Sky view

Posted on November 27, 2025 Posted in Memories, UncategorizedTagged Acava Studios, Building, Cold, Fine Art, Heating, Memory, Stoke-on trent, Studio2 Comments

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.

Green man

Posted on November 25, 2025 Posted in Memories, UncategorizedTagged ancient mythology, ceramic plaque, corn dollies, Green man, Memory, Outside, rural historyLeave a comment

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.

Reindeer

Posted on November 25, 2025November 25, 2025 Posted in Fine Art, Memories, UncategorizedTagged B'arts, Fun, Happy, lantern, Lights switch on, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Puppet, ReindeerLeave a comment

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.

Treats don’t last

Posted on November 23, 2025 Posted in Memories, UncategorizedTagged Cherry, Chocolate, Danger, Food, happy memories, liqueur, Red, savory, Sugar, Sweet, Tasty, Treat1 Comment

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.

Loafing

Posted on November 22, 2025 Posted in Cat, UncategorizedTagged Bed, Black and white cat, Cat, Funny, Loaf, Photo, Poem, Poetry, Purrs, Sleep, Tuxedo catLeave a comment

She purrs

She sleeps

She loafs.

Upon my bed

In the warm.

No space for me

My feet

My hands

My body

My head

Overcome by a cat!

Floating….

Posted on November 21, 2025 Posted in Memories, Sketching, UncategorizedTagged #bandofsketchers, Art, ArtRage app, Digital drawing, Drawing, foat, Imagination, Memory, Prompt, SketchingLeave a comment

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.

A sweet treat

Posted on November 21, 2025 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Chocolate, dark chocolate, Drink, Glass, Irish coffee liqueur, Recipe, Tasty, Treat, vanilla ice-creamLeave a comment

I decided to make myself a treat. Take a glass, add one shot of Irish coffee liqueur and add a mini dark chocolate and vanilla ice-cream on a stick. Plus a teaspoon.

Let the ice-cream melt so the centre is soft but the dark chocolate is still crunchy. Break off into the Irish coffee liqueur…..remove the stick.. Spoon out the tasty treat to enjoy.

Upgrade

Posted on November 20, 2025 Posted in Memories, UncategorizedTagged Art, Computer, Cost, Design, Digital art, Happy, Memory, Poem, Poetry, refurbished, Thinking, Time8 Comments

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.

Cherry cheescake

Posted on November 19, 2025 Posted in Memories, UncategorizedTagged Cafe, Cherry, Chocolate, Dessert, dot, Eating, Food, guilt, Life, Poem, Poetry, Sugar, SwirlLeave a comment

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!

Wet cat

Posted on November 18, 2025 Posted in Cat, Memories, Sketching, UncategorizedTagged Cat, Funny, ginger cat, Illustration, Life, Memory, Painting, Rain, Watercolour, Wet catLeave a comment

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!