A Donkey waiting to be painted

Work in progress

ACROSS THE SEA SEAGULLS CALL, SEAGULLS SOAR THE SOUND OF THE WAVES UPON THE SHORE THERE IS NO PLACE I’D RATHER BE THAN LOOKING OUT ACROSS THE SEA

THE MORNING TIDE NETS, POTS AND ROOFTOPS FISHERMEN GOING OUT TO SEA THE MORNING TIDE A BEST FRIEND BY MY SIDE THAT’S HOME SWEET HOME TO ME

THE JOYFUL GARDENER HIS BEST FRIEND IS ASLEEP IN THE BARROW ON THE RAKE A ROBIN SINGS THE OLD MAN THANKS GOD FOR HIS LIFE HIS DOG AND THE JOY THAT THE GARDEN BRINGS

MEMORIES THE DOG SAT IN THE BASKET THE OLD MAN LEANT ON THE WALL OVER THE ROOFTOPS ACROSS THE SEA DISTANT MEMORIES CALL

SEASONS CHANGE SEASONS CHANGE, ONCE AGAIN THE AUTUMN LEAVES ARE FALLING COLD PAWS COLD TOES THE OLD MAN KNOWS SOON WINTER WILL BE CALLING

Flanagan and Allen, the sun is shining, the tides coming in, what a way to spend a Saturday morning. Blessed.

THE STREAM OVER THE BRIDGE THAT CROSSES THE STREAM MY OLD MASTER AND ME WHEN WE GET HOME I’LL HAVE A BISCUIT BONE AND HE’LL MAKE A NICE POT OF TEA

A BOOK BEFORE BED THE OLD MAN LIKES TO HAVE A READ BEFORE HE GOES TO BED BY HIS SIDE HIS FAITHFUL FRIEND WHO’S ASLEEP WITH LITTLE TED

AUTUMN ALONG THE TRACK THROUGH THE GATE FALLING LEAVES TWO BEST MATES

SOLDIERS AND EGG IT’S NOT THAT I’M UNGRATEFUL TO HAVE MY BREAKFAST IN BED I LIKE A BONE MADE OF BISCUIT BUT I’D RATHER HAVE SOLDIERS AND EGG

THE WASHING LINE MY MASTER’S HOEING THE VEGGIE PATCH WHILE THE WEATHER IS DRY AND FINE I’M SITTING WAITING FOR LITTLE TED WHO’S DRYING ON THE LINE

PATIENCE I WISH HIS TOAST WOULD HURRY UP I’M WAITING PATIENTLY HE SAID IF I WAS GOOD TODAY HE’D COOK A SAUSAGE JUST FOR ME

THE WASHING LINE - Work in progress

THE WASHING MACHINE MY MASTER’S COOKING BREAKFAST HE’S PUT THE WASHING IN I’M RATHER WORRIED ABOUT LITTLE TED I’M NOT SURE IF HE CAN SWIM

The Repairs Ever changing skies, clouds roll by In the distance the seagulls call The old man’s painting his beach hut In his favourite Farrow and Ball

THE WASHING MACHINE- Work in progress

BERT HE FOLLOWS JESUS THE WAY THE TRUTH THE LIGHT IN BED UPSTAIRS HE SAYS HIS PRAYERS AND READS HIS BIBLE EVERY NIGHT

Detail from a painting heading for the 2025 Saatchi Exhibition

THE PIER The wife as got me on a diet So when the weather’s fine I tell her I’m taking the dog for a walk And sneak a ninety nine

ANOTHER DAY I LIKE TO START THE DAY OFF WITH A NICE BIG MUG OF TEA AND THANK THE LORD FOR ANOTHER DAY WHILE THE ROBIN SINGS TO ME

A SUMMERS DAY A summers day down at the beach hut What a bloomin pain I was about to set the windbreak up And then it started to rain

Thank you

The Cornfield’s Edge At the cornfield’s edge Two best friends Church bells ring As the day ends

Work in progress

Work in progress

Work in progress

Eggs and Jam My Master’s very organised He likes to have a plan First he collected the chicken eggs Then he made some jam Next he fed the animals That live here on the farm He’s getting Derek the donkey some water Then he’ll stack the hay in the barn

