Wizard glass

A wizard presides over some of my collection of glass paperweights. I made sure the sun doesn’t shine in too brightly on this particular windowsill. There are no curtains so the glass orbs cannot set fire to anything – they could act as magnifying lenses. I think the first ones I got were a present about thirty years ago, but I then started collecting them. They are colourful and tactile. Creativity comes in many guises.

Easter Island head ornament

I made him at Etruria artists a couple of years ago. I textured the surface and it is bisque fired. I didn’t get it glazed so I used a pale metallic blue acrylic paint to colour it. It used to sit on the shelf with my orchids but hubby bought me a new orchid plant so it’s now on the kitchen windowledge.

Mugs and Mojo

I painted these mugs with special overglaze paints about three years ago when our art group at Etruria were still meeting. We haven’t done anything recently because of Covid. It’s only when I look back at things like this that I realise I was doing so much more than now. It’s only when I remember these things that you know I am, or was, capable of so much more than I’m doing now. The designs were from my imagination. Painted directly, no sketching out first. Give me my Mojo back!

Black and white cat

Sits where it likes…

Finds a seat, on anything, climbs net curtains, is lovable, purrs, attacks toes, eyes are bright, eats what it likes. Ignores consequences, follows its own path, pees in the bath, doesn’t know maths. Can eat its own bodyweight in tuna. Dances with wolves? No with kitties! By the light of the moon. Jellicles is a nickname. Fleas are to blame for its itches. Cats mighty have intellects, especially when it comes to food, sleep, and love.

Red sky at night

I wish I lived on the other side of the hill.

Red sky at night! Wish I could have got up the hill. But it faded quickly after taking this shot. I’ve seen a couple of photos on Facebook which were taken by other people.

A gale force wind and storms are forecast for later tonight up in the north of the UK. But that’s mainly Scotland. Hopefully this means that the weather here will be OK. Its still a long time till spring. Lots of cold, wet, windy weather still to come.

New brush pens

I have been tidying up and looking at art equipment that I didn’t realise I had. I bought quite a few things in 2020, but my filing system is more like a ‘piling it up in boxes’ system.

I’ve also found lots of paints, tiny canvases, small canvases with easles, new brushes and paper for drawing with pastels.

I also found a bag of glass cabochon pendants that I used to have on my craft stall before covid stopped the fairs happening. I shall have to try and see if I can get them in a gallery. Must take new photos.

The other advantage is, have more floor space in my living room!

Sketchbooks

I just found this photo, and my mind is taken back to a Sunday afternoon in Prestatyn, Wales. We were visiting family and decided to call in here to have a coffee and cake. The place was part cafe, part second hand shop. The window ledges were covered in succulents (money plants). I remember a huge Teddybear on one side of the room with a big nose. A teapot sign hung in the window. The cafe was near the railway station.

Teddy bears and teapots cafe, Prestatyn

Taking a sketchbook out helps me remember places, it gives me a reference point, and as it takes time to draw the image its not like a photo, it’s got less information but you can choose how it looks (miss things out, add things).

I don’t always remember my sketch books, but when I do, and I have the time to draw or paint I really enjoy it.