New paintings and regular art updates.
Today, after a very bad night’s sleep, I got up and decided to go to the Orme Art Group today. We had booked a life model to sit for us and I didn’t want to miss it. I had bought new ink pens and black sharpie pens to use in my sketchbook. This drawing took a couple of hours, I wanted to capture the patterns on her skirt and scarf and the autumn leaves outside the window. I think this went well and I’m pleased with it. Going out and talking to the friends in the group really helped.
When the exact size and shaped leaf falls on your picnic plate. I moved it over to line up with the stem. I had to take a photo
Today was a good one. I sang, I laughed, I cried and I felt supported by friends and by the world. I found a plastic heart that had fallen off a picture and was stuck with bluetack to the bottom of my slipper. But that bit of plastic was whole, not broken. A sign? Perhaps, I took the decision to accept it as that and it made me smile.
Flashing like a beacon, connected in all different directions, emotions bursting out into the world. Thoughts spiralling. Pain, anxiety, calm, hope, dreams, fear, sadness all mingles. If I can find a thread to pull me through all of the entangled ideas. The tears keep falling.
Today I reached out and so many people reached back to me. I feel overwhelmed with their support. I need to hope things will improve. I think the friends I have made that hope more real.
Our boy cat is sitting half on a cushion, half on my hubbies lap. This is unusual, he’s always been quite nervous. He will normally sit or lie between us on a cushion between the two arm chairs. He sometimes puts his paws on me, but even now, after a few years, he’s still quite nervous. That’s because he was abandoned by his previous owners and he was living outside for a couple of years. At least now he trusts us after a lot of love and encouragement. Finally, he’s being a lap cat x.
Head up, he sees me. Murrup, purr, miaow he says in greeting. Coming in for a bit of food and a drink. Sometimes he sits next to me and reaches his paws out. Just touching my hand on the arm of the chair. He’s saying hello, I’m here. Sometimes he curls up between us and goes to sleep. Then another cat comes in, looks up lovingly. This one jumps up on my knee and starts kneading and poddling with sharp claws. He settles on my leg next to the big cat, he’s medium sized and slightly older than the first. Finally she comes in, claws up into my leg, stretching and yawning, a little nervous around my hubby, dodging his hand but then head butting mine. Three cats, love them all.
When the cat stretches up to greet me I smile. He pushes his head against my hand and rubs his cheek on my face. He headbutts me and purrs.
Such affection needs reciprocating. I love him dearly. He makes me feel happy and calms me down. I’m so lucky to have his love.
My mind is a bit muddled at the moment. I am dealing with lots of ‘stuff’ and I feel overwhelming worry that I won’t get back on track. My life physically has been bothering me and I’m waiting for an appointment to try and find answers. I’m dealing with things for myself, my family and friends, and because I can put a good case for things I don’t mind helping. But when you persue various options and each one closes down it gets more and more frustrating. I wish I could herd cats, work out the best thing for us. I had to ask for help recently, and that was difficult. I’m a proud person and I don’t like to think I can’t cope. But you know those straws that broke the camels back? I think they are building up. Maybe I need to hibernate and look after myself, but turning away from others is not in my nature.
One on my knee, one on the arm of the chair. My two boy cats sitting almost nose to nose. They are quite tolerant of each other, and this is the closest they have ever sat together. It asted half an hour, both snug and warm. This is not photoshopped they were about three inches apart. So pleased we got the outside cat to join the household especially at this cold time of year.
A lunch meeting with a group of friends today. We have been meeting on line for 19 months but have not met many in person.
We were at the Potters club, a lovely set of rooms at the top of an office building in Stoke on Trent. There were amazing pieces of pottery on display, and the view out showed Penkhull hill and the Trent Valley.
I could have taken many photos if I had taken my phone with me, but I had left it on my table as I was having to walk with a stick. So the only photo I got was one of three chandeliers in the Potters Club room.
Fox sculpture.
I still want a sculpture in our garden like this but the artist has not been in touch. I wonder if something has happened to him? Oh well, people get busy. I will try again and see if we can have it done.
A good friend came round earlier today and helped with our garden. It’s getting very overgrown and neither me or my hubby can manage it anymore. The whole thing needs cutting back and pruning. Unfortunately the wisteria was a casualty as it has grown into the ivy that has got onto the roof of the extension so it needs clearing. Then you might be able to see a sculpture!
Mallaband-Brown