New paintings and regular art updates.
Never flown
Never will
Can you make me?
Not unless I’m asleep
Completely unconscious
The world blotted out?
But what about
My carbon flight print?
I would not fly far
Maybe, island hop, to Skye?
Perhaps I could hanglide?
Or take a hot air balloon
Over my home town.
Or an airship blimp?
Parachute strapped to my back
Or wings glued on like Icarus?
Don’t get too close to the sun
But I would have my eyes closed
Vertigo engaged.
I would rather NOT fly.
Five or six years ago our choir learnt ” I walk to Jo-berg” to sing at a choir festival. It’s a good song, full of different sounds, English and Afrikaans words. Someone in the choir requested that we learn it again.
Not all the old choir members are still with us, but within minutes we knew what bits to sing. WE WERE SINGING JAZZ TUNES we hadn’t sung in years. It was fascinating how we could recollect it. You scratch your head and think I’ll never remember that, and then it’s coming out of your mouth without you having to struggle! We were singing in four part harmony and building up sections. We had a great time and we really enjoyed it.
Recent studies have shown that learning a new musical instrument or learning to sing can improve mental acuity and memory. And it’s fun!
Orme Art Group Exhibition in the display window at the Brampton museum and art gallery until the end of March 2024.
Orme Art Group is a group of local artists that meet up in Newcastle under Lyme in Staffordshire. We have annual exhibitions but also try and get our art displayed in other venues. The groups art is varied, colourful and interesting. I think we compliment each other and create beautiful pieces of work.
The Brampton museum and art gallery is in Newcastle under Lyme and has a variety of displays and exhibitions and has a lot of local historical information and knowledge. There is a vintage cafe in the museum so you can get a hot drink and hot and cold food and cakes. Worth a visit.
The visitor centre at Westport lake stands on stilts and appears like the curved prow of a boat above the lake. The roof juts out over the balcony and offers some shelter from rain that can blow in on the prevailing wind. The visitor centre has a cafe, and sells gifts relating to the wildlife on and around the lake and wooded areas. You can buy bird food and bird nesting boxes, and books including natural history. Staffordshire Wildlife Trust manages the park and does various activities to encourage children to get into supporting the environment and nature. There is also a children’s playground. The only drawback is that the council has bought in parking charges.
I’ve lost my favourite purse. Small and soft material, I’ve had it for years, it was getting scruffy but I loved it. I think I must have pulled it out of my pocket yesterday when I was out for a walk. I know I took money out to pay for something, but stuffed it back in because my friend paid. Then it’s a blur, perhaps as I took a tissue out it fell out. I’ve rung the place we visited but no one has handed it in. Someone has probably had the cash. I almost drove back today but thought better of it. Too late. I seem to be losing a lot of things at the moment. So upsetting.
The silver blue water of Westport Lake in Stoke on Trent today. This Swan was one of many that were searching for food. It had cygnets in tow, almost free of the pale brown plumage. The swans got out of the lake later as visitors were feeding them bread (not an ideal diet) but in this weather they need sustenance. They even tried a swift peck at my friends arm!
We only walked a couple of miles but that was enough for today. I was chilled by a cold breeze and glad to get back to the car. I will do more walks.
Because of everything that’s been happening my life recently I have got behind on #bandofsketchers prompt so here is a list of some of the things I’ve missed. I hope to feel enthusiastic again but I have a health issue that needs investigating and I feel stuck again. One step forward two steps back. All being well everything will be OK. Fingers crossed, I’ve got enough worries without something else coming up!
Somewhere to sit
Somewhere to think
Look at the view
(a car park?)
Time to rest with your shopping
Before you go to the car!
Not one for a memorial…
Here sat Hilda
Her shopping bag
Was too heavy
And her chicken defrosted
Before she got it home….
One hour watercolour, I tried to be as free as I could with the paint and colours. This is from a photo I took a week ago. There were long shadows because of the winter sunshine.
Finally finished a painting of my friends dog Teddy. It’s taken a few months but I went to the Orme Art Group today and as it was a self directed session I finished this watercolour. It’s not perfect, but the best I could do x
Mallaband-Brown