tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31796064902327112482024-03-12T19:08:31.937-07:00One Pink GooseArt and Design Blog from an "arty and designy" personCathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-1338476080188717722011-05-07T07:06:00.001-07:002011-05-08T14:11:19.795-07:00Hooked Rug Storytelling<p>A slightly different blog post today as The Book has arrived at last. I haven’t mentioned it before on the blog because I was waiting to actually see it in the flesh so to speak.</p> <p>This is the wonderful book written by my brother’s partner Lesley Mary Close about extremely talented rug maker Heather Ritchie. I have mentioned Heather in a previous post but this is the first time that this book has seen the light of day. It is a beautifully crafted wonder about the life of a Yorkshire rag rug maker and the fascinating history behind her story rugs. It is crammed full of fabulous photos taken by Lesley, and details of her rugs and exactly how she made them and why. It is the story of the life of a Daleswoman illustrated in textiles. It is published by American publishers Schiffer and is quite a solid book. Lesley has slept, ate, dreamed and lived this book for many a long month with countless re-readings and editing and e-transfer backwards and forwards across the pond. We are all immensely proud of her achievement. You will have to excuse my poor photography of the book but it was too large to scan.</p> <p>Heather has a well deserved international reputation as a teacher and creator of rag rugs. She has travelled the world and taken her rugs and hooks with her. She is busy enough doing that but also has found time to found and run a charity in the Gambia called Rug Aid which teaches blind Gambians to make rag rugs for sale. An almost impossible task is what we all thought when we heard about it, but Heather was determined to try to help these terribly deprived people who have to beg on the streets to survive. You can read all about it on the website <a href="http://www.rug-aid.org/">here</a>. You can also browse Heather’s own website <a href="http://www.rugmaker.co.uk/">here</a>.</p> <p>I was asked last year to draw some simple line artwork for the chapter headings and I produced 17 in total and you can see some of them at the end of the blog post. They might look simple but some of them required blood, sweat and tears from me, especially the architectural ones. If you see any mistakes in them please don’t tell me..haha. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRgI6b-OI/AAAAAAAAGn0/BTzLKe63u7c/s1600-h/Lesleys-Book-On-Heather3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Lesley's-Book-On-Heather" alt="Lesley's-Book-On-Heather" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRghlxVrI/AAAAAAAAGn4/2QIlAOgbFwQ/Lesleys-Book-On-Heather_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="339" border="0" height="408" /></a> <br /> <br />and here is the original photo of Heather holding the lambs.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRhdmlhFI/AAAAAAAAGn8/dxIHHKzCLYY/s1600-h/Heather-Holding-Lambs6.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Heather-Holding-Lambs" alt="Heather-Holding-Lambs" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRhneS7rI/AAAAAAAAGoA/hk4Afk9JdlQ/Heather-Holding-Lambs_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="345" /></a> <br /> <br />The rug below is one of my favourites because of the gorgeous colours she has chosen. Purples and greens are great combinations and Heather dyes most of the wool she uses herself to get a huge range of shades. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRiSHqNzI/AAAAAAAAGoE/LnA_OZOaB1o/s1600-h/Bolton-Castle-Rug3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bolton-Castle-Rug" alt="Bolton-Castle-Rug" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRi9iXixI/AAAAAAAAGoI/2DH-eeQvgcY/Bolton-Castle-Rug_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="380" /></a> <br /> <br />Here is the photo that inspired the Jackdaw Jeans rug below. I think the jeans are especially good. Heather has the knack of removing extraneous detail to simplify the image.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRjdGzrhI/AAAAAAAAGoM/wACtg8S5XeE/s1600-h/Jackdaw-Photo3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Jackdaw-Photo" alt="Jackdaw-Photo" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRjyiKo0I/AAAAAAAAGoQ/P61VdKEDOVQ/Jackdaw-Photo_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="323" /></a> <br /></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRknnl2tI/AAAAAAAAGoU/8KnitjGg5H4/s1600-h/Jackdaw-Rug3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Jackdaw-Rug" alt="Jackdaw-Rug" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRlP6IAjI/AAAAAAAAGoY/IYe_n2TTqC0/Jackdaw-Rug_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="313" /></a></p> <p>The rug below is Victory Garden and was created after Heather found a photo of her grandfather on his allotment. I bet quite a few people can remember the old call of “digging for victory” so that extra food could be produced to feed the population during the second world war. My favourite part of this rug are the pigeons and the sense of distance and perspective. You really feel that you have a pigeons’ eye view here. If you enlarge the photo you can see my little drawing at the top.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRlvZJPKI/AAAAAAAAGoc/NqefuoHI5s4/s1600-h/Victory-Gardens3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Victory-Gardens" alt="Victory-Gardens" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRmCQtIxI/AAAAAAAAGog/Zlgng-TgzTg/Victory-Gardens_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="272" /></a></p> <p>This is the so-called Reeth Parliament which were a group of elderly men who used to congregate in the village bus shelter to put the world to rights. Heather’s rug shows amazing attention to detail. The chaps are all gone now but this rug remains as a lovely memory.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRm7R_7xI/AAAAAAAAGok/5Pwd00ApDOg/s1600-h/Reeth-Parliament-Rug-and-Photo3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Reeth-Parliament-Rug-and-Photo" alt="Reeth-Parliament-Rug-and-Photo" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRnAkH4NI/AAAAAAAAGoo/qp9yqr_GQPE/Reeth-Parliament-Rug-and-Photo_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="312" /></a></p> <p>This rug shows “Percival’s Bus” which was one of the companies serving the dales town of Reeth where Heather lives. When I was drawing my little bus for the front of the chapter I had plenty of references as there are lots of photos on the Internet of vintage buses of this type.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRoLtlPII/AAAAAAAAGos/wNaA-YUab6I/s1600-h/Percivals-Bus-Rug3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Percival's-Bus-Rug" alt="Percival's-Bus-Rug" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRolKkdmI/AAAAAAAAGow/w-ClTukYelc/Percivals-Bus-Rug_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="336" /></a></p> <p>This gorgeous rug is called Guiding Light and shows Heather as a young girl guiding her father through the streets when his eyesight failed.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRpQHoxXI/AAAAAAAAGo0/YhVmQAXa8RA/s1600-h/Guiding-Light-Rug3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Guiding-Light-Rug" alt="Guiding-Light-Rug" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRp_4s7DI/AAAAAAAAGo4/xVLBtkcncSE/Guiding-Light-Rug_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="279" /></a></p> <p>Heather in The Gambia workshop helping one of the blind rag rug makers. She is a wonderful teacher. You can imagine the patience needed to teach blind people to make rugs.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRqhoIS7I/AAAAAAAAGo8/TMYd2stfi7U/s1600-h/Heather-In-The-Gambia3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Heather-In-The-Gambia" alt="Heather-In-The-Gambia" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRrDVzlDI/AAAAAAAAGpA/NwUutQwZU38/Heather-In-The-Gambia_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="321" /></a></p> <p>I love her depiction of Hall Farm where she and her husband lived. The pinky-purple heathery colours are stunning.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRscJ99TI/AAAAAAAAGpE/Hy-q35gO9Bg/s1600-h/Hall-Farm-Rug3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Hall-Farm-Rug" alt="Hall-Farm-Rug" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRs3Pv_tI/AAAAAAAAGpI/JDAvvg2CqE0/Hall-Farm-Rug_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="323" /></a></p> <p>Fleet is Heather’s gorgeous border collie. He is full of life and fun and heather has depicted him beautifully in this rug. I love the detail shot of the swirly different shades of green to suggest grass. She has put in so much accurate detail about Fleet that you could recognise him just by the rug.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRtt4bmzI/AAAAAAAAGpM/H3_y7SxWzzM/s1600-h/Fleet-Rug3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Fleet-Rug" alt="Fleet-Rug" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRuO7d4sI/AAAAAAAAGpQ/tABWclCkr0o/Fleet-Rug_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="286" /></a></p> <p>This page details how Heather finishes off her rugs and sorts out the hanging details. <br /></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRuzkAIGI/AAAAAAAAGpU/M-RI7mC72Hk/s1600-h/How-To-Photo3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="How-To-Photo" alt="How-To-Photo" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRvPeLv8I/AAAAAAAAGpY/TWBjjcexOBg/How-To-Photo_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="377" /></a></p> <p> <br />Back Cover Of Book <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRv0OQElI/AAAAAAAAGpc/MSaqF3LgtBQ/s1600-h/Back-Cover-Of-Book3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Back-Cover-Of-Book" alt="Back-Cover-Of-Book" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRwfA5pEI/AAAAAAAAGpg/hWPF7CBbA30/Back-Cover-Of-Book_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" border="0" height="408" /></a> <br /> <br /> <br />Paradise Gardens drawing. I loved doing all the flowers for this one but it took ages to outline the black lines on the computer in order to make them clearer.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRwoYV5fI/AAAAAAAAGpk/ZctJETf5_5g/s1600-h/Paradise-Gardens-Drawing%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Paradise-Gardens-Drawing" alt="Paradise-Gardens-Drawing" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRxG2UDRI/AAAAAAAAGpo/OPsk4QaINrI/Paradise-Gardens-Drawing_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="314" /></a> <br />Reeth Village Green drawing. This wasn’t too hard as it was basically straight lines – well buildings are aren’t they? <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRxSgqD2I/AAAAAAAAGps/PXTU3tHtnQk/s1600-h/Reeth-Village-Green-Drawing%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Reeth-Village-Green-Drawing" alt="Reeth-Village-Green-Drawing" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRx5NWIEI/AAAAAAAAGpw/WjNvBZRqdaY/Reeth-Village-Green-Drawing_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="380" /></a> <br />Reeth Parliament drawing. I used an old pair of my dad’s boots, his flat cap and his stick for the reference for this drawing. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRyfLHJOI/AAAAAAAAGp0/lGJFPNURgfY/s1600-h/Reeth-Parliament-Drawing%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Reeth-Parliament-Drawing" alt="Reeth-Parliament-Drawing" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRy50nm0I/AAAAAAAAGp4/_HvmVBsfC9I/Reeth-Parliament-Drawing_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="296" /></a> <br />Percival’s Bus drawing. Quite a tricky little one with bits borrowed from various bus photos to make a composite. <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRzHB7HHI/AAAAAAAAGp8/GtzR_ipRCOM/s1600-h/Percival%27s-Bus-Drawing%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Percival's-Bus-Drawing" alt="Percival's-Bus-Drawing" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRzkYjFvI/AAAAAAAAGqA/Hc5pRpbQaPg/Percival%27s-Bus-Drawing_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="271" /></a> <br />This is the drawing for Victory Gardens. I loved drawing that cabbage. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tcb4EeG3XnI/AAAAAAAAGqM/kBaRd7x6yuE/s1600-h/Victory-Gardens-Drawing%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Victory-Gardens-Drawing" alt="Victory-Gardens-Drawing" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tcb4E1aQYUI/AAAAAAAAGqQ/iigD4XdI7jI/Victory-Gardens-Drawing_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" border="0" height="408" /></a> <br /> <br />The Evacuees drawing. Loved drawing the teddy but the suitcase and the gas mask were tricky.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVRz033viI/AAAAAAAAGqE/GNGwSSpOaWo/s1600-h/The-Evacuees%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="The-Evacuees" alt="The-Evacuees" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcVR0YPSSqI/AAAAAAAAGqI/4PoMe_BZpjU/The-Evacuees_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="339" /></a> <br />This is an image I have been working on recently. I found some beautiful tree paintings in a book about the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy and tried to produce my own but I don’t think they are comparable. Still, I quite like them. This is my elongated hand again. Coming in quite useful really.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tcb4FrWvAbI/AAAAAAAAGqU/VWTf4_46pNw/s1600-h/A-Bird-And-Two-Trees-In-Hand%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="A-Bird-And-Two-Trees-In-Hand" alt="A-Bird-And-Two-Trees-In-Hand" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tcb4GEErgaI/AAAAAAAAGqY/zthQC4bOels/A-Bird-And-Two-Trees-In-Hand_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="313" border="0" height="408" /></a> <br />This is the finished version of Blessing The Garden. I have altered quite a few things and made the bird white in order to make it stand out more. I may do a black and white version of this image too as I really like it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tcb4Gs2AzpI/AAAAAAAAGqc/9yJK8KTrIHc/s1600-h/Blessing-The-Garden-Finished-Version-2%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Blessing-The-Garden-Finished-Version-2" alt="Blessing-The-Garden-Finished-Version-2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tcb4HKO1mRI/AAAAAAAAGqg/oM8O4OCykbM/Blessing-The-Garden-Finished-Version-2_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="291" border="0" height="408" /></a></p>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-35329235484932702742011-04-29T12:54:00.001-07:002011-05-05T10:42:16.166-07:00Wedding Fever Over – Back To Drawing<p> <br />This is an ink and watercolour painting which I have called Blessing The Garden. I have fiddled a bit with it and I am not entirely happy with it but I will see how it goes. It isn’t finished yet anyway. I do like the combination of yellows and turquoises though. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBucJZbl2I/AAAAAAAAGmc/Qec5bgkeoI8/s1600-h/Blessing-The-Garden%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Blessing-The-Garden" alt="Blessing-The-Garden" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBuc7njEsI/AAAAAAAAGmg/A8dlNCO08CU/Blessing-The-Garden_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="291" border="0" height="408" /></a> <br /> <br />Pen and Ink Drawing entitled Red Birds In Trees <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBudYbQnNI/AAAAAAAAGmk/oYh6xdLx6pg/s1600-h/Red-Birds-In-Trees%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Red-Birds-In-Trees" alt="Red-Birds-In-Trees" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBudwGolcI/AAAAAAAAGmo/i-fT1Uv9c1g/Red-Birds-In-Trees_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="285" /></a> <br />We have had the most wonderful two weeks filled with Bank Holidays and the Royal Wedding and gorgeous sunny weather. What more could anyone want? Kate looked divine in her dress and William looked very happy. I am sure she will make a perfect princess and later Queen. I, along with the rest of the country’s women I am sure, had a good laugh at some of the outfits displayed at Westminster Abbey. It just goes to show that being rich is not necessarily an arbiter of good taste in clothing. Someone needs to have a discreet whisper in the ears of the very pretty York girls – what was that Beatrice had on her head???</p> <p>We have had some wonderful geocaching walks around the shires and below are a few of the photos. I fell in love with pretty and ancient Linslade Old Church on the hill in the middle of nowhere. Nearly a thousand years old and thankfully very minimal restoration inside. The countryside is very green at the moment but the lack of rain is a bit worrying. Not a hint of an April shower but I am sure nature will put that right in the coming weeks.</p> <p> <br />Tree lined country lane at Linslade</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBueof49PI/AAAAAAAAGms/Ef8xfyKDht0/s1600-h/Country-Lane-Linslade-23.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Country-Lane,-Linslade-(2)" alt="Country-Lane,-Linslade-(2)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBufJg0QNI/AAAAAAAAGmw/Kv4w8OGL4Cg/Country-Lane-Linslade-2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="272" /></a></p> <p>River at Old Linslade</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBugTeHt9I/AAAAAAAAGm0/G5Z3Qi-hqf8/s1600-h/River-at-Old-Linslade2.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="River-at-Old-Linslade" alt="River-at-Old-Linslade" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBug5HwvRI/AAAAAAAAGm4/bx06MzPxHNQ/River-at-Old-Linslade_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" border="0" height="277" /></a></p> <p>Old Linslade Church built in mid-1100’s.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBuhon6wtI/AAAAAAAAGm8/TSkPnrnircQ/s1600-h/Old-Linsdlade-Church3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Old-Linsdlade-Church" alt="Old-Linsdlade-Church" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBuhzDMOmI/AAAAAAAAGnA/DFPab-2udxc/Old-Linsdlade-Church_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="268" /></a></p> <p>Beauty</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBuis08vBI/AAAAAAAAGnE/7D4K90N6Iuk/s1600-h/Swan-At-Linslade-Canal-133.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Swan-At-Linslade-Canal-(13)" alt="Swan-At-Linslade-Canal-(13)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBuj2pmbDI/AAAAAAAAGnI/Guh2_LiYIlo/Swan-At-Linslade-Canal-13_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="304" /></a></p> <p>and the Beast (Cockchafer Beetle)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBukj9PebI/AAAAAAAAGnM/XuHy-4D8_fM/s1600-h/Cockchafer-Beetle7.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cockchafer-Beetle" alt="Cockchafer-Beetle" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBulP69GTI/AAAAAAAAGnQ/SUCHUtfpZ6o/Cockchafer-Beetle_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="362" /></a></p> <p>I love Manja Scott’s graphic and quirky work. Her blue cat below is such a character and her happy landscape makes you happy just to see those colours. Manja was Croatian born and now lives and works in England. She has worked as a textile designer and you can see that influence in her drawings and paintings. She has a wonderful style, both graphic and illustrative. You can see much more on her website <a href="http://www.manjascott.com/index.html">here</a>.</p> <p>Blue Cat</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBul6QVHeI/AAAAAAAAGnU/qO_JE1WanFA/s1600-h/Manja-Scott---Blue-Cat4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Manja Scott - Blue Cat" alt="Manja Scott - Blue Cat" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBumRFdy4I/AAAAAAAAGnY/mdMlTywyhJk/Manja-Scott---Blue-Cat_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="362" /></a> <br /> <br />Happy Landscape <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBum5d2aMI/AAAAAAAAGnc/aL6QeUQ07ts/s1600-h/Manja-Scott---Happy-Landscape8.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Manja Scott - Happy Landscape" alt="Manja Scott - Happy Landscape" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBunefIedI/AAAAAAAAGng/eRVTv_ibbvI/Manja-Scott---Happy-Landscape_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="364" /></a></p> <p>I really like the work of English artist/craftswoman Flo Snook. I first saw her work during a Brighton Open Studios event years ago. Much of her work shows the influence of the sea and the coast and landscapes around Southern England where she lives. Below are her accessories but she also has textile wall art and paintings on show on her website <a href="http://flosnook.co.uk/portfolio/">here</a>.</p> <p>Pin Cushions <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBun_BOWLI/AAAAAAAAGnk/jlfm_ctXeOY/s1600-h/Flo-Snook---Pin-Cushions4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Flo Snook - Pin Cushions" alt="Flo Snook - Pin Cushions" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBuotVuRmI/AAAAAAAAGno/ZiWf8Xtj4cw/Flo-Snook---Pin-Cushions_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="273" /></a> <br /> <br />Needlecases <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBupPkjdzI/AAAAAAAAGns/kBXRRMj5Qik/s1600-h/Flo-Snook---Needlecases4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Flo Snook - Needlecases" alt="Flo Snook - Needlecases" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TcBupneI6EI/AAAAAAAAGnw/NCMXi2ZpGpA/Flo-Snook---Needlecases_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="273" /></a> <br /> <br />Below are some more of the gorgeous spring scenes we found whilst out walking in the countryside. The bluebells are still thriving in these shots. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXU1hQkTI/AAAAAAAAGlM/NWw6ipZ4kHM/s1600-h/Spring%20Scenes%201%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Spring Scenes 1" alt="Spring Scenes 1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXVVSE4dI/AAAAAAAAGlQ/10CME5w8Mb4/Spring%20Scenes%201_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="268" /></a> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXWthEwqI/AAAAAAAAGlU/STLmxecBuu8/s1600-h/Spring-Scenes-2%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Spring-Scenes-2" alt="Spring-Scenes-2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXXEvZTDI/AAAAAAAAGlY/YVifWlk9SnU/Spring-Scenes-2_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="273" /></a> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXYbhUE5I/AAAAAAAAGlc/rV1eXx1QjIo/s1600-h/Spring-Scenes-3%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Spring-Scenes-3" alt="Spring-Scenes-3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXYyJV1eI/AAAAAAAAGlg/t0AidEDU4lo/Spring-Scenes-3_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="273" /></a> <br /> <br />Kate Lynch’s paintings are beautifully colourful with a deliciously naive narrative quality to them. She works in oil, pastels and willow charcoal. A lot of her work is connected with farming, and the people who work the land. Kate lives on the Somerset Levels and is married to the very talented painter James Lynch whose work I have mentioned previously. Kate has a very informative website <a href="http://www.katelynch.co.uk/index.htm">here</a> with lots to see. <br /> <br />Pilgrimage With Cockerel <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXZJhmUMI/AAAAAAAAGlk/xYaPAAzLZjA/s1600-h/Kate%20Lynch%20-%20Pilgrimage%20With%20Cockerel%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kate Lynch - Pilgrimage With Cockerel" alt="Kate Lynch - Pilgrimage With Cockerel" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXZvFpLMI/AAAAAAAAGlo/5H9GtYtqC8Y/Kate%20Lynch%20-%20Pilgrimage%20With%20Cockerel_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="308" border="0" height="408" /></a> <br />Leaving Home With Doll And Cockerel <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXZzN5IeI/AAAAAAAAGls/_EdNFlNpSlU/s1600-h/Kate%20Lynch%20-%20Leaving%20Home%20With%20Doll%20And%20Cockerel%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kate Lynch - Leaving Home With Doll And Cockerel" alt="Kate Lynch - Leaving Home With Doll And Cockerel" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXaZYPh9I/AAAAAAAAGlw/_feLcM8_Kkk/Kate%20Lynch%20-%20Leaving%20Home%20With%20Doll%20And%20Cockerel_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="334" border="0" height="408" /></a> <br />Rushing Woman With Cockerel</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXawViXrI/AAAAAAAAGl0/2LKeWVkgGr8/s1600-h/Kate%20Lynch%20-%20Rushing%20Woman%20With%20Cockerel%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kate Lynch - Rushing Woman With Cockerel" alt="Kate Lynch - Rushing Woman With Cockerel" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXbCI7ZKI/AAAAAAAAGl4/-69hxyS-Evo/Kate%20Lynch%20-%20Rushing%20Woman%20With%20Cockerel_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="393" /></a> <br /> <br />The artwork below was created by the late great contemporary Maori artist John Bevan Ford. His paintings and sculptures are in museum collections all over the world. He was also a great speaker of Maori culture and heritage. You can find examples of his work all over the Internet but this site <a href="http://www.exhibitionservices.co.nz/exhibitiontours/show/john-bevan-ford">here</a> has a nice slideshow of some of his paintings. <br /> <br />The Connection With London</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXb9TP3UI/AAAAAAAAGl8/tqo2B7PcQ9U/s1600-h/John%20Bevan%20Ford-TheConnectionWithLondon%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="John Bevan Ford-TheConnectionWithLondon" alt="John Bevan Ford-TheConnectionWithLondon" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXcZKQ9EI/AAAAAAAAGmA/7OvY9E17kAg/John%20Bevan%20Ford-TheConnectionWithLondon_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="279" /></a></p> <p>Flight <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXc8-LTxI/AAAAAAAAGmE/A5x-c9mq6hE/s1600-h/John%20Bevan%20Ford-Flight%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="John Bevan Ford-Flight" alt="John Bevan Ford-Flight" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXdNFEofI/AAAAAAAAGmI/sCkUKwqNC8c/John%20Bevan%20Ford-Flight_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="292" border="0" height="408" /></a> <br /> <br />Ruru In The Pacific Bush <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXd7FYbyI/AAAAAAAAGmM/zG0LsSrQAiE/s1600-h/John%20Bevan%20Ford-Ruru%20In%20The%20Pacific%20Bush%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="John Bevan Ford-Ruru In The Pacific Bush" alt="John Bevan Ford-Ruru In The Pacific Bush" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXeV3epUI/AAAAAAAAGmQ/K-Q0hAM1PpY/John%20Bevan%20Ford-Ruru%20In%20The%20Pacific%20Bush_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="282" border="0" height="408" /></a> <br /> <br />Some Birds To Guide Us <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXezNz-mI/AAAAAAAAGmU/VYdiTg39u7U/s1600-h/John%20Bevan%20Ford-Some%20Birds%20To%20Guide%20Us%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="John Bevan Ford-Some Birds To Guide Us" alt="John Bevan Ford-Some Birds To Guide Us" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbsXfQFMpuI/AAAAAAAAGmY/Y69sgVGnfgk/John%20Bevan%20Ford-Some%20Birds%20To%20Guide%20Us_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="235" /></a></p>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-57284499155080475842011-04-23T12:36:00.001-07:002011-04-25T13:59:26.676-07:00Lambs And Bluebells<p> <br />We have had a lovely series of Bank Holidays in the UK with still two more to come. The weather has been gorgeous and spring has been well and truly sprung. The countryside is bursting with colour and fragrance and life. My favourite season and with good reason. We also have had all the hype of the royal wedding with interesting screenings on the TV of the previous royal weddings. Diana’s dress looks so fussy and outdated now that fashions have veered away from frills and flounces. We are all agog to see what the new princess to be will wear on Friday.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXgJMzgY7I/AAAAAAAAGlE/--O4s-R3nF8/s1600-h/The-Berry-Thief%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="The-Berry-Thief" border="0" alt="The-Berry-Thief" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXgJadjMDI/AAAAAAAAGlI/Z6NB13a8vvE/The-Berry-Thief_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="408" /></a> <br />The pen and ink drawing above I have called The Berry Thief. <br /> <br />Some of the cutest lambs we came across over the weekend. They are so sweet, snuggling up to mum and running frantically from the nasty humans with cameras. I love the middle shot of the one gazing back to see if mum is coming. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaD5Om18I/AAAAAAAAGjU/XJ3SX1V8Ov4/s1600-h/Sheep-And-Lambs%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sheep-And-Lambs" border="0" alt="Sheep-And-Lambs" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaEaZnMxI/AAAAAAAAGjY/hvtl08CPE4I/Sheep-And-Lambs_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="299" /></a> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaFWFnLDI/AAAAAAAAGjc/EdifbJNovr8/s1600-h/Sheep-And-Lambs-2%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sheep-And-Lambs-2" border="0" alt="Sheep-And-Lambs-2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaFxyqUyI/AAAAAAAAGjg/xu0x9S6LMG0/Sheep-And-Lambs-2_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="307" /></a> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaHMLd_AI/AAAAAAAAGjk/Qkevl7x_0_4/s1600-h/Lambs%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Lambs" border="0" alt="Lambs" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaHgSuPLI/AAAAAAAAGjo/OypNYqr7r9o/Lambs_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="312" /></a> <br /> <br />I really like these two images by the late painter/printmaker John O’Connor. He was born in England in 1913 and attended the Royal College of Art where his teachers were Eric Ravilious and John Nash. In later years he illustrated for the Golden Cockerel Press. I think his cockerel is amazing and the Suffolk church wood engraving is beautifully detailed. You can find more work by him <a href="http://www.chappelgalleries.co.uk/front-room/john-oconnor/john-oconnor.htm">here</a> at the Chappel Galleries.