Old Oak and ice-cream

Posted on October 1, 2019October 1, 2019 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Design, Giant straw bee, Hollow Oak, Ice cream, Nantwich, Oak, Rain, Sculpture, Snugburys, WeatherLeave a comment

Visited Snugburys ice cream parlour near Nantwich today. I had the sugar free vanilla and a plain cone. It was weird, a bit like tiny frozen hailstones slightly moist, but bits kept dropping off! My hubby had Walnut and Maple syrup (me jealous?).

As we came out we had a look at one of the oak trees in the grounds. It was hollow inside. The tree looked healthy though. As a tree grows the outside bark and outer layers carry the nutrients and water up the trunk in tubes called phloem and xylem. The centre can be lost, but as long as fluids still flow and the outer wood is strong the tree will survive.

Finally we walked towards the giant bee they have built out of straw. It replaced the Peter Rabbit sculpture that was previously there. We didn’t go to close because it was raining and very windy. Took a quick photo. Enjoyable visit.

Drawing challenges

Posted on September 30, 2019September 30, 2019 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Art, Challenges, Design, Drawing, Drawing diary, Fun, inktober, Life, One inch challenge, Pen and ink, Pencil2 Comments

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In October there are a few challenges to get you drawing. The first is Inktober. You can find various challenges based on this theme on the Internet. Each one is based on doing a drawing a day for the month of October. People use a hash tag, #Inktober2019 is this years I think. There are suggestion on what to draw, for instance halloween themes or autumn. These can also be found on line.

The second challenge is the one I may be doing. This is the one inch drawing challenge. You draw thirty one, one inch squares and do a tiny drawing a day. My only problem? I don’t know if I’ve got a ruler to draw the boxes!

Older paintings

Posted on September 30, 2019September 30, 2019 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Acrylic on canvas, Art, Colour, Design, Fish, Hawk, Kestrel, Old paintings from 2016, Pattern, Tree spirits2 Comments

Every so often my Facebook page comes up with memories of older paintings. I think all of these were done in 2016. They were on display in Cinders Hub in Newcastle-under-Lyme and two of them sold. I still have the painting of the koi carp. I realise now that although I paint a wide range of images I do like repeating certain themes.

I love colour as you can see, and I also love pattern.

Raining again

Posted on September 30, 2019September 30, 2019 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Britain, Floods, Forecast, Life, Rain, Storms, Tides, Under a cloud, Weather, WetLeave a comment

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The rain kept off till about 4pm, then it started to pour down. There are lots of flood warnings with 30 to 50 millimeters of rain expected in the next 24 hours. Then there are seasonal high tides due aswell. Water levels are expected to peak in the North East and there is talk of an evacuation in one costal area. We are in the North Midlands and are expecting heavy rain. It’s certainly changed from the hot and humid weather of a week ago. I guess though that despite being under a huge cloud we are lucky. There is early snowfall in parts of America!

Wall at Spode

Posted on September 30, 2019 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Art, Bricks, China Halls, Colour, History, Photos, Spode, Staffordshire, Stoke-on trentLeave a comment

This is a wall in the China halls in Spode. Water has got in and damp is creeping up the wall. The fire extinguisher and bracket is long gone but the signs remain. I love the red and green contrasting colours, and it’s clear where the wall has been rebuilt or pointed and the scars of its life, like scars on a face. The dereliction is like an aging body, cracking and damaged.

I love flaking paint, brickwork and seeing the history written in the structure. I love taking photos of it and trying to paint it.

Shouting stop at the rain!

Posted on September 30, 2019September 30, 2019 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Eccentric, Rain, Shouting, Stormy, Tree, Water, Weather, WindLeave a comment

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Yesterday I was sitting by my art stall in the craft fair. The doors were open to let people in. Suddenly there was shouting outside. I heard my hubbies voice and thought he was arguing with someone! I headed to the door while my fellow stall holders looked on in bemusement.

My hubby was outside with three or four people and he was berating the clouds and telling God to stop the rain! I don’t know why he thought it would have any effect. He was quite alright, no fight. But it’s just like him, eccentric.

The rain and wind continued. Water was even dripping through cracks between the walls and the ceiling, onto the floor of the room we were in, it was not good.

When we came home the pear tree had blown down! Cause and effect?

Going back

Posted on September 29, 2019September 29, 2019 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Blogging, Calm, Going back, Life, Rest, River, Sea, Short break, Tired, WaterLeave a comment

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Going back to a haven in the sun, a place where I was happy, a home from home. I won’t give you a clue, just a generic photo. I hope the weather will be bright. I might take my paints. Now I need a break, a rest. Somewhere to breathe. To be calm, to listen to water and waves. Cold weather may affect things, I’m hoping not too much. May not be about much this coming week.

Exhibition closed

Posted on September 29, 2019September 29, 2019 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Art, Closed, Exhibition ending, Friendly, Gallery, Life, Longport, Staffordshire, Stoke-on trent, Waiting room galleryLeave a comment

After extending my exhibition at the Waiting room gallery it finished today. I’ve collected the paintings and one at least is going to a new home.

It was a pleasure to work with Frank Foy and Allison Dias who run the gallery. Despite unforseen problems they were very helpful and I look forward to working with them again.

The waiting room gallery is welcoming to artists, it is reasonably priced and they have good knowledge of art. Visit if you can.

A gate to nowhere

Posted on September 29, 2019September 29, 2019 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Blank verse, Heart, Heartfelt, Life, Locked, Poem, Poetry, Relationships, Sad, Shut outLeave a comment

Seen on a walk in 2018.

Dont let me in,

You walled up your heart,

there is a gate

But you locked it shut.

Tight chested

I sat, waiting for you

Asking to be let in,

But you said no.

You said go.

You locked me out

And threw away the key.

A subject to paint

Posted on September 29, 2019 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Acrylic on canvas, Art, Design, Green man, History, Life, Old, PaintingLeave a comment

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I was looking for an image to paint yesterday and found the oldest green man that has been found. I think it’s French, or what became France, as it said it was 1st or 2nd century. I painted it yesterday and it was in the craft fair although it didn’t sell. I think I will do a bit more work on it…. IMG_20190928_222312_697 why? Because I think I’ve made it too green. Which is strange as its a green man….

Mallaband-Brown

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