Feeling blessed, my commute to work 🙏

Have a jolly weekend

Busy working on paintings for Saatchi 2025

Rainy Days Rainy days, breaking waves My old dog and me Whatever the weather We’re always together Down here by the sea

The Two of Us I love it here with my Master Looking out to sea If I could talk I would tell him How much he means to me

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS Life it has its ups and downs Sometimes it seems unfair But in these times of trouble We all have our cross to bear

THE EMPTY TOMB We were weeding in the onion patch When Christ came out of the shed “Three days are up so here I am risen just like I said” Later that day they saw Mary She cried when she looked in the door All she could see was an angel or two The Lord wasn’t there anymore Jesus said “Why are you weeping Can you not see who I am I’m not Monty Don the gardener It’s me the Son of Man

THE GARDEN SHED We remembered what he had told us In three days he would rise from the dead So we carried him home laid him to rest By the veg in the garden shed

THE DESCENT FROM THE CROSS Later on that evening Still saddened by our loss The two of us came up the hill To remove him from the cross My Master held him in his arms He held him very tight Look what they’ve done to God’s own son It’s such a sorry sight

THE CRUCIFIXION I’m trying to comfort my Master He really is so sad Today they crucified Jesus The best friend we’ve ever had What will we do now he has gone It’s really hard to say They know not what they’ve done to him The world has changed today

THE CROWN OF THORNS Look what they’ve done to Jesus Broken hearted so forlorn The King of the Jews bows his head That’s been crowned with a ring of thorns All he done was the will of God His love he came to spread Oh why oh why do they want him to die For our sins Christs blood was shed

THE LAST SUPPER Tonight we are having our supper This will be our last A sadness fills the evening air His time here soon to pass He poured some wine Broke some bread I hope it’s gluten free Drink and eat Christ said to us By this you’ll remember me

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Morning Prayers Our Father who art in heaven While my Master’s saying grace I’d like to thank you for letting us stay and showing us around the place I really liked it in Heaven I’m looking forward to coming back I promise not to chew any slippers And I won’t chase next doors cat Amen THE END Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to look and comment on these paintings, I am very humbled God Bless

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Another Day For my Master and I it’s another day For some it may be their last So we don’t fret about tomorrow Nor fret about the past We live each moment as it comes No time to make a fuss There’s always someone somewhere Who’s much worse off than us

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN The Dream I’ve just woken up with a bit of a start Things aren’t quite what they seem I thought we were dead but I’m in bed with Ted It must have all been a dream But now I know where I want to go When we take our last God-given breath To go and live with Jesus Where there’s victory over death So to all I say to God you must pray Live righteous, turn away from sin For narrow is the path to heaven Faith in Christ is the only way in He was sent from above to show us all love Crucified and died on the cross Then he wiggled his toes on the third day he rose So he can save his sheep that are lost

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Wellington Boots Jesus gave us some wellington boots A hat, a coat, a scarf He said “There’s always work you do As the seasons pass Wintertime is nearly here The North winds starting to blow So I wonder if you could lend a hand Shovelling some snow”

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Day of Rest I lay here and pray thank God for this day For my Master and I are blessed Feeling the love of Jesus On this day of rest Lazing in our hammocks Listening to the honey bees My little heart glows As the sun warms my nose Beneath the blossom trees

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Hound Dog We’ve been invited out for supper To have some wine and bread I’m feeling a little bit concerned That it’s gone to my Master’s head Jesus and the apostles started to cheer him on Now he’s up on the karaoke about to do a song He’s going to put his hip out the way he’s shaking his pelvis He’s singing about a hound dog I’m sure he thinks he’s Elvis

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Bread of Life It’s time to harvest the fields of wheat So we’re working down on the farm Gathering up the bales of straw Then taking them to the barn Some grain has gone to the baker Some to the farmer’s wife They’ll make bread of heaven Where Jesus is the bread of life

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Rain Makers We are making some weather with Jesus Pouring down some rain The farmers need it on the soil To help them grow some grain Once these clouds have passed over This shower will be done We’ll put away our watering cans And let God torn on the sun

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN God’s Garden It’s peaceful in God’s garden In amongst the veg Helping out the angels Tending to the beds Good seeds were sown that’s why they’ve grown Putting down good strong roots Jesus told my Master once “Ye shall know them by their fruits”

