
Mask I painted for Penkhull Mystery play in 2018? It was for a river spirit character. She danced around the stage on the village green in flowing blue and green robes. This is the drawing I did for today’s, #bandofsketchers prompt.
New paintings and regular art updates.

Mask I painted for Penkhull Mystery play in 2018? It was for a river spirit character. She danced around the stage on the village green in flowing blue and green robes. This is the drawing I did for today’s, #bandofsketchers prompt.

Wear a mask they said
Blue is good, they said
I chose this one
With a sea theme on…
But cover your mouth
For when you breathe out
Don’t breathe the germs
That the air returns.
So I scrapped this mask
Got a blue one for the task
Made of papier-
Mache!

Theatrical mask made by a friend for 2019’s Penkhull Mystery play. Strange that sux months later we had to wear real masks! I painted this up with my hubbies features. He had to sit still at a potters wheel and pretend to be a mannequin until the cast were transported back in time. Then he took it off and became Thomas Doodey, Master Potter.
To be honest I really miss the fun we had on that day. Crowds of people watching the action. Molly dancers, a hurdy hurdy man, Punch and Judy, and a maypole. Lots of stalls.
This year we are going to do a virtual Mystery play. I’m hoping to do a copy of the Mona Lisa I an hour and a half. Numerous other ideas are being considered.
X

Another day of a bug. I don’t think it’s covid, I think it’s some sort of cold. I ache and I’m tired, but I don’t have the covid symptoms thankfully. I usually go outside wearing a mask. But one day last week I forgot. But as I was not going in any shops I thought I’d be OK. But perhaps someone sneezed or coughed? And I try to stop breathing for a few seconds as I walk passed people….
I guess there will be a lot less bugs about as we sheild ourselves from the Pandemic. But it doesn’t mean there aren’t other illnesses out there. Waiting for some throat or nose to lodge in, or to be caught on your hand by touching a surface with bacteria or viruses that have landed on it.
Life… A convoluted mix of luck and confusion.



There was a very heavy rain shower just before my friend and I went out for our afternoon walk. I always wear a mask when I walk even though we are socially distanced. Today I was glad I did as a couple of people (without masks), were coughing as they walked past. My friend noticed I was holding my breath and I explained that I’m always wary of people coughing, or jogging and I will hold my breath for a few seconds. I even notice if the wind is blowing from the cougher towards me.
On a nicer note, the skies were washed clean by the rain and wind. I tried to take photos of the sunset, and although it appeared quite bright the colours really show up in my pictures. X

My friend went to the Wassail in 2018 wearing his tricorn hat and a plague mask! Completely coincidental, but I just found this while clearing old photos off my phone, so spooky I had to share it.

You are a mask
You mask your face
You mask your mouth
Your smile is hidden
Dark holes
where your eyes should be
Hiding so much meaning
Muffled
Held in
Good or bad
How can I know
Cryptic?

I will wear it for you,
to keep you safe,
for old friends,
and new.
I will try and be safe,
wash my hands,
even wash my shopping.
I will keep my distance,
not hug,
not shake your hand.
I will cough into my elbow,
tap feet,
not touch.
I love you dearly,
I want all to be well,
all shall be well?
Are you well?
Keep safe.
X

More a mask? Made of papier mache for last years penkhull mystery play in July 2019.
My hubby played the master Potter. At the start he was like a shop dummy, wearing a painted mask. Then as two children go back in time to experience life in the 1840’s for poor children, the Potter discards his mask and turns into a real person. We couldn’t do a real potters wheel so I painted a papier mache pot to look like wet clay.
Hubby made a perfect potter. He really enjoyed the play. We were really sad that it didn’t happen this year.

My friends and I set out late this evening for our weekly walk. We’ve been walking up my steep hill every week for a few weeks, but tonight it was not to be. We’d got about 20 yards when splat! Big drops of rain. Lots of big drops. At least there was no thunder, no lightening. Just rain!
So… We could see bright pink clouds over the brow of the hill so we decided to drive in seperate cars over the hill to the local viewpoint. I was hoping to se a lovely sunset, but no, by the time we stopped the rain was falling fiercely there as well.
Plan C, we went into a local bar for a cool drink. By this time one of my friends had found a plastic bag to put over her head.
As we entered we had our temperature checked. I was still wearing a mask and because the bar was quiet felt reasonably happy removing it.
But it’s baby steps. I’m nervous of mingling with people I don’t know. It’s not something I will do without some trepidation.
X