Author: artbychristinemallabandbrown

I'm an artist based at the Spode factory site in Stoke on Trent. I paint, draw and create digital art. Contact me at mallabandbrown@aol.com

Cat on a box

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I turned round and then back, and there was a cat on the box that I’ve been using as a footrest. The box normally has a cushion balanced on top of it but sometimes I want to reposition my legs and it’s slipped so I need to rebalanced things, and voila the cat, without missing a beat commendered the box top. This is the other boy cat, not my friend from this morning. The other, other cat is usually found nesting on one of the cat tree platforms, which, because of my hubbys mad indoor gardening, is also used as a lemon tree and cumquat plant stand. Oh the joys of sharing a house.

Stumpery

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Old tree stumps can be used to create something like a rockery in a garden. This photo was taken at the Biddulph Grange garden last year. I’ve also seen this technique used in other gardens and there were some stumps created at Trentham Gardens last year too. I guess the stumps give an interesting effect, especially when they are covered in green moss. They can be interplanted with shade loving plants including ferns. The appearance is like seeing shedded stag horns scattered and stacked neatly along the path at the Grange.

Mow Cop

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Digital drawing for #bandofsketchers prompt. I thought Mow Cop with it’s ‘nooks and crannies’ would do. Still working digitally because I don’t have a spare sketchbook and I still can’t get out the house. This is in Artrage and I did a digital finger painting. Swapping between the drawing and a Wikipedia photo so it’s not accurate. I liked the metallic effects.

Leg update

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It’s still attached!

Actually the wound is healing well. Still got to keep it elevated. Plus I’m getting better at walking again. My problem is I’m putting stress on my shoulder and arms pushing myself up and down, and it’s making me tired and grouchy. Four hours sleep last night…

When you have to lift your legs up to reduce swelling it is tiring as it catches your thigh and calf muscles, but I’m treating that like chair yoga and doing bends and stretches to try and improve my flexibility.

Now if I can just get over the cough and sore throat I seem to be developing…. Heaven knows I’ve had enough of this now.

Bottle oven day

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Happy bottle oven day! 29.8.23. It’s celebrated every year. I think there are only 47 bottle ovens left from the thousands that used to be in Stoke on Trent. A  lot of them are deteriorating but hopefully the heritage of them will be preserved.  The potteries, with their bottle ovens were the creative heart of the city.

On my chest

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Just woke up and found my cat lying on my chest! I am sleeping on the sofa as I can’t get upstairs with my injured leg.

He’s a friendly cat, but usually he is happy to lie down next to me on the chair arm. But tonight? I guess I’m the warm spot on a cold night. Seconds before I grabbed my phone to take this shot he had his head down, fast asleep and snoring.

Unfortunately for him I had to shift him as I was literally pinned down by his weight. He is now curled up snoozing at the other end of the settee and I’m sitting up with a cup of tea.

Old TV shows

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What TV shows did you watch as a kid?

There were a lot of Sci fi programmes when I was growing up. The Tomorrow people, Thunderbirds, Star Trek, UFO, Space 1999, Dr Who, each one had it’s theme and ideas. Some were more idealistic than others, some were frightening. The variety of adventures were fascinating. Some of the sets were very shaky, you could see the walls move if an alien bumped into them! But it was the storyline that was important.

They really seemed to be more thoughtful than modern Sci fi. I think because they didn’t have fantastic special effects, and the English versions were less lasers and cowboys in space type stories, and slightly more philosophical.

It’s surprising how much I remember after seeing this prompt. I’d like to see some of these shows again just to see if I remember them correctly. I’ve recently watched Fireball XL5 on a station that shows old TV programmes. I used to love it when I was little… It’s awful now!

Biddulph Grange

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Japanese garden at Biddulph Grange

Somewhere I’d like to visit again. We haven’t been this year and I miss it.

Biddulph Grange garden is run by the National Trust and is a garden built on a slope that is made up of seperate areas… The Japanese garden, Egyptian garden, Swiss cottage, China area and other sections. The Daliah walk should be in full bloom. There is also a lovely tea room within the Grange building, although it can be quite busy.

It’s one of many attractions that are within a short distance of the city of Stoke on Trent in Staffordshire. So if you are in the area check out its visiting times and prices. Worth a day out.