Category: Memories

Lands end

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The end of the land, a toe dipping into the Atlantic Ocean, most South Westerly point of Mainland England. The destination or leaving point you can go to or from if you want to travel the length of Britain. The other end of the trail is John O’Groats in the very far north of mainland Scotland.

We only visited once in the 1990’s and didn’t get to the actual Lands End sign because the area had been taken over by a company and we couldn’t afford the admission fee! We went up the coast into the next bay and stopped off for a clotted cream tea before going back to out camp site. I’d like to visit again one day, although I think that’s a remote possibility, (pun intended!). This is a painting I did after the visit.

Pinned down

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A year ago my cat had pinned me down on the bed! I didn’t usually have my phone with me but on this occasion the stars aligned and as I woke up, stuck, I decided to take her photo. Nowadays she sneaks under the covers next to me. She will maybe stay still for ten minutes, sticking her claws in me as she kneads away at my leg or side. Then, I think she must overheat, she will rush out and escape. One of the other cats sleeps above the cover and gently snores. If they see each other they sometimes hiss at each other, but generally they are chilled about things.

Sawadee Thai Taste

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Went with a friend to our local Thai restaurant tonight. I had some starters of spare ribs, chicken wings and battered king prawns then a papaya salad and some sticky rice.

We’d been out to my exhibition at Spode and for the first time in months I felt like visiting somewhere different. I’ve not been out for a long time but there was a friendly welcome as usual. It was good to have a laugh and relax.

Now I need a bit of a rest!

Jupiter blue

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One of my favourite paintings, Jupiter Blue is based on a photo of Jupiters South pole if I remember correctly. The photo was taken by the Juno probe a few years ago. Astronomers were astounded by the colour of the gas giants clouded atmosphere.

I found it incredibly difficult to paint. It was so hard to get the softness of the clouds and I still think I can see a birds head or a witchy face in the painting. It’s acrylic on canvas large painting.

Losing my marbles

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I collect all sorts of things, and today I remembered I have a bowl made of buttons glued together, inside it is my marble collection. I need to clear the bowl out, it’s very dusty and some of the leaves from the plant above it have fallen in over the winter. I can’t wash it because it’s held together with PVA glue. I’m going to remove the marbles, (hopefully without losing them), wash them and dry them then put them back in the bowl.

So why am I writing about this? I guess it’s just that I collect all sorts of things, perhaps I should get rid of things? Maybe it’s a trait about being an artist, gathering shiny objects. I guess I’m a bit of a Magpie.

Yellow tree

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My autumn into spring painting at my exhibition. It’s going to a new home as it’s been sold. I love the feeling that someone has found something special about it.

But I have to say I find selling art difficult, it’s not my thing, I’d much rather just create. I think that’s why I paint what I want, I can’t paint the same idea over and over again. I get bored and have to move onto something else.

Esther’s challenge: New beginnings

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A new world?

Esther Chiltons blog has writing challenges every week, I’ve started trying to do some. New beginnings was an interesting one.

This is what I wrote :

New beginning?
I hope so.
My life has changed in so many ways. I’m having to reassess what I can do, can afford, can maintain.
New beginnings means the garden is starting to flower, I hope to get outside and maybe paint if I feel up to it. I need help to keep the garden tidy.
My main wish is that my health improves and I can have some real new beginnings….

Esther does other challenges, like on Mondays we try and write a limerick with a certain word in it, or on Thursdays a set of words and a limited number of words to use. It’s fun. Why not look her blog up?

Spode

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Have I mentioned that I have an exhibition at Spode, it can be viewed this Friday between 6.30 and 8.30. It’s at Acava Studios, up the yellow stairs, at Spode Works, Elanora street, Stoke upon Trent, ST4 1QD (I think).

If you are in the area and would like to come along you are very welcome.

It’s eclectic and interesting, with one work from 1982 that is an oil painting on an old cupboard door because I couldn’t afford a canvas. There are several portraits of my hubby from over our life together.

I’ve also included landscapes and portraits, abstract paintings, views of Spode works, and views of a nebula and Jupiter and Mars. There are also watercolours and batik prints. I’m interested in a lot of things and I hope this exhibition will show my explorative fine art practice.