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN The Story of Life We are listening to Jesus tell a story Up here on top of the hill He’s talking to some children Who sadly had been very ill “ I know it may seem so unfair that your lives have been cut short So I’ve gathered you together today to share with you some thoughts Life on Earth can be over in just the blink of an eye The one thing guaranteed down there is everyone will die But up here you shall live forever and we will look after you You won’t have to do any homework, you won’t catch colds or flu Here you will always be happy for this place is full of love No breakers of laws, no more wars, it’s filled with the peace of white doves Now we are all one big happy family and for those below we shall pray Because some of them will be joining us Tomorrow or maybe today.”

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Afternoon Walk We went out for our afternoon walk Down a country lane There was a pretty cottage along the way I’m sure I recognised the name A litttle old lady passed us by I couldn’t believe what I’d seen That was her from Barkingham Palace Elizabeth the Queen

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Doggie Daycare I’m having a really lovely day Catching up with some of my mates They have new homes where they are free to roam No fences leads or gates Once man’s best friends there walks came to an end To heaven they were lifted up There’s a little place there called Doggie Daycare Where they look after the orphaned pups

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN A Little Girl We met a little girl today She told us she was seven Last year she wasn’t very well So Jesus carried her up to Heaven She said she’s very happy here now Her pain has gone away The sun is always shining And the angels come out to play She watches over her family She doesn’t want them to worry Because she’ll be waiting up here for them But there isn’t any hurry She wants them to carry on with life She doesn’t want them to be sad Jesus told her he’s saved a place for Brothers and sisters, mums and dads

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Daily Bread We’re down at Joseph and Mary’s shop Getting our groceries for the week It’s my idea of heaven So many goodies to eat I’d love a bit of cheddar cheese But my Master said it’s not good for my heart And just to make sure I don’t nibble on things I have to sit in the cart

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Noah We went for an early morning stroll Up out of bed with the lark Whilst we were down by the river We met Noah on his ark An upright gentle godly man Very very wise He told us about the animals he saved When the rain fell from the skies

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Night Shift We are busy on the night shift Making sure the stars are clean Dusting them off, next it’s a wash Then a polish with Mr Sheen

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Choir Practice Tonight we came to choir practice To hear the angels sing It’s hard to explain just how I felt The joy and peace within My Master got quite emotional I think he even cried So I let him know I’m always here Forever by his side

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Christ Cream We’re in the Christ Cream van Giving the children some treats They came up here to Heaven last week They didn’t have any water nor food to eat Here they shall have plenty Never to be hungry again Saved from a place that allows this disgrace It is such a crying shame

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN The Sunflowers We saw an artist at his easel He said he was Van Gogh I think he was the Dutch one That cut his left ear off I heard him tell my Master The day God let him in An angel appeared beside his bed And gave it back to him

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Jesus’s Donkey In the corner of a meadow Wildflowers growing free Stood a little donkey Underneath a tree “This donkey belongs to Jesus It’s written on the sign He rode it into Jerusalem Palm Sunday Easter time”

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN The Reunion My Master picked poppies from the garden To lay at the foot of the cross In remembrance of the soldiers Whose lives were sadly lost As we neared the memorial He couldn’t believe what he saw It was his brother Jack Who never came back He was killed in the First World War They held each other very tight Like they did when they said their goodbyes And here they were together again Tears of joy fell from their eyes

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Paradise We have a beautiful garden The flowers are very nice My Master says “It’s heaven here This is paradise” There’s a very friendly angel Who often comes to call She likes to have a chat with us While she sits upon the wall

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Keys to the Kingdom Jesus was very kind to us He gave us the keys to our house Then he told my Master to say a prayer If he needed anything else

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Knock and it shall be opened You followed me for many years Stayed away from sin Took up your cross, had faith in me That’s why we’ve let you in So welcome to our heavenly realm To paradise with God Your friend can stay as he didn’t stray He’s been a very good dog

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Welcome Home We walked up the drive feeling so alive At peace, no reason to feel sad Waiting for their son to come home We’re my Master’s mum and dad “Just to hold you in our arms again So many years have passed But here we are together once more For eternity it shall last”

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN God’s House I think it must be bin day There’s a lot of recycling about I wonder if the Apostles Take turns in putting them out My Master pushed the bell on the wall A voice said “Could you wait I’m sending my chap Peter To open up the gates.”

THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN Judgement Day Here we are on judgement day Standing before the Lord He’s checking in the Book of life Then we’re off through one of those doors I’m feeling very nervous I think I saw him frown Let us pray that we’re going up And he doesn’t send us down I chewed my Master’s slipper once I’ve chased our neighbours cat I can only hope he was busy that day And never saw any of that

THE GARDEN WHO WENT TO HEAVEN HEADING HOME Step by step he made his way Up into the clouds Then I heard my Master’s voice He called my name aloud Come on old friend, come follow me You can’t stay there alone We’ve spent our lives together And now we’re going home (Did you really think I’d leave the dog behind🙏)

The Gardener Went to Heaven The hands had stopped on the old church clock At twenty five minutes past eleven A staircase arose from the vegetable patch My Master was called up to Heaven I sat and watched him slowly ascend Heading up into the sky I thought about the times we’d had Those days now passed us by My tail would never wag again I whimpered and I whined Don’t leave me down here all alone I don’t want to be left behind

A Hard Days Work From a nook in a tree in the churchyard A wise old owl took flight A days work now done, gone is the sun The moon is shining bright My Master’s resting in the barrow He’s nodded off to sleep I’ll say a little prayer for him That the Lord his soul shall keep

#heaven #stars #cleaning #dog #polishing #nightshift #work

The Gardener Who Went To Heaven

The Gardener Who Went To Heaven,new book coming soon

At the end of the day As the end of the day Comes quietly to an end In the garden two best friends The scent of sweet peas fills the air The old man said his evening prayer

THE LONG WAIT I keep on trying to go to sleep I close my eyes up tight And then they open up again Because Santa’s coming tonight A HUGE THANK YOU To everyone who has taken the time to view my work and for the wonderful comments, it really is appreciated. May your Christmas be a Peaceful one. God Bless

ANOTHER YEAR PASSED The donkey’s cosy in the stable Supper’s waiting on the table Nearing the end of another year Gone the loved ones we hold so dear Still I miss my mum and dad Not in a way that makes me sad But it’s times like this I reminisce Thinking back to my childhood bliss Evenings around the radio Listening to our favourite show Hanging on the Christmas tree A chocolate reindeer just for me Snakes and ladders games were played In the garden snowmen made Life was oh so simple then We read real books and wrote with pens But time disappears like melting snow Seasons come, seasons go Memories still they linger on Of loved ones dear that now are gone

WE 3 PIGS It’s cold this morning down on the farm The animals still need to be fed The barrow rides fun but as soon as we’re done I’ll be straight back in my bed

WINTERS EVE Down the lane on a Winter’s Eve Went an old man and his dog Grateful for the year that had past They were off to church to thank God

THE BASKET I love my Master very much But sometimes have my doubts When I have to come out in the snow And pick his brussel sprouts

Chicken and Sheep The shepherd and the shepherd’s dog Have been feeding the chicken and sheep Now he’s stoked the fire up To warm their paws and feet

The Old Bridge Across the bridge where the river bends Go two best mates Two old friends

Breakfast My Master’s a little bit grumpy We’ve just got out of bed He ran out of milk for his cornflakes So we had to collect some eggs

My Sledge When it’s the middle of Winter The thing I love the most Is going out for a ride on my sledge And helping with the post

A Prayer, a pint, a pickled egg Painting process

A Pint and a Prayer I’m off to church with my Master Then we’ll pop in The Old Kings Head A prayer, a pint, a pickled egg And then it’s off home to bed

Cold Feet My Master’s in the garden I decided not to go He’s digging up some parsnips And picking brussels in the snow I’m watching from the cat flap Because I’m rather old I’m not so young as I used to be My paws now feel the cold

The Favourite On a Winter’s night the village lights Bid a welcome to a man and his dog He was off to say his evening prayers And ask a little favour of God

Unto Us We are spending the night in my Master’s hut It’s very cosy and warm The snow’s quite deep so we’re watching the sheep For unto us a lamb might be born