New paintings and regular art updates.
When you try to go to bed and the cat has decided to sleep there…. Softly purring.
It’s a hot night, I don’t need a hot water bottle. But the cat had other ideas. I gingerly got onto the bed, he didn’t wake. Gently shuffling across, I felt the cat get up. He yawned and stretched… Sauntered past me and off through the door…I was left in an insomniacal state, it took ages to fall asleep.
Tonight, if he’s there I’ll pick him up and move him even if he does look cute.
Borrowed July for today.
The last few weeks have been busy leading up to ur Mystery Play on Saturday the 5th of July. Then I’m getting involved in an opera about Molly Leigh the Burslem witch. That’s at the end of July. Between now and then I’m waiting for the results of my CT scan. Whatever happens I’ll keep going…..
I once saw a pig so square
And it’s body was very bare
Not a hair on its chin
It was a real sin!
But clearly it didn’t really care!
Loose copy of a “square” cow. Farmers didn’t have photographs of their animals so they often had portraits painted to show how much flesh the animals had. This led to distorted images with massive, square bodies and small heads and legs! I’ve seen paintings like this in old pubs in the countryside.
It’s a small acrylic on canvas covered board. I’m helping a group create some paintings about the witch Molly Leigh and they wanted pictures linked with the countryside and farming. I’m doing more. I’ve also done a square pig!
What are you most worried about for the future?
I’m on the roundabout of life
Four horses gallop
Over the horizon
Middle aged men ride them
Chase my mind sideways
Illness is first
Hunger comes close second
But War will encompass all
Until one by one
A dark shadow stills them.
Money piles up around them
If we could part them from it?
We may have a better life.
I hate hot weather, I eat too many ice creams! Sweet and sugary, tempting me, cooling me. But also not good for my body. I used to have a lolly maker you filled with cordial and water. Pop sticks in each deep, round cylinder and freeze. The sticks act as handles. Bobs your uncle.. Low calorie water ice lollies.
What makes a teacher great?
I think compassion and understanding would be great traits for teachers.
To see and understand how difficult things can be for both parents and children. I have heard of some teachers spending their own money to buy pencils and paper and equipment for their pupils.
They care far more than some teachers do. But they also understand that extra support gives children a better chance to learn. And after all that encouragement will help create a stronger, more well rounded individual in the long run.
The world needs more trust and love and less hate. I had a compassionate teacher that supported me through the loss of a relative when I tried to bottle up my feelings. That helped me to cope and I think it made me a better adult.
Or will my hat fit over that?
Prop to act as the top of the witches head in the Mystery Play. When she takes her hat off to go to bed it reveals a scary bald head covered in witchy symbols, stars, comets and crescent moons.
We just wanted to give the idea that the hat is pointed because the witches head is also pointed. Silly but fun!
A galaxy in your eyes
Or underwater gaze
Blue and sublime
Comforting and caring
The volume of peace
Encompasses the world
Finds tiny thoughts
Trapped in your mind
A nonsense poem
But liberating
How can I answer?
Have you ever had surgery? What for?
When you get pain in your wrist and near your thumb, when your thumb, index finger and middle finger start getting numb when you hold things. When you start dropping things, and sleep with your hands turned outwards to reduce the pain?
Go and see your doctor. You may have carpal tunnel syndrome. In my case it was that. My job was using machines to print with and holding a heavy box to type information into. After 5 years the pain got so bad I sought medical help.
My radial nerves were being trapped by a band of muscle round my wrists. I could have had an injection. But the problem was severe. 75% reduced nerve conductivity in one wrist and 43% in the other. I couldn’t hold a teacup for long, never mind a paintbrush.
I elected to have local anaesthetic as I could get the operation done sooner. So one morning I was wheeled into an operating theatre and watched with interest as the surgeon operated on my wrist and hand. A few weeks later I had the second one done.
Now twenty or so years later both hands are still fine and I am so glad I had it done!
Mallaband-Brown