</p> <p>Striding Cockerel Wood Engraving <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaII-jPxI/AAAAAAAAGjs/NqsmKcRwMgE/s1600-h/John%20O%27Connor%20-%20Striding%20Cockerel%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="John O'Connor - Striding Cockerel" border="0" alt="John O'Connor - Striding Cockerel" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaImUEKEI/AAAAAAAAGjw/zq6vPLPQ6OU/John%20O%27Connor%20-%20Striding%20Cockerel_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="340" /></a> <br /> <br />Suffolk Church Wood Engraving <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaJCvpflI/AAAAAAAAGj0/7_w-NlWJ9qE/s1600-h/John%20O%27Connor%20-%20Suffolk%20Church%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="John O'Connor - Suffolk Church" border="0" alt="John O'Connor - Suffolk Church" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaJin8g_I/AAAAAAAAGj4/grfvopiuSf8/John%20O%27Connor%20-%20Suffolk%20Church_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="276" /></a> <br /> <br />We have had beautiful weather recently and spring has gone wonderfully mad providing us with gorgeous nature scenes like the bluebells below. The first two I photographed today and the bottom one a short while ago. The woods and lanes are full of blue and the fragrance is intoxicating. We are so lucky in England to have 80% of the world’s bluebell population. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaKmrJt4I/AAAAAAAAGj8/oCmHBqJ8j_o/s1600-h/Bluebells-One7.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Bluebells-One" border="0" alt="Bluebells-One" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaLBZKppI/AAAAAAAAGkA/IDaiNT36SQE/Bluebells-One_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="269" /></a> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaMQexqyI/AAAAAAAAGkE/JwXw6TNHYz4/s1600-h/Bluebells-Two7.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Bluebells-Two" border="0" alt="Bluebells-Two" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaMwHt4ZI/AAAAAAAAGkI/90OIc9ufZOY/Bluebells-Two_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="272" /></a>  <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaN1mFQBI/AAAAAAAAGkM/ac-36Oajy3Q/s1600-h/Bluebells-Three4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Bluebells Three" border="0" alt="Bluebells Three" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaOneYY7I/AAAAAAAAGkQ/O2uNF4CWAGc/Bluebells-Three_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="304" /></a> <br /> <br />These great cushions below are by textile artist Maxine Pharoah. <br />You can more by Maxine on her website <a href="http://maxinepharoah.com/maxinepharoah.com/Welcome.html">here</a>. <br /> <br />Bluebird Cushion <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaO-IcoRI/AAAAAAAAGkU/o7vwT3syf0Q/s1600-h/Maxine-Pharoah---Bluebird-Cushion3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Maxine Pharoah - Bluebird Cushion" border="0" alt="Maxine Pharoah - Bluebird Cushion" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaPe-ov4I/AAAAAAAAGkY/n161ocSkUo8/Maxine-Pharoah---Bluebird-Cushion_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="350" /></a> <br /> <br />Dancing Chick Cushion <br /> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaPowxSzI/AAAAAAAAGkc/axrPgIqJnEc/s1600-h/Maxine-Pharoah---Dancing-Chick-Cushi%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Maxine Pharoah - Dancing Chick Cushion" border="0" alt="Maxine Pharoah - Dancing Chick Cushion" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbXaQE7ik5I/AAAAAAAAGkg/g0JEWAslWNY/Maxine-Pharoah---Dancing-Chick-Cushi.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="340" /></a> <br /> <br />The lovely blossom of the past few weeks are past their best now. Sadly they don’t last long. I took these shots a little while ago when things were at their peak. A gorgeous blue sky behind helps. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbM7pZP2mbI/AAAAAAAAGjE/4On3xXEMU6s/s1600-h/White-Blossom-2%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="White-Blossom-2" border="0" alt="White-Blossom-2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbM7pn1tO9I/AAAAAAAAGjI/DU8qChJHUag/White-Blossom-2_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="288" /></a> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbM7qNtI-mI/AAAAAAAAGjM/mt96MmzEYO4/s1600-h/White-Blossom%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="White-Blossom" border="0" alt="White-Blossom" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbM7qtJgpdI/AAAAAAAAGjQ/rvEnNut-sdk/White-Blossom_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="306" /></a></p> <p>The artworks below are a continuation of my Kantha embroidery theme of my last post. They are all by Asian artists and the first three remind me of the illustrative style of Kantha. I particularly like the way they have rendered the trees. The final two show the lovely graphic and colourful quality of Indian art. You can find these and other examples of detailed Indian art on the Indigo Arts Gallery site <a href="http://www.indigoarts.com/gallery_asianart_indiptg1b.html">here</a>.</p> <p>Punam Kaln – Holy Cow And Mango Tree <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqGaj5MyI/AAAAAAAAGh8/RydC5nOnm1s/s1600-h/Punam%20Kaln-Holy%20Cow%20and%20Mango%20Tree%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Punam Kaln-Holy Cow and Mango Tree" border="0" alt="Punam Kaln-Holy Cow and Mango Tree" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqHKzyjzI/AAAAAAAAGiA/FFbvW40zcWA/Punam%20Kaln-Holy%20Cow%20and%20Mango%20Tree_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" height="249" /></a> <br /> <br />Sudha Kumari – Deer In The Forest <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqHvwlvMI/AAAAAAAAGiE/tcRhZsrQdQQ/s1600-h/Sudha%20Kumari-DeerInTheForest%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sudha Kumari-DeerInTheForest" border="0" alt="Sudha Kumari-DeerInTheForest" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqIHQEhcI/AAAAAAAAGiI/eVj-pVC2T5w/Sudha%20Kumari-DeerInTheForest_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="297" height="408" /></a> <br /> <br />Sudha Kumar – Holy Cow <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqInVHN7I/AAAAAAAAGiM/R3qTv_G3g1c/s1600-h/Sudha%20Kumar-Holy%20Cow%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sudha Kumar-Holy Cow" border="0" alt="Sudha Kumar-Holy Cow" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqI-QSVZI/AAAAAAAAGiQ/2yS57rqqQw4/Sudha%20Kumar-Holy%20Cow_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="253" /></a> <br /> <br />Montu Chitrakar – Kalighat With Fish</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqJrU3FpI/AAAAAAAAGiU/J4Aurlsaz6k/s1600-h/Montu%20Chitrakar%20-%20Kalighat%20Cat%20With%20Fish%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Montu Chitrakar - Kalighat Cat With Fish" border="0" alt="Montu Chitrakar - Kalighat Cat With Fish" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqJzV1XoI/AAAAAAAAGiY/prsGslrU7nM/Montu%20Chitrakar%20-%20Kalighat%20Cat%20With%20Fish_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="412" /></a> <br /> <br />Baua Devi – Two Girlfriends</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqKrv-zMI/AAAAAAAAGic/uWb5h_PtgwI/s1600-h/Baua%20Devi%20-%20Two%20Girlfriends%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Baua Devi - Two Girlfriends" border="0" alt="Baua Devi - Two Girlfriends" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqLGjolII/AAAAAAAAGig/qkRGZ_1GVok/Baua%20Devi%20-%20Two%20Girlfriends_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="408" /></a> <br /> <br />I was very pleased to come across a very talented scraperboard artist the other day. His name is Tom Boulton and he specialises in scraperboard, linocut and mixed media landscapes. I absolutely love his hare scraperboards particularly. They have a wonderful dark and mysterious quality to them although his other work is just as good as you can see for yourself if you visit his website <a href="http://www.boultongallery.co.uk/">here</a>. He shares the site with his equally talented photographer wife Julia. Just click on an image to start and then go to “next” in the bar at the top to see all the work. <br /> <br />Hare And The Moon <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqLsaCBXI/AAAAAAAAGik/8iX3QLp--PM/s1600-h/Tom%20Boulton%20-%20Hare%20And%20The%20Moon%5B3%5D.gif"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Tom Boulton - Hare And The Moon" border="0" alt="Tom Boulton - Hare And The Moon" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqL4wLNoI/AAAAAAAAGio/SmmpTPLbfOg/Tom%20Boulton%20-%20Hare%20And%20The%20Moon_thumb%5B1%5D.gif?imgmax=800" width="364" height="353" /></a> <br />Orchard Moon <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqMcaMObI/AAAAAAAAGis/v7Qqy2jVxWQ/s1600-h/Tom%20Boulton%20-%20Orchard%20Moon%20Scraperboard%5B3%5D.gif"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Tom Boulton - Orchard Moon Scraperboard" border="0" alt="Tom Boulton - Orchard Moon Scraperboard" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqM0Js2FI/AAAAAAAAGiw/fSwIpj37Nrw/Tom%20Boulton%20-%20Orchard%20Moon%20Scraperboard_thumb%5B1%5D.gif?imgmax=800" width="364" height="356" /></a> <br />Hare On The Run <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqNRPHsOI/AAAAAAAAGi0/j4o8_o6eJfA/s1600-h/Tom%20Boulton%20-%20Hare%20On%20The%20Run%5B3%5D.gif"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Tom Boulton - Hare On The Run" border="0" alt="Tom Boulton - Hare On The Run" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqODOZpWI/AAAAAAAAGi4/5cDl4xatxbQ/Tom%20Boulton%20-%20Hare%20On%20The%20Run_thumb%5B1%5D.gif?imgmax=800" width="364" height="261" /></a> <br /> <br />Hare In The Meadow</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqOSZ5m4I/AAAAAAAAGi8/7ldEONpmKHs/s1600-h/Tom%20Boulton%20-%20Hares%20In%20The%20Meadow%5B3%5D.gif"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Tom Boulton - Hares In The Meadow" border="0" alt="Tom Boulton - Hares In The Meadow" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TbMqPOA8owI/AAAAAAAAGjA/0NqA2OOjVXw/Tom%20Boulton%20-%20Hares%20In%20The%20Meadow_thumb%5B1%5D.gif?imgmax=800" width="364" height="261" /></a></p> Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-75494812797086625692011-04-14T07:48:00.001-07:002011-04-17T15:05:05.428-07:00Back Again<p align="left"> <br />It is good to be back to blogging again. Many thanks to the ladies who drew my attention to Live Writer when Blogger let me down. Once I had ironed out a few problems with photo size it wasn’t too difficult to get my head around. The good thing about Live Writer is that you can insert pictures instead of them always appearing at the top of the blog. Very useful if you have missed out a vital picture or worse, deleted one by mistake. I have a bit of an issue with borders round the pictures so if anyone knows how to get rid of the borders on the right and bottom of the photos please let me know. It wouldn't look too bad if it went all the way round.<br /><br />I have had this painting below as a drawing in my sketchbook for ages but thought it would look sufficiently spring like to produce now. It is actually traced from my hand but elongated in photoshop for more elegance..haha. I do like to find interesting places for birds to nest. <br /><br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tatguj7g7VI/AAAAAAAAGgk/D0u1Bpgfz9E/s1600-h/Green-Fingers-Painting%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Green-Fingers-Painting" alt="Green-Fingers-Painting" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TatgvB0K1zI/AAAAAAAAGgo/jF5IG1v4yRw/Green-Fingers-Painting_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="264" border="0" height="412" /></a> <br /><br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TatgvmI7fqI/AAAAAAAAGgs/XULvMRikonE/s1600-h/Green-Fingers-Painting-Detail%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Green-Fingers-Painting-Detail" alt="Green-Fingers-Painting-Detail" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TatgwJI6DvI/AAAAAAAAGgw/o27OcMyAFyc/Green-Fingers-Painting-Detail_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" border="0" height="369" /></a> <br /><br />Days Of Sunshine And Of Rain. A quirky little digital piece. <br />The artwork was inspired by the title I heard on the radio. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TatgwsvOUII/AAAAAAAAGg0/SDp9aq_Qx-w/s1600-h/Days-Of-Sunshine-And-Of-Rain%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Days-Of-Sunshine-And-Of-Rain" alt="Days-Of-Sunshine-And-Of-Rain" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TatgxP4HKiI/AAAAAAAAGg4/2e7Xpsk6G1E/Days-Of-Sunshine-And-Of-Rain_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="339" border="0" height="412" /></a> <br /><br />We had a wonderful day geocaching at Redbourne this afternoon. The signs of spring were everywhere and very abundant. The church below is quite beautiful, inside and out, with rows of pollarded limes. I have some more photos of the church to share next time. The flowers of spring are really lovely like the forgetmenots below and the gorgeous cherry blossoms. So many flowers and so little time to appreciate them as they don’t really last very long. <br /><br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TatgydtqliI/AAAAAAAAGg8/4e7G65sP0bI/s1600-h/Redbourne-Church%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Redbourne-Church" alt="Redbourne-Church" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tatgy5AmbbI/AAAAAAAAGhA/8JmR9P1BSb0/Redbourne-Church_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" border="0" height="300" /></a> <br /><br />Forgetmenots <br /><br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TatgzUqyYEI/AAAAAAAAGhE/fHZmK9glz_c/s1600-h/Forgetmenot-1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Forgetmenot-1" alt="Forgetmenot-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TatgzxzwsgI/AAAAAAAAGhI/ZcBFHgHiLfg/Forgetmenot-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" border="0" height="334" /></a> <br />Cherry Blossom</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tatg0TXGjPI/AAAAAAAAGhM/F-gV7fnBuwo/s1600-h/Cherry-Blossom-1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cherry-Blossom-1" alt="Cherry-Blossom-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tatg04rS_1I/AAAAAAAAGhQ/uwBJ9p7aCF8/Cherry-Blossom-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" border="0" height="317" /></a></p> <p align="left"> <br />The beautiful collagraphs below are the work of printmaker Sarah Ross-Thompson who takes the wonderful Dorset countryside as her inspiration. She has lots more like this on her website gallery <a href="http://rossthompsonprints.com/home">here</a> and she also explains how to make collagraphs. <br /><br />Hillside</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tatg164sjZI/AAAAAAAAGhU/ywcmiwr8t4M/s1600-h/Sarah%20Ross-Thompson%20-%20Hillside%5B2%5D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Sarah Ross-Thompson - Hillside" alt="Sarah Ross-Thompson - Hillside" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tatg2oGaPUI/AAAAAAAAGhY/BZzVo1L19tA/Sarah%20Ross-Thompson%20-%20Hillside_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="253" border="0" height="412" /></a> <br /><br />Wintershill</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tatg3khmXpI/AAAAAAAAGhc/T6DXIebT3IQ/s1600-h/Sarah%20Ross-Thompson%20-%20Wintershill%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Sarah Ross-Thompson - Wintershill" alt="Sarah Ross-Thompson - Wintershill" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tatg4CCIwzI/AAAAAAAAGhg/afQVxtRveJc/Sarah%20Ross-Thompson%20-%20Wintershill_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="202" border="0" height="412" /></a></p> <p align="left">I used to see a lot of Hannah Swain’s wonderful fairytale etchings at one time but she is not seen as much today. She is the first printmaker I knew who painted their etchings by hand. You can find some more of her work <a href="http://www.twobadmice.com/index.asp?a=Hannah%20Swain&c=Cards&p=1">here</a> on the Two Blind Mice site but they are very tiny and not easy to see. <br /><br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tatg4mqyWSI/AAAAAAAAGhk/prr2dUufP-I/s1600-h/Hannah%20Swain%20-%20Soft%20In%20The%20Middle%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Hannah Swain - Soft In The Middle" alt="Hannah Swain - Soft In The Middle" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tatg5a3jJRI/AAAAAAAAGho/1npNMzEXfBg/Hannah%20Swain%20-%20Soft%20In%20The%20Middle_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" border="0" height="412" /></a> <br /><br />We visited the beautiful ancient market town of Thame a few weeks ago for geocaching purposes. I have photographed a lot of the very old buildings before but I don’t think I have taken photos of this one, probably due to vehicles parked outside. (Owners of beautiful old buildings should never park their vehicles in the vicinity because it ruins visitors photographs..haha). <br /><br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tac301VgdtI/AAAAAAAAGgM/u_kUIPxpTAo/s1600-h/Crooked-Cottage-In-Thame-%282%29%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Crooked-Cottage-In-Thame-(2)" alt="Crooked-Cottage-In-Thame-(2)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tac31aU2GzI/AAAAAAAAGgQ/O5TJubhXoas/Crooked-Cottage-In-Thame-%282%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" border="0" height="273" /></a> <br /><br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tac32DbpRUI/AAAAAAAAGgU/sDQ9eGttjhw/s1600-h/Crooked-Cottage-In-Thame-%283%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Crooked-Cottage-In-Thame-(3)" alt="Crooked-Cottage-In-Thame-(3)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tac32nRe2qI/AAAAAAAAGgY/r8idaCYBzt4/Crooked-Cottage-In-Thame-%283%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" border="0" height="277" /></a> <br /><br />I spotted these lovely cushions through a shop window…closed alas. I love the graphic plant design. <br /><br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tac33VwRj8I/AAAAAAAAGgc/KXBO4NLnn-M/s1600-h/Cushions-In-Window%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cushions-In-Window" alt="Cushions-In-Window" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tac33vzoA7I/AAAAAAAAGgg/PxV1gEKO3zk/Cushions-In-Window_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" border="0" height="290" /></a> <br /><br />I first mentioned getting the gorgeous book below in 2010. It was recommended to me by blogging friend Shirley who knew of my interest in Kantha embroidery. It is an absolute wonder of lovely images of Kantha work and is quite huge. I have only dipped in and out so far but will get down to some serious reading soon. I love Kantha because it is in the style of very detailed illustrations but in embroidery. I like the restricted colour palettes too. I have tried a few pieces myself but I am not up to displaying standard yet. More practice needed. In the meantime I can immerse myself in all this wonderous beauty. <br /><br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacvqoJ4jkI/AAAAAAAAGf0/XQ-AFVARb3Y/s1600-h/Kantha-Book%5B203%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kantha-Book" alt="Kantha-Book" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacvrO_uIMI/AAAAAAAAGf4/ZibKFPFuYvY/Kantha-Book_thumb%5B201%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" border="0" height="364" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tacvsfq1CEI/AAAAAAAAGec/K0VqEaKJt7A/s1600-h/Kantha-1%5B124%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kantha-1" alt="Kantha-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacvtDv1mGI/AAAAAAAAGeg/DTpKpUjsPNc/Kantha-1_thumb%5B122%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="276" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacvuLG97nI/AAAAAAAAGek/pd-42JW5Utc/s1600-h/Kantha-5%5B122%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kantha-5" alt="Kantha-5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacvuUHuM-I/AAAAAAAAGeo/hslktgOWXUo/Kantha-5_thumb%5B120%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="357" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacvvK8h5hI/AAAAAAAAGes/iE5_MvbUrQA/s1600-h/Kantha-10%5B122%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kantha-10" alt="Kantha-10" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacvvQy2-1I/AAAAAAAAGew/teg6m-DTSgE/Kantha-10_thumb%5B120%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="284" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tacvwa0A20I/AAAAAAAAGf8/jcMZ8BJIq0w/s1600-h/Kantha-8%5B137%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kantha-8" alt="Kantha-8" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tacvw3zR2JI/AAAAAAAAGgA/4YTwQMEgFEA/Kantha-8_thumb%5B135%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" border="0" height="364" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tacvx8qP14I/AAAAAAAAGe8/kicTpYDsNpw/s1600-h/Kantha-4%5B122%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kantha-4" alt="Kantha-4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacvybI8UGI/AAAAAAAAGfA/0-h68qDS2b8/Kantha-4_thumb%5B120%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="344" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacvzPj54mI/AAAAAAAAGgE/S1Z3kt9dk3Y/s1600-h/Kantha-3%5B245%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kantha-3" alt="Kantha-3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/Tacvzly1HtI/AAAAAAAAGgI/MYPU1lYWTF0/Kantha-3_thumb%5B243%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" border="0" height="403" /></a> <br /><br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacJK1MUcrI/AAAAAAAAGfM/IgJS75xxZ74/s1600-h/Kantha-12%5B127%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kantha-12" alt="Kantha-12" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacJLWunUEI/AAAAAAAAGfQ/aBAPX4MDByE/Kantha-12_thumb%5B123%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="271" /></a> <br /><br />I discovered Liz Somerville’s lovely work a while back. Liz is an English artist who graduated with a textile design and now concentrates on printmaking and painting from her Dorset home. She is inspired by Ravilious, Nash and Bawden – also favourites of mine – particularly Bawden. If you visit her website <a href="http://www.lizsomerville.co.uk/gallery_general.htm">here</a> you can see examples of her landscapes, architecture and seascapes. I love the quite retro colour palette she uses and the flowing lines of her landscapes. <br /><br />Eggardon Dip <br /><br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacJMAMm4bI/AAAAAAAAGfU/R2y6g9WNUx4/s1600-h/Liz-Somerville---Eggardon-Dip%5B122%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Liz-Somerville---Eggardon-Dip" alt="Liz-Somerville---Eggardon-Dip" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacJMpZUqJI/AAAAAAAAGfY/maoaf-GfmBM/Liz-Somerville---Eggardon-Dip_thumb%5B120%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" height="286" /></a> <br /><br />Still Tree – Quiet Hollow <br /><br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacJNeUt8cI/AAAAAAAAGfc/CReH2qfQSUU/s1600-h/Liz%20Somerville%20-%20Still%20Tree%20-%20Quiet%20Hollow%5B192%5D.gif"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Liz Somerville - Still Tree - Quiet Hollow" alt="Liz Somerville - Still Tree - Quiet Hollow" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacJNm6DxxI/AAAAAAAAGfg/1-oFmokK1Gc/Liz%20Somerville%20-%20Still%20Tree%20-%20Quiet%20Hollow_thumb%5B190%5D.gif?imgmax=800" width="260" border="0" height="364" /></a> <br /><br />Five Trees 5 <br /><br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacJOMm_wwI/AAAAAAAAGfk/v67XGWqlhlU/s1600-h/Liz-Somerville---Five-Trees-5%5B148%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Liz-Somerville---Five-Trees-5" alt="Liz-Somerville---Five-Trees-5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacJOnZVZXI/AAAAAAAAGfo/F9OQT9QZghM/Liz-Somerville---Five-Trees-5_thumb%5B146%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" border="0" height="334" /></a> <br /><br />White Tree <br /><br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacJPMaJ2zI/AAAAAAAAGfs/gIj9xtuNLUo/s1600-h/Liz-Somerville---White-Tree%5B125%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Liz-Somerville---White-Tree" alt="Liz-Somerville---White-Tree" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TacJPgkmN4I/AAAAAAAAGfw/T-HhlSHTlOU/Liz-Somerville---White-Tree_thumb%5B121%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="284" border="0" height="364" /></a></p>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-77567955776701542042011-04-01T10:57:00.001-07:002011-04-01T11:04:58.466-07:00Problems With BloggerUnfortunately I am not able to blog at present due to problems with Blogger itself. It is misbehaving badly and running all the text into the images and ruining everything. Hopefully it will sort itself out or I may have to find a different blogging system. I know a lot of other people have had trouble with Blogger but up until now I have been lucky. Now the gremlins have struck! Bye for now.Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-16842399848397739392011-03-18T09:13:00.001-07:002011-03-21T12:47:42.398-07:00Spring In The RookeriesHow lovely that spring is approaching. So many little buds bursting into leaf. I love the starkness of winter trees but I am always glad when the leaves appear to gentle the scenery. The only downside is that it is difficult to spot birds' nests and I have a bit of a thing about them at the moment. There don't seem to be enough nests around for all those birds..hmm!<br /><br />Mythic Cat With Fish Friend - another pen and ink drawing. I bet you didn't know that cats could be friends with fish did you? It happens all the time apparently.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zhIkmcBFX-8/TYem7xRP3CI/AAAAAAAAGbo/20P1fyrW2aw/s1600/Mythic-Cat-With-Fish-Friend-%2528Pen-and-Ink%2529.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586617408544562210" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zhIkmcBFX-8/TYem7xRP3CI/AAAAAAAAGbo/20P1fyrW2aw/s320/Mythic-Cat-With-Fish-Friend-%2528Pen-and-Ink%2529.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This is a pen and ink cockerel with a digital background. If you ever see a bird like this let me know. Definitely one of a kind.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLKwwOhwYOs/TYemq25s8ZI/AAAAAAAAGbg/fT25lD1b7M0/s1600/Flamboyant-Cockerel-On-Green.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586617117998641554" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLKwwOhwYOs/TYemq25s8ZI/AAAAAAAAGbg/fT25lD1b7M0/s320/Flamboyant-Cockerel-On-Green.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The spring days are gaining warmth and bursting into life now. I found some beautiful pink blossom on the trees in a local churchyard...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mt5Sjk0E8-k/TYel1hU2XxI/AAAAAAAAGbY/-y2_QYsOTdc/s1600/Pink-Blossom.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586616201673858834" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mt5Sjk0E8-k/TYel1hU2XxI/AAAAAAAAGbY/-y2_QYsOTdc/s320/Pink-Blossom.jpg" /></a> and a host of golden daffodils on a private drive - sneaked in to get this one.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AK_n37a3TlU/TYeluqmC7XI/AAAAAAAAGbQ/_En6-u0ua2g/s1600/Spring-Daffodil.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586616083902819698" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AK_n37a3TlU/TYeluqmC7XI/AAAAAAAAGbQ/_En6-u0ua2g/s320/Spring-Daffodil.jpg" /></a><br />During a geocache in the local park we were of great interest to a lone swan approaching for food...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQ7JeSFsOB4/TYelXJQ3meI/AAAAAAAAGbI/aimxGsjt0ss/s1600/Swan-Approaching-For-Food.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586615679818635746" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQ7JeSFsOB4/TYelXJQ3meI/AAAAAAAAGbI/aimxGsjt0ss/s320/Swan-Approaching-For-Food.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>and swimming away when she realised we hadn't any titbits for her.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sD4nZ08ZbJc/TYelI_bxPuI/AAAAAAAAGbA/bSVl9GGIyQw/s1600/Swan-Simming-Away.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586615436661833442" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sD4nZ08ZbJc/TYelI_bxPuI/AAAAAAAAGbA/bSVl9GGIyQw/s320/Swan-Simming-Away.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Ducks on the sunlit lake.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WbxWEduYoS8/TYek-DfW4YI/AAAAAAAAGa4/nNbmHPcmmrY/s1600/Sunny-Ducks.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586615248772063618" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WbxWEduYoS8/TYek-DfW4YI/AAAAAAAAGa4/nNbmHPcmmrY/s320/Sunny-Ducks.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I love the intriguing narrative that Linda Gourley employs in creating her whimsical and quirky artworks. She is adept at etching, collograph and mixed media and uses a variety of techniques including chine colle. You can follow the link <a href="http://www.lindagourley.com/">here</a> to see more of Linda's work on her website.</div><br /><div>Foot Loose And Fancy Free I<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HON_drTBylg/TYejauvXo8I/AAAAAAAAGaw/urZwrzZCUgE/s1600/Linda%2BGourley%2B-%2BFootl%2BLoose%2BAnd%2BFancy%2BFree%2BI.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586613542395028418" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HON_drTBylg/TYejauvXo8I/AAAAAAAAGaw/urZwrzZCUgE/s320/Linda%2BGourley%2B-%2BFootl%2BLoose%2BAnd%2BFancy%2BFree%2BI.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Garden Angel<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1S2QX2CoUXk/TYejMk6dZcI/AAAAAAAAGao/453RZHEaBDI/s1600/Linda%2BGourley%2B-%2BGarden%2BAngel.