New paintings and regular art updates.
We had a starter each of Thai fishcakes then I had Thai Noodles with squid, prawns, fish balls, spare ribs and chicken. This was mixed with spices and vegetables. As usual the portion size was a bit too big for me. But I really enjoyed it. Not to spicy not to mild.
We were at Sawadee Thai Taste in Stoke. We go there about once a month because its nice to try new flavours every so often. But I’m also not going out very often because of Covid. I have to feel safe to go out!
Today I walked into Stoke by walking Uphill, (and then downhill again).. I’m a bit unsteady on my feet. It sounds strange but because I shake and my arm goes stiff and my foot clenches a bit I feel very nervous of tripping and falling. I look down more than up, watching my feet instead of looking at the view. But I need exercise. I cannot just sit on my chair and wait to become completely dilapidated like these old bottle ovens. My arm and hand hurt holding the phone while I type. But I won’t stop. Life, it gets to you sometimes! But I can walk Uphill!
A table full of delicious food. We just got back from Sawadee Thai taste in Stoke. We had Thai fishcakes and spare ribs for starters, then Thai green curry with fillet of Sea Bass and jasmine rice. Plus noodles with seafood (King prawns, Mussles and Squid). We really enjoyed it. Can’t say much more. At least I remembered to take photos!
Just by adding one filter I was able to give this sky scape a liquid, oil paint looking vibe. The edges are softened and emphasised. The colours remain the same but are smeared across the photo. I used photodirector again. The style can be altered in various ways, I chose the second option. I find the effects vary depending on what photo I chose to work on.
A good memory from a few years ago. Having tea with friends at the Rabbit Hole Tearoom in Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent.
We had been looking for somewhere different to visit and we had a friend coming down from Yorkshire. I had to book in advance but it was worth it. My memory is of a themed Tearoom around the Alice in Wonderland stories, with the white rabbit, mad hatter, dormouse and Queen of Hearts. The tea was lovely, cakes, scones, sandwiches, fruit. A pot of tea each.
It was a family themed Tearoom and it was very full. No social distancing in those pre covid days. I wish I could go back in time. Remembering those days is getting harder. But seeing old photos like this help to reassure me that things might one day be better. One day. When we can I hope this Tearoom will still be open.
The trouble with having food at Sawadee Thai taste in Stoke is that I eat the food before I think of taking a photo of it. Today I had some noodles with king prawns and pak choi for lunch. Very tasty. The owner is a lady called Apple who is very friendly and helpful. It’s worth a visit if you want to taste Thai food, and it’s not expensive.
One thing I did do yesterday was make a couple of pieces clay that might be used as part of a tiled piece at the BCB (British Ceramic Biennial in September at Spode in Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent. They will be fired up and someone else may end up glazing them.
I made lots of marks using old buttons and metal rings. I tried to give them a three dimensional look. I hope they won’t explode on the kiln.
It’s good finding different things to do when you are having a day out.
Three crosses in Stoke Cemetery, seen on my walk today. I’m interested in the celtic patterns on them, some more pronounced than others. This ancient design style is subtle and complex. I want to learn more about them again. I wrote a thesis on pre- Christian celtic art for my degree, but I would love to learn how to draw the patterns. I get lost in the patterns. I need quiet and concentration I think.
Tuesdays #bandofsketchers prompt was decay. It took me a while to find a subject that I liked. In this case it was a photo I took of an old bottle oven and fencing / boarding reflected in the Trent and Mersey canal. This was near Dolphin boats in Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
I used Boldmere colouring pencils for the drawing which made it paler than the photo. I could use some watercolour washes to increase the depth of colour but I quite like the way this is blended. One thing I didn’t include was the debris floating in the canal after so many windy days.
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I went for a walk today. Over to the Trent and Mersey canal to Etruria, then down the arm of the Cauldon canal to Hanley Park, through the park and down into Stoke and home. That is the furthest I have walked for years. I think I was scared of walking and distance. I am learning I can do it…. Next week I want to walk six miles up our steep hill. My friend went on to go a bit further, but I needed a rest. My feet hurt.
Mallaband-Brown