2.45am

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I can’t take a photo of a bird in the dark so this will have to do.

The dawn chorus has started. I’m not sure what bird is singing , but I think it’s probably a robin based on its liquid and melodius song. All my windows and doors are double glazed, except one above our front door, that is a single glazed half circle with a stained glass window inside it. But it is enough to let the wonderful sound through.

I can’t tell if it’s one bird. There is a tiny hint of a response, but too far away to hear clearly. There are gaps in the song as if the singer is listening? Maybe we will have a Robins nest in the garden for Spring?

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Good night

Rocking horse

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Another of my digital drawings, and variations by using filters.

I tend to try different filters to see what the results are. Can you flip the image? Change the background? Alter the hue, colours, brightness, contrast, size, sharpness, solidity, edges.. Make a change, if you don’t like it click the back button, or save it and put another filter over it. When I had photoshop I used all sorts of filters that I don’t have now. But what I have on this small phone is so much more than I had on one of my early smart phones. You just have to try it out.

Hydrangea

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New plant for the garden, although its really too cold to go directly into the garden at the moment. Hydrangeas change colour depending on the acidity of your soil. I don’t remember which way it is, but they either turn blue or red depending if the soil is acid or alkaline. You can do a pH test if you want to. The flowers appear as florets, lots of little flower heads spread across the bloom. There are different sorts, some with small flowers which looks like lace, others are chunkier, some are flat headed, others have rounded bunches of flowers. Leaves are large and usually mid to dark green with serrated edges to the leaves.

I remember the pink hydrangea in my Grans garden, it was pink with huge heads of flowers. I did a painting of her in front of the plant. I will have to try and find a photo of it.

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Orchids or Triffids?

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My biggest orchid is getting a bit rampant, it’s ariel roots are slowly growing across the cupboard. The smallest one is gradually dying. I think I need to give its roots a bit more air and fresh orchid medium. The middle one seems OK although it’s flowers only lasted a couple of weeks. The house isn’t very warm (usually between 18 and 20°C, sometimes as low as 16°C) but I’ve made sure they are not in a draft. I found out they like to grow in clear plastic pots, they like the light getting to them. I’m planning to repot after the flowers die off… Any advice about ariel roots. Can I cut them back…. I don’t want to damage the plant.

Can you know how I feel?

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Can you know how I feel?

The fog that ties me down?

The tight knots in my head,

A lack of wanting to do things.

My mind wanders away to rest.

Huddled in grey mist,

Finding solace in thought.

Do you know what I can do?

How I can break my bonds.

Feel lightened by relief?

A choice of turning in and tuning out.

Or hold tight until life returns….

Freeing me from these thoughts.

Thinking about Art

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I just posted this as a comment on a friends page… “I always feel I could do better when I’ve finished a painting, I look at the mistakes not the good bits….”

That made me think, is that why I paint, draw, and create?

Tomorrow I’m going to another friends, she is running an art lunch once a month. I’m hoping I can draw some inspiration to work out what I’m doing next. I have let things slide in January, now I need to try and make more of an effort….

Serendiparty Art and Craft Centre, Stoke

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Apologies to Google for using their map? This is a new Art Centre with local artists work being displayed and for sale. I’m really pleased that I’ve got some of my paintings there.

Its Serendiparty Arts and Craft Centre in Campbell Place, Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent. Open 10am Wednesday to Sunday. The owner Phil, is very welcoming.

If you look for http://www.serendiparty.com you should be able to find it.

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Lake View.

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This is a painting I did from a photo last year. It was in a magazine but I didn’t see who the photographer was. This is one of the things I worry about when using images like this. If I complain about copyright then how can I use others work? But if there is no credit on it can I still use it? That’s why I try and create original art, but it’s not easy. I write ‘after an image or photo by…’ on paintings when I know who they are by….

There are many problems with this. Is there any information anyone can tell me about this I would appreciate it.

Owls

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This is a tiny painting I did a  few years ago, I’ve got twenty tiny canvases to paint over the next couple of weeks so I might do another one of these.

Other subjects will include Holly and Ivy, Christmas tree baubles, some snowy images and frost patterns.

Why? I have to do some art work for two upcoming craft fairs, and I wanted to do something seasonal but not too clichéd or twee. X