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 199px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586613299239019970" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1S2QX2CoUXk/TYejMk6dZcI/AAAAAAAAGao/453RZHEaBDI/s320/Linda%2BGourley%2B-%2BGarden%2BAngel.jpg" /></a><br /><div>It wouldn't be March without a few rookery photos. These shots are from one of my favourite local spots. I just wish I had a better zoom on my camera so that I could see them more clearly. I am fascinated by these amazingly gregarious black birds and the fights and squabbles they have when it is time to nest and produce the next generation. Apparently they make a habit of stealing bits of each others nests. It is a wonder they ever get built. I watched a group of rooks nesting in some local trees a few years ago and the nests were beautifully completed. There were about six altogether. A week or so later I happened to be there but the nests had completely and totally vanished. It must have been the wrong spot and they had upcycled the nesting material and built elsewhere.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vlD1IdlXNTE/TYPCA3XtGHI/AAAAAAAAGag/U8Bz7vAuXgk/s1600/Rooks-In-Flight-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 307px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585521282988710002" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vlD1IdlXNTE/TYPCA3XtGHI/AAAAAAAAGag/U8Bz7vAuXgk/s320/Rooks-In-Flight-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFQ74RYyckM/TYPB7iZyB6I/AAAAAAAAGaY/yWzrxSOvSQs/s1600/Rookery-3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585521191460931490" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFQ74RYyckM/TYPB7iZyB6I/AAAAAAAAGaY/yWzrxSOvSQs/s320/Rookery-3.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6dt2Ry6OBrw/TYPBzZ-mH-I/AAAAAAAAGaQ/y-_SY06XyVw/s1600/Rookery-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585521051760467938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6dt2Ry6OBrw/TYPBzZ-mH-I/AAAAAAAAGaQ/y-_SY06XyVw/s320/Rookery-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl5PioLDH_U/TYPBrqpjrFI/AAAAAAAAGaI/gfQi2HtVgQ0/s1600/Rooks-In-Flight-3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585520918796676178" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl5PioLDH_U/TYPBrqpjrFI/AAAAAAAAGaI/gfQi2HtVgQ0/s320/Rooks-In-Flight-3.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I found this delightful little textile book in a charity shop the other day. It is by Linda Miller who is a very talented textile artist and is well-known in crafting circles. I have met Linda quite a few times at various art and craft locations and she is always more than happy to discuss her embroidery techniques. This book comprehensively details exactly how she goes about creating her machine emboidered pieces and is very easy to understand and follow. Even I could do it, but it would take me a very long time. The textures and colours of the embroideries are wonderful and the designs beautifully whimsical.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3kL_oIdb-Q/TYO_4COJoMI/AAAAAAAAGaA/DGp2wd33lb8/s1600/Linda-Miller-Book.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585518932259348674" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3kL_oIdb-Q/TYO_4COJoMI/AAAAAAAAGaA/DGp2wd33lb8/s320/Linda-Miller-Book.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Spring Stroll<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-3Z-nbFPA8/TYO_uvLgo_I/AAAAAAAAGZ4/L_fkk9p4kAw/s1600/Linda-Miller---Spring-Stroll.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585518772529177586" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-3Z-nbFPA8/TYO_uvLgo_I/AAAAAAAAGZ4/L_fkk9p4kAw/s320/Linda-Miller---Spring-Stroll.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Gardener<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F2MJgLDX2n4/TYO_mx9S47I/AAAAAAAAGZw/fooq2tUFRBg/s1600/Linda%2BMiller%2B-%2BGardener.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585518635835909042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F2MJgLDX2n4/TYO_mx9S47I/AAAAAAAAGZw/fooq2tUFRBg/s320/Linda%2BMiller%2B-%2BGardener.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Autumn Leaves<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VXuyYzr0wZM/TYO_fFvWfRI/AAAAAAAAGZo/BiL6F21L9n4/s1600/Linda-Miller---Autumn-Leaves.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 243px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585518503707180306" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VXuyYzr0wZM/TYO_fFvWfRI/AAAAAAAAGZo/BiL6F21L9n4/s320/Linda-Miller---Autumn-Leaves.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I am still enjoying the fruits of my enormous clear out for re-carpeting a couple of weeks ago. I now have a largish pile of books and other things that I rediscovered. It is almost like getting new books. It is lovely reacquainting myself with them. Two old favourites are the books by pen and ink artist Anthony Mackay. The drawings below are from Journeys Into Bedfordshire but I also have a copy of its companion Journeys Into Hertfordshire. I bought them in the 1980's when I first discovered what a wonderful medium pen and ink was. I think he has also produced another two counties since then.<br /><br />I can find next to nothing about him on the Internet but he obviously has a great sense of perspective to have accurately drawn so many beautiful buildings without making them look like renderings from an architect's handbook. I love the textures and tones he has produced. I learned a lot about pen and ink from his work in those early days. These drawings are also a valuable documentation of our heritage when buildings and trees disappear rapidly and our villages and towns are changed beyond recognition.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bp8sCCeuVnI/TYOsliUUVbI/AAAAAAAAGZg/nrkIHTRV5oI/s1600/Anthony-Mackay%2527s-Book.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585497723736708530" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bp8sCCeuVnI/TYOsliUUVbI/AAAAAAAAGZg/nrkIHTRV5oI/s320/Anthony-Mackay%2527s-Book.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Shelton Church<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0GM6WamxhDA/TYOsZ2a69zI/AAAAAAAAGZY/ayEwyqDBqVc/s1600/Anthony-Mackay---Shelton-Church.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585497522974684978" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0GM6WamxhDA/TYOsZ2a69zI/AAAAAAAAGZY/ayEwyqDBqVc/s320/Anthony-Mackay---Shelton-Church.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Crawley Park Cottages<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TYBlfYJaR_U/TYOsPiEx5mI/AAAAAAAAGZQ/EpQg-N8DZuo/s1600/Anthony-Mackay---Crawley-Park-Cottages.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585497345714415202" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TYBlfYJaR_U/TYOsPiEx5mI/AAAAAAAAGZQ/EpQg-N8DZuo/s320/Anthony-Mackay---Crawley-Park-Cottages.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Marston Moretaine Moated Manor<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qURaAD7bXxk/TYOreRyiwTI/AAAAAAAAGZI/mmSsoufHb0A/s1600/Anthony-Mackay---Marston-Moretaine-Moated-Manor.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585496499529367858" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qURaAD7bXxk/TYOreRyiwTI/AAAAAAAAGZI/mmSsoufHb0A/s320/Anthony-Mackay---Marston-Moretaine-Moated-Manor.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Trees Near Old Warden<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evuumQeOKxc/TYOrQSriFRI/AAAAAAAAGZA/XrzuTDqM7ps/s1600/Anthony-Mackay---Trees-Near-Old-Warden.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585496259250230546" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evuumQeOKxc/TYOrQSriFRI/AAAAAAAAGZA/XrzuTDqM7ps/s320/Anthony-Mackay---Trees-Near-Old-Warden.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Abbey Farmhouse, Salph End, Renhold<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--mNoFLKqyno/TYOrCWFsXbI/AAAAAAAAGY4/yJOhLKKeXsY/s1600/Anthony-Mackay---Abbey-Farmhouse%252C-Salph-End%252C-Renhold.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585496019647094194" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--mNoFLKqyno/TYOrCWFsXbI/AAAAAAAAGY4/yJOhLKKeXsY/s320/Anthony-Mackay---Abbey-Farmhouse%252C-Salph-End%252C-Renhold.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-89316463132566978072011-03-10T12:12:00.001-08:002011-03-14T14:51:20.444-07:00Bookplates And Quirky BirdsLike everyone else I have been glued to the terrible events in Japan and have viewed with horror the unfolding disaster. I am sure everyones' hearts go out to those people who are left to try and get their lives back into some semblance of normality. What is happening to our world? Disaster after disaster.<br /><br />I have sorted out lots of the items I had to move to get new carpets laid and hopefully everything is back in its place or perhaps an even better place. The dust bunnies have been laid to rest but no doubt they will be back with a vengeance. I never realised quite what a huge family of house spiders we have given accommodation to. I didn't have the heart to move them outside as they may not be able to tolerate our cold nights and to be quite honest I don't mind them too much. As long as they don't have teeth and they keep out of my bed that is. Live and let live is my motto these days.<br /><br />I haven't done one of my "Woman Who Planted Trees" series for ages but here is number VII. I still have more in the pipeline. I love this combination of colours. I am not sure how many there will be eventually but I really like the concept so much that there are bound to be more to come.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xdEG5beazWI/TX5_IEay0EI/AAAAAAAAGYI/Ba2f9yLHtI0/s1600/The-Woman-Who-Planted-Trees-VII.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 279px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584040364587798594" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xdEG5beazWI/TX5_IEay0EI/AAAAAAAAGYI/Ba2f9yLHtI0/s320/The-Woman-Who-Planted-Trees-VII.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This is a detail of my latest pen and ink artwork. The bird and flowers are coloured digitally. I did paint the original flowers green but they didn't look quite right.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Journey With A Golden Bird<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4RDCJVWrovE/TX5-nrADmJI/AAAAAAAAGYA/Qr24N0WOLTI/s1600/Journey-With-The-Golden-Bird%2528detail%2529.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 294px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584039808008951954" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4RDCJVWrovE/TX5-nrADmJI/AAAAAAAAGYA/Qr24N0WOLTI/s320/Journey-With-The-Golden-Bird%2528detail%2529.jpg" /></a> Here is the full version<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTy-P79Ln5Y/TX5-io_hJGI/AAAAAAAAGX4/PD0pNYvxaUk/s1600/Journey-With-The-Golden-Bird.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584039721570477154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTy-P79Ln5Y/TX5-io_hJGI/AAAAAAAAGX4/PD0pNYvxaUk/s320/Journey-With-The-Golden-Bird.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I have been busy making some more of my greetings cards. I use the spray mount cans now instead of the messy pritt stick. So much cleaner and lovely to be able to reposition the image before it dries. You have to be careful not to inhale the fumes though. There is always a drawback isn't there?<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G-qs_0A9vn8/TXqMN8yg8vI/AAAAAAAAGXw/1EUV0TII_k8/s1600/Greetings-Cards--3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582928859363341042" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G-qs_0A9vn8/TXqMN8yg8vI/AAAAAAAAGXw/1EUV0TII_k8/s320/Greetings-Cards--3.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0JYqMf_OfBM/TXqMKr5NvlI/AAAAAAAAGXo/Z3SxtxMF0Pw/s1600/Greetings-Cards--2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 271px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582928803288432210" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0JYqMf_OfBM/TXqMKr5NvlI/AAAAAAAAGXo/Z3SxtxMF0Pw/s320/Greetings-Cards--2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FBa81oYC4E4/TXqMFfCduMI/AAAAAAAAGXg/oYIZf0LH_eE/s1600/Greetings-Cards--4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582928713938221250" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FBa81oYC4E4/TXqMFfCduMI/AAAAAAAAGXg/oYIZf0LH_eE/s320/Greetings-Cards--4.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The beautifully detailed etchings below are the work of Bulgarian printmaker Plamena Doycheva. You can find more of her work <a href="http://doycheva.artelista.com/en/">here</a> at artelista.com</div><br /><div>Still Life With Pears<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iCYyPhlHI-M/TXqKQ2QoCGI/AAAAAAAAGXY/wX38yvSyx38/s1600/Plamena%2BDoycheva%2BStillLifeWithPears.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582926710126938210" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iCYyPhlHI-M/TXqKQ2QoCGI/AAAAAAAAGXY/wX38yvSyx38/s320/Plamena%2BDoycheva%2BStillLifeWithPears.jpg" /></a> Spring<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtPoGbIy3NA/TXqKMZwzYGI/AAAAAAAAGXQ/xOt6GH-oZu8/s1600/Plamena%2BDoycheva%2B%2B-%2BSpring.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582926633757794402" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtPoGbIy3NA/TXqKMZwzYGI/AAAAAAAAGXQ/xOt6GH-oZu8/s320/Plamena%2BDoycheva%2B%2B-%2BSpring.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Below are some of the photos I managed to get a couple of weeks ago when we visited friends in Oxford. I dodged the showers to get these Abingdon shots. The town dates back to the 600's although there is evidence for iron age people in the area. Below is the ancient gatehouse attached to the church. I photographed some fascinating gargoyles here but the little devils decided not to allow me to focus properly on them...typical.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wq-MUcUOlCk/TXp9xhJbqlI/AAAAAAAAGXI/HsZa7Asi7QA/s1600/Abingdon-Town-Centre-Old-Gateway.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582912977744144978" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wq-MUcUOlCk/TXp9xhJbqlI/AAAAAAAAGXI/HsZa7Asi7QA/s320/Abingdon-Town-Centre-Old-Gateway.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I loved this little side room on the tower of St. Nicholas's church. I wonder what its use was? This lovely building dates from 1170. I wish we had been able to go inside but there was some sort of music practice going on.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9RbVyzVcRU/TXp9c4FJH1I/AAAAAAAAGXA/YRk_6VLSjF8/s1600/Church-Of-St.-Nicolas%252C-Abingdon.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582912623122915154" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9RbVyzVcRU/TXp9c4FJH1I/AAAAAAAAGXA/YRk_6VLSjF8/s320/Church-Of-St.-Nicolas%252C-Abingdon.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This is a view of an intriguing stairway into this old building.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQZNGoIS6QY/TXp9EXSfkSI/AAAAAAAAGW4/JDRXnK8wWlM/s1600/Abingdon-Town-Centre-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582912202003681570" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQZNGoIS6QY/TXp9EXSfkSI/AAAAAAAAGW4/JDRXnK8wWlM/s320/Abingdon-Town-Centre-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I took a number of photos of these interesting ruins which I supposed to be the remains of the original abbey dating from Saxon times. Imagine my disappointment when I read on the Internet that they were created in 1920 and are considered to be Abingdon's Folly. Still, they are extremely well done and are believed to contain some of the original stones.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mW7VUA9Ld2A/TXp8lmhqriI/AAAAAAAAGWw/fCZKIpHYQRI/s1600/Abingdon-Folly-Ruins.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582911673517911586" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mW7VUA9Ld2A/TXp8lmhqriI/AAAAAAAAGWw/fCZKIpHYQRI/s320/Abingdon-Folly-Ruins.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Some of you may remember quite a while back I featured an amazing embroidery artist called Nancy Nicholson. I discovered an article about her and her work on a now defunct Craft magazine. Nancy got in touch and said that she was going to create a website for her work and would let me know when it was up and running. She got back in touch recently and gave me the address of the website and also her new <a href="http://nancynicholson.blogspot.com/">blog</a> which is very interesting. Nancy's website is <a href="http://nancynicholson.co.uk/NancyNicholson/HOME.html">here</a> and is absolutely gorgeous. Don't forget to go to the Gallery to see her lovely collaged birds and her textiles and screenprints. Make yourselves a coffee and go and have a browse. You will be delighted. Below are some of her interactive stationery artworks. Her sense of design and colour is gorgeous and contemporary. Her embroideries are stunning too. Anyway see for yourself. She is also the daughter of well-known embroideress Joan Nicholson who some of you may remember.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h_i0KU6f-vk/TXpFzxYTYGI/AAAAAAAAGWo/UcsQtRIu3Hw/s1600/Nancy%2BNicholson%2B6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582851443810066530" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h_i0KU6f-vk/TXpFzxYTYGI/AAAAAAAAGWo/UcsQtRIu3Hw/s320/Nancy%2BNicholson%2B6.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gZ-AGr9ofA/TXpFw7YbxHI/AAAAAAAAGWg/Aj8uh8kNOFM/s1600/Nancy%2BNicholson%2B1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582851394955363442" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gZ-AGr9ofA/TXpFw7YbxHI/AAAAAAAAGWg/Aj8uh8kNOFM/s320/Nancy%2BNicholson%2B1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p_8O8kLokV0/TXpFtGW3yeI/AAAAAAAAGWY/JmPM_mdQ8Do/s1600/Nancy%2BNicholson%2B2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582851329182124514" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p_8O8kLokV0/TXpFtGW3yeI/AAAAAAAAGWY/JmPM_mdQ8Do/s320/Nancy%2BNicholson%2B2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CSUUjNtA27U/TXpFnxYs0oI/AAAAAAAAGWQ/nvzk5cVdzT4/s1600/Nancy%2BNicholson%2B3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582851237653303938" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CSUUjNtA27U/TXpFnxYs0oI/AAAAAAAAGWQ/nvzk5cVdzT4/s320/Nancy%2BNicholson%2B3.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SULIGSxVYvI/TXpFfI45woI/AAAAAAAAGWI/cNGAlwHBiQ8/s1600/Nancy%2BNicholson%2B4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 253px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582851089343562370" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SULIGSxVYvI/TXpFfI45woI/AAAAAAAAGWI/cNGAlwHBiQ8/s320/Nancy%2BNicholson%2B4.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I have had this lovely book in my possession for some time but it reappeared when I was clearing out for new carpets. Amazing what you can find when you are not expecting it. It is A Treasury Of Bookplates selected by Fridolf Johnson. It covers the Renaissance to the present. I didn't realise that bookplates were around as early as that. I assumed they were a relatively recent introduction i.e. early 19th century. I suppose that people have wanted to lay claim to their books for as long as books have been around. I expect the old problem of borrowing a book from someone and forgetting who it belonged to is as old as the hills. Lots of famous artists and printmakers produced bookplates for their clients. The collecting of them is alive and thriving. In fact they are often commissioned from an artist and never actually used in books but swapped with other collectors. Below are seven of my favourites from the book (which is a Dover publication by the way). I particularly like the graphic woodcut or engraved design.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WHERdCswHXc/TXkzpHn3XwI/AAAAAAAAGWA/NeJ94PisZaw/s1600/A-Treasury-Of-Bookplates.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582549994616348418" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WHERdCswHXc/TXkzpHn3XwI/AAAAAAAAGWA/NeJ94PisZaw/s320/A-Treasury-Of-Bookplates.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Reynolds Stone<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mxKrXmX8MqM/TXkzg47r0rI/AAAAAAAAGV4/BhhXU_qp0m8/s1600/Reynolds-Stone.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582549853233992370" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mxKrXmX8MqM/TXkzg47r0rI/AAAAAAAAGV4/BhhXU_qp0m8/s320/Reynolds-Stone.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Gerard Gaudaen<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7uG--hZf9pI/TXkzWQq-UNI/AAAAAAAAGVw/79KEgq0hrXA/s1600/Gerard-Gaudaen.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582549670627791058" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7uG--hZf9pI/TXkzWQq-UNI/AAAAAAAAGVw/79KEgq0hrXA/s320/Gerard-Gaudaen.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Pam G Rueter<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p03_DlHC9vI/TXkzMIgw4yI/AAAAAAAAGVo/YPxbCHj22gk/s1600/Pam-G-Rueter.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582549496638792482" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p03_DlHC9vI/TXkzMIgw4yI/AAAAAAAAGVo/YPxbCHj22gk/s320/Pam-G-Rueter.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Mark Severiin<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zP1HV-dLgss/TXky3IzlwhI/AAAAAAAAGVg/wIPqJ_yaED0/s1600/Mark-Severiin.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582549135940502034" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zP1HV-dLgss/TXky3IzlwhI/AAAAAAAAGVg/wIPqJ_yaED0/s320/Mark-Severiin.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Henry Ospovat<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kuNpomU-1I/TXkyqrudBhI/AAAAAAAAGVY/QSojVVFCf8Q/s1600/Henry-Ospovat.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 161px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582548921975899666" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kuNpomU-1I/TXkyqrudBhI/AAAAAAAAGVY/QSojVVFCf8Q/s320/Henry-Ospovat.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rockwell Kent<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCaiR3cfRgs/TXkyb6GfZ4I/AAAAAAAAGVQ/66jjXgV-R7c/s1600/Rockwell-Kent.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582548668136777602" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCaiR3cfRgs/TXkyb6GfZ4I/AAAAAAAAGVQ/66jjXgV-R7c/s320/Rockwell-Kent.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Nico Bulder<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WFEE-div1f8/TXkyRK8PgwI/AAAAAAAAGVI/BVqIb_mg2LY/s1600/Nico-Bulder.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 253px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582548483678634754" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WFEE-div1f8/TXkyRK8PgwI/AAAAAAAAGVI/BVqIb_mg2LY/s320/Nico-Bulder.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-88323916982011259092011-02-25T10:30:00.000-08:002011-03-02T13:14:13.626-08:00Next Blog Post 13 MarchWe had a wonderful day out on Sunday with good friends H, K and A in Oxfordshire. They entertained us beautifully but didn't arrange the weather very well and we all got an unbelievable drenching. On our way home from a geocache walk we had our backs to the wind and the rain and it felt as if someone had sneaked up behind us and thrown buckets of water at us. Where were my waterproof trousers? In the car of course. I remained quite chilled until I had a piping hot bath hours later. Where is all this rain coming from? Don't answer that.<br /><br />This is the detail of my latest drypoint etching - Friendship And Understanding. I enjoy depicting my idea of the relationship and interaction of people and birds. I am wondering about painting the leaves with watercolour but leaving the rest unpainted.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHorPD_e9KY/TW1V2swo0eI/AAAAAAAAGVA/jkuyjAA3x8c/s1600/Etching-Friendship%2BAnd%2BUnderstanding%2B%2528detail%2529.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579209911598371298" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHorPD_e9KY/TW1V2swo0eI/AAAAAAAAGVA/jkuyjAA3x8c/s320/Etching-Friendship%2BAnd%2BUnderstanding%2B%2528detail%2529.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Complete etching<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v0OlL2AGtaE/TW1Vn5pAozI/AAAAAAAAGU4/zsFzMOS6Sic/s1600/Etching-Friendship%2BAnd%2BUnderstanding.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579209657358000946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v0OlL2AGtaE/TW1Vn5pAozI/AAAAAAAAGU4/zsFzMOS6Sic/s320/Etching-Friendship%2BAnd%2BUnderstanding.jpg" /></a> <div><div><div><div>I have only got as far as a pen and ink drawing at the moment but this is destined to be a painting eventually.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfV9HzMp0zQ/TW1PfW2YbGI/AAAAAAAAGUY/6BSPodrEAPw/s1600/Deer-And-Birds-Pen-And-Ink-Sketch.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 312px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579202913510124642" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfV9HzMp0zQ/TW1PfW2YbGI/AAAAAAAAGUY/6BSPodrEAPw/s320/Deer-And-Birds-Pen-And-Ink-Sketch.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The usual quandary here - is it a hare or a rabbit? A soapstone lagomorph anyway. That will cover them both. I found it in a charity shop and it took a shine to me and asked if it could come home with me. Of course I agreed.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BeRfSkeZUn8/TW1OqH9XoqI/AAAAAAAAGUQ/ybvDf6mwkZs/s1600/Soapstone-Hare.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 272px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579201998979834530" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BeRfSkeZUn8/TW1OqH9XoqI/AAAAAAAAGUQ/ybvDf6mwkZs/s320/Soapstone-Hare.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Meet Smudge - she is the softest, silkiest and nicest natured cat you could ever meet, and I have met a lot of cats. Sadly she doesn't belong to us but to some (very nice) neighbours who adore her. I also love her for her potential as a photographic model and her extremely low fees. The only problem with photographing her is that as soon as you squat down to take a shot she walks up to you for a cuddle. Still, you cannot have everything.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8S3h1H_Sa0c/TW1NsbKHy0I/AAAAAAAAGUI/7B3OcFUf3d8/s1600/Smudge.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 272px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579200938981706562" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8S3h1H_Sa0c/TW1NsbKHy0I/AAAAAAAAGUI/7B3OcFUf3d8/s320/Smudge.jpg" /></a><br /><div>On a recent walk we discovered this interesting beast. It is a poor photo due to the deer being perched up high and the sky very bright in comparison but you can see that it only has half its antler rack. The corresponding half is on the deer on the other side of the gateway. I think it is a uni-antlered deer. I quite like it - quirky.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8iMUCqg82c/TW1NFgkkk9I/AAAAAAAAGUA/PirTnfWwDb4/s1600/Uni-antlered-Deer.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579200270419923922" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8iMUCqg82c/TW1NFgkkk9I/AAAAAAAAGUA/PirTnfWwDb4/s320/Uni-antlered-Deer.jpg" /></a><br /><div>No one could call contemporary Scottish artist Margaretanne Bennett's work "pretty". Her paintings are a combination of realism and abstract with a definite hint of darkness to them. She uses a subtle palette with lots of texture. On her "about" page on her website she talks about being inspired after a visit to France and seeing old cemeteries. She is obviously fascinated by decay and rust and the sense of sadness and abandonment connected to such places - very similar to someone else I know. Anyway, pop over to her website <a href="http://www.margaretannbennett.co.uk/portfolio.html">here</a> and have a look. I absolutely love everything about the painting beneath including the scrappy, almost grafitti-like, bits of text.<br /></div><br /><div>Harbinger<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFjoz-5rYF4/TWzN-KLiNOI/AAAAAAAAGT4/OBoRHTga8Bk/s1600/Margaretann%2BBennett%2B-%2BHarbinger.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 245px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579060506173519074" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFjoz-5rYF4/TWzN-KLiNOI/AAAAAAAAGT4/OBoRHTga8Bk/s320/Margaretann%2BBennett%2B-%2BHarbinger.jpeg" /></a><br /><div>Wraiths<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nRJTejCPpAE/TWzN3R7nCPI/AAAAAAAAGTw/iIW1CO-2p-A/s1600/Margaretanne%2BBennett%2B-%2BWraiths.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 269px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579060387995126002" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nRJTejCPpAE/TWzN3R7nCPI/AAAAAAAAGTw/iIW1CO-2p-A/s320/Margaretanne%2BBennett%2B-%2BWraiths.jpeg" /></a><br /><div>Well, we are into March now and we have had the full gamut of weather as usual.<br /><br />Some frosts...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xc_Z6-xuUYc/TWgh6e4IVCI/AAAAAAAAGTo/BVt6bsGUUVo/s1600/Frosty-Weather.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577745427102979106" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xc_Z6-xuUYc/TWgh6e4IVCI/AAAAAAAAGTo/BVt6bsGUUVo/s320/Frosty-Weather.jpg" /></a> some sunshine...<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GSXG2qeIm-4/TWghxr9Io4I/AAAAAAAAGTg/q9EL1-afWnU/s1600/Sunlit-Trees.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 290px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577745275994809218" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GSXG2qeIm-4/TWghxr9Io4I/AAAAAAAAGTg/q9EL1-afWnU/s320/Sunlit-Trees.jpg" /></a><br /><div>some mists...<br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WsUOdqHJcLs/TWgah582JiI/AAAAAAAAGTQ/uEdPHmeSZco/s1600/Misty-Woodland.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577737308292392482" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WsUOdqHJcLs/TWgah582JiI/AAAAAAAAGTQ/uEdPHmeSZco/s320/Misty-Woodland.jpg" /></a>and a whole shed full of rain.<br /><br />In the fields we have seen beasts gathered in brotherhood...<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wWo6Ui1Drto/TWgaMbkXAWI/AAAAAAAAGTI/_4FQHFAiVVw/s1600/The-Three.