New paintings and regular art updates.
Painted in 1991? that was when I flirted with getting my first studio, but one of the three people sharing it enjoyed playing loud music too much. Eventually it drove me out. I just wanted to paint in quiet and peace.
The cat was one of the first cats I had when I came to live in Stoke on Trent. She was extremely intelligent and followed me everywhere or rode on my shoulder. I was in my early thirties when I painted this. It was acrylic on canvas. Called familiar friends.
It’s almost a couple of years since I left the Acava art studios at the Spode factory site in Stoke on Trent. I had some good times there painting and getting to know some lovely people.
I won’t miss the freezing cold corridors in winter. I was cosy in my studio, but open the door and the temperature dropped. If you went and made a coffee in the kitchen it would be tepid by the time you got back to your room!
The building had a large mass, which didn’t matter when the kilns were lit, it would hold heat really well, but as a result of the pottery closing and being emptied the building no longer stays warm.
I miss being there. I’m sad I had to leave. But I could no longer afford it. At least I got some good photos while I was there.
Outside my back door, a twenty year old wall plaque from Yorkshire still resides. Held in place by a nail through its forehead. Brown oak leaves surround his face. Sometimes these ancient masks have leaves or vines growing out of their mouths. They are symbolic of life and death, new growth, or fertility? They are found in connection with old religions like Wikka? They are certainly pre Christian.
If you are interested in these ancient symbols then take a look at corn dollies too. These are made of tightly plaited straw with the heads of wheat left in place. There is a lot more information avaliable online.
Yesterday in Newcastle under Lyme for the Christmas lights opening. A large reindeer puppet strolled round the town centre. It’s movements steered by three puppeteers, directing it’s head downwards so that young children could stroke it’s nose. The head was lit up and you could see it’s eyes blink.
It was a lovely and beautiful sight. I think it was made by BArts.
Yummy chocolate cherry treats don’t last long and if I keep buying them, then they are no longer treats!
Only eight in the box, everyone tasty and sweet. With that sharp cherry tang.
I’d buy them every week, but they are not good for me. I swore not to eat as much sugar, but I think I’m addicted to it!
Only savoury treats now? I don’t know, the temptation is too great. Definitely wrapped in red for danger.
If you get to have a treat, enjoy.
A pink balloon floats in a cerulian sky. Artrage app digital drawing. Finger painting. Prompt Float from #bandofsketchers.
I have a good visual memory and this is from my imagination.
I’m biting the bullet
Not chewing the fat…
Buying a ‘puter
That’s not as fat
Slimmed down and sleek
But reconditioned too
Saving me money
Not brand new
Might do more art
For a start.
When I promised to cut down
On sugary foods
I didn’t notice this cheese cake
Lingering just
Out of sight
The chocolate dot
Sat on the counter
Looking for a companion
To contrast with the cherry swirls
Give me strength
Never to return
To this cafe
On pain
Of chilli sauce
Poured on my dessert!
My Cat is black and white so when he comes in from the rain he often looks like an otter. He’s like that tonight but it’s too dark to get a decent photo so here’s a little illustration I did of a cat walking through the rain… He looks very fed up!
I do hate it when people hype astronomical events. If you’ve ever watched a meteor shower you know it doesn’t look like this! It’s cloudy here so I’m unlikely to see anything..
Some showers have a lot of meteors or meteorites (the ones that land).
I’ve commented on the post:
It won’t look like this. The Leonids radiate from the constellation Leo (the direction they come from, not the actual stars). They won’t look like blue fireballs, just thin fast streaks of light shooting through the night sky. Unless a large chunk of material falls through the atmosphere. But it’s worth looking up, usually after local midnight. You can really see some great shows if the weather is clear.
For info go to spaceweather.com or look up details at the BBC’s The sky at night TV programme.
Mallaband-Brown