Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow...!

I hope everyone had a very happy Christmas and a great New Year. Ours was quiet but very nice. I haven't made any new year resolutions this year because I always end up breaking them before the end of January. I am hoping to organise my time better this year and get much more done, rather than just thinking about it. Also, I haven't forgotten about my blog giveaway to celebrate my 100th blog post before Christmas. I will be sorting that out soon.

I have just fallen in love with this song by Moya Brennan on Youtube. Most of you will know Moya as the voice of the wonderful Irish group Clannad. The video is of the very mediocre King Arthur film which was a huge disappointment. Anyway, have a listen to the music and see what you think.

You will see I have drawn a new blog header but no pink goose this time. Another point to make is the crazy way Blogger have of dating blogs. Why do they have to have the date they were first written and not the date they were published. I always take several days to write mine.

This is number four in my "Woman Who Planted Trees" series. Still more to come though.

Paradise Tree - a bit of colour to brighten up winter.

The lovely ceramics below were created by the American ceramic artist and sculptor Jenny Mendes. Jenny has a website full of deliciously quirky stuff here.

Spread Your Wings Tile

Cup

Large Pillow Tile

We had a very deep snowfall just after I signed off blogging for 2009 so I have saved some of the photos for 2010 even though the snow has all gone. It caused huge problems on the roads and lots of accidents but then this is England and we don't do snow! We went for a few long walks and the world was magical. You felt as if you had stepped out of the wardrobe into Narnia and any moment Mr. Tumnus would appear.

A Sweet Little Round Robin

Little Miss Poppy Playing In The Snow

Snowy Walk 2009

Snow Capped Apples

Snowy Farmland

Silvia Dimitrova is a Bulgarian artist who is known for her exquisitely detailed icon paintings. She works in the traditional methods of egg tempera on wood but also paints other work in the same technique which gives her images that wonderful brilliance and glowing patterns. Sylvia has lots of beautiful work on her website here.

Blue Music

Autumn Song

Many people will be familiar with Anita Klein's gorgeous work but for those who aren't you are missing a treat. Anita is a very well known Australian artist and printmaker living and working in London. Her work revolves around her family and her own life and her images are humorous, charming and witty. We all know her husband Nige and her two lovely daughters who often appear in her work. I came across one of her original huge prints at an art fair a few years ago and was mesmerised. It was black, white and red, simple and graphic and no one could pass by without looking at it. Anita has a huge collection of work on her website here.

Falling Leaves

Blue Angel With Bird

Angel Of The Winter Moon

The two cards below are reproductions of the textile printing of Amanda Ross. I came across Amanda at one of her shows and loved her work. I bought quite a few cards and these two images are my favourites. Her technique is to handprint on the fabric actual plant cuttings to make the first printing templates. She produces some lovely original work on panels which really shows off the beauty of the plants and flowers she uses. You can see more on her website here.

Flowering Leeks

Teazle

I have long been an admirer of Australian Madeleine Goodwolf's fascinating etchings. Her work is very contemporary and quirky, especially her giraffe and horses. She obviously has a good sense of humour. She is a well known and collected printmaker and you can find more of her work at the excellent Handmark Gallery here.

A Fish For Your Thoughts

There Is Comfort In Dreams

Wash Day

Where Olive Slept That Night