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577736939359371618" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wWo6Ui1Drto/TWgaMbkXAWI/AAAAAAAAGTI/_4FQHFAiVVw/s320/The-Three.jpg" /></a> some familiar ones staring with beady eyes<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3hrsSUdFf7c/TWgZH-EDM7I/AAAAAAAAGTA/G4cuM07y894/s1600/Grazing-Sheep-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577735763208123314" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3hrsSUdFf7c/TWgZH-EDM7I/AAAAAAAAGTA/G4cuM07y894/s320/Grazing-Sheep-1.jpg" /></a><br />and some not so familiar but with beady eyes and beady beaks. (I didn't venture too close) <span style="color:#cc33cc;">PS I know this is in twice but I like it)</span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PLxt78MG6qw/TWgY8wtKpmI/AAAAAAAAGS4/D2B3Hnf2q8Y/s1600/Ostrich-Profile.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577735570643920482" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PLxt78MG6qw/TWgY8wtKpmI/AAAAAAAAGS4/D2B3Hnf2q8Y/s320/Ostrich-Profile.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>Who could resist tea time in the country with these gorgeous jugs by Stacey Manser-Knight. Lots of lovely colour and detail. Stacey was born in America but has lived most of her adult life in Brighton and has participated in the Brighton Festival Artist Open Studios event in May. She mentions being at the Dragonfly House which hosts participating artists' work and is somewhere I visited myself. They are famous for the wonderful displays of art they exhibit and the intriguing dragonfly on the outside wall of the building. I exhibited my work during the festival for two years running quite a long time ago now in the home of my nephew and his wife. It was great fun but even more than that I enjoyed visiting all the other artists studios and having a good nose around. I would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Brighton during the spring. You can see more of Stacey's work <a href="http://www.muddypumpkin.co.uk/">here</a> on her website and <a href="http://www.castlegallery.co.uk/artists/ceramics/manser-knight_stacey/gallery1.asp">here</a> at The Castle Gallery.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aHNHm-JZJDI/TWf7OpU1DlI/AAAAAAAAGSo/-yise7NGL9U/s1600/Stacey%2BManser-Knight%2BJug%2B2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 313px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577702892551605842" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aHNHm-JZJDI/TWf7OpU1DlI/AAAAAAAAGSo/-yise7NGL9U/s320/Stacey%2BManser-Knight%2BJug%2B2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppjlbpsakpc/TWf7Kmdp-PI/AAAAAAAAGSg/nxvy75v3ez8/s1600/Stacey%2BMancer-Knight%2BJug%2B1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 304px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577702823063845106" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppjlbpsakpc/TWf7Kmdp-PI/AAAAAAAAGSg/nxvy75v3ez8/s320/Stacey%2BMancer-Knight%2BJug%2B1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I first came across Rita Kearton's lovely work when I saw her exhibiting at the Art In Action event at Waterperry several years ago. She was in the printmakers' marquee. I was very drawn to her use of figurative folkloric and naive style imagery. She creates collagraphs and drypoint etchings and they draw you into her imaginary world very easily. You can find Rita's website <a href="http://www.ritakearton.com/">here</a> for more delicious artwork.</div><br /><div>Songbird<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCCpEE30bTY/TWf12LSzgmI/AAAAAAAAGSY/Euk9jM_iIdU/s1600/Rita%2BKearton%2B-%2BSongbird.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577696974615052898" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCCpEE30bTY/TWf12LSzgmI/AAAAAAAAGSY/Euk9jM_iIdU/s320/Rita%2BKearton%2B-%2BSongbird.jpg" /></a> The King<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7TpnkH3hVY/TWf1xxYC7MI/AAAAAAAAGSQ/wlY4Lgt_R10/s1600/Rita%2BKearton%2B-%2BThe%2BKing.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 219px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577696898938236098" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7TpnkH3hVY/TWf1xxYC7MI/AAAAAAAAGSQ/wlY4Lgt_R10/s320/Rita%2BKearton%2B-%2BThe%2BKing.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Sleeping Dog<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vAepJpkUi2k/TWf1omwjn3I/AAAAAAAAGSI/eSH4IlRXDXs/s1600/Rita%2BKearton%2B-%2BSleeping%2BDog.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 223px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577696741469429618" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vAepJpkUi2k/TWf1omwjn3I/AAAAAAAAGSI/eSH4IlRXDXs/s320/Rita%2BKearton%2B-%2BSleeping%2BDog.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The Man And The Woman<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OPxO5fzqIuA/TWf1ejKygUI/AAAAAAAAGSA/OmoIdtcX_fk/s1600/Rita%2BKearton%2B-%2BThe%2BMan%2BAnd%2BThe%2BWoman.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 251px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577696568707023170" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OPxO5fzqIuA/TWf1ejKygUI/AAAAAAAAGSA/OmoIdtcX_fk/s320/Rita%2BKearton%2B-%2BThe%2BMan%2BAnd%2BThe%2BWoman.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-2939060834615136592011-02-17T09:59:00.001-08:002011-02-22T13:58:57.752-08:00When The Music's Not ForgottenI am feeling sad and deflated just now which is one reason why my blog is so late. A friend who was treated for lung cancer a few years ago and declared "cured", who lost her husband last year, has now developed liver and pancreatic cancer and has been given months to live. It makes you wonder why life throws so many terrible things at some people and others seem to get away relatively lightly. So here is a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnWX0sbYR-Q">song</a> for Doris and all those others who haven't got as long here as they would like.<br /><br />This is a pen and ink and watercolour drawing I started several months ago and I really couldn't get on with it at all. It all came together this week. Strange to see trees in a boat I know but nothing is impossible.<br /><br />This is called The Journey Was Long But She Was Never Alone<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_fbmFg_Fsek/TWQrzKaVr2I/AAAAAAAAGR4/Iwf8F4kgzJw/s1600/The-Journey-Was-Long-But-She-Was-Never-Alone.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576630396559667042" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_fbmFg_Fsek/TWQrzKaVr2I/AAAAAAAAGR4/Iwf8F4kgzJw/s320/The-Journey-Was-Long-But-She-Was-Never-Alone.jpg" /></a><br />These are quirky birds from my scrapbook pages which have worked their way into a pen and ink drawing. I think I have the birds the wrong way round though. The red one would have looked better against the black tree.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xn1ozCUIQEY/TWQrTMZrwBI/AAAAAAAAGRw/rPc82yi3e7U/s1600/Opposites-Attract---Red-And-Black-Ink-Birds.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576629847337975826" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xn1ozCUIQEY/TWQrTMZrwBI/AAAAAAAAGRw/rPc82yi3e7U/s320/Opposites-Attract---Red-And-Black-Ink-Birds.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Although we get some very dull and wet days in winter, there are some days when the light is beautiful. Some of the photos below are recent and others aren't but they are all favourites of mine.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzhDsK2dcmo/TWQqxNiwAbI/AAAAAAAAGRo/kHpWwu7E34k/s1600/Beautiful-Light-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576629263528886706" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzhDsK2dcmo/TWQqxNiwAbI/AAAAAAAAGRo/kHpWwu7E34k/s320/Beautiful-Light-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HzHMlHGYbHo/TWQqooY4qGI/AAAAAAAAGRg/T5Wa9g3Fmzc/s1600/Beautiful-Light-4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576629116116445282" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HzHMlHGYbHo/TWQqooY4qGI/AAAAAAAAGRg/T5Wa9g3Fmzc/s320/Beautiful-Light-4.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F3S-m2YgGb0/TWQqkG_e2II/AAAAAAAAGRY/y-BybRSsiyY/s1600/Beautiful-Light-5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576629038432049282" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F3S-m2YgGb0/TWQqkG_e2II/AAAAAAAAGRY/y-BybRSsiyY/s320/Beautiful-Light-5.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AXic56H47Gc/TWQqd0lnUdI/AAAAAAAAGRQ/iGs8ROwkUBc/s1600/Beautiful-Light%2B1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576628930412499410" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AXic56H47Gc/TWQqd0lnUdI/AAAAAAAAGRQ/iGs8ROwkUBc/s320/Beautiful-Light%2B1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdgaRtEoJ8c/TWQqXnaUd3I/AAAAAAAAGRI/jhCMsrHb5ak/s1600/Beautiful-Light-3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576628823796250482" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdgaRtEoJ8c/TWQqXnaUd3I/AAAAAAAAGRI/jhCMsrHb5ak/s320/Beautiful-Light-3.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This is a scene taken from one of our walks recently and immediately made me think of the GK Chesterton poem - The Rolling English Road. The first verse goes like this:</div><br /><div>Before the Romans came to Rye or out to Severn strode,</div><div>The rolling English drunkard made the rolling English road.</div><div>A reeling road, a rolling road, that rambles round the shire,</div><div>And after him the parson ran, the sexton and the squire;</div><div>A merry road, a mazy road, and such as we did tread</div><div>The night we went to Birmingham by way of Beachy Head.<br /></div><br /><div>There are another three verses which you can find on Google.<br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDU3dqsPlJs/TV7Fc1yoy9I/AAAAAAAAGRA/V1vEnqX1kdE/s1600/The-Rolling-English-Drunkard.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 243px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575110487997729746" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDU3dqsPlJs/TV7Fc1yoy9I/AAAAAAAAGRA/V1vEnqX1kdE/s320/The-Rolling-English-Drunkard.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Just when I thought I was finished with hares for the time being - up they pop again.</div><br /><div>Jane Ray artwork - published by Roger La Borde. This is the back and front of the card. It is nice to see the full image spread out. Twice as much card for your money.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n4hFUjPQDyk/TV6_koGrVkI/AAAAAAAAGQ4/6T0WQ4WGGQc/s1600/Jane-Ray---Roger-La-Borde-Card.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575104024692872770" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n4hFUjPQDyk/TV6_koGrVkI/AAAAAAAAGQ4/6T0WQ4WGGQc/s320/Jane-Ray---Roger-La-Borde-Card.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Andrew Waddington - Return Of The Sun King - published by Art Angels in their Printmakers collection.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eqdDHqplPec/TV6-PpI1rkI/AAAAAAAAGQw/MAbyjPvE5-U/s1600/Andrew%2BWaddington%2B-%2BReturn%2BOf%2BThe%2BSun%2BKing.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575102564681494082" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eqdDHqplPec/TV6-PpI1rkI/AAAAAAAAGQw/MAbyjPvE5-U/s320/Andrew%2BWaddington%2B-%2BReturn%2BOf%2BThe%2BSun%2BKing.jpg" /></a><br /><div>My family brought me back a lovely collection of artists cards from Cornwall some time ago and in amongst them was this delightful painting of a goose by Suzy Sharpe. Isn't it beautifully spontaneous and fresh. More of Suzy's work <a href="http://www.suzysharpe.net/">here</a>.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RpxPu2UYVXs/TV67XBNIJkI/AAAAAAAAGQo/Z6rBNsOoaQE/s1600/Suzy-Sharpe---Goose.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575099392866133570" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RpxPu2UYVXs/TV67XBNIJkI/AAAAAAAAGQo/Z6rBNsOoaQE/s320/Suzy-Sharpe---Goose.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I saw a piece of craft created by Jan Guest in a well-known magazine recently and was extremely impressed with her work. Jan is based in Bosham and uses reclaimed coastal wood and sea pebbles to create her lovely marine themed plaques, wall hangings and free standing pieces. Her fish and little coastal houses are lovely and make me hum "I do want to be beside the seaside". You can catch up with her website <a href="http://www.janguest.com/">here</a>. </div><br /><div>Rock Pool Wreath With Fish<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c5-k_oXIQuM/TV65RWtGNnI/AAAAAAAAGQg/PQ48Gz5gzho/s1600/Jan%2BGuest%2B-%2BRock%2BPool%2BWreath%2BWith%2BFish.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575097096534898290" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c5-k_oXIQuM/TV65RWtGNnI/AAAAAAAAGQg/PQ48Gz5gzho/s320/Jan%2BGuest%2B-%2BRock%2BPool%2BWreath%2BWith%2BFish.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Harbour Cottages<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6EaiWzdF08c/TV65IeIdazI/AAAAAAAAGQY/fecL0dbwCLI/s1600/Jan%2BGuest%2B-%2BHarbour%2BCottages.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 215px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575096943909890866" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6EaiWzdF08c/TV65IeIdazI/AAAAAAAAGQY/fecL0dbwCLI/s320/Jan%2BGuest%2B-%2BHarbour%2BCottages.jpg" /></a><br /><div>A Swell Day<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BmGNDHNu6Ow/TV65BCsL6WI/AAAAAAAAGQQ/2q5Wu3VPPco/s1600/Jan%2BGuest%2B-%2BA%2BSwell%2BDay.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575096816284461410" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BmGNDHNu6Ow/TV65BCsL6WI/AAAAAAAAGQQ/2q5Wu3VPPco/s320/Jan%2BGuest%2B-%2BA%2BSwell%2BDay.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I love the delicate, lacelike tracery of these winter trees at Harefield, but you have to remember to look up because sometimes the magic is above your head.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOzWeylp8Gs/TV64lDG09OI/AAAAAAAAGQI/4UB_uVASFOA/s1600/Harefield-Trees-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575096335359866082" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOzWeylp8Gs/TV64lDG09OI/AAAAAAAAGQI/4UB_uVASFOA/s320/Harefield-Trees-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2bGnxQtqXSE/TV64e20n9SI/AAAAAAAAGQA/4Y3dsGLt-p8/s1600/Harefield-Trees-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575096228983076130" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2bGnxQtqXSE/TV64e20n9SI/AAAAAAAAGQA/4Y3dsGLt-p8/s320/Harefield-Trees-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Mary Fedden has long been a favourite of mine and I was delighted to find this little book at a car boot sale back in the summer. Seems a long time ago, now doesn't it? It only cost around 50p and I couldn't resist it. Nowadays her paintings cost thousands to buy. Mary is a very well known and popular English contemporary artist in the naive, expressionist tradition. She doesn't observe the rules of perspective but paints what she likes, when she likes and doesn't pay regard to the opinions of others. I like that. I also like all the lovely birds she paints and the texture she gets into her work. You can find lots of her work if you enter her name into a search engine.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2pHBk39sOs4/TV2DUZcRcUI/AAAAAAAAGP4/0k33sZSx7iY/s1600/Mary-Fedden-Book.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 237px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574756300204634434" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2pHBk39sOs4/TV2DUZcRcUI/AAAAAAAAGP4/0k33sZSx7iY/s320/Mary-Fedden-Book.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Oystercatcher<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJyzw228D6g/TV2DIsvyX0I/AAAAAAAAGPw/9vwbtz1l304/s1600/Mary-Fedden---Oystercatcher.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 307px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574756099228327746" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJyzw228D6g/TV2DIsvyX0I/AAAAAAAAGPw/9vwbtz1l304/s320/Mary-Fedden---Oystercatcher.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Chaffinches<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w69WqyCdbnQ/TV2DAvbIDDI/AAAAAAAAGPo/eAYWVSMRagU/s1600/Mary-Fedden---Chaffinches.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 283px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574755962508020786" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w69WqyCdbnQ/TV2DAvbIDDI/AAAAAAAAGPo/eAYWVSMRagU/s320/Mary-Fedden---Chaffinches.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Great Spotted Woodpecker<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oi3dO_93qTM/TV2BvWgmQvI/AAAAAAAAGPg/nddPCXQJJRU/s1600/May-Fedden---Great-Spotted-Woodpecker.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 170px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574754564250682098" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oi3dO_93qTM/TV2BvWgmQvI/AAAAAAAAGPg/nddPCXQJJRU/s320/May-Fedden---Great-Spotted-Woodpecker.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Park Birds In The Snow<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F4mQd4s44vg/TV2BGCQcksI/AAAAAAAAGPY/y6hpUYOVLm4/s1600/Mary-Fedden---Park-Birds-In-The-Snow.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574753854439592642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F4mQd4s44vg/TV2BGCQcksI/AAAAAAAAGPY/y6hpUYOVLm4/s320/Mary-Fedden---Park-Birds-In-The-Snow.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-89803394519095493662011-02-10T10:55:00.000-08:002011-02-14T13:48:09.294-08:00February FoxWe have noticed quite a lot of detritus in fields and hedgerows from the very popular Chinese Floating Lanterns recently. They are becoming de rigeur for smart weddings and other celebrations and I must admit they do look lovely en masse but farmers are worried about them being ingested by livestock. This has happened apparently. Coastguards are complaining that they are being mistaken for distress flares at sea. There is no doubt that the end result of them is rubbish in the countryside. Not as bad as the epidemic of plastic bags in trees but definitely on the increase. There are calls to ban them. I am not sure what sort of hazard they represent regarding fires during hot, dry summers. Can't we go back to setting free white doves? A much greener option.<br /><br />This is a pen and ink and watercolour drawing called "When The Sun Rises". He looks cosy in his den doesn't he?<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LqwJvG1skuA/TVmbSVQzXPI/AAAAAAAAGPQ/LJcHv40qbCk/s1600/When-The-Sun-Rises.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573656753095269618" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LqwJvG1skuA/TVmbSVQzXPI/AAAAAAAAGPQ/LJcHv40qbCk/s320/When-The-Sun-Rises.jpg" /></a> My brother discovered a lovely bird's nest when we were out and about recently. I love birds nests and this was a beauty because it was low enough to photograph. The majority that I find are too high up to see properly. Below is my pen and ink drawing which is <em>very loosely </em>based on the nest but in actual fact doesn't really look anything like it. I think I need to darken some areas a bit more. I don't like to fiddle too much though as it can be counterproductive and pen and ink is very unforgiving of mistakes.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-trRaAQ1VyZk/TVmbIEG3_EI/AAAAAAAAGPI/FXIx6ae-tEg/s1600/Pen-And-Ink-Birds-Nest.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 289px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573656576691534914" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-trRaAQ1VyZk/TVmbIEG3_EI/AAAAAAAAGPI/FXIx6ae-tEg/s320/Pen-And-Ink-Birds-Nest.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DzhWebnU1GI/TVma2rKXKFI/AAAAAAAAGO4/deGYvJVguEk/s1600/Birds-Nest-3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573656277937498194" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DzhWebnU1GI/TVma2rKXKFI/AAAAAAAAGO4/deGYvJVguEk/s320/Birds-Nest-3.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aUvc-c5yoIM/TVmax86_44I/AAAAAAAAGOw/MH2ebpYDSb8/s1600/Birds-Nest-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573656196805550978" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aUvc-c5yoIM/TVmax86_44I/AAAAAAAAGOw/MH2ebpYDSb8/s320/Birds-Nest-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Tony Angell is an author, sculptor and artist of huge talent. His work is peppered with black birds amongst other animals and birds. His sculpted ravens below are magnificient. Tony is an American artist and craftsman who lives with his family in Seattle. He has a website <a href="http://www.tonyangell.net/">here</a> and is represented by Foster/White Gallery <a href="http://www.fosterwhite.com/dynamic/artist.asp?ArtistID=58">here</a> and Gerald Peters Gallery <a href="http://gpgallery.com/works/search/6">here</a> (3 pages). Well worth visiting.</div><br /><div>Emmisaries<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--aHzsYGpkZs/TVf2SEGzDFI/AAAAAAAAGOo/Sr7sMKw-oNw/s1600/Tony%2BAngell%2B-%2Bemmisaries.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 231px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573193854094609490" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--aHzsYGpkZs/TVf2SEGzDFI/AAAAAAAAGOo/Sr7sMKw-oNw/s320/Tony%2BAngell%2B-%2Bemmisaries.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Tony Angell - In The Company Of Crows And Ravens<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpzGRu02uWc/TVf2I-lOL8I/AAAAAAAAGOg/96mpbjW-xK0/s1600/Tony%2BAngell%2B-%2BIn%2BThe%2BCompany%2BOf%2BCrows%2BAnd%2BRavens.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 203px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573193697992781762" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpzGRu02uWc/TVf2I-lOL8I/AAAAAAAAGOg/96mpbjW-xK0/s320/Tony%2BAngell%2B-%2BIn%2BThe%2BCompany%2BOf%2BCrows%2BAnd%2BRavens.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This is something you don't see everyday in England. It is one of the residents of a local ostrich farm, presumably being bred for meat. Sorry the neck is a bit truncated but they were behind a fence and with so much head turning and bobbing about (it not me) it was difficult to get a focused shot without wire in it. The beaks look quite vicious so we were glad to be on our side of the fence.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-39LcZJWh0qw/TVf1PSiZHSI/AAAAAAAAGOY/mq2Y16WJmXI/s1600/Ostrich-Profile.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573192706917211426" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-39LcZJWh0qw/TVf1PSiZHSI/AAAAAAAAGOY/mq2Y16WJmXI/s320/Ostrich-Profile.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Not really a seedhead as such. More of a dried up collection of leaves but this one is a bit of a mystery to us. I was attracted to the symmetry.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-95orIBGuBw4/TVf02d7lcRI/AAAAAAAAGOQ/a2Bl9tweGFU/s1600/Seedhead.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573192280478937362" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-95orIBGuBw4/TVf02d7lcRI/AAAAAAAAGOQ/a2Bl9tweGFU/s320/Seedhead.jpg" /></a><br /><div>A couple of shots of some mallard we saw on the pond on the Harefield village green. The light was really nice here. Sometimes the light on a seemingly grey day is better than a sunny one. That doesn't sound logical I know.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NSnPQJhaoMw/TVf0FC9CSDI/AAAAAAAAGOI/0xKr_ZRIlvY/s1600/Winter-Mallard-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573191431423674418" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NSnPQJhaoMw/TVf0FC9CSDI/AAAAAAAAGOI/0xKr_ZRIlvY/s320/Winter-Mallard-2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1WHp_dg2w-k/TVfz2Z7XVdI/AAAAAAAAGOA/u-_RZBBX9A4/s1600/Winter-Mallard-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 264px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573191179892643282" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1WHp_dg2w-k/TVfz2Z7XVdI/AAAAAAAAGOA/u-_RZBBX9A4/s320/Winter-Mallard-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>My local gallery had a new exhibition of mythic art starting a few days ago and I made a point of visiting as I love the participating artists. There were hares and goddesses and badgers aplenty.</div><br /><div>Wendy Andrew is a painter of wonderful mystical art, myths and legends. She has the ability to blend brilliant colours together seamlessley to produce her very popular art. Her work is full of detail and interest. Seeing the artwork in the flesh so to speak, the colours are so vivid and vibrant. I love her depiction of the badger below. You can find masses of Wendy's work on her website <a href="http://www.paintingdreams.co.uk/">here</a>.</div><br /><div>Wendy Andrew - Calling Badger<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKrT23gKD7g/TVfV_sjZhhI/AAAAAAAAGN4/WZSSOcjRDEs/s1600/Wendy-Andrew---Calling-Badger.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573158354162386450" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKrT23gKD7g/TVfV_sjZhhI/AAAAAAAAGN4/WZSSOcjRDEs/s320/Wendy-Andrew---Calling-Badger.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Wendy Andrew - Autumn Equinox<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lTcSINDPKKw/TVfV1VBltCI/AAAAAAAAGNw/dv5AjrKlsaI/s1600/Wendy-Andrew---Autumn-Equinox.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 223px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573158176047871010" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lTcSINDPKKw/TVfV1VBltCI/AAAAAAAAGNw/dv5AjrKlsaI/s320/Wendy-Andrew---Autumn-Equinox.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Julie Eaton is a St. Ives based illustrator who weaves a beautiful story with her work. You can find her website <a href="http://www.julie-eaton.moonfruit.com/">here</a> with lots more lovely art.</div><br /><div>Julie Eaton - Persephone<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGYkmDyMAG4/TVfHp-RIwPI/AAAAAAAAGNo/_VketMx9BCY/s1600/Julie-Eaton---Persephone.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573142587797717234" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGYkmDyMAG4/TVfHp-RIwPI/AAAAAAAAGNo/_VketMx9BCY/s320/Julie-Eaton---Persephone.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Julie Eaton - Autumn Night<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BdBmYF0xH1c/TVfHfKtGijI/AAAAAAAAGNg/YCutnfc57cM/s1600/Julie-Eaton---Autumn-Night.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573142402157677106" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BdBmYF0xH1c/TVfHfKtGijI/AAAAAAAAGNg/YCutnfc57cM/s320/Julie-Eaton---Autumn-Night.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Hannah Willow makes wonderful, folklore and myth inspired jewellery in Wiltshire. I really loved browsing her beautiful hares and trees and I wanted to take everything in the gallery home with me. She is also a wonderful artist and you can see some of her paintings <a href="http://hannahwillow.com/">here</a> on her website as well as her jewellery.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3wiLntSmxHc/TVfGSoXw-fI/AAAAAAAAGNY/jnpzR6_KW4k/s1600/Hannah%2BWillow%2BJewellery.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 309px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573141087271320050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3wiLntSmxHc/TVfGSoXw-fI/AAAAAAAAGNY/jnpzR6_KW4k/s320/Hannah%2BWillow%2BJewellery.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div>We made a visit to Harefield the other day and I had to take some photos of the hare sculpture on the village green. It is quite an imposing structure which shows a running hare in a globe and has map depictions of the UK and Australia to celebrate the links between the two countries cemented during the war when an Australian military hospital was set up to treat wounded soldiers.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KMYpbVbMNWU/TVWjI63kltI/AAAAAAAAGMk/oQDEwXYDKvE/s1600/Harefield-Hare-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572539487577478866" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KMYpbVbMNWU/TVWjI63kltI/AAAAAAAAGMk/oQDEwXYDKvE/s320/Harefield-Hare-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-649MNPXuxcw/TVWjDrwRZ9I/AAAAAAAAGMc/NvqfpuC0SqQ/s1600/Harefield-Hare-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572539397620983762" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-649MNPXuxcw/TVWjDrwRZ9I/AAAAAAAAGMc/NvqfpuC0SqQ/s320/Harefield-Hare-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The beautiful illustrations below are the work of illustrator Robin Bell Corfield. They are illustrating A Shropshire Lad book of poetry by AE Housman. I have another copy of A Shropshire Lad which has been illustrated in a completely different way by Agnes Miller Parker. You can see the post <a href="http://onepinkgoose.blogspot.com/search?q=A+Shropshire+Lad">here</a>. Robin Bell Corfield's artwork is beautifully spontaneous and fresh and shows the English countryside as it was and as we all hope it would be again. I love Housman's poetry although it is of a completely different era. Many find it too full of doom and despondency but I love the lyrical nature of it.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLrVSwsroB4/TVQ2XtiA2SI/AAAAAAAAGMU/ltBXuhx9pqo/s1600/A%2BShropshire%2BLad-5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 291px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572138419951294754" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLrVSwsroB4/TVQ2XtiA2SI/AAAAAAAAGMU/ltBXuhx9pqo/s320/A%2BShropshire%2BLad-5.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lDcgAOtRKKI/TVQ2S9QEWWI/AAAAAAAAGMM/_Mv_apiS8SI/s1600/A%2BShropshire%2BLad-6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 282px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572138338271648098" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lDcgAOtRKKI/TVQ2S9QEWWI/AAAAAAAAGMM/_Mv_apiS8SI/s320/A%2BShropshire%2BLad-6.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g6ysKmfgCPo/TVQ2M5zT4RI/AAAAAAAAGME/cJwMOoxENMo/s1600/A%2BShropshire%2BLad%2B3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572138234266509586" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g6ysKmfgCPo/TVQ2M5zT4RI/AAAAAAAAGME/cJwMOoxENMo/s320/A%2BShropshire%2BLad%2B3.