New paintings and regular art updates.
Where do you fit them?
Nooks and crannies
Squeeze in gaps
Force them onto shelves
Net them to prevent collapse.
Gabions of books
Insulating walls
A bookworm super highway
North to West, East to South
A myriad of subjects
Choose a favourite book!
Can you share a positive example of where you’ve felt loved?
I have felt nothing but positive support since my hubby died. I just want to say how much I love everyone who has helped me. I want to thank them all for that support that has been and still is getting me through things.
There is so much they have done, checking up on me,making me realise I’m not alone. I have been there when I was ill, given me time when I was sad and miserable. Things will never be the same, but I realise how much my friends mean to me and meant to my hubby.
Thank you all.
I missed choir last night so I was pleased to go to a brand new one tonight! It’s monthly on the third Wednesday of the month in a local library. They have got funding to run a choir for at least a year. My friends from the Boat Band, who run other choirs in Stoke on Trent were leading it.
It was a cold and frosty night but 16 people turned up! Three of us were choir members but the rest were new to singing and wanted to see what it was like. We learnt by repeating phrases and didn’t use sheet music and it was…. Amazing,
We managed to sing in two parts, then three, we managed to sing low and high harmonies. By the end of the evening everyone was buzzing, we even thought of giving the group a name! Me? I loved it. I hope it gathers force and keeps going X
One of the cats is happy with the new chairs, I’m not sure if I will put a cover over them. The cats might scratch them if I don’t, but I can feel the heat from the radiator at the moment so it can wait a bit. But this is the most comfortable I have been in years. Hooray!
I painted this teapot six years ago when I first moved into my studio at Spode. This is a medium sized acrylic on canvas. It’s from my imagination, and the flower design is based on the pattern ‘calico’ by the Burleigh pottery. I think its based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent. I made the wooden panels up from my memory. I still have this painting at my studio at Spode.
Where can you reduce clutter in your life?
I once counted our books. When I got to 1000 I gave up. Some are precious and I devour them regularly. Others I dust off occasionally, but a few I have never read. Mainly because they were my hubbys and generally are about wars, trains or tractors. I like some of them, but they are generally big and heavy, full of pictures and technical details. I think some of them will go to a charity shop.
I guess they could act as insulation! Some of them are high up on tall shelves. I would have to climb up ladders to get up to them. I’m not sure if anyone will ever read them!
A few years ago I painted a picture of the willow pattern on an imaginary platter. I used two seperate images of a willow pattern plate and amalgamated them into one. The willow pattern has several iconic aspects. A pine tree, willow tree, three people crossing a bridge, temples, boats, love birds. I’m sure they will have explanations of what they stand for. I really enjoyed creating this. X
After getting rid of my old armchairs yesterday, I was waiting for the delivery of the second hand replacements today. It’s been a few weeks since I chose them but I couldn’t have them till the old ones went.
I rang up the warehouse to check on the delivery. We will give you a call when the van is near you, within half an hour…
OK I said, so when I got a call I thought I was going to receive them. But no, we can’t find your chairs, they said. Can you come up and identify them? So I went.
Is that the chair you chose? Yes, but I chose two, there is only one? Oh, the woman said, I was off for a week and noticed one was missing when I got back? I was surprised and annoyed. You’ve sold the other one? It was reserved. I needed ones that will go through our front door (it’s narrow), and small so my feet touch the ground (I have short legs).
We looked everywhere but the other chair was gone. But I need two for when visitors come round. I was getting upset. Why do things always go wrong? Another volunteer said they have a similar chair on their van. They will bring it along tomorrow and I can decide if I want it or they will owe me one! I came home feeling dejected. I had to go to a charity for the chairs and so I don’t have the choice I would have in a store. I know it’s a first world problem but…..
Black and white
Neat and tidy
Often aloof
But sitting beside me.
Paws lined up
Waiting to dine
Everything about him
Is oh so fine.
He’s only a moggy
A white and black cat
He can be soppy
And he’s getting quite fat!
I have a few new paintings. Mostly matchbox sized. I’m putting them in the exhibition of Orme Art Group work at the Brampton museum and art gallery in Newcastle under Lyme. It runs from February to the end of March. We will be having the display in the entrance window. Wish me luck, I hope to sell a few pieces.
Mallaband-Brown