. It was August and dusty, but I liked the light on the house and the early morning shadows.

Oil on canvas 61cm x 46cm Very near us in France is a beautiful valley and I made quite a few sketches here. I really enjoyed this view and had to make a painting of this angle with its different levels.

Oil on canvas 55cm x 45cm I decided to paint just the centre part of this tree which is always so splendid with the reflective sunset illuminating it. I also love its writhing branches.

Oil on canvas 115cm x 89cm I adore this tree which must be very old! It still produces Mirabel Plums and I love the twists and turns in this tree. Since it is just out side the kitchen door, I was able to paint some of this out in the snow. On one afternoon, the cloud cover parted, giving me a lovely patch of blue!

When we get into September, the early evening light becomes beautiful with deep shadows and bright sun. I find that on my dog walks, I discover many lovely things to paint, here in France!

Oil on canvas 100cm x 81cm I have good friends with a wonderful garden and I spent some glorious days painting there.

Oil on canvas 100cm X 81cm I painted this on early sunny spring days, while the tree hadn't yet started to flower. Despite being old and twisted, it continues to bear fruit an d I love the twists and turns of it.