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQzwjvtTsrA/TVQ2EiuxqiI/AAAAAAAAGL8/VYXeHGCXZ6A/s1600/A%2BShropshire%2BLad%2B1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572138090634521122" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQzwjvtTsrA/TVQ2EiuxqiI/AAAAAAAAGL8/VYXeHGCXZ6A/s320/A%2BShropshire%2BLad%2B1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eSW1dYMsgfA/TVQ11dYFxaI/AAAAAAAAGL0/edx0Cg1jTbM/s1600/A%2BShropshire%2BLad%2B-%2B2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572137831499154850" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eSW1dYMsgfA/TVQ11dYFxaI/AAAAAAAAGL0/edx0Cg1jTbM/s320/A%2BShropshire%2BLad%2B-%2B2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MpOkjnk8w8U/TVQ1qmOj_uI/AAAAAAAAGLs/VqwyGB_QEDk/s1600/A%2BShropshire%2BLad%2B4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572137644896550626" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MpOkjnk8w8U/TVQ1qmOj_uI/AAAAAAAAGLs/VqwyGB_QEDk/s320/A%2BShropshire%2BLad%2B4.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-88451094088197693822011-02-04T10:16:00.000-08:002011-02-10T10:14:13.408-08:00A Tiny Gallery And Some Great TVThere is some good news on the TV front at the moment - Time Team is back for another series. I have been watching this programme for 18 years and I love it still. Tony is definitely even more rotund and irritating but even he doesn't mar the great archaeology. Is there anyone in the country not watching My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding series? Compulsive and fascinating. I couldn't believe the girl who wore the wedding dress with the multiple battery packs and lights and which weighed 20 stone. Lastly a bit of spook in Marchlands. This series covers three time lines but is very well acted. No artwork next week then. I will be too busy watching the box...only joking!<br /><br />This is a digital piece called Black Bird In A Bright Garden<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TVBbNV7oKUI/AAAAAAAAGLk/aoCBIckH-Z8/s1600/Black-Bird-In-A-Bright-Garden.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 292px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571053023840971074" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TVBbNV7oKUI/AAAAAAAAGLk/aoCBIckH-Z8/s320/Black-Bird-In-A-Bright-Garden.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is an ink and watercolour I call "The Shieling". Those little coloured dashes took forever but I like the effect. It is a bit like running stitch embroidery.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TVBbH8SngrI/AAAAAAAAGLc/_oObUY_Edgg/s1600/The-Shieling-Ink-And-Watercolour.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 218px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571052931058729650" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TVBbH8SngrI/AAAAAAAAGLc/_oObUY_Edgg/s320/The-Shieling-Ink-And-Watercolour.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I visited a tiny little art and craft shop last week in the market town of Wendover. The shop was so tiny the three of us in there were almost a crowd but it was filled with delightful crafty goodness. I was amazed when the friendly owner Kate told me that she had made everything herself. There is such a variety and all very reasonably priced. If you click on the two photos you can see everything in more detail. Kate's friend Mary also showed us some of her exquisite textile work. I spent quite a while in there chatting to these two delightful and very talented ladies and will definitely return soon.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8YN1yJO9I/AAAAAAAAGLU/04KmNB3zHaE/s1600/Angel-Bill-Trading-Company-Shop-2.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570697890135358418" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8YN1yJO9I/AAAAAAAAGLU/04KmNB3zHaE/s320/Angel-Bill-Trading-Company-Shop-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8YItZKxOI/AAAAAAAAGLM/XGMzMsUDEQM/s1600/Angel-Bill-Trading-Company-Shop-1.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570697801983771874" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8YItZKxOI/AAAAAAAAGLM/XGMzMsUDEQM/s320/Angel-Bill-Trading-Company-Shop-1.jpg" border="0" /></a> I had only taken a small amount of cash with me so I wasn't able to purchase much but I did get the lovely hare card, an exquisite map heart and a tiny vintage Oxo tin. You can find Kate's website <a href="http://www.angelbill.co.uk/index.php">here</a> so pop over and pay her a visit.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8X-EFWpPI/AAAAAAAAGLE/imSfsXFdYKw/s1600/ABTC---My-Buys.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 306px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570697619096118514" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8X-EFWpPI/AAAAAAAAGLE/imSfsXFdYKw/s320/ABTC---My-Buys.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Two mysterious secret pools I discovered whilst out walking. I hope to incorporate the first one in a pen and ink drawing.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8XJoHwNAI/AAAAAAAAGK8/PO6a8HKymn4/s1600/Secret-Pool.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570696718236791810" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8XJoHwNAI/AAAAAAAAGK8/PO6a8HKymn4/s320/Secret-Pool.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8XE8pD7zI/AAAAAAAAGK0/AYrB6CF2vFI/s1600/Secret-Pool-2.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 274px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570696637845860146" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8XE8pD7zI/AAAAAAAAGK0/AYrB6CF2vFI/s320/Secret-Pool-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>For all lovers of mid-century textile design the name of Jacqueline Groag will be quite familiar. She was a Jewish emigre to Britain from Czechoslovakia at the time of WWII. She had previously lived and worked in Vienna with her architect husband. She produced some amazing and iconic designs for the next forty years. This lovely big book is full of her intricate and illustrative design style for furnishing and clothing fabrics. I have read it cover to cover but will definitely read it again.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8QsXBU5uI/AAAAAAAAGKs/4y1n0CmzL2A/s1600/Jacqueline-Groag-Book.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 310px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570689618360461026" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8QsXBU5uI/AAAAAAAAGKs/4y1n0CmzL2A/s320/Jacqueline-Groag-Book.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8QfBLjaEI/AAAAAAAAGKk/nkxeP6IRs2E/s1600/JG-Book-9.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 243px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570689389159475266" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8QfBLjaEI/AAAAAAAAGKk/nkxeP6IRs2E/s320/JG-Book-9.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8QU64-CEI/AAAAAAAAGKc/o64xKxnZ76s/s1600/JG-Book-2.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 307px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570689215672223810" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8QU64-CEI/AAAAAAAAGKc/o64xKxnZ76s/s320/JG-Book-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8QMuxaA7I/AAAAAAAAGKU/byTdkQMAkO4/s1600/JG-Book-3.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 269px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570689074980324274" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8QMuxaA7I/AAAAAAAAGKU/byTdkQMAkO4/s320/JG-Book-3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8QD07otNI/AAAAAAAAGKM/9UwLacEdyTQ/s1600/JG-Book-4.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 262px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570688922015020242" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8QD07otNI/AAAAAAAAGKM/9UwLacEdyTQ/s320/JG-Book-4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8P9o9NG-I/AAAAAAAAGKE/tHxXwpXuHIg/s1600/JG-Book-5.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 292px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570688815721159650" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8P9o9NG-I/AAAAAAAAGKE/tHxXwpXuHIg/s320/JG-Book-5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8P4PxO-aI/AAAAAAAAGJ8/WCEOo1QBnag/s1600/JG-Book-8.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 262px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570688723060717986" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8P4PxO-aI/AAAAAAAAGJ8/WCEOo1QBnag/s320/JG-Book-8.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I discovered a wonderful field full of old and gently decaying sunflowers recently. I find it quite fascinating to see the degradation that time, weather and the birds have wrought on their previous beauty. Very few of the flower heads have any seeds left which means they have provided sustenance for our feathered friends during the cold winter that we have had.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8OqSnkMII/AAAAAAAAGJ0/LAvMclTMJak/s1600/Sunflower-3-on-white.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570687383795675266" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8OqSnkMII/AAAAAAAAGJ0/LAvMclTMJak/s320/Sunflower-3-on-white.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8Olr1Cr4I/AAAAAAAAGJs/EJGK5-NOpIY/s1600/Sunflower-5a.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570687304663740290" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8Olr1Cr4I/AAAAAAAAGJs/EJGK5-NOpIY/s320/Sunflower-5a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8OfhXs5qI/AAAAAAAAGJk/xGIPFm3_Wj8/s1600/Sunflower-6-on-white.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 271px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570687198777108130" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8OfhXs5qI/AAAAAAAAGJk/xGIPFm3_Wj8/s320/Sunflower-6-on-white.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>and here are some plant heads put into PS filters. You may have to click to enlarge to see the detail properly.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8OFcnHL-I/AAAAAAAAGJc/3cDIfYXeL5A/s1600/Sunflower-6-filtered.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570686750822969314" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8OFcnHL-I/AAAAAAAAGJc/3cDIfYXeL5A/s320/Sunflower-6-filtered.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8N_K3dsWI/AAAAAAAAGJU/7cFzmPn4ZSg/s1600/Sunflower-6a-filtered.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 271px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570686642980499810" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8N_K3dsWI/AAAAAAAAGJU/7cFzmPn4ZSg/s320/Sunflower-6a-filtered.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8N3k8SoQI/AAAAAAAAGJM/X0_fmfdQggU/s1600/Sunflower-42-filtered.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 271px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570686512541114626" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TU8N3k8SoQI/AAAAAAAAGJM/X0_fmfdQggU/s320/Sunflower-42-filtered.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>I know where I will be going if I am lucky enough to come into some money. Helen Shere's silver jewellery is quite exquisite and she has a really delightful Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sheredesign?page=1">here</a>. Helen graduated in 2004 with a design degree and she now lives and works in Nottingham. Her work is very illustrative in nature and she is inspired by whimsical birds and animals and nature generally. If you go to her website <a href="http://www.sheredesign.co.uk/">here</a> you can see her different collections at the top.</div><br /><div>Bird In The Garden Rings<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUxZTmYpxlI/AAAAAAAAGIc/8Sbtg-ujoaE/s1600/Helen%2BShere%2B-%2BBird%2BIn%2BThe%2BGarden%2BRings.gif"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 270px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569925032406795858" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUxZTmYpxlI/AAAAAAAAGIc/8Sbtg-ujoaE/s320/Helen%2BShere%2B-%2BBird%2BIn%2BThe%2BGarden%2BRings.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Dunnock Brooch<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUxZMEefiLI/AAAAAAAAGIU/qkpyOA3njJg/s1600/Helen%2BShere%2B-Dunock%2BBrooch.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 318px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569924903045400754" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUxZMEefiLI/AAAAAAAAGIU/qkpyOA3njJg/s320/Helen%2BShere%2B-Dunock%2BBrooch.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Bird On The Tree<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUxZDYxW5FI/AAAAAAAAGIM/LY2kTnPdBn8/s1600/Helen%2BShere%2B-%2BBird%2Bon%2Bthe%2Btree.gif"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 202px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569924753874412626" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUxZDYxW5FI/AAAAAAAAGIM/LY2kTnPdBn8/s320/Helen%2BShere%2B-%2BBird%2Bon%2Bthe%2Btree.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The beautiful etchings below are the work of American artist Francis Kelly. He was born in Minnesota and studied art in various locations before coming to the UK to settle and work. He has studied and carried out painting conservation and restoration work and is the author of several books. His work has been shown at many galleries and museums. He has produced a wide variety of art including etchings and paintings of coastal scenes, landscapes, nudes, floral and his poster series. I definitely love his stunning landscape etchings of all his work though. You can see lots of his art on his very comprehensive website <a href="http://www.franciskelly.com/">here</a>.</div><br /><div>Willows<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUxSAGw9MTI/AAAAAAAAGIE/KXy_9rS-OS0/s1600/Francis%2BKelly-Willows.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 254px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569917000919888178" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUxSAGw9MTI/AAAAAAAAGIE/KXy_9rS-OS0/s320/Francis%2BKelly-Willows.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Field Gate<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUxR4CPFFbI/AAAAAAAAGH8/mxCt74zc02o/s1600/Francis%2BKelly-Field%2BGate.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 257px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569916862265103794" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUxR4CPFFbI/AAAAAAAAGH8/mxCt74zc02o/s320/Francis%2BKelly-Field%2BGate.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Old Oak<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUxRvOG_rVI/AAAAAAAAGH0/9dt1EXZCNOs/s1600/Francis%2BKelly-Old%2BOak.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 258px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569916710833597778" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUxRvOG_rVI/AAAAAAAAGH0/9dt1EXZCNOs/s320/Francis%2BKelly-Old%2BOak.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Country Lane<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUxRWSjlftI/AAAAAAAAGHs/Ur_KeE0jjwM/s1600/Francis%2BKelly-Country%2BLane.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 270px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569916282530528978" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUxRWSjlftI/AAAAAAAAGHs/Ur_KeE0jjwM/s320/Francis%2BKelly-Country%2BLane.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-67182964964081365122011-01-28T06:25:00.000-08:002011-01-31T11:05:11.200-08:00Animal Antics And Interesting Art And CraftI have had a very busy week this week and therefore haven't achieved as much as I would have liked. I start the week with grand plans and 80% of them come to nothing. At the end of the week I am quite glad to have achieved 20%. How our goals change when the circumstances alter.<br /><br />This is a delicate little pen and ink called Birds In A Strange Garden...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUcCxTPaUkI/AAAAAAAAGHg/9mjJ8xrwqdA/s1600/Birds-In-A-Strange-Garden.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568422510268666434" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUcCxTPaUkI/AAAAAAAAGHg/9mjJ8xrwqdA/s320/Birds-In-A-Strange-Garden.jpg" /></a> and here is a detail from it<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUcCrhYF_OI/AAAAAAAAGHY/BJ2GSQd67K8/s1600/Birds-In-A-Strange-Garden-detail.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568422410983963874" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUcCrhYF_OI/AAAAAAAAGHY/BJ2GSQd67K8/s320/Birds-In-A-Strange-Garden-detail.jpg" /></a> Some of you may remember me starting this scraperboard of Abby back in July <a href="http://onepinkgoose.blogspot.com/2010/07/next-blog-post-18-july.html">here</a>. I haven't made as much progress as I would have liked, but I am almost afraid to touch it for fear of ruining hours of work. I must get it finished though. It is a slow, painstaking process but I am sure I will get her finished...one day.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUcCkeBfhyI/AAAAAAAAGHQ/0es4HzimzoA/s1600/Scraperboard-Kitty-In-Progress.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568422289824778018" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUcCkeBfhyI/AAAAAAAAGHQ/0es4HzimzoA/s320/Scraperboard-Kitty-In-Progress.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I thought I would include this photo although it is not good due to the distance but we thought it was very amusing to see these horses all with their backs to the hedge as if they are getting ready to start a race. I do have another photo where another horse joins them in the same position. I suppose they must have had some protection from the biting wind.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUcB3lHgB_I/AAAAAAAAGHI/OwZrsjOfej0/s1600/Chartridge-Geocache-Walk-8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568421518634911730" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUcB3lHgB_I/AAAAAAAAGHI/OwZrsjOfej0/s320/Chartridge-Geocache-Walk-8.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Below is the work of English artist/printmaker Angela Harding. Her work is immensely popular and I have several greetings cards with her images on. Needless to say I don't send them to anyone. Angela is from the Midlands and is inspired by nature, flora and fauna. Birds are a recurring theme in her work and very beautifully stylised - always the best way. There is lots to see of Angela's work on her website <a href="http://www.angelaharding.co.uk/">here</a> and also on the Serena Hall Gallery site <a href="http://www.serenahallgallery.co.uk/page/angela-harding">here</a>.</div><br /><div>Black Bird And Berry Print<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUb5rWZihzI/AAAAAAAAGHA/F8nMBm9Cj_A/s1600/Angela-Harding---Black-Bird-And-Berry-Print.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568412512432588594" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUb5rWZihzI/AAAAAAAAGHA/F8nMBm9Cj_A/s320/Angela-Harding---Black-Bird-And-Berry-Print.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Hare, Field And Stream<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUb5k6n2-3I/AAAAAAAAGG4/XGm5FpWigEE/s1600/Angela-Harding---Hare%252C-Field-And-Stream.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568412401897241458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUb5k6n2-3I/AAAAAAAAGG4/XGm5FpWigEE/s320/Angela-Harding---Hare%252C-Field-And-Stream.jpg" /></a><br /><div>There is a local community book area near to where I live. People bring in books and magazines and volunteers sort them and shelve them and keep things tidy. It is actually housed in a covered yard area but gates are shut at night to prevent vandalism. The books and mags are dirt cheap but you can pick up some great old books sometimes. I found this early copy of Far From The Madding Crowd and was really taken by the cover. It only cost me 50p but I think it was worth it for this lovely Lola Fielding illustration. It looks like woodcut or maybe scraperboard as a lot of book illustrations are done on this medium. Anyway I have tidied it up a bit in Photoshop to take out most of the crease lines and I am quite pleased with the result.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUbyyV2LlGI/AAAAAAAAGGw/E02mjXBIRUs/s1600/Lola-Fielding-Illustration-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568404935961973858" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUbyyV2LlGI/AAAAAAAAGGw/E02mjXBIRUs/s320/Lola-Fielding-Illustration-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUbysdAJKeI/AAAAAAAAGGo/Xdnp3rVNdxc/s1600/Lola-Fielding-Illustration.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 203px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568404834803591650" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUbysdAJKeI/AAAAAAAAGGo/Xdnp3rVNdxc/s320/Lola-Fielding-Illustration.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Here are a few of the hundreds of sheep photos I have taken over the past few months. I cannot resist photographing sheep. There is just something about them that fascinates me.<br /><br />Below is a rather handsome Jacob I saw recently. A spot of sunshine works wonders.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUSCa0btvwI/AAAAAAAAGGg/1wVfgMEqNdI/s1600/Jacob-Sheep-19.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567718436599873282" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUSCa0btvwI/AAAAAAAAGGg/1wVfgMEqNdI/s320/Jacob-Sheep-19.jpg" /></a> This poor little lady looks like she has been involved in an explosion in a poo factory. I think this is the sort of fleece you get if you stand too close to a tractor revving in a very muddy field...hmm.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUSCVSzW74I/AAAAAAAAGGY/5iqLozQDHnw/s1600/Little-Mis-Sheep-5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567718341672890242" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUSCVSzW74I/AAAAAAAAGGY/5iqLozQDHnw/s320/Little-Mis-Sheep-5.jpg" /></a> This one is brave to stare. Mostly they turn and run when they see me approaching. I have more photos of sheeps' bottoms than anyone else in the country.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUSCMKBNzlI/AAAAAAAAGGQ/GcMAnIWMuss/s1600/Sheep-7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567718184696270418" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUSCMKBNzlI/AAAAAAAAGGQ/GcMAnIWMuss/s320/Sheep-7.jpg" /></a><br /><div>These gorgeous and cleverly detailed whimsical creatures are the creations of American jeweller and artist Robin Wade. She believes in recycling and repurposing as much as possible and uses silver, typewriter keys, buttons and all sorts to create her angels. I love their names and the titles she gives her pieces. You can find Robin's little angels, and other pieces, in her Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/robinwade">here</a> and also on her website <a href="http://robinwade.com/">here</a>, where she also displays her exquisitely painted little faces. A very talented lady.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUR3ZirPTZI/AAAAAAAAGGI/PsCTcWQs8LU/s1600/Howard%2BAnd%2BHis%2BHeart%2B-%2BRobin%2BWade.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 215px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567706320025374098" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUR3ZirPTZI/AAAAAAAAGGI/PsCTcWQs8LU/s320/Howard%2BAnd%2BHis%2BHeart%2B-%2BRobin%2BWade.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUR3NqlVHOI/AAAAAAAAGGA/YX3uaa-fOns/s1600/Heidi%2BAnd%2BHillary%2BHang%2BOn%2B-%2BRobin%2BWade.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567706115989642466" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUR3NqlVHOI/AAAAAAAAGGA/YX3uaa-fOns/s320/Heidi%2BAnd%2BHillary%2BHang%2BOn%2B-%2BRobin%2BWade.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUR3HRYNQ_I/AAAAAAAAGF4/fxQd2wZcYZw/s1600/Angel%2BHilary%2BIs%2BFull%2BOf%2BHope%2B-%2BRobin%2BWade.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567706006144500722" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUR3HRYNQ_I/AAAAAAAAGF4/fxQd2wZcYZw/s320/Angel%2BHilary%2BIs%2BFull%2BOf%2BHope%2B-%2BRobin%2BWade.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUR3C2zqgdI/AAAAAAAAGFw/ZfledSwnnmk/s1600/Angel%2BBethany%2BOpens%2BA%2BNew%2BDoor%2B-%2BRobin%2BWade.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567705930292429266" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TUR3C2zqgdI/AAAAAAAAGFw/ZfledSwnnmk/s320/Angel%2BBethany%2BOpens%2BA%2BNew%2BDoor%2B-%2BRobin%2BWade.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This was the scene I thought would make a lovely photo on our geocache walk last week....<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TURvDYrKwNI/AAAAAAAAGFo/NDDlcECmX5M/s1600/Chartridge-Geocache-Walk-17.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567697143290577106" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TURvDYrKwNI/AAAAAAAAGFo/NDDlcECmX5M/s320/Chartridge-Geocache-Walk-17.jpg" /></a> but who are these two and what on earth are they up to? Well we thought a cache might be hidden inside the footpath sign (they sometimes are), but the only way to get to it was double human height. Luckily no one happened to pass at the time or they may have been a bit of explaining to do. I didn't offer to look as I am not good with heights...haha and no, it was hidden in a totally different place.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TURu8wjpbgI/AAAAAAAAGFg/9N2Ly9zl8nw/s1600/Michael-And-Lesley---Chartridge-Geocache-Walk-16.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567697029442399746" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TURu8wjpbgI/AAAAAAAAGFg/9N2Ly9zl8nw/s320/Michael-And-Lesley---Chartridge-Geocache-Walk-16.jpg" /></a><br /><div>My eye was caught by these amazing patterns on the inside of bark and I had to stop for a photo. At first glance they looked a bit like tooled leather but on closer inspection they turned out to be the damage created by the elm bark beetles and the fungus spread by them which wrecked such havoc on British trees from the 1960's onwards. The sad thing is that this damage is recent. The elm bark beetle is still here and still destroying elm trees. When the trees reach a certain height they fall prey to the fungus spread by the beetles. There is lots of elm in the hedgerows of the countryside and it remains as long as it doesn't grow into a tree.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TURrwoXWpPI/AAAAAAAAGFY/vEkBKo_EcZE/s1600/Dutch-Elm-Disease-3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567693522550039794" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TURrwoXWpPI/AAAAAAAAGFY/vEkBKo_EcZE/s320/Dutch-Elm-Disease-3.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TURrrnbYE5I/AAAAAAAAGFQ/x_khMSrb93g/s1600/Dutch-Elm-Disease-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567693436399129490" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TURrrnbYE5I/AAAAAAAAGFQ/x_khMSrb93g/s320/Dutch-Elm-Disease-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Natalia Moroz is a wonderful printmaker with a well deserved international reputation. She has a fantastic sense of graphic style, line and colour. She studied graphic design and illustration in Uzbekistan but now resides in the USA. She has a lovely website <a href="http://www.nataliamoroz.com/">here</a> with a huge number of very varied artworks. She is married to another artist who also creates jewellery and has a young son who is a very competent linocut artist, so there are three websites in one to browse. You can find her Flickr site <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7779631@N03/">here</a> and her Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/WingedLion?ga_search_query=wingedlion&ga_search_type=seller_usernames">here</a> where she sells her and her son's prints and her husband's jewellery. What a creative family.</div><br /><div>Along The Bridges And Canals<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TULak-8zWMI/AAAAAAAAGFI/ZWwTquWyLGs/s1600/Natalia%2BMoroz%2B-%2BAlong%2BThe%2BBridges%2BAnd%2BCanals.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567252418291521730" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TULak-8zWMI/AAAAAAAAGFI/ZWwTquWyLGs/s320/Natalia%2BMoroz%2B-%2BAlong%2BThe%2BBridges%2BAnd%2BCanals.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Winter Branches<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TULactlRVBI/AAAAAAAAGFA/0bPBjQVGT9A/s1600/Natalia%2BMoroz%2B-%2BWinter%2BBranches.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567252276190467090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TULactlRVBI/AAAAAAAAGFA/0bPBjQVGT9A/s320/Natalia%2BMoroz%2B-%2BWinter%2BBranches.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Bird Catching<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TULaTsBFkzI/AAAAAAAAGE4/VUyYwHwcqWU/s1600/NataliaMoroz%2B-%2BBird%2BCatching.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 244px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567252121151443762" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TULaTsBFkzI/AAAAAAAAGE4/VUyYwHwcqWU/s320/NataliaMoroz%2B-%2BBird%2BCatching.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Eve<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TULaJbUac2I/AAAAAAAAGEw/HiQQ2sOSalM/s1600/NataliaMoroz%2B-%2BEve.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567251944870409058" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TULaJbUac2I/AAAAAAAAGEw/HiQQ2sOSalM/s320/NataliaMoroz%2B-%2BEve.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Scent Of Lilac<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TULZ_rVEQiI/AAAAAAAAGEo/uv4sJqFbyZQ/s1600/NataliaMoroz%2B-%2BScent%2BOf%2BLilac.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567251777369424418" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TULZ_rVEQiI/AAAAAAAAGEo/uv4sJqFbyZQ/s320/NataliaMoroz%2B-%2BScent%2BOf%2BLilac.