Clocks going back

Oh no! Clocks go back tomorrow night. What does that mean? Lighter mornings, but it goes dark an hour earlier.

They did an experiment in the 1960’s I think. They kept British summer time for about three years. It stayed lighter in the evenings. The other effect was that there were less accidental deaths of children because they were not going back from school in the dark when they were tired. But it didn’t catch on because sunrise in the North and Scotland was at about 10am. The idea has been suggested a few times since then but was voted down in Parliament. Maybe one day they will change it permanently. I wish they would. It also saved money and reduced power usage. So maybe its worth it.

Time flies, digital drawing.

Since we are in the Autumn and Halloween is coming up I thought I would draw something spooky in ArtRage oils. I don’t use the application very often, but it has some nice features including a metallic sheen if you turn the tool for metallic oil up. The writing the cracked paint and the lines on the clock were drawn in the Sketch app. I do like mixing things up a bit. I know it’s finger painting, but I like the imprecise way it looks, sketchy and a bit rough.

In our paper…

Spot the problem…??

Hmm…. Apologies for using this image, but it just points out that even people who should know the rules can make mistakes. I wonder why they are not wearing masks, and why they are so close? Are they related? Have they been sharing a ‘bubble’? Did the photographer usher them together to fit them in the photo? This is the leader of our local council, if she does not follow the rules why should her electorate? Or should we ignore her example and follow the rules? I think so!

Tier Two

Painting done at Orme Group

I was really looking forward to going back to our Orme Art Group, which is meeting for the first time in months. I was only going for the afternoon, but I was going to start doing something new. Then government decided to impose Tier two restrictions in our area. Most of the group will still be in Tier One but not me. Oh well, I have to admit I was a bit nervous of seeing people inside for the first time in months (and yet I’m happy to go shopping). Its strange how this pandemic can affect your confidence.

Maybe one day things can get back to normal, I can see my friends again. I can paint with them, spark new ideas, have fun. Do workshops learning new techniques.

Fingers crossed

X

Sleep

Eyes open, staring at the ceiling, or eyes closed and flashes and patterns inside my eyelids. Curling tight in a ball, shivering with cold. Why did I turn the heating off? Pulling the duvet over my head, hoping the warmth of my breath will bring feeling back to my hands. Its only October but the temperature has dropped. So many nights without proper sleep. Pain and worries mingle, darkness does not enfold me in its arms, but instead picks on my mind. It hurts me, darkness extends into the future. Dawn arrives later every morning. Enveloping me in misery. Stay up, keep the lights on. Speed the night through watching TV.

Only days till Halloween, what is waiting for me? Noise outside again. Is there anyone there? If I could sleep I would be oblivious to it. Oh what can I do?

Lest we Forget

The poppy appeal this year won’t be able to do door to door collections, the Royal British Legion are urging people to download printable poppies or order them on line. I don’t have the link to their site but I’m sure there are more details available. As with the NHS earlier in the year they are asking people to put pictures in their windows, in this case a picture of a poppy. I will print a copy of this and put it in our window and send them a donation. Poppies have been the symbol of remembrance since the end of the First World War over 100 years ago in 1918. Lest we Forget.

Just a photo

Its just an ivy leaf a wok. Not a visual metaphor, just a random photo. The stainless steel is scratched but retains its sheen. The photo is probably under exposed because the leaf is so dark. It’s shadow cast onto the metal. It’s surface looks like it’s been cleaned with wire wool.

Was this photo taken on a grey, overcast day? Is that the shape of a wooden fence reflected in it? Trying to find ways of describing images is hard. Finding the words to grow pictures in your mind. If you closed your eyes and someone read this out would you see this in your minds eye? I wonder…