New paintings and regular art updates.
I came across this photo from about 5 years ago….
When attending a moustache workshop
Be careful where you put the glue
You might end up looking like Rembrant
Laughing like a cavalier.
You might end up with curling eyebrows,
Or with a twisting beard.
Just don’t go mad with super glue
Or you might have it for Years!
This is an image from Rode Hall that I photographed a couple of weeks ago. As you can see the rhododendrons are in full bloom. These showy shrubs originally come from the far east, China I think? They are grown for their flowers which can come in a variety of colours.
They do spread though and can shade out native plants which is why they are sometimes drastically cut back in wooded areas, allowing light to penetrate the canopy of leaves.
I must visit the Dorothy Clive garden soon. They have a large and mixed collection in their quarry garden. They are in the countryside west of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
I was trying to help move a huge flower pot with an olive tree and a walnut tree growing out of it. My husband was pulling the pot and I tried to push.. He pulled me over! I crashed into some plants luckily not the concrete. Im glad he was there! I realised I was OK with only a slightly bashed knee. But I don’t have the strength to get up that I once had. I was flailing around on the floor, like the dying fly dance from the 70s or 80s. I managed to turn to my knees then he hauled me to my feet. My knee is a bit sore but it’s the shock and surprise, you feel yourself topple, everything goes sideways. Then it’s shock that you are on the ground. Last time was because a chair leg broke. Then I broke a rib so I count myself lucky today. Its scary enough when you are a child and fall over, when you’re a middle aged, unfit female it can be frightening. X
Found this lumpy moss on the church wall. It was lovely, little blobs growing on the old stone, even though its close to a busy road. It’s at the top of the hill so the wind scours across the hill top. Sometimes the wind is so strond it could blow you off your feet..
Moss is an interesting plant, the reproduction is by spores I think, and it needs damp conditions to live in. I’m sure people know more about it than I do. Anyway I took a couple of photos as an idea if what it looked like.
I then did a duplicated picture of it because it made an interesting pattern. 
Hope you enjoy.
X
this baby cucumber plant I’ve got growing on the kitchen windowsill seems to be tickling the cast iron cats ear! It’s been inside because it’s been too cold to plant it out. It’s barely had any water and yet it’s putting out flowers. The courgette plants that I had outside have been ravaged by slugs, but thus little beauty will have to go out before the kitchen resembles the little shop of horrors.
I like this image, the shadow of the wind-chime in the window is cast on the wall on the right hand side, and the slightly angry cat balances it up. Yes.. I’m thinking of painting it. All the other plants contrast with it. Taken at 2.30am so the dark windows and reflections would be a challenge. I have just the right long thin canvas for it……
I hope it survives – I had to use washing up liquid on the Pepper plant just a bit further along the windowledge today as it was covered in aphids and I won’t use pesticides. Right enough writing x
Thank you to everyone who came to the exhibition. I think people enjoyed it. I will be putting up more photos if I get some. These are quick snaps but I’ve included all the paintings. The people at Centre Space gallery, Darren and Sarah, could not be more helpful. If there was a trip advisor for galleries (maybe there is) I would recommend them.
If you would like to see it it’s on till Sunday from 10.30am to 4.00pm at the Centre Space gallery, at Spode Site, Eleanora street, Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1QQ.
I realise why poppies don’t flower in our garden. It’s too shady. I’ve been out and looking at people’s gardens and the ones in full sun are resplendent with poppies, ours are short weedy things. I’m going to have to have some of the overgrowth cut back a bit. I do not want to make it tidy or remove stuff for the birds but I’m growing a wood or forest in the garden. Bearing in mind it’s the area where two terraced houses were and their yards we have three cherry trees two apple trees, a walnut, two or three Ash trees, two baby oak trees, a sycamore, an acer, a mountain Ash tree, a pear tree, a eucalyptus, a willow tree, a laurel Bush a couple of Holly bushes and elderberry that are taking on tree like proportions. The walnut is raided by a squirrel which plants them so we have baby walnuts growing. Plus there is a lot if ground cover ivy and geraniums. It’s a jungle out there. I feel very lucky to have the land but I think I will contact our local wildlife Trust to see if they can help.
Like a napping cat staring bleary eyed into the dawn, I’m awake. I don’t want to be. There is a slight chill in the living room and I’m thinking of snuggling back in bed. To sleep, to not worry about today, who will come to my show? Are enough people interested?
Nerves, that’s what it is. The anxiety in the pit of your stomach. Collywobbles, butterflies, slight palpatations.
Nothing to worry about, I tell myself. Worrying never got anything done, I think. Life’s too short, I mutter under my breath.
So decisions, another decaff coffee or sleep, I know what I will do…..
Let your face shine in the sun,
Turning to catch all the rays,
Like a radio telescope tracking the stars.
Your flower, crackling with energy.
How beautiful and regal you are.
Brimming with sunlight,
Gleaming with golden hues.
Sunflower, King of flowers.
Gem of plants,
Strong, bold, liquid gold.
Memories, I don’t know when I painted this but it’s just come up on my FB page as the favourite photo of 2012. It’s a painting of my friend when she ran a market stall surrounded by her objects for sale. It’s based on a photo of her that I had taken. The cardigan and hair really added to the vibrant colours in the painting. I can’t remember what it’s called.
I loved the scarf with the snake on it, and the puppet which may be Thai or Indian. Sometimes it’s good to paint what you see.
X
Have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