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-46468911811655707512011-01-21T11:20:00.001-08:002011-01-24T12:23:21.814-08:00Umbellifer Tree And Rusty Barbed WireWe had a wonderful geocaching walk on Sunday, literally uphill and down dale again. One path was muddy, slippery and as near vertical as anything. I almost needed oxygen at the top but coming down would have been much worse. I took lots of beautiful pictures including the dinkiest empty bird's nest my brother discovered. I have been bemoaning the fact that all the nests are high up and difficult to photograph but this one was hidden in the middle of a tree and was quite low. I have a fascination for birds' nests. I just think their construction is totally amazing and if I could find more I would have lots of photos of them to show you. As it is there is just this one so I will show you it next week. I think I can feel a bird's nest drawing coming on....!<br /><br />This is a lovely song by the multi-talented Moya Brennan -<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui9GfsezhU4&feature=related">Tell Me Now What You See</a><br /><br />I knew all my multitude of umbellifer photos would come in useful as reference material. This is a very colourful version but it was fun to draw. This is a pen and ink drawing which has been digitally coloured. It is called The Farmer's Wife and she is wearing a paper hat which is my latest "thing".<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TT259nIO-GI/AAAAAAAAGEg/T-FqsSBH_wo/s1600/The-Farmer%2527s-Wife.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565809182626478178" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TT259nIO-GI/AAAAAAAAGEg/T-FqsSBH_wo/s320/The-Farmer%2527s-Wife.jpg" /></a> You can see the paper hat in more detail here.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TT25576tuEI/AAAAAAAAGEY/yw1mQeAdcCY/s1600/The-Farmer%2527s-Wife-Detail.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565809119487440962" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TT25576tuEI/AAAAAAAAGEY/yw1mQeAdcCY/s320/The-Farmer%2527s-Wife-Detail.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div>This little quirky drawing is called Protection.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TT24V-ssYZI/AAAAAAAAGEA/jXYMm1hpH_U/s1600/Protection.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565807402247020946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TT24V-ssYZI/AAAAAAAAGEA/jXYMm1hpH_U/s320/Protection.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><span style="color:#3333ff;">SAVE OUR FORESTS</span></div><br /><div>It recently came to the country's notice that the Government is planning on doing nasty things to our heritage behind our backs. They are planning to sell off our forests to the highest bidders. Once they have gone they will never return. We all need to help stop this from happening by signing this online petition asap. You can go here to sign: <a href="http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/save-our-forests#petition">Save Our Forests Petition</a></div><br /><div>Has anyone bought the new Making magazine? It has only recently started and although I have missed a couple of issues I will get it regularly from now on. It is about making crafty/arty things and the features are of a really good standard with excellent and interesting photography. They have interviews with crafters like Kaffe Fassett etc, and a Lust List of items we would all like to own. Worth having a browse when you are next in Smiths.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTwJKKttdYI/AAAAAAAAGDw/jataXV9hVqM/s1600/Making-Magazines.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565333309802509698" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTwJKKttdYI/AAAAAAAAGDw/jataXV9hVqM/s320/Making-Magazines.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTwJEdnDsNI/AAAAAAAAGDo/PP8i546_K9M/s1600/Making-Lust-List.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565333211795665106" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTwJEdnDsNI/AAAAAAAAGDo/PP8i546_K9M/s320/Making-Lust-List.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTwI-fZVY0I/AAAAAAAAGDg/_meAHth2eEQ/s1600/Making-Magazine-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565333109195760450" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTwI-fZVY0I/AAAAAAAAGDg/_meAHth2eEQ/s320/Making-Magazine-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTwI3RU3daI/AAAAAAAAGDY/8pfO6CBtuCQ/s1600/Making-Magazine-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565332985159841186" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTwI3RU3daI/AAAAAAAAGDY/8pfO6CBtuCQ/s320/Making-Magazine-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTwIwPyAFwI/AAAAAAAAGDQ/DADyjQp8KaM/s1600/Making-Magazine-3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565332864486086402" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTwIwPyAFwI/AAAAAAAAGDQ/DADyjQp8KaM/s320/Making-Magazine-3.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I am sure I am not the only one who loves old tangled, rusty barbed wire on bleached wooden fence posts. I find the textures of the old wood and the colours of the rusty wire irresistible. I must admit I have a small but growing collection of such things. It has to be rusty. New wire is not interesting in the least. It is the altered and decaying aspect of it that I am interested in. Nutty I know!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTtBr3nddMI/AAAAAAAAGDI/_MWOKKaWaoA/s1600/Tangled-Barbed-Wire.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 277px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565113986466018498" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTtBr3nddMI/AAAAAAAAGDI/_MWOKKaWaoA/s320/Tangled-Barbed-Wire.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTtBloRgDhI/AAAAAAAAGDA/Mvq49yBGOsA/s1600/Rusty-Barbed-Wire-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565113879268167186" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTtBloRgDhI/AAAAAAAAGDA/Mvq49yBGOsA/s320/Rusty-Barbed-Wire-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>If you admire unique jewellery you will love Sara Lloyd-Morris's work. She has wonderful hares and other themed jewellery. I absolutely adore this seaweed necklace with a beautiful starfish tucked into it. Sara lives and works in Wales and has been a jeweller for very many years. She has a great website <a href="http://www.saralloyd-morris.co.uk/index.html">here</a>. If you look under the jewellery themes you will find the hares.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTtAFCsPFXI/AAAAAAAAGC4/Rv_-NjaBl_Q/s1600/Sara%2BLloyd%2BMorris%2B1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 187px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565112219912312178" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTtAFCsPFXI/AAAAAAAAGC4/Rv_-NjaBl_Q/s320/Sara%2BLloyd%2BMorris%2B1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTs_83QCYuI/AAAAAAAAGCw/A3jkZr9dRCc/s1600/Sara%2BLloyd%2BMorris%2B2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565112079402296034" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTs_83QCYuI/AAAAAAAAGCw/A3jkZr9dRCc/s320/Sara%2BLloyd%2BMorris%2B2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I found a lovely churchyard angel on a walk recently. I suppose technically she isn't an angel because she is wingless but she looks like one to me anyway. It never ceases to amaze me that such beautiful sculptures reside in our churchyards. This young girl's face is so sad and poignant it makes you wonder who was the model and if she had lost someone dear to her or whether the sculptor just used his imagination. I am using the photo below on my desktop at the moment.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTs8tvh_Y4I/AAAAAAAAGCo/ExRSifh0Bew/s1600/Churchyard-Angel.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565108521097192322" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTs8tvh_Y4I/AAAAAAAAGCo/ExRSifh0Bew/s320/Churchyard-Angel.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTs8p6aIIfI/AAAAAAAAGCg/i00WpsmceRo/s1600/Churchyard-Angel-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565108455297524210" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTs8p6aIIfI/AAAAAAAAGCg/i00WpsmceRo/s320/Churchyard-Angel-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTs8k2YI6uI/AAAAAAAAGCY/cUUfYLD6Kuk/s1600/Churchyard-Angel-3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565108368316099298" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTs8k2YI6uI/AAAAAAAAGCY/cUUfYLD6Kuk/s320/Churchyard-Angel-3.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I think this mixed media piece by Rachel Ricketts is really sweet. It is called Fraser 3. You can see more of her sculptural work <a href="http://www.fountainfineart.com/artists/thumbnails/artist_thumbs.php?supplier_id=18">here</a> at FountainFineArt. If you click on the archive at the bottom of the page it will take you to some past work.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTnrSLYA1PI/AAAAAAAAGCQ/bHgdi9_rSsc/s1600/Rachel%2BRicketts%2B-%2BFraser%2B3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564737512116638962" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTnrSLYA1PI/AAAAAAAAGCQ/bHgdi9_rSsc/s320/Rachel%2BRicketts%2B-%2BFraser%2B3.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This is one of the nicest chicken linocuts I have seen. It is called Sophie's Chickens and is by the artist/printmaker Jenny Crocker.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTnp9WhDRqI/AAAAAAAAGCI/Msq7LwYYhhE/s1600/Jenny%2BCrocker-Sophie%2527s%2BChickens.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564736054818457250" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTnp9WhDRqI/AAAAAAAAGCI/Msq7LwYYhhE/s320/Jenny%2BCrocker-Sophie%2527s%2BChickens.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>Jiri Borsky was born in Czechoslovakia and then studied in Prague. He eventually emigrated to England and now works full time as an artist and exhibits widely. He has been inspired by European medieval painters and his work definitely has a reminiscent stylised look. I love the amazing texture he employs in his work. He has a very comprehensive website <a href="http://www.borsky.com/">here</a> with lots to browse.</div><br /><div>Fruit Picking<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTne4MzG8_I/AAAAAAAAGB4/54sLAxaFjjI/s1600/Jiri%2BBorsky%2B-Fruit%2BPicking.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 221px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564723871682589682" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTne4MzG8_I/AAAAAAAAGB4/54sLAxaFjjI/s320/Jiri%2BBorsky%2B-Fruit%2BPicking.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Modern Art Lovers<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTnetfbsg4I/AAAAAAAAGBw/kHYrhY2uv34/s1600/Jiri%2BBorsky%2B-Modern%2BArt%2BLovers.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 209px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564723687706100610" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTnetfbsg4I/AAAAAAAAGBw/kHYrhY2uv34/s320/Jiri%2BBorsky%2B-Modern%2BArt%2BLovers.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Harbour Lovers<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTnej0KkEtI/AAAAAAAAGBo/l2mxkz-msUA/s1600/Jiri%2BBorsky%2B-%2BHarbour%2BLovers.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564723521472697042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTnej0KkEtI/AAAAAAAAGBo/l2mxkz-msUA/s320/Jiri%2BBorsky%2B-%2BHarbour%2BLovers.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Winter<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTnePc2wvyI/AAAAAAAAGBg/YyHJYFkMAgw/s1600/Jiri%2BBorsky%2B-Winter.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564723171618242338" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTnePc2wvyI/AAAAAAAAGBg/YyHJYFkMAgw/s320/Jiri%2BBorsky%2B-Winter.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Hair Wash<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTndt4zQk-I/AAAAAAAAGBY/m9RrQ2yskyM/s1600/Jiri%2BBorsky%2B-Hair%2BWash.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564722595004191714" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTndt4zQk-I/AAAAAAAAGBY/m9RrQ2yskyM/s320/Jiri%2BBorsky%2B-Hair%2BWash.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-31009310094121901382011-01-12T10:26:00.000-08:002011-01-16T13:35:12.344-08:00Back to Drypoint EtchingIs anyone else amazed that we are halfway through January already? Scary!<br /><br />I haven't done a collage for ages and I had two cute pen and ink birds that did not like the background I put them into one little bit. I decided to cut them out and give them one more suited to their quirkiness. I think they much prefer being on this boat and sailing off into the sunset together.<br /><br />If you cannot read the text the top one says: from quiet homes and first beginning, out to the undiscovered ends, there's nothing worth the wear of winning, but laughter and the love of friends. The banner on the boat reads: the wing of friendship never moults a feather.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTNfdB9XNFI/AAAAAAAAGBI/37qUMkhiT_c/s1600/Friendship-Collage.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 232px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562894917079348306" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTNfdB9XNFI/AAAAAAAAGBI/37qUMkhiT_c/s320/Friendship-Collage.jpg" border="0" /></a>I decided to pull the wraps off my etching press at long last and produce some drypoints. It is a very addictive process with some good and some not so good results. I have the same problems with inking that I have with linocuts. The actual etching is easy by comparison. The bird carrying heart is on copper and the others are on perspex. A lot of people don't like hand coloured drypoints but I really like the effect. I have lots of ideas for new drypoints so there are more to come.<br /><br />The Sun At My Back Drypoint<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTNfP0MN3VI/AAAAAAAAGBA/l9whlmY0htc/s1600/The-Sun-At-My-Back-Etching.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 215px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562894690045254994" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTNfP0MN3VI/AAAAAAAAGBA/l9whlmY0htc/s320/The-Sun-At-My-Back-Etching.jpg" border="0" /></a>Bird Carrying Heart drypoint etching<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTNfJstc_xI/AAAAAAAAGA4/zujso_OAd9Y/s1600/Bird-Carrying-Heart-Etching.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 217px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562894584957959954" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTNfJstc_xI/AAAAAAAAGA4/zujso_OAd9Y/s320/Bird-Carrying-Heart-Etching.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>White Goose Etching<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTNfBJ3XvTI/AAAAAAAAGAw/6hdL-Pn07fA/s1600/White-Goose-Etching.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 231px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562894438165364018" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTNfBJ3XvTI/AAAAAAAAGAw/6hdL-Pn07fA/s320/White-Goose-Etching.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I found an interesting site on the internet dated from 2009 about printmaking at the Sidney Nolan Trust. A group of artists got together with the public and made some huge prints which they printed using a steamroller. You can see the gallery photos <a href="http://www.sidneynolantrust.org.uk/SteamrollerPrints.htm">here</a>. Below is a wonderful print by Pam Whitehead, one of the participating artists, in which she repeats the block - absolutely gorgeous work. This would be a real talking point given prime position in someone's sitting room.</div><br /><div>Pam Whitehead - Birds In Motion<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTNWj_eIcfI/AAAAAAAAGAg/dmYICwV4n18/s1600/Pam%2BWhitehead%2B-%2BBirds%2BIn%2BMotion.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 169px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562885141065921010" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTNWj_eIcfI/AAAAAAAAGAg/dmYICwV4n18/s320/Pam%2BWhitehead%2B-%2BBirds%2BIn%2BMotion.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>These lovely illustrative bird ceramics are by artist Emily Jones. I love her whimsical depictions and the colours she uses. You can see other work by Emily on her website <a href="http://www.emilyjoneschina.co.uk/gallery.php">here</a>. Apparently many years ago she used to be the "Nimble" girl in the adverts about Nimble bread. I remember those...!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTNVYhTqUqI/AAAAAAAAGAY/3rr5_B6k_2U/s1600/Emily-Jones-Ceramic-2.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 290px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562883844478751394" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTNVYhTqUqI/AAAAAAAAGAY/3rr5_B6k_2U/s320/Emily-Jones-Ceramic-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTNVSvVICLI/AAAAAAAAGAQ/PtqKG62jKw0/s1600/Emily-Jones-Ceramic.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 252px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562883745163774130" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTNVSvVICLI/AAAAAAAAGAQ/PtqKG62jKw0/s320/Emily-Jones-Ceramic.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We had a wonderful geocaching walk last weekend. The weather was very cold but the skies brilliantly clear. Great weather for photography. The set of photos below shows our walk as we progressed through the day to the semi darkness when we completed it. It was extremely tiring as all hills and dales, the hills being higher than the dales were deep for some strange reason. No I cannot understand it either. The last photo shows the muddy fields post snow and rain. No we didn't go through those particular fields but we did manage to find ones equally claggy. My poor boots will never recover. Plenty of sheep around but none in distress this time I am relieved to say.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTMFeSdTDuI/AAAAAAAAGAI/E5v3YLgMHzg/s1600/Walk-7.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 254px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562795982641630946" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTMFeSdTDuI/AAAAAAAAGAI/E5v3YLgMHzg/s320/Walk-7.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTMFakxi4-I/AAAAAAAAGAA/Ov-cA3VYcew/s1600/Walk-6.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562795918838916066" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTMFakxi4-I/AAAAAAAAGAA/Ov-cA3VYcew/s320/Walk-6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTMFWfCJBPI/AAAAAAAAF_4/PINkZW0Eva0/s1600/Walk-4.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562795848578434290" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTMFWfCJBPI/AAAAAAAAF_4/PINkZW0Eva0/s320/Walk-4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTMFSDhWNcI/AAAAAAAAF_w/Bv1cKRozGqY/s1600/Walk-3.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562795772473652674" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTMFSDhWNcI/AAAAAAAAF_w/Bv1cKRozGqY/s320/Walk-3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTMFO47OKnI/AAAAAAAAF_o/9ZPXJXKqwqc/s1600/Walk-2.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562795718089779826" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTMFO47OKnI/AAAAAAAAF_o/9ZPXJXKqwqc/s320/Walk-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTMFK0zH9TI/AAAAAAAAF_g/Mk9oKtqgbaU/s1600/Walk-1.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562795648262599986" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTMFK0zH9TI/AAAAAAAAF_g/Mk9oKtqgbaU/s320/Walk-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I found a wonderful book on Art Quilts during one of my London forays in the old year. It is compliled by Lark Books and is crammed full of the most amazing pictorial quilts. Every one of them is award worthy but the four below are among my uber favourites. The art of the quilt maker is akin to painting with fabric and often with as much detail. The only thing that would be better would be to see them in person to appreciate the textures and the stitching - gorgeous.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTBoOSdzGjI/AAAAAAAAF_Y/nyTPsH2_T1w/s1600/Art-Quilts-Book.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 318px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562060134486841906" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTBoOSdzGjI/AAAAAAAAF_Y/nyTPsH2_T1w/s320/Art-Quilts-Book.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Gabrielle Paquin - Scarlet Ibis Quilt<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTBoEJfB48I/AAAAAAAAF_Q/kZ_xRb4_bQo/s1600/Gabrielle-Paquin---Scarlet-Ibis-Quilt.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 239px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562059960277394370" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTBoEJfB48I/AAAAAAAAF_Q/kZ_xRb4_bQo/s320/Gabrielle-Paquin---Scarlet-Ibis-Quilt.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Jan Swearington - The Sea Dream Quilt<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTBn4rEbiqI/AAAAAAAAF_I/YJkUGsNdoOY/s1600/Jen-Swearington---The-Sea-Dream-Quilt.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 318px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562059763134204578" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTBn4rEbiqI/AAAAAAAAF_I/YJkUGsNdoOY/s320/Jen-Swearington---The-Sea-Dream-Quilt.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Betty Busby - Silverlight<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTBnvVjdloI/AAAAAAAAF_A/y0qTfrX7E7c/s1600/Betty-Busby--Silverlight.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 272px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562059602739959426" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTBnvVjdloI/AAAAAAAAF_A/y0qTfrX7E7c/s320/Betty-Busby--Silverlight.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Nancy B Dickey - Windswept<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTBngh2KqII/AAAAAAAAF-4/2IbOA7F-bG0/s1600/Nancy-B-Dickey---Windswept-Quilt.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 314px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562059348341598338" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TTBngh2KqII/AAAAAAAAF-4/2IbOA7F-bG0/s320/Nancy-B-Dickey---Windswept-Quilt.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I love Michael Kidd's painting for several reasons; they are exquisitely designed and detailed, they have a lovely, fresh and modern appearance and they are intensely colourful. He uses realism but with a big chunk of stylisation and it gives the appearance that the places are not quite of this world. They are too perfect to be on planet Earth. I really enjoy that effect. Michael is a British artist who was born in London and studied in the late 60s. He has turned his hand to many things but came back to painting in the early 80s. You can find more of his intriguing work on his website <a href="http://michaelkidd.net/index.htm">here</a> and also more if you enter his name into a search engine.</div><br /><div>Chateau Latour, Bordeaux<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TS31B3IELOI/AAAAAAAAF-w/h8DIfr3r7Ww/s1600/Michael%2BKidd-Chateau%2BLatour%252C%2BBordeaux.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 254px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561370527198883042" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TS31B3IELOI/AAAAAAAAF-w/h8DIfr3r7Ww/s320/Michael%2BKidd-Chateau%2BLatour%252C%2BBordeaux.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Garden Of Silly Hats<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TS303D1uXoI/AAAAAAAAF-o/KaK_WwarjEY/s1600/Michael%2BKidd-Garden%2BOf%2BSilly%2BHats.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 245px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561370341633056386" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TS303D1uXoI/AAAAAAAAF-o/KaK_WwarjEY/s320/Michael%2BKidd-Garden%2BOf%2BSilly%2BHats.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Autumn, Chateau Pichon<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TS30ucW-5yI/AAAAAAAAF-g/K8wMTXXU6kM/s1600/Michael%2BKidd%2B-%2BAutumn%252C%2BChateau%2BPichon.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 248px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561370193596180258" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TS30ucW-5yI/AAAAAAAAF-g/K8wMTXXU6kM/s320/Michael%2BKidd%2B-%2BAutumn%252C%2BChateau%2BPichon.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>White Garden, Sissinghurst<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TS30ii7FpAI/AAAAAAAAF-Y/NvHn_GiwTzY/s1600/Michael%2BKidd-White%2BGarden%252C%2BSissinghurst.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 264px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561369989199799298" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TS30ii7FpAI/AAAAAAAAF-Y/NvHn_GiwTzY/s320/Michael%2BKidd-White%2BGarden%252C%2BSissinghurst.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-50975875615356915272011-01-06T11:48:00.001-08:002011-01-09T12:08:34.972-08:00Sketchbook Project Completed (At Last)Sorry about the length of this post but I was too busy to blog last week so this is a bit of a combination. We have emerged from our Christmas snow now but I think we may still get some more before the end of winter. I cannot believe we have reached the second decade of 2000. Where has the past ten years gone? It passed in the blink of an eye. Anyway I hope you all had a great Christmas and are brimming over with creativity and inspiration for 2011.<br /><br />I have not had a lot of time for art recently but I did manage to do the image below in ink and watercolour. I will probably do another version as I am not too pleased with how the trees have turned out.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoQrnE9j3I/AAAAAAAAF-Q/w_1yFCyygrU/s1600/The-Sun-Always-Shines-3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560275031352512370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoQrnE9j3I/AAAAAAAAF-Q/w_1yFCyygrU/s320/The-Sun-Always-Shines-3.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Finally, after months of drawing I have completed my moleskine for the Sketchbook Project. Below is the painted front cover just waiting for the title and my name to be put in and then I can post it off to Brooklyn. My theme was "If you lived here" and while some of my drawings have only been loosely related to this, I have enjoyed them all. I am glad to have finished it though as it has taken a huge amount of my time. I have completed thirty four in all. A lot of my "sketches" are actually quite detailed because I don't do sketches. For anyone who hasn't finished their books yet, I have read on the website that you should post them off by the 15th of this month anyway.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoOSDma-4I/AAAAAAAAF-I/Uha9LOHFG2w/s1600/Sketchbook-Project-Front-Cover.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 198px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560272393309191042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoOSDma-4I/AAAAAAAAF-I/Uha9LOHFG2w/s320/Sketchbook-Project-Front-Cover.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoNJy2h3rI/AAAAAAAAF-A/GVwBf6mDxGo/s1600/Sketchbook%2BProject%2B17.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560271151862767282" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoNJy2h3rI/AAAAAAAAF-A/GVwBf6mDxGo/s320/Sketchbook%2BProject%2B17.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoNEAjbZMI/AAAAAAAAF94/CTLF7FKsAyc/s1600/Sketchbook%2BProject%2B%2B21.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560271052461532354" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoNEAjbZMI/AAAAAAAAF94/CTLF7FKsAyc/s320/Sketchbook%2BProject%2B%2B21.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoM7FEqfWI/AAAAAAAAF9w/v8ebRCKdSqI/s1600/Sketchbook%2BProject%2B14.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 263px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560270899055852898" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoM7FEqfWI/AAAAAAAAF9w/v8ebRCKdSqI/s320/Sketchbook%2BProject%2B14.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoM1Dc5TJI/AAAAAAAAF9o/DvNfckHKyuY/s1600/Sketchbook%2BProject%2B%2B31.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560270795541400722" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoM1Dc5TJI/AAAAAAAAF9o/DvNfckHKyuY/s320/Sketchbook%2BProject%2B%2B31.jpg" /></a><br /><div>On Boxing Day we decided to do a bit of snowbound geocache maintaining our own caches. Once you have placed those little treasures you have to make sure they remain in good condition where they are supposed to be and there are log books for people to write their names in. On our return journey in the late afternoon we were alerted to a sheep in distress by a rather pathetic bleating. The photo below shows what we discovered.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoBYRHqu0I/AAAAAAAAF9g/vlsstwF7Rew/s1600/Sheep-Rescue-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560258206366350146" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoBYRHqu0I/AAAAAAAAF9g/vlsstwF7Rew/s320/Sheep-Rescue-1.jpg" /></a> A youngster with her (his) head firmly fixed in a very small section of wire fencing. Goodness knows what she was doing but then she was a sheep so probably enough said. She was a very friendly sheep who seemed to sense we were trying to help so she remained quiescent throughout the tricky operation. I was on this side of the fence holding her head still while the other two unwound the wire with a pair of tweezers. Not an easy thing to do either.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoBTZ-NkuI/AAAAAAAAF9Y/wuQ6sW_U5uU/s1600/Sheep-Rescue-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560258122843263714" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoBTZ-NkuI/AAAAAAAAF9Y/wuQ6sW_U5uU/s320/Sheep-Rescue-2.jpg" /></a> It took a good 10 minutes to achieve but finally she was free.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoBMvixM1I/AAAAAAAAF9Q/f4NC-LDKHfk/s1600/Sheep-Rescue-4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560258008374653778" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoBMvixM1I/AAAAAAAAF9Q/f4NC-LDKHfk/s320/Sheep-Rescue-4.jpg" /></a> A brief check over to see if she was wounded. Luckily she had only snagged her ear tag and caused a bit of bleeding; otherwise she was in good fettle.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoBE33Jn4I/AAAAAAAAF9I/ca8lU69SaSs/s1600/Sheep-Rescue-5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560257873168670594" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoBE33Jn4I/AAAAAAAAF9I/ca8lU69SaSs/s320/Sheep-Rescue-5.jpg" /></a><br />Off to freedom...