Not coral but lichens.

Posted on May 30, 2021 Posted in Uncategorized6 Comments

Photographed yesterday. Two? Sorts of lichen in Penkhull. I know it’s hard for them to grow in polluted air and sometimes you only get a few types growing. But these look quite well grown. I remember some names of them but I asked my hubby who used to study them and he said they are parmelia saxatalis, and xanthoria paretina. The yellow is Xanthoria, from Xanthos apparently meaning yellow in Greek. They are a combination (symbiosis) of fungus and algae. The fungus holds the water and traps nutrients and the algae photo synthesises and creates oxygen.

I do think they look like miniature corals. I could imagine them in a shallow sea. Like so many things looking similar but on different scales…

Valley view

Posted on May 30, 2021May 30, 2021 Posted in Sketching, UncategorizedTagged Art, black fine liner pen, clayton, Drawing, Life, Shaking, Sketching, Trent Vale, Valley, View, Walking, wobbly lines3 Comments

View of Trent Vale and Clayton from Thistley Hough

We went for a walk in the evening yesterday, and instead of just taking photos I took a small sketch pad with me. I couldn’t draw all the details I could see and because its black and white it’s hard to get shade and tone, but I did my best. The two blobs in the sky were hot air balloons. Too far away to see any detail and they were travelling sideways on to us very slowly (left to right). This took about 15 minutes, just trying to get an impression of the view over the valley. I wish I didn’t shake, my lines are very wobbly!

Galaxy

Posted on May 30, 2021 Posted in Sketching, UncategorizedTagged #bandofsketchers, Acrylic paint, Art, Astronomy, Life, Prompt, Sketching, sky at night programme, Watercolour sketch, whirlpool gallery2 Comments

Today’s #bandofsketchers prompt was Space. It is a favourite subject. I love the Sky at Night Programme on the BBC. I’ve tried to paint the Whirlpool galaxy, using Arteza metallic watercolours and some black and white acrylic. A bit splodgy but the detail on the photo was overwhelming.

Drawings at gentleshaw

Posted on May 30, 2021 Posted in Sketching, UncategorizedTagged Animals, argos monitor, Birds, capuchin, Eccleshall, Falcons, Fun, gentleshaw rescue centre, Life, Owls, Staffordshire1 Comment

I did a few quick sketches of the birds and animals while we visited today. A great opportunity to sketch some lovely creatures.

Gentleshaw Wildlife rescue

Posted on May 30, 2021 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Animals, Birds, Eccleshall, Fun, Gentleshaw, Life, rescue centre, wildlife rescue centre3 Comments

A racoon, a baby owl and a falcon called Logan. They were all enjoying the sunny weather today.

Gentleshaw is a wildlife rescue centre and is based at Eccleshall in Staffordshire. It’s in a garden centre but is run seperatley. They offer bird flying experiences and take in animals that are unwanted by owners that cannot be placed in zoos. They give space and care for many birds and animals which could otherwise lose their lives.

My photos are a bit blurry but I also drew the birds and animals. See my next post!

How do you release jelly (jello?)

Posted on May 30, 2021May 30, 2021 Posted in Cat, UncategorizedTagged Cat, cat mould, Dessert, Food, Funny, ginger cat, jello, Jelly, jelly mould, Life, Orange, Trying4 Comments

Trying to make a ginger (orange flavour) cat jelly.

I was given a cat shaped jelly mould a few years ago but never used it. Then yesterday I decided to make an orange jelly for fun. I could have added fruit or trifle sponges to strengthen it but I wanted it to be pure jelly, and I was going to call it ginger and maybe take a few photos in different places before we have it for tea.

I tried mixing the jelly powder but I didn’t realise it hadn’t all dissolved until I cleaned the bowl I’d made it in, would that weaken the jelly? Then I couldn’t lie it down level because it’s head is higher so I had to prop it up in a bowl to put in the fridge. I let it set overnight. But how to get it loose? I tried running a thin knife round the edge, then turned it up on a plate, wobble, no! Tried running the mould under the hot tap, no! Tried tapping the mould, whoosh, a few bits dropped out, tried a knife again and tapping.. It finally came out, a saggy, wibbly wobbly brother cat to the solid mould.

Does anyone know what I should have done?

Anticrepuscular rays

Posted on May 29, 2021May 30, 2021 Posted in UncategorizedTagged anti crepuscular rays, Clouds, crepuscular rats, Light, Setting sun, Stoke-on trent, sunburst, SunlightLeave a comment

Tonights view over Thistley Hough, Stoke-on-Trent. The light from the sun broke through the clouds. I thought these were called crepuscular rays, but apparently that’s when they go downward from the sun towards the ground. These are anti-crepuscular rays according to people on the cloud appreciation society’s Facebook page.

P. S. Someone else on the page says they are crepuscular as anticrepuscular ones are on the opposite side to the sun. What does that mean….

I need a walk….

Posted on May 29, 2021 Posted in Sketching, UncategorizedTagged a short walk, Art, Good for you, Health, Relaxation, Sandals, Shoes, Sketch, Sunshine, Walking5 Comments

It’s been a few days since I had a good walk, I haven’t been well. Today its sunny and warm and I’m fed up of feeling trapped in the house. A short walk, a flat walk, a slow walk, but a walk.

A few thousand steps will help me and give me some relaxation….

Bye, I’m off out!

Outside

Posted on May 29, 2021 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Aqualegia, Cheerful, Front of house, Gardening, lilac, Pavement, Plants, Poppies, Purple, Yellow2 Comments

When I come home it’s lovely to see the Lilac in flower, it’s turned from a bush to a tree. I think the Latin name is Syringa? The white is unusual and we have a white buddliea behind it that comes out a little later. The bees and butterflies love it. Then in front of the house on the pavement we have an assortment of yellow and purple flowers including the aqualegia and Welsh poppies. There are also pansies and other plants. Later on the year there will be nasturtiums. I’m surprised we’ve only had one pot taken in all the years that my hubbies been doing this. It cheers me up.

Glass time

Posted on May 29, 2021 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Art, Design, Experiment, Fun, Fused glass, Glass, Learning, Life, looking forward, WorkshopLeave a comment

Today I found someone at a place called Art Glass Lounge where they do glass workshops. I was really pleased because I had wanted to do some more glass pieces and my hubby wanted another go too.

We met a lovely glass artist who was very informative and helpful. Social distancing was used and at the end we bumped elbows. We had a go at grinding the glass to shape it, melting thin glass rods with either a candle or a blow torch to slump it or with the blow torch, fuse it together.

Very interesting and enjoyable.