Dereliction

Posted on May 10, 2022May 10, 2022 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Canal, Dereliction, History, Industry, levelling up, Photo, Pottery, Staffordshire, Stoke-on trentLeave a comment

I was listening to the Queens’ Speech today (the state opening of Parliament). The government announced that they would be trying to do something about the cost of living and ‘levelling up’, spending on improving the country across the UK. But it never seems to happen. Seeing our once industrial city collapsing in ruins, losing historic buildings. Being overcome by the cost of energy so that factories and shops cannot afford to run. Yes we need to reduce our use of energy, but there seems little effort to do anything about it. Our government are talking about bringing back fracking and opening new oil and gas wells. Yes it is complex, but after twelve years in power we don’t seem to be getting a good result.

Dereliction of duty?

Old boathouse Rode Hall

Posted on May 8, 2022 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Boat house, Day out, Lake, Landscape, Moss, Rode hall, Staffordshire, View, VisitLeave a comment

Rode Hall View. Walking down from the hall to the lake. At the end of the pathway is this old boathouse. I didn’t get a look inside so I don’t know if there is a boat in there or not. There’s a lot of moss growing on the roof, so it might be quite damp in there. At least there is a life saver ring on the back of it, so if anyone fell in they could be rescued.

Planter

Posted on May 5, 2022 Posted in Fine Art, UncategorizedTagged Acrylic on wood, Art, BID, Falcon works, Goss works, Painting, Staffordshire, Stoke, Stoke-on trentLeave a comment

I painted this wooden planter last year? I think. Its been on display with other artists works. It was one of several planters that were done for something called BID. But I really want it back. At this rate it will be too late to plant it up. It’s based on the Pottery called Goss Works, or the Falcon Works, in Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent.

Bluebell walk

Posted on May 1, 2022 Posted in Sketching, UncategorizedTagged Art, Betley, Betley Court, bluebell wood, Bluebells, check before visiting, Day trip, England, limited opening, Sketching, Spring, StaffordshireLeave a comment

We visited Betley Court and walked around the bluebell woods. It’s a private property so it only opens twelve times a year so we were really lucky to get in today. We will go back! It’s on the road from Keele in Newcastle under Lyme towards Nantwich I think. Its in Staffordshire I think (but its really near Cheshire). Its a lovely place. I really love this Spring abundance.

Sculpture /planter

Posted on April 21, 2022 Posted in Sketching, UncategorizedTagged Art, Birds, black biro, black metal, Drawing, England, Sketching, Spider, Squirrel, Staffordshire, Trentham GardensLeave a comment

A metal squirrel climbs up and birds perch on this sculpture at Trentham whilst plants including tulips grow in the planter. 15 minute sketch while we were at Pieminister at the retail Village. I could also see butterflies and a spider. I decided this is an example of art nouveau or that sort of style. It’s made up of four sections bolted together.

Trentham Gardens

Posted on April 21, 2022 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Art, black metal, Gardening, Life, Plants, Sculpture, Spring, Staffordshire, Stoke-on trent, Trentham GardensLeave a comment

One of the metal sculptures / plant supports in a planter at Trentham Gardens retail Village. I like the art nouveau or is it art deco feel to these (I can never remember). They are already pretty but come high summer they will be packed with bright and cheerful flowers. Vines climbing up the sculptural sections of metal.

Dancing at Bishton

Posted on April 20, 2022 Posted in UncategorizedTagged A51, antique centre, Bishton Hall, Boatband, Dancing, Day out, Fun, nature reserve, Photo, Polka, Rugeley, Spring, Staffordshire, worsley garden centreLeave a comment

Watching my friends dance along to the Boat band. There were lots more people there but they were all behind me! I think they were dancing to a polka. Lovely surroundings and a great place to visit. Now I know where it is (down a little lane off the A51 near Rugeley in Staffordshire) I think we will go back. Even if its only to watch people dancing. It’s also close to the river and the Worsley garden centre and Nature reserve, a pub by the river and an antiques centre, so there is lots to see if you want to visit them. x

Music makers

Posted on April 18, 2022 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Bishton Hall, Boat Band, Day out, folk songs, Fun, Music, musicians, Rugeley, StaffordshireLeave a comment

The Boat band playing at Bishton Hall today. It was great to hear live music. Fiddle, trombone, guitar and squeezebox (accordion?). The fun of hearing reels and jigs, creole and folk songs. Hearing the sloop John B played with enthusiasm. So entertaining. So much fun. They are always worth listening to. Enjoyed it.

Magnolia sketch

Posted on April 18, 2022 Posted in Sketching, UncategorizedTagged Art, Bishton Hall, Blossom, Colour, Drawing, Life, Magnolia, Rugeley, Sketchbook, Sketching, Staffordshire, Tree4 Comments

I sat and drew one of the magnolias while we were there at Bishton Hall. It was just a black and white sketch so I coloured it in when I got home. The curved edges are because I can’t get my sketchbook page to lie flat. I don’t think I’ve got the colours right, but I have only got a limited range of colours in the set of felt pens I’m using.

Magnificent Magnolias

Posted on April 18, 2022 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Bank holiday, Bishton Hall, Blossom, Flowers, Magnolia, magnolia trees, Rugeley, Staffordshire, Trees2 Comments

Two large Magnolia trees spreading out over a lawn at Bishton Hall near Rugeley. Staffordshire. The chairs give a sense of how wide the canopy of them is. To the right was some sort of glass house or green house where our friends in the Boat band played various pieces of creole and other music. A very enjoyable afternoon.

Mallaband-Brown

Tag: Staffordshire