<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoA_YrQoAI/AAAAAAAAF9A/wSjyfxvmDG4/s1600/Sheep-Rescue-6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 277px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560257778897952770" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoA_YrQoAI/AAAAAAAAF9A/wSjyfxvmDG4/s320/Sheep-Rescue-6.jpg" /></a><br />Here are a couple of shots of her colleagues who ignored her cries for help and carried on feeding.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoA6lNrWJI/AAAAAAAAF84/Fvme3GqTJxw/s1600/Sheep-Rescue-7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560257696364189842" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoA6lNrWJI/AAAAAAAAF84/Fvme3GqTJxw/s320/Sheep-Rescue-7.jpg" /></a><br />She needs to choose her grazing companions more carefully in future and we need to remember to take wire cutters with us on our next walk.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoA0DEuqaI/AAAAAAAAF8w/nPMCYgUVYE4/s1600/Sheep-Rescue-8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560257584120637858" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSoA0DEuqaI/AAAAAAAAF8w/nPMCYgUVYE4/s320/Sheep-Rescue-8.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I am a huge fan (along with everyone else) of Orla Kiely. She strikes me as always having her finger on the up to the minute design pulse. Her new book Pattern is a delight. Full of gorgeous images of her creations and lots of information about how she started out and how she gains inspiration for her work. I bought this book way back in October but have been saving it to savour when I had more time i.e. after I finished my sketchbook. That time is now and I am really enjoying it.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSn60rs9w2I/AAAAAAAAF8o/NqBOHlT5h-A/s1600/Orla-kiely-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 302px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560250997957051234" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSn60rs9w2I/AAAAAAAAF8o/NqBOHlT5h-A/s320/Orla-kiely-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSn6wFsKBUI/AAAAAAAAF8g/K9ScVUmoEe8/s1600/Orla-Kiely-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560250919033636162" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSn6wFsKBUI/AAAAAAAAF8g/K9ScVUmoEe8/s320/Orla-Kiely-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSn6rgYcK4I/AAAAAAAAF8Y/Aa-M0W2g-wE/s1600/Orla-kiely-5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560250840299350914" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSn6rgYcK4I/AAAAAAAAF8Y/Aa-M0W2g-wE/s320/Orla-kiely-5.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSn6j8roOVI/AAAAAAAAF8Q/pY1KelUqhPA/s1600/Orla-Kiely-4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560250710457071954" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSn6j8roOVI/AAAAAAAAF8Q/pY1KelUqhPA/s320/Orla-Kiely-4.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSn6bSxxeAI/AAAAAAAAF8I/mQ-2s__TU-0/s1600/Orla-kiely-3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560250561769601026" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSn6bSxxeAI/AAAAAAAAF8I/mQ-2s__TU-0/s320/Orla-kiely-3.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Mary Tempest is a artist with a wonderful sense of colour. All her paintings are full of vivid colour and life and contemporary style and if you need cheering up, a visit to her website <a href="http://www.marytempest.com/new-paintings--p1">here</a> will definitely fit the bill.</div><br /><div>Untitled<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSiu62CGpqI/AAAAAAAAF8A/CTaSCyXAp24/s1600/Mary%2BTempest-Untitled.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 304px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559886065948862114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSiu62CGpqI/AAAAAAAAF8A/CTaSCyXAp24/s320/Mary%2BTempest-Untitled.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Adam And Eve<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSiuaMEPMTI/AAAAAAAAF74/-N2Q4ZHqBxM/s1600/Mary%2BTempest-Adam%2Band%2BEve.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559885504927707442" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSiuaMEPMTI/AAAAAAAAF74/-N2Q4ZHqBxM/s320/Mary%2BTempest-Adam%2Band%2BEve.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The Kiss<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSiuRR2SSvI/AAAAAAAAF7w/-5ODedJZr4k/s1600/Mary%2BTempest-The%2BKiss.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 241px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559885351860980466" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSiuRR2SSvI/AAAAAAAAF7w/-5ODedJZr4k/s320/Mary%2BTempest-The%2BKiss.jpg" /></a><br /><div>A few photos from my recent folders. Mist is very atmospheric and really creates interesting photos. The three landscapes were all taken locally and below is a wonderful concoction of red berries and some dewy webs. I take much longer to walk anywhere when there are views like these to appreciate.</div><br /><div>Berries and Webs<br /></div><br /><div></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSite_UIzfI/AAAAAAAAF7o/KUt2ig63sNI/s1600/Berries-and-Spider%2527s-Web.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 285px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559884487892454898" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSite_UIzfI/AAAAAAAAF7o/KUt2ig63sNI/s320/Berries-and-Spider%2527s-Web.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Pink Sky<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSiqDm68lkI/AAAAAAAAF7g/sSskYd9QwPw/s1600/Pink-Sky.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559880718952994370" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSiqDm68lkI/AAAAAAAAF7g/sSskYd9QwPw/s320/Pink-Sky.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Misty Woodland<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSip5UEKJsI/AAAAAAAAF7Y/0OoPP6vEWpw/s1600/Misty-Woodland-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559880542092666562" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSip5UEKJsI/AAAAAAAAF7Y/0OoPP6vEWpw/s320/Misty-Woodland-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Misty Morning Sunlight<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSipq0WiXrI/AAAAAAAAF7Q/eetL7W47Rvk/s1600/Misty-Hues-Near-The-Castle.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559880293061648050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSipq0WiXrI/AAAAAAAAF7Q/eetL7W47Rvk/s320/Misty-Hues-Near-The-Castle.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Howard Phipps is an English artist who very well known for producing exquisite wood engravings. He draws the landscapes of Wiltshire and Dorset and produces amazing black and white artwork which is full of interest and detail. He has also illustrated books and produced his own. I have a book of his wood engravings and it is one of my favourites. You can find lots more images of his work <a href="http://www.rowleygallery.co.uk/Artist-Howard-Phipps.aspx">here</a> at the Rowley Gallery and also <a href="http://www.birchamgallery.co.uk/catalogue/artist/Howard:Phipps/">here</a> at Bircham Gallery. A Google search for his name will turn up more.</div><br /><div>Clearbury Ring From Homington Down<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSYhLRmkb4I/AAAAAAAAF7I/XJb_nagqjW4/s1600/HP%2BClearbury%2BRing%2Bfrom%2BHomington%2BDown.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559167267622907778" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSYhLRmkb4I/AAAAAAAAF7I/XJb_nagqjW4/s320/HP%2BClearbury%2BRing%2Bfrom%2BHomington%2BDown.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Win Green From Berwick Down<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSYhCsOZAYI/AAAAAAAAF7A/Sw3h_fmuB-Q/s1600/Howard%2BPhipps%2B-%2BWin%2BGreen%2BFrom%2BBerwick%2BDown.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559167120150430082" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSYhCsOZAYI/AAAAAAAAF7A/Sw3h_fmuB-Q/s320/Howard%2BPhipps%2B-%2BWin%2BGreen%2BFrom%2BBerwick%2BDown.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Ambling Hare<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSYg4xNteeI/AAAAAAAAF64/4c1SBuxVDTA/s1600/HP%2BAmbling%2BHare.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559166949691062754" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSYg4xNteeI/AAAAAAAAF64/4c1SBuxVDTA/s320/HP%2BAmbling%2BHare.jpg" /></a><br /><div>A Corner Of The Garden<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSYgqPv8JeI/AAAAAAAAF6w/zPEwnXDx6TA/s1600/HP%2BA%2BCorner%2Bof%2Bthe%2BGarden.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 313px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559166700189656546" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSYgqPv8JeI/AAAAAAAAF6w/zPEwnXDx6TA/s320/HP%2BA%2BCorner%2Bof%2Bthe%2BGarden.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Ox Drove In Winter<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSYgcjSwUiI/AAAAAAAAF6o/c15J_wSeFqo/s1600/Howard%2BPhipps%2B-%2BOx%2BDrove%2BIn%2BWinter.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559166464917787170" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TSYgcjSwUiI/AAAAAAAAF6o/c15J_wSeFqo/s320/Howard%2BPhipps%2B-%2BOx%2BDrove%2BIn%2BWinter.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-62666839891275832962010-12-16T12:14:00.000-08:002011-01-01T02:15:36.531-08:00Happy Christmas Everyone - Back on 9 January (still trying to complete my sketchbook)Well, we are ankle deep in snow if not knee deep...yet. We are being threatened with a lot more snow though and extremely cold temperatures. The temperature locally was -19.6C last night and that is very cold for the south-east of England. The country has drawn to full stop of course; what else would we expect. We don't do extremes of weather here. There may even be some left for Christmas Day which would be amazing.<br /><br />This is my last blog post until the New Year as I am getting very behind with my Sketchbook Project and have just had an email to say that they have to have a posting date of 15 January and that is not that far away now. I don't want to miss the boat after all my hard work.<br /><br />I enjoyed drawing this. I used an old image of my lovely cat Tiggy who is sadly no longer with us, but I changed his white bits around. The tree is quirky and a last minute addition but I like it. It looked a bit bare and needed an extra something and there is always a tree to fit in my world.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ_H4EqlbKI/AAAAAAAAF6c/r53f5jUfCII/s1600/Black-Cat-And-Tree.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 310px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552876631710067874" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ_H4EqlbKI/AAAAAAAAF6c/r53f5jUfCII/s320/Black-Cat-And-Tree.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This is UFO from way back. It wasn't working and I decided to leave it for a few months and then reconsider it. It turned out to be a lot longer than a few months and I am still not convinced by it. I think the boat is too pale and needs more work on it. Still, this is it for now.<br /></div><br /><div>The new title is The Hitchhiker<br /><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ_HaFahaII/AAAAAAAAF6U/XmpqBbdbTVY/s1600/The-Hitchhiker.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 230px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552876116515055746" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ_HaFahaII/AAAAAAAAF6U/XmpqBbdbTVY/s320/The-Hitchhiker.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Here is another drawing from my Sketchbook Project book. It is coming along but more slowly than I would like. I quite like this one. It will probably find its way to being a proper drawing eventually.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ_HFXuqlRI/AAAAAAAAF6M/Yk5pJxbjI64/s1600/Sketchbook-Project-Bird-House.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 195px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552875760654128402" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ_HFXuqlRI/AAAAAAAAF6M/Yk5pJxbjI64/s320/Sketchbook-Project-Bird-House.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I love these two Hildegard Van Heerden etchings. I really like her restrained palette and simplified, elegant forms.</div><br /><div>Beached<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ_AtCT3kfI/AAAAAAAAF6E/BJCjnieoAOk/s1600/HildegardVanHeerden-Beached.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 225px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552868745517961714" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ_AtCT3kfI/AAAAAAAAF6E/BJCjnieoAOk/s320/HildegardVanHeerden-Beached.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Pillow Talk<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ_AjnetTKI/AAAAAAAAF58/vORGbN78OBw/s1600/HildegardVanHeerden-PillowTalk.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 272px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552868583696845986" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ_AjnetTKI/AAAAAAAAF58/vORGbN78OBw/s320/HildegardVanHeerden-PillowTalk.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well, the unthinkable has happened again in the UK in these times of global warming. We have had snow. Heavy falls for the second year running. Very unusual, and of course, the country has fallen apart again. Still, it does produce some very pretty photos and a good excuse to post them.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ-8JV_3KJI/AAAAAAAAF50/NNpy2f5S-tk/s1600/Snowy-Lane-2.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552863734280956050" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ-8JV_3KJI/AAAAAAAAF50/NNpy2f5S-tk/s320/Snowy-Lane-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ-6e1JCQ5I/AAAAAAAAF5k/Ngl-_cQw7BU/s1600/Snowy-Day.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552861904394929042" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ-6e1JCQ5I/AAAAAAAAF5k/Ngl-_cQw7BU/s320/Snowy-Day.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ-6X7TyTKI/AAAAAAAAF5c/lgO6fjwwk80/s1600/Snowy-Woods.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552861785791548578" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ-6X7TyTKI/AAAAAAAAF5c/lgO6fjwwk80/s320/Snowy-Woods.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ-6Q-TpXDI/AAAAAAAAF5U/yMjKNpp5Vr0/s1600/Snowy-Farmland.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 237px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552861666337184818" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ-6Q-TpXDI/AAAAAAAAF5U/yMjKNpp5Vr0/s320/Snowy-Farmland.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ-6Iq2TKDI/AAAAAAAAF5M/QkFa_6Sn3YU/s1600/Snowy-Lane.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552861523674867762" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ-6Iq2TKDI/AAAAAAAAF5M/QkFa_6Sn3YU/s320/Snowy-Lane.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ-6A8vpWgI/AAAAAAAAF5E/5JDvnlSykmA/s1600/Snowy-Hillside.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552861391039846914" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ-6A8vpWgI/AAAAAAAAF5E/5JDvnlSykmA/s320/Snowy-Hillside.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ-55lXsxAI/AAAAAAAAF48/ITt9lAMQA2w/s1600/Snowy-Fields.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552861264506307586" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ-55lXsxAI/AAAAAAAAF48/ITt9lAMQA2w/s320/Snowy-Fields.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I found this gorgeous piece of vintage Javan batik at the K&SS. It was in a display by Diane and Jim Gaffney connected with natural dyes. It is 70 to 80 years old. It reminded me of a very detailed woodcut drawing, with lovely folky overtones.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ5lCCVo6GI/AAAAAAAAF40/gDTJ-sWDT7Y/s1600/Vintage%2BJavan%2BBatik.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552486476256176226" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ5lCCVo6GI/AAAAAAAAF40/gDTJ-sWDT7Y/s320/Vintage%2BJavan%2BBatik.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Selvedge is one of my favourite magazines. I was missing a few copies but since my last visit to the Knitting and Stitching Show in October, I now have the complete collection. Below is a little taster of them for those who are not familiar. It is basically a textile orientated mag but has articles on many associated topics. Absolutely love it as it has masses of inspiration and interviews with artists and crafters.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ5jYEYsoLI/AAAAAAAAF4s/ZS7MAU2iIR4/s1600/Selvedge-6.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 234px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552484655739740338" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ5jYEYsoLI/AAAAAAAAF4s/ZS7MAU2iIR4/s320/Selvedge-6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ5jLZpSL8I/AAAAAAAAF4k/HwyvmtEmJ9s/s1600/Selvedge-5.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 255px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552484438108155842" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ5jLZpSL8I/AAAAAAAAF4k/HwyvmtEmJ9s/s320/Selvedge-5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ5jFN11l6I/AAAAAAAAF4c/JVUg4Bm5OQM/s1600/Selvedge-3.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 283px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552484331860367266" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ5jFN11l6I/AAAAAAAAF4c/JVUg4Bm5OQM/s320/Selvedge-3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ5i_CaUUNI/AAAAAAAAF4U/QmMWTkTx0S4/s1600/Selvedge-4.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 262px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552484225712935122" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ5i_CaUUNI/AAAAAAAAF4U/QmMWTkTx0S4/s320/Selvedge-4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ5i37OTm_I/AAAAAAAAF4M/IvloBlZ4SZ0/s1600/Selvedge--2.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 267px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552484103524424690" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQ5i37OTm_I/AAAAAAAAF4M/IvloBlZ4SZ0/s320/Selvedge--2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I bet teatime is great fun at Mark Dally's house. He produces those gorgeous black and white graphic ceramics. He is a master of the quirky touch too. Go and have a look at his clocks on his website <a href="http://www.markdallyceramics.co.uk/Home.html">here</a>. They are really lovely. I have come across his work in the past at the wonderful Art In Clay at Hatfield and have always been amazed at his talent. I see in his profile he mentions being inspired by Ridgeways "Homemaker" range. I remember my aunt having that particular range and being intrigued myself by the illustrative quality. In those days they were sold in Woolworth for very little. Nowadays of course, with the great interest in mid-century design, they are quite collectable.</div><br /><div>Leggy Stencil Tap Top Teapot<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQp-KoOZs0I/AAAAAAAAF4E/wfAPwWV3d-0/s1600/Mark%2BDally%2B-%2BLeggy%2BStencil%2BTap%2BTop%2BTeapot.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 301px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551388211749172034" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQp-KoOZs0I/AAAAAAAAF4E/wfAPwWV3d-0/s320/Mark%2BDally%2B-%2BLeggy%2BStencil%2BTap%2BTop%2BTeapot.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Calligraphy Teapot<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQp-ClnaY3I/AAAAAAAAF38/ja9FU6_ku7w/s1600/Mark%2BDally%2B-%2BCalligraphy%2BTeapot.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 267px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551388073609814898" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQp-ClnaY3I/AAAAAAAAF38/ja9FU6_ku7w/s320/Mark%2BDally%2B-%2BCalligraphy%2BTeapot.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The beautiful artwork below is by printmaker Judy Attwood. Judy was born in England but now lives in Greece where she is inspired by the rhythms of the natural world to produce her lovely and detailed etchings. Her swimming duck is my favourite but you can find more of her work on the following sites: PaintingsILove <a href="http://www.paintingsilove.com/artist/judyattwood">here</a>, ArtSlant <a href="http://www.artslant.com/ny/artists/show/49589-judy-attwood?tab=PROFILE">here</a>, The Gallery Workshop <a href="http://www.thegalleryworkshop.com/gallery_256256.html">here</a> and Painters Online <a href="http://www.painters-online.co.uk/gallery/album.asp?id=3087">here</a>. </div><br /><div>Goose<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQp4PMNvG2I/AAAAAAAAF30/Tmp8NNCg1Kw/s1600/Judy-Attwood---Goose.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551381693059767138" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQp4PMNvG2I/AAAAAAAAF30/Tmp8NNCg1Kw/s320/Judy-Attwood---Goose.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Flower At Dafni<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQp4GU2t2DI/AAAAAAAAF3s/k1yn4jjj9xg/s1600/Judy-Attwood---Flower-At-Dafni.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 232px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551381540760311858" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQp4GU2t2DI/AAAAAAAAF3s/k1yn4jjj9xg/s320/Judy-Attwood---Flower-At-Dafni.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Lemon Tree<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQp397l5DqI/AAAAAAAAF3k/BjNaJi3p71E/s1600/Judy-Attwood---Lemon-Tree.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 223px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551381396539903650" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQp397l5DqI/AAAAAAAAF3k/BjNaJi3p71E/s320/Judy-Attwood---Lemon-Tree.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Swimming Duck<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQp31CIkyaI/AAAAAAAAF3c/ypvWrs4k7Fw/s1600/Judy-Attwood---Swimming-Duck.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551381243677165986" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQp31CIkyaI/AAAAAAAAF3c/ypvWrs4k7Fw/s320/Judy-Attwood---Swimming-Duck.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-48646437756013487592010-12-08T07:59:00.001-08:002010-12-13T15:40:16.502-08:00Christmas Images And A Very Odd TreeWell, Christmas is very nearly upon us. I still have my own cards to write out and send but I think everything else is done. I cannot believe that we are nearly into 2011. Where did the past ten years go? I hope all your arrangements and celebrations are going according to plan. I will probably do one more blog post and then rest until the New Year in order to recharge my blogging (or is that flagging) batteries.<br /><br />This is a digital drawing using a favourite colour combination pink and pale green. Not your typical winter scene but I like it. The basis of it is another drawing in my sketchbook project book that I scanned into photoshop and coloured, although the trees are pen and ink. That sketchbook project is proving very useful in providing me with artwork for my blog.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQaqWxFmFcI/AAAAAAAAF3U/S5RL5GKookI/s1600/Sketchbook-House-%2528Snow%2529.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550310898891363778" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQaqWxFmFcI/AAAAAAAAF3U/S5RL5GKookI/s320/Sketchbook-House-%2528Snow%2529.jpg" /></a> and this version is for when Christmas is over<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQaqSkI37LI/AAAAAAAAF3M/0aGneXnfcNM/s1600/Sketchbook-House.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550310826695978162" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQaqSkI37LI/AAAAAAAAF3M/0aGneXnfcNM/s320/Sketchbook-House.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>This is a quirky digital image that I concocted from another drawing in my sketchbook project. Took a while but I quite like the result.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQaprVfRLkI/AAAAAAAAF28/YPxn95GlFJg/s1600/Red-and-Black-Christmas-Bird-%2528Text%2529.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550310152748478018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQaprVfRLkI/AAAAAAAAF28/YPxn95GlFJg/s320/Red-and-Black-Christmas-Bird-%2528Text%2529.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I had to share this very strange old tree with you. I discovered it whilst out walking recently. The tree appears to be completely dead except for a large bush of leaves growing from two places. I have uploaded one of the leaf bushes but the other one is completely different. I don't really understand how this has come about but then I am no botanist.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQZwFlotcPI/AAAAAAAAF20/Ajr6ZXwyaIA/s1600/Strange-Tree%2B1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550246832085233906" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQZwFlotcPI/AAAAAAAAF20/Ajr6ZXwyaIA/s320/Strange-Tree%2B1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This view looks like a tree giant preparing to hurl a ball of leaves and twigs at someone.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQZv_c0A3RI/AAAAAAAAF2s/CemZUgVWXo0/s1600/Strange-Tree-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550246726637509906" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQZv_c0A3RI/AAAAAAAAF2s/CemZUgVWXo0/s320/Strange-Tree-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Here are another three great Christmas card designs that I found at the weekend. Christmas always brings out some lovely images, with birds being popular themes.</div><br /><div>Richard Barrett for Paper Rose<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQZt0rOf9PI/AAAAAAAAF2k/MLJmRsuBpTs/s1600/Richard-Barrett-for-Paper-Rose.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550244342504879346" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQZt0rOf9PI/AAAAAAAAF2k/MLJmRsuBpTs/s320/Richard-Barrett-for-Paper-Rose.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Emma Pack for Avocado Designs. Such a cute Christmas design. I love the birds.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQZsZrWzPNI/AAAAAAAAF2c/y8u3GxgglNA/s1600/Emma-Pack-for-Avocado-Designs.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550242779171601618" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQZsZrWzPNI/AAAAAAAAF2c/y8u3GxgglNA/s320/Emma-Pack-for-Avocado-Designs.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Agnieszka Jatkowska - Dove Over Bethlehem. Another lovely Ling card. Agnieszka has worked as an in house designer for them. You can see more of her lovely work on her website <a href="http://www.agnieszkajatkowska.com/">here</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQZqGv63e1I/AAAAAAAAF2U/VVQI9IQ2Jik/s1600/Agnieszka-Jatkowska--Dove-Over-Bethlehem.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550240254955846482" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQZqGv63e1I/AAAAAAAAF2U/VVQI9IQ2Jik/s320/Agnieszka-Jatkowska--Dove-Over-Bethlehem.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Many years ago I found a beautiful picture without any title or artist name and I pasted into one of my art inspiration scrapbooks. Every time since that I have looked at that image I have wondered who painted it and a little while ago, quite by chance, I found out. I happened to see the book below in a charity shop and thought ha...I will have to get that. It was whilst I was leafing through that I found my blue angel. They say that everything comes to she who waits.</div><br /><div>Cecil Collins died in 1989 but he left a wonderful catalogue of visionary and inspirational artwork which has been distributed to many galleries including the Tate in London. His images of archetypes such as angels, sybils and fools are intriguing and I think he had quite a naive, folk style although others would probably disagree. Anyway, I love what he did and I love this book which was published by Judith Collins to celebrate his retrospective at the Tate. There is now another book published which has for the cover the image at the bottom - The Great Happiness. I think I would like that one too...haha.</div><br /><div>Cecil Collins Book<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQVB0JBh2gI/AAAAAAAAF2M/G8pElzQsTJY/s1600/Cecil-Collins-Book.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549914479835339266" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQVB0JBh2gI/AAAAAAAAF2M/G8pElzQsTJY/s320/Cecil-Collins-Book.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Head Of An Angel<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQVBuUCcMzI/AAAAAAAAF2E/X_YYiKFYTM0/s1600/Cecil-Collins---Head-Of-An-Angel.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549914379712738098" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQVBuUCcMzI/AAAAAAAAF2E/X_YYiKFYTM0/s320/Cecil-Collins---Head-Of-An-Angel.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The Sleeping Fool<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQVBlz0SX2I/AAAAAAAAF18/5o9ZBy6ahEM/s1600/Cecil-Collins---The-Sleeping-Fool.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549914233624485730" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQVBlz0SX2I/AAAAAAAAF18/5o9ZBy6ahEM/s320/Cecil-Collins---The-Sleeping-Fool.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Bird Singing In A Tree<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQVBcfJZjlI/AAAAAAAAF10/W4-5J9owIjc/s1600/Cecil-Collins---Bird-Singing-In-A-Tree.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549914073457069650" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQVBcfJZjlI/AAAAAAAAF10/W4-5J9owIjc/s320/Cecil-Collins---Bird-Singing-In-A-Tree.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Hymn To Night<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQVBSvkrlyI/AAAAAAAAF1s/BEpT8BOGv-Q/s1600/Cecil-Collins---Hymn-To-Night.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549913906067773218" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQVBSvkrlyI/AAAAAAAAF1s/BEpT8BOGv-Q/s320/Cecil-Collins---Hymn-To-Night.