I created the image below with a canvas of deep pink in PicMonkey, then simply fiddled with all the gizmos on PIcMonkey, Pixlr and BeFunky to create the background images and patterns. And over those I added an overlay of a digitally altered photo of a firework taken during one of the fireworks displays put on by the Merit Hotel close to us here in Alsancak, North Cyprus.

Once again, the name popped up: In The Summertime, and it seemed pretty appropriate to illustrate how we cheer up in the summer, get out and about, do gardening, travel, take holidays and generally feel pretty cheerful about life. There are, however, dark areas in the painting to remind ourselves that not all on this planet of ours are able to embrace the joys of summertime, the shadow side of our summer world.

Music? Well, of course, it’s Mungo Jerry’s “In the…