New paintings and regular art updates.
Got up and saw one of the cats sitting on the windowledge in the front bedroom. She likes watching the traffic passing and seeing the pigeons fly up onto the factory roof. The picture is grainy because it was very early in the morning, about the same time I took photos of the dawn. Cats are curious creatures. They love looking at things, playing with their toys and chasing each other. But sometimes they have a quiet moment and just sit and watch the world go by.
I don’t do this often enough, but it is good to listen while I’m painting, ( not doing it at the moment). I’m just listening to ‘ the unbelievable truth’ a comedy programme on BBC radio four. It is about people telling a story full of lies about a subject while trying to sneak four truths past the other members of the panel. The winner is the one who spots the most truths.
It’s very very funny. You might be able to find it on the BBC Sounds app….
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I’m doing an art challenge for January and today it asked for 12 books or films that you would say were your favourites.
I decided to draw a quick sketch rather than going through my bookcases to find things. Because I read such a lot it was hard to be specific so I have generalised some of my choices.
My list starts with the Sky at Night TV programme which was on the BBC tonight. I’ve been watching it on and off since the 1960’s which is a long time, but it’s been great finding out more about the universe as human knowledge has increased. No one knew about black holes when it first started, and it was before we went to the moon.
The second book could be anything about painting and drawing, either full of brilliant art or about exciting new techniques. I once bought a book from the National Gallery full of all sorts of art. I was enthralled.
Third is Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, I’ve seen the play of it but to my shame I’ve never read the book. There are a lot of classic books I would like to try and read.
Four. I was introduced to The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien, by my hubby. He had a copy for his eighteenth birthday. We then heard the story on the radio. It was abridged but still ran for thirteen hours. A lot of the book was cut from the radio show and a it more from the films. I must read it again.
Fifth, any book on Art and Design. It could be about theatre design or clothes or architecture. As long as its interesting.
Six is any book about Evolution. I don’t think I could manage Darwins Origin of species. I have got the Blind watchmaker by Richard Dawkins, but I haven’t remembered to read it.
Seven (halfway-are you bored yet?). Any book by Terry Pratchett. From the Colour of Magic to Making Money, and all his other titles, this is fantasy fiction with a grin on its face.
Eighth, is a film, Spiderman, with Toby McGuire. I liked it because it was one of the first Marvel films. It isn’t a fight fest like some if the later ones, and again it’s fantasy, lights, special effects. My favourite things tend to be visual.
Nine is an old film, the Sound of Music. I saw it again on the TV recently. There is a lot more to it than I remember. And the songs are lovely.
Ten, almost there, Cats, not the musical, but Old Possums book of practical cats, by TS Elliot. It’s great to read McCavity the mystery cat, or about the Jellicles cats. I would recommend it.
Eleven is any book about Frida Kahlo. I didn’t really know much about her until I got a present about Women Surrealist Artists. When you find out about her incredibly difficult life, but see her art I just have such a strong admiration for her.
Finally, twelfth, any book on Anthony Gormley, artist and sculptor. He created the Angel of the North, a winged human up in the Newcastle-on-Tyne area. Its a huge sculpture next to the motorway up there. He has done other sculptures of figures emerging from the sea near Liverpool. His work is always interesting and thought provoking.
Looking at this list makes me feel like I am only dipping my toe into the things that interest me. Maybe some if the things will interest you too….
I am doing it again, I can see a crying clown!? On my tea which I’d a cornish pasty. (a pastry case filled with minced lamb, sliced potato and swede or turnip) the proper ones have much thicker pastry and are crimped along the top so they look like a bag with a curved, arching top. They are originally from Cornwall although Devon, the next door county also claims to have made them originally.
We had them for tea with a cup of coffee. The sauce is HP brown sauce. Slightly spicy, and the pasties have quite a bit of pepper too.
Sorry to reminisce again, but this time last year I was in the process of aintingvthis teapot. The pattern eventually covered the pot. It’s based on the burleigh pattern that they use at middleport pottery.
Middleport, by the way, is where they film the Great Pottery Throw down which has just started on TV again. Its very creative and interesting, maybe I can get some ideas for some new paintings from there? I’m thinking based on the various colours of their glazes. There were some really beautiful results in the first episode. Must ty and hat out of this slump.
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I decided to try and make a badge from a craft kit that I bought last year off Belinda Latimer Designs to take my mind off things….
An hour later I’ve got a star made of vintage cloth, a couple of buttons and some felt and colourful threads. The kit also comes with a clip to sew on the back so I can wear it. The original patterns are a heart, a butterfly shape and a little bird shape, but I fancied doing a star. The only trouble was the vintage cotton which did fray, but I think I conquered it. Not perfect but relaxing. X
I thought I would try and lighten my mood by posting about food.
These oatcakes (like savoury pancakes but more oaty,) with a savoury filling.
Traditionally its bacon and cheddar cheese, but that can be too greasy. So I cooked cherry tomatoes and button mushrooms on the hob with a little olive oil. Then when they were cooked I added camembert so I ended up with a melted creamy sauce.
In the meantime I put the oatcakes under the grill and toasted them on both sides so that they were crispy. Then I poured the mixture onto the oatcakes and rolled them up. Result, hot and tasty lunch.
Betelguse the star is shrinking.
Fainting they say.
On the shoulder of Orion,
it’s getting fainter.
Red Giant,
stellar wonder,
obese and middle aged?
Perhaps your sides are about to split.
Red Giants can’t stay inflated.
They use up all their fuel.
Puffed up and massive.
Suddenly they can pop like a balloon.
Not enough energy to push out,
the star will fall inwards,
then boom!
Bounce out…
In a million years or so?
You might be a Supernova!
Make a Betelguse nebula.
Then Orions shoulder will flower.
And we may see an exploding star.
The first in the Milky-way since 1604.
Can’t show you the show, it’s a secret, but rehearsals continue for the pantomime we are putting on in February. (20th, 21st and two shows on the 22nd).
The show is Aladdin, where he has to find an old lamp, which is then taken from him together with his true love by an evil wizard. Fun ensues.
Tonight we were practising the dances (which is why I haven’t posted a photo). It was hard to get right, basically the choreographer is making it up as she goes along and we have to follow her moves. I’m not the most nimble and I can’t keep up. But we’ve got time.
Fingers crossed.
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I just made a culinary disaster. I decided to make a milkshake with a mashed up banana and some milk I frothed up.
The milk was frothed in a glass container with a metal mesh on a length of metal and a lid (like a small caffitierre).
The disaster? If you try and mix mashed banana with milk make sure it’s properly smooth, or you end up with a cold lumpy mixture. It tasted OK though.
Nutritional facts, I think I read there are 89 calories per 100 grams. There isn’t as much potassium in them as urban myth says. People with latex allergy can become allergic to bananas. They are related to plantains which are more starchy and can be cooked. There are other species including green and purple bananas.
Mallaband-Brown