New paintings and regular art updates.
It’s a struggle to dry my washing in the back yard at the moment. The washing line snapped and I’ve tied it back up but it’s a bit saggy. It is also surrounded with hanging baskets which are a riot of colour and lovely scents which I hope will infuse into the drying clothes (although it’s already rained this morning!). I can’t fit a dryer in the kitchen even if I could afford one, or afford to run it. Just hoping the day stays dry now.
Describe your most memorable vacation.
We were holidaying on the Devon Coast in summer. We came back to the campsite and saw a crowd of people on the beach and others in wet suits in the sea. We went to find out what was happening and saw a pod of dolphins swimming back out to sea. But one had stayed behind.
I looked at my friend’s and told them I was getting in! I took off my glasses and shoes and got in the sea fully clothed! I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity of swimming with a dolphin. I swam half way to the people in wetsuits so I was not much out of my depth. I was a reasonable swimmer and it was a calm and walm evening.
The dolphin was very inquisitive and kept swimming backwards and forwards between the people on the beach and out to sea. Of course that meant it had to come past me. One thing I did notice was it had a lot of cuts along it’s sides. Apparently it was well known for getting near the propellers of boats. Sadly it had been hurt by this behaviour.
The other memory I have was of the caravan step collapsing on our last night. It had rusted through because of the salt air and broke as I stepped on it. We had to move caravans and got an extra nights stay as I had hurt my foot and couldn’t drive back home until the following day.
Digitally manipulated photo of vaccum packed crochet blanket, added symmetry with the incollage app and then drew over it with the Sketchbook app. I suppose butterflies are quite symmetrical. It’s an interesting effect I think. I’m not sure whether to do anything else to it. I’ll see later.
I was painting a backdrop for the final penkhull mystery play before the pandemic. It’s unlikely the plays will be continued, people get older or move on. The children who used to be involved are growing up. I don’t feel able to do anything like this any more. I can do some things but I shake too much to get delicate work like this done. At least I have memories. Willow pattern design I made up.
I chose yesterday’s #bandofsketchers prompt. I suggested house. Well I decided to go off piste with this and do a digital finger painting in Artrage app. It’s meant to be a summerhouse. With splodgy flowers in front of it. I used different brushes to create the varied shapes.
I’ve been trying to make space in this jumbled, untidy house. I hope to get some plastering done in a damp corner, but stuff is in the way. I bought vaccum laundry bags ages ago and they got added to the pile, but now? I’ve rediscovered them. I used four yesterday and just got four more. They are ideal for storing bulky bedspreads and jumpers. I have two crocheted square throws that I have had for years, one made by my mother in law and one by me. I’m bothered that clothes moths might get at them so I bagged them up then squirted a bit of fly spray in. Finally I sealed the bag and applied the vaccum cleaner to the valve. The shrinkage is amazing! So satisfying, it still weighs a lot, but it takes up a lot less space!
On what subject(s) are you an authority?
Jack of all trades,
Master of none.
Expert, I’m not
I learn for fun.
I can paint and draw
But I’m not an old master
I can do some stuff
I like to paint faster
Than most people
But an authority?
If put on the spot
I’d hesitate
To state
All the information
That gives my ego
The biggest inflation!
So I’ll dabble and draw
And keep myself modest
You decide if you saw
A glimpse of the oddest
Authority bore!
I just got an email to tell me I didn’t get this in the Three counties open exhibition…. Perhaps I should have gone with a traditional portrait. Oh well, I’m old enough not to be too disappointed. I guess I will try again next year. My work will be on display and up for sale on Acava Spode Open day in a few weeks. I need to check the date. I need to go and sort out my studio and create an exhibition there instead. I’m enjoying painting in a slightly abstracted way, I think it fits in with my style?
Oh the tension! The game is on. I’m watching but not watching. In other words I’ve got the TV on but I’ve got my eyes closed, or I’m looking away. Bitten nails, nervous gulps. It’s only tennis!
Andy Murray is currently on centre court against Stephanos Tsitipas. They are one set all. Murray might get a break point in a minute. He did it! But can he keep it up? He’s old, but mature, but he’s up against an excellent player.
I only tend to watch Wimbledon, and that’s because it’s on free to air TV, I can’t be bothered or afford cable or satellite TV. And then I only watch certain matches. If I start watching and the match goes the wrong way, I will turn the TV over. I don’t want to jinx the play!
This game is probably going to go onto 11pm and then be finished tomorrow, so that’s another hour of knuckle biting!
Leading line? Thought of the speech in Hamlet “Alas poor Yorick…” I looked at skull pictures and wrote hand sideways on, palm up to look for a picture to model the hand on… Felt pens as usual…Tuesdays #bandofsketchers prompt.
Mallaband-Brown