25.7.23s #bandofsketchers prompt was doorway. I’m going to try and catch up with the recent prompts, been a bit busy lately. This doorway sketch is based on a doorway at Rode Hall that I took a photo of a few weeks ago.
Doorway
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
1st time…
For the first time on my blog I had someone leave a rude comment on one of my posts today! They actually told me to ‘f’ off. First I was astonished that I had offended someone so much that they felt this way. Then I wondered how an innocuous and supportive post could elicit that reaction? Is it because I’m a woman and I’m daring to express an opinion? But the person referred to me as male. And as I just use my surname why would they know my gender?
Eventually I logged it as Spam and didn’t actually report the blogger. I just wanted the comment gone. Perhaps I should have done. If I’m being trolled how many others are being too? I will see if it happens again. I spent years moderating websites so it didn’t upset me. It’s just childish. And unusual for Jetpack /WordPress. X
Treat
Treacle tart treat
You were a star!
You filled my tummy
You were yummy
At lunchtime
You gave me a boost
You loosed
Energy
Sweet and
Tasty.
Gatepost?
Stone gatepost, in the shape of a pine cone. Covered in moss as it sits under the trees in the damp gloom. Where is the other one? I don’t know, didn’t see it? There is a path that runs past it to a tall tower. This is pierced by several square holes in its upper third and is labelled as the dovecote at Ford Green Hall.
The weather has been damp and gloomy for all of July so I don’t know what condition the gatepost would normally be in, but it looks spectacularly spooky at the moment. Walking along that path in autumn could be quite unnerving. X
Afternoon views
A few views of where I set up to paint along side a family, gran, mother and daughter who were all painting. I really enjoyed the company. It’s good to be finally involved with other artists. We were at the top of the slope looking down at the Hall. Other people arrived and some went on to paint the lovely garden. I’ll post a few more photos later.
Ford Green Roof
Watercolour painting done today, mostly of the roof of Ford Green Hall. I started over to one side so it’s a bit squashed up on the left. I was just finishing as the rain started to come down so we went inside the cafe there for a brew and a cake.
This was a plein aire (spelling?) with the Orme Art Group. Our last session until we start up again in September.
I really enjoyed being out in the fresh air, although there was a noisy motorbike (2 stroke) zooming around and being very annoying. Ford Green Hall was built in the 15th century. Brilliant place to visit and there is a nature reserve at the back.
White bridge, Etruria
Spanning the Cauldon Arm of the Trent and Mersey canal. This white painted metal bridge arcs over the canal near the Etruria Industrial museum. The steps are metal too so when people walk over it their steps ring metallicaly.
The other side is a car park on Kilndown Close. This is where Canada geese used to congregate, but netting has been tied to the fencing to keep them off (possibly because of bird flu?). They still swim on the canal.
Notice the sky? It was blue with puffy white clouds floating in it. Today was the best day we have had for a while. There was even a hint of heat from the sunshine despite a strong wind that was rippling the surface of the canal. Lovely bridge, lovely day.
Which Dino?
If you could bring back one dinosaur, which one would it be?
I’d bring back a brachiosaurus. Basically because I think they were herbivores and relatively harmless… Unless it went for a walk along a motorway? The cars that could be crushed would be awful! But if I bought it back I would feel sorry for it as I doubt we could afford to create more than one. It would be left to grow old and dies alone. If we did create a partner, what would we do if they were to breed? How would it effect the lives of other land animals? Would they strip the land of food? Would they be allergic to modern plants? Too many questions!
Or I would bring back a swimming dinosaur and release it into Loch Ness in Scotland. Then there would be a real monster in the Loch. I image that would increase the tourism in the area.
I’d be interested to know how it could be done, apparently the method in Jurassic park of getting dinosaur DNA from a fly trapped in amber is not possible. Maybe reverse evolution, taking out genes to de-evolve an animal, perhaps a bird, back to one of its ancestors? But how would they choose the right genes? Interesting thought though, maybe they would end up with miniature pterasaurs?
Heron on the bank
Blurry photo of a heron chilling out on the canal bank today. It leant forward a few times and looked into the murky brown water but then resumed it’s original position again. I guess it must have seen a fish.
We have previously seen people magnet fishing in the canal, they said they sometimes find things, but nothing valuable. Is a shopping trolley or bike frame worth it? I guess you can weigh things in for scrap. In the meantime I hope the heron got his dinner!
Too much?
Pictures behind pictures, a wall full of images. The chimney brest is concrete so it took an effort to get the nails in!
It also has a mantlepiece with lots of ornaments, mainly cats. I’m not proud of my clutter, but I’m attached to it. I took a monochrome photo because the colours are a bit riotous!
Are you a clutter nutter? Do you ‘collect’ or ‘hoard’? I’m on the verge, I might slip into hoarding soon, but recently I have been trying to declutter. It’s not a rapid process. But I’m trying.
Mallaband-Brown 