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The Great Happiness<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQVBIXzOXDI/AAAAAAAAF1k/OqgwboOLKxA/s1600/Cecil-Collins---The-Great-Happiness.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549913727887629362" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQVBIXzOXDI/AAAAAAAAF1k/OqgwboOLKxA/s320/Cecil-Collins---The-Great-Happiness.jpg" /></a><br /><div>You can see by the proponderance of images containing those cold, white, spiky things that we have had frost after frost lately. So pretty to photograph but oh my fingers...! I had to put my gloves back on quickly or I swear I would have frostbitten digits. Not a good thing for artists, or anyone come to think of it. Sometimes the hoar frost lasted for several days and gave the trees such a wonderful, otherworldly appearance. I won't mention Narnia again.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEitk8DeuI/AAAAAAAAF1U/eUPIfnQr1Mo/s1600/Frosted-Winter-Berries.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548754382302182114" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEitk8DeuI/AAAAAAAAF1U/eUPIfnQr1Mo/s320/Frosted-Winter-Berries.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEilk9BeXI/AAAAAAAAF1M/t6Wy4yxXOaM/s1600/Frosted-Leaf.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 304px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548754244867291506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEilk9BeXI/AAAAAAAAF1M/t6Wy4yxXOaM/s320/Frosted-Leaf.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEia7iaerI/AAAAAAAAF1E/oAU2XmipsJw/s1600/Frosty-Red-Berries.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548754061951138482" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEia7iaerI/AAAAAAAAF1E/oAU2XmipsJw/s320/Frosty-Red-Berries.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEiItgp-cI/AAAAAAAAF08/YNxK1WCg3hc/s1600/Frosty-Snowberries.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 290px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548753748948023746" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEiItgp-cI/AAAAAAAAF08/YNxK1WCg3hc/s320/Frosty-Snowberries.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEh1VEmqVI/AAAAAAAAF00/2rUcZOy7Gcw/s1600/Frosted-Hawthornes-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 277px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548753415970400594" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEh1VEmqVI/AAAAAAAAF00/2rUcZOy7Gcw/s320/Frosted-Hawthornes-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEhn7ij7UI/AAAAAAAAF0s/7KlXqrHft9s/s1600/Frosted-Red-Rose.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548753185778429250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEhn7ij7UI/AAAAAAAAF0s/7KlXqrHft9s/s320/Frosted-Red-Rose.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>These delightfully whimsical creations are the work of American Etsy crafter Laura of Blue Terracotta. Laura lives in France with her family. My eye was taken by these textile bird brooches which she makes from decorator and vintage fabric remnants, but her shop is also full of other lovely mixed media pieces from recycled and found objects, soft sculptures and plushies. Definitely worth visiting. You can find her at her Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueTerracotta?ref=pr_shop">here</a> and also at her website <a href="http://blueterracotta.com/">here</a>.</div><br /><div>Fabric Bird Brooches<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEcm0Bsq3I/AAAAAAAAF0c/2PaIzLnjYvk/s1600/Blue%2BTerracotta%2B-%2BHandmade%2BFabric%2BBird%2BBrooch.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 306px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548747669023533938" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEcm0Bsq3I/AAAAAAAAF0c/2PaIzLnjYvk/s320/Blue%2BTerracotta%2B-%2BHandmade%2BFabric%2BBird%2BBrooch.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Textile Bird Brooch<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEce5hujCI/AAAAAAAAF0U/xBIy_3C1MTw/s1600/Blue%2BTerracotta%2B-%2BTextile%2BBird%2BBrooch.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548747533061098530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEce5hujCI/AAAAAAAAF0U/xBIy_3C1MTw/s320/Blue%2BTerracotta%2B-%2BTextile%2BBird%2BBrooch.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Egyptian Fabric Bird Brooches<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEbYCagHlI/AAAAAAAAF0M/1XpFUVgb2-U/s1600/Blue%2BTerracotta%2B-%2BHandmade%2BFabric%2BBird%2BBrooch%2B2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548746315675999826" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEbYCagHlI/AAAAAAAAF0M/1XpFUVgb2-U/s320/Blue%2BTerracotta%2B-%2BHandmade%2BFabric%2BBird%2BBrooch%2B2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Floral Linen Owl Pillows<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEbH9tCBXI/AAAAAAAAF0E/JrUyZOY5jt4/s1600/Blue%2BTerracotta%2B-%2BHandmade%2BFloral%2BLinen%2BOwl%2BPillow.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 217px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548746039533634930" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TQEbH9tCBXI/AAAAAAAAF0E/JrUyZOY5jt4/s320/Blue%2BTerracotta%2B-%2BHandmade%2BFloral%2BLinen%2BOwl%2BPillow.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The lovely paintings below are the work of very talented French artist Veronique Avon. She was originally from Provence but now lives in Herefordshire in England. Her very varied work shows a combination of scenes from both places. She has created work in traditional oils and also more whimsical images. You can find lots to look at on her website <a href="http://www.atelierveronique.co.uk/index2.htm">here</a>. I love the delicately painted angels below. They have a feel about them of the illustrations you would find in medieval books.</div><br /><div>Ange Gaucher<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TP_GJkySQBI/AAAAAAAAFz8/vmRiPzGqglg/s1600/Veronique-Avon---Ange-Gaucher.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 313px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548371133739450386" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TP_GJkySQBI/AAAAAAAAFz8/vmRiPzGqglg/s320/Veronique-Avon---Ange-Gaucher.jpg" /></a></div><div><div>Ange Drotier<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TP_F-_d3PeI/AAAAAAAAFz0/-tvhnHzZHFI/s1600/Veronique-Avon---Ange-Droitier.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 319px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548370951922990562" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TP_F-_d3PeI/AAAAAAAAFz0/-tvhnHzZHFI/s320/Veronique-Avon---Ange-Droitier.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-40175927315966913612010-12-04T09:56:00.000-08:002010-12-08T07:58:52.080-08:00K & S Show Part Two And Lovely Christmas CardsChristmas is drawing ever closer and we have had a reasonable fall of snow already. The temperatures have been bitter (for England anyway). We have had a brief respite over the weekend but further icy weather is forecast. I hope everyone is feeding the birds.<br /><br />I have always wanted to create a drawing with the title Ship Of Fools, and here it is. It is a pen and ink drawing with a digitally coloured background. Yes, I know it is more like a shallow boat than a ship, but that is artistic licence for you. I rarely draw men and I know they are a bit effeminate looking but they are men. Perhaps I need to square off the jawline a little...!<br /><br />Ship Of Fools<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TP-o07HBhwI/AAAAAAAAFzs/jpUuKwgS5r4/s1600/Ship%2BOf%2BFools%2B2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548338893117556482" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TP-o07HBhwI/AAAAAAAAFzs/jpUuKwgS5r4/s320/Ship%2BOf%2BFools%2B2.JPG" /></a><br /><div>The latest offering from my sketchbook project. I bet you are wondering how I will weave in the words "if you lived here". I really like this image and I will probably do it as a "proper" drawing soon. It is the last word in quirkiness.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPuoA0FL7uI/AAAAAAAAFzc/AjwwlrzS9w4/s1600/Latest-Sketchbook-Image.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 206px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547212097970761442" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPuoA0FL7uI/AAAAAAAAFzc/AjwwlrzS9w4/s320/Latest-Sketchbook-Image.jpg" /></a><br /><div>It was a really cold and wet day when I decided to drive over to my favourite local art and craft gallery. They have a great Winter Show which I always enjoy visiting and what better way to take your miind off the inclement weather. I found masses of lovely things I would like to have bought but I contented myself with two lovely painted plaster angels. They have several different styles of dresses and postures but these two appealed to me the most.</div><br /><div>You can see in the photo below that I have also recently treated myself to some sweet little Orla Kiely boxes in her divine large and small stem print. John Lewis have a good display of OK goods including diaries, notebooks and wrapping paper as well as different sizes of boxes. You can find some of her boxes <a href="http://www.johnlewis.com/Search/Search.aspx?SearchTerm=Orla+Kiely+Gift+Boxes#1">here</a> but they are selling out quickly. What to put in two little boxes...that is the question? Don't say presents for people either - these are mine!</div><br /><div>I have also fallen in love with white frames recently. This one is the famous Ribba frame from Ikea <a href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/20078333">here</a> and it suits my prints down to the ground because it gives them a lovely fresh look. They don't even need matting.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPuiRBhGtvI/AAAAAAAAFzU/NDUbe8tfuuE/s1600/New-Finds-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 281px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547205779385661170" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPuiRBhGtvI/AAAAAAAAFzU/NDUbe8tfuuE/s320/New-Finds-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>and here is a closer look of the two little angels. They are so cute.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPuiBbK35zI/AAAAAAAAFzM/xBVlwNYAIl0/s1600/Christmas-Angels.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547205511393830706" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPuiBbK35zI/AAAAAAAAFzM/xBVlwNYAIl0/s320/Christmas-Angels.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I was delighted whilst out walking a few weeks ago to come upon a field containing three horses as it was an opportunity to photograph their tails. I have always had a fascination with horses manes and tails and I love to see them swishing. It is a great challenge to try and photograph them and keep them in focus but it doesn't always work. Here are a few pictures of the horses and the back views of the swishy tails. Didn't do too badly did I?<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPuhH8MCDHI/AAAAAAAAFzE/Xa_Nl8Pq6hA/s1600/Horse-Friends.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 294px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547204523824647282" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPuhH8MCDHI/AAAAAAAAFzE/Xa_Nl8Pq6hA/s320/Horse-Friends.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPuhBJg8uAI/AAAAAAAAFy8/xsvw9WFcpgE/s1600/Horses-Tails-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547204407142955010" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPuhBJg8uAI/AAAAAAAAFy8/xsvw9WFcpgE/s320/Horses-Tails-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPug4h0RWUI/AAAAAAAAFy0/wzozmAC0rsI/s1600/Horse-Tail-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547204259047627074" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPug4h0RWUI/AAAAAAAAFy0/wzozmAC0rsI/s320/Horse-Tail-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Here is a little look at some of the 2010 Christmas cards I will be sending out this year. Anyone noticed the preponderance of birds? As is my usual habit I keep one card for myself and send the others out.</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.sallyelford.co.uk/">Sally Elford </a>is a very well-known designer and she created this Dove Of Peace. A strong contender in the favourite Christmas cards stakes. Published by Woodmansterne.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPuAAwAGwUI/AAAAAAAAFys/S65wl3b_wjs/s1600/Sally-Elford---Dove-Of-Peace---Woodmansterne.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 315px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547168116410597698" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPuAAwAGwUI/AAAAAAAAFys/S65wl3b_wjs/s320/Sally-Elford---Dove-Of-Peace---Woodmansterne.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Proud Partridge by Galia Bernstein. This one is beautifully designed and so very pretty. It is also published by Woodmansterne. Galia is a very talented artist who also creates wonderful ceramics. Have a look at her blog <a href="http://dancingkangaroo.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPt_rpYV_mI/AAAAAAAAFyk/CgfIFGovrKs/s1600/Proud-Partridge---Galia-Bernstein.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547167753855958626" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPt_rpYV_mI/AAAAAAAAFyk/CgfIFGovrKs/s320/Proud-Partridge---Galia-Bernstein.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This little lovely is a Robert J Reader card by TheArtFile. Not a traditional Christmas colour but definitely stunning. Deer always get my vote.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPt_HYjrLGI/AAAAAAAAFyc/VeiMbLJVoWk/s1600/The-Art-File-Card.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 138px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547167130864790626" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPt_HYjrLGI/AAAAAAAAFyc/VeiMbLJVoWk/s320/The-Art-File-Card.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This lovely graphic design is Partridge by Jack Jones Design and is part of Portfolio's Dada range of cards.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPt-UbphI9I/AAAAAAAAFyU/L_sa09Jf-eg/s1600/Partridge---Jack-Jones-Design---Dada.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547166255521276882" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPt-UbphI9I/AAAAAAAAFyU/L_sa09Jf-eg/s320/Partridge---Jack-Jones-Design---Dada.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Gorgeous traditional design called Dove by Janet Lawson produced by Ling Design. Ling do some amazing greetings cards.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPt94wNSsII/AAAAAAAAFyM/meNoqJj2i6E/s1600/Janet-Lawson---Dove---Ling-Design.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 317px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547165780003696770" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPt94wNSsII/AAAAAAAAFyM/meNoqJj2i6E/s320/Janet-Lawson---Dove---Ling-Design.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Below are some photos I took on my recent travels around the district. I love the old decorative gate below. Hmmm...I think it might find its way into my sketchbook project book.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPt9YIMYL0I/AAAAAAAAFyE/t1ezI5wvirs/s1600/Old-Wooden-Gate.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547165219506630466" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPt9YIMYL0I/AAAAAAAAFyE/t1ezI5wvirs/s320/Old-Wooden-Gate.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Huge quantities of berries around this year - a sign of a hard winter? We shall see.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPt9FYa-THI/AAAAAAAAFx8/jwZDXYbWd4Q/s1600/Autumn-Berries.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547164897445301362" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPt9FYa-THI/AAAAAAAAFx8/jwZDXYbWd4Q/s320/Autumn-Berries.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Churchyard umbellifers - I liked the pinky out of focus gravestone in the background.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPt80tV0QNI/AAAAAAAAFx0/4gORcXuvJ1E/s1600/Churchyard-Umbellifers.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547164611003039954" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPt80tV0QNI/AAAAAAAAFx0/4gORcXuvJ1E/s320/Churchyard-Umbellifers.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Umbellifers against a stormy sky hosting a busy little spider.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPt8gufmDLI/AAAAAAAAFxs/xNp7Zc93Y3o/s1600/Umbellifers-and-Spider.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547164267715103922" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPt8gufmDLI/AAAAAAAAFxs/xNp7Zc93Y3o/s320/Umbellifers-and-Spider.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The following are a few general views of the Knitting And Stitching Show. They were taken in the late afternoon when the huge crush of people had died down. Much better time to take photographs. One thing about an otherwise exemplarily run show is the crazy stand numbering system which never fails to confuse everyone. What happened to good old A1, B1 etc.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqdsv_YDUI/AAAAAAAAFxc/CtOuTa5eRJY/s1600/Stands-At-K%2526SS.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546919283182275906" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqdsv_YDUI/AAAAAAAAFxc/CtOuTa5eRJY/s320/Stands-At-K%2526SS.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqdJFdUESI/AAAAAAAAFxU/Z1TldsqorAk/s1600/Stands-At-K%2526SS-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546918670469697826" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqdJFdUESI/AAAAAAAAFxU/Z1TldsqorAk/s320/Stands-At-K%2526SS-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The retrospective of the late Julia Caprara was marvellous. She was a wonderfully talented fibre artist, embroiderer and teacher. I love the use of bright and beautiful colour in her work; something she was well known for. She was very keen on hand embroidery which gave her work a lovely handmade look. The work below is all hers from the Show.</div><br /><div>Highcliff Summer<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqZRD4LPdI/AAAAAAAAFxA/NICpQb0Il5w/s1600/Julia-Caprara---Highcliff-Summer.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 307px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546914409437937106" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqZRD4LPdI/AAAAAAAAFxA/NICpQb0Il5w/s320/Julia-Caprara---Highcliff-Summer.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Suffolk Meadow<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqPUIS_gmI/AAAAAAAAFw4/KzKIs4juvQo/s1600/Julia-Caprara---Suffolk-Meadow.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546903467047486050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqPUIS_gmI/AAAAAAAAFw4/KzKIs4juvQo/s320/Julia-Caprara---Suffolk-Meadow.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Tree Of Life<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqPHo1XusI/AAAAAAAAFww/TQ0HJGxn1oc/s1600/Julia-Caprara---Tree-Of-Life.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546903252443314882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqPHo1XusI/AAAAAAAAFww/TQ0HJGxn1oc/s320/Julia-Caprara---Tree-Of-Life.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Renewal - The Voice From The Fire<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqO7dSAfTI/AAAAAAAAFwo/qPHGrvpyUJM/s1600/Julia-Caprara-%2BRenewal%2B-The%2BVoice-From-The-Fire.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 291px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546903043183770930" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqO7dSAfTI/AAAAAAAAFwo/qPHGrvpyUJM/s320/Julia-Caprara-%2BRenewal%2B-The%2BVoice-From-The-Fire.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Detail of Peace Mandala<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqOv09dgmI/AAAAAAAAFwg/KaPaYATj0FM/s1600/Julia-Caprara---Detail-Of-Peace-Mandala.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546902843381613154" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqOv09dgmI/AAAAAAAAFwg/KaPaYATj0FM/s320/Julia-Caprara---Detail-Of-Peace-Mandala.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Detail of Textile Piece Below<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqOeuh_RoI/AAAAAAAAFwY/MvqExT3Xs7A/s1600/Julia-Caprara---Close-Up-Of-Textile-Work.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546902549597996674" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqOeuh_RoI/AAAAAAAAFwY/MvqExT3Xs7A/s320/Julia-Caprara---Close-Up-Of-Textile-Work.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqOQIv5IQI/AAAAAAAAFwQ/_HiF1N5T-Y8/s1600/Julia-Caprara-Textile-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546902298937598210" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPqOQIv5IQI/AAAAAAAAFwQ/_HiF1N5T-Y8/s320/Julia-Caprara-Textile-1.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-84977642002695362702010-11-25T11:24:00.000-08:002010-11-28T13:11:18.973-08:00Knitting And Stitching Show 2010 Part OneFinally I am back to blogging. I must first thank everyone who has left comforting words and kind messages about our family's recent loss. Many of you will have guessed that it was my father who passed away. He had become very sick over the final months and was suffering greatly. Mingled with our sense of loss is relief that that suffering is now over and he is at peace. He is hugely missed and has left an enormous hole in our family which is felt very keenly. He was 93 years old. He always wanted to see my latest artwork even though he could barely focus due to macular degeneration. When I am drawing now I often pause and wonder if he is looking over my shoulder. I hope he is and I hope he likes what he sees.<br /><br />Christmas is fast approaching but I started the 2010 Christmas card design early which is just as well as I ended up doing two. The first one was the sheep drawing below which was rejected in favour of the graphic black hares. Pity as I thought the sheep were really cute. They are for my eldest brother's business Christmas cards which you may remember I do every year. The black hare design is a reworking of an original roundel which I did many years ago but the corn has been replaced by winter umbellifers and snow. Much more seasonal. Which do you prefer?<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPEkEcKEi_I/AAAAAAAAFwA/DoCmFwHY8Hk/s1600/Christmas-Card-2010-Black-Hares-Version-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 241px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544252274966301682" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPEkEcKEi_I/AAAAAAAAFwA/DoCmFwHY8Hk/s320/Christmas-Card-2010-Black-Hares-Version-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPEkAnW1BII/AAAAAAAAFv4/sd56Xzn0PQk/s1600/Christmas-Card-2010-Black-Faced-Sheep.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 237px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544252209253123202" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPEkAnW1BII/AAAAAAAAFv4/sd56Xzn0PQk/s320/Christmas-Card-2010-Black-Faced-Sheep.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Well, the sketchbook time is passing quickly and I have a lot more pages to fill in before the sending off date. I had to completely deconstruct the book as the cahier paper was totally unsuitable even for my finest ink nib and as for paint... I rebound it with good quality, thick sketch paper and boy was the resewing fun! However, because I knew I would have difficulty filling so many of the original pages I decided to reduce them by about half. Also being better quality paper the book is probably thicker than the original anyway. I have also cheated a teeny weeny bit by using a lot of two page spreads. Below are two of the first drawings I did. My theme is "if you lived here" and I have interpreted it quite loosley in many cases. What do you think so far?<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPEihcy6WnI/AAAAAAAAFvw/52eBFopT0BQ/s1600/Sketchbook-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544250574330550898" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPEihcy6WnI/AAAAAAAAFvw/52eBFopT0BQ/s320/Sketchbook-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPEibaUIUxI/AAAAAAAAFvo/cwzFx3d9Blw/s1600/Sketchbook-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 255px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544250470585357074" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPEibaUIUxI/AAAAAAAAFvo/cwzFx3d9Blw/s320/Sketchbook-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I fell in love with these wonderful coconut shell buttons at the K&SS this year. They are perfect for crafty projects and can be bought online from The Textile Garden <a href="http://www.textilegarden.com/">here</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPESGSqfB8I/AAAAAAAAFvg/jAyqT97XFCA/s1600/Decorative-Buttons-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 309px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544232515568338882" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPESGSqfB8I/AAAAAAAAFvg/jAyqT97XFCA/s320/Decorative-Buttons-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPER99vl6zI/AAAAAAAAFvY/TRHJk8sPnCw/s1600/Decorative-Buttons-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544232372513663794" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPER99vl6zI/AAAAAAAAFvY/TRHJk8sPnCw/s320/Decorative-Buttons-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I found some delightful cows to act as models in October.<br /><br />"Oh I wondered what was digging into me"<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPD6ShJjVEI/AAAAAAAAFvQ/yoCtndQ0GSA/s1600/Red-Cow-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544206337336104002" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPD6ShJjVEI/AAAAAAAAFvQ/yoCtndQ0GSA/s320/Red-Cow-1.jpg" /></a> "Mmmm...yum - nice hard, dry, crispy twigs to eat"<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPD6OSmSNOI/AAAAAAAAFvI/V29_Ocv1ma4/s1600/Red-Cow-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544206264710608098" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPD6OSmSNOI/AAAAAAAAFvI/V29_Ocv1ma4/s320/Red-Cow-2.jpg" /></a> "Mmm...it tastes even better with the leaves and berries on".<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPD6HCxp56I/AAAAAAAAFvA/1XG1oFwlnEs/s1600/Black-Cow-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544206140204246946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPD6HCxp56I/AAAAAAAAFvA/1XG1oFwlnEs/s320/Black-Cow-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The fabulous Knitting And Stitching Show took place at Alexandra Palace in October. It was as wonderful as always and extremely well attended. I was there for 6 hours and still failed to see everything. I bought a couple of excellent books which I will tell you about in another post. A largish proportion of my time there is spent perusing the extensive book stands where you can leaf through all the latest offerings from the art and craft community. Oh if only I had the money and the space to store them...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPD2woshP9I/AAAAAAAAFu4/91DwhM-SIPw/s1600/View-Of-Stands-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544202456711380946" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPD2woshP9I/AAAAAAAAFu4/91DwhM-SIPw/s320/View-Of-Stands-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Two lovely wall pieces which caught my eye were Jennifer Willis's Looking For The East below<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPD2Pph1LfI/AAAAAAAAFuw/1nq3JbM883o/s1600/Jennifer-Willis---Looking-For-The-East.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544201889999302130" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPD2Pph1LfI/AAAAAAAAFuw/1nq3JbM883o/s320/Jennifer-Willis---Looking-For-The-East.jpg" /></a><br /><div>and Elizabeth Brimelow's Machine Stitch Perspectives - a beautiful piece of textile work.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPD1_sgMZuI/AAAAAAAAFuo/NQDiy2uJH_0/s1600/Elizabeth-Brimelow-Machine-Stitch-Perspectives.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 282px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544201615919834850" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPD1_sgMZuI/AAAAAAAAFuo/NQDiy2uJH_0/s320/Elizabeth-Brimelow-Machine-Stitch-Perspectives.jpg" /></a><br /><div>There were lots of well-known brand names exhibiting at the show.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPD1tnFnW2I/AAAAAAAAFug/vLpF0uaDsUM/s1600/Brand-Names-At-The-Show.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544201305228532578" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPD1tnFnW2I/AAAAAAAAFug/vLpF0uaDsUM/s320/Brand-Names-At-The-Show.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rowan's gorgeous fabric display was a big draw as always.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPDx0ZUAKlI/AAAAAAAAFuY/qx7qHKAmBmk/s1600/Rowan-Stand.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544197023743355474" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TPDx0ZUAKlI/AAAAAAAAFuY/qx7qHKAmBmk/s320/Rowan-Stand.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I really liked the explosion of colour that was Nel Whatmore's stand. Nel is a very well-known and popular artist and designer from North Yorkshire and has a finger in many creative and artistic pies. You can find more about her beautiful work on her website <a href="http://www.nelwhatmore.com/">here</a> and she also has a very colourful blog which you can access from her website.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7TRh0RozI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/gdSNMKRc3nc/s1600/Nel%2BWhatmore%2527s%2BStand%2B1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543600489428525874" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7TRh0RozI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/gdSNMKRc3nc/s320/Nel%2BWhatmore%2527s%2BStand%2B1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7TNKVYxRI/AAAAAAAAFuI/8gB3D4QUc_M/s1600/Nel-Whatmore-Stand%2B2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543600414405477650" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7TNKVYxRI/AAAAAAAAFuI/8gB3D4QUc_M/s320/Nel-Whatmore-Stand%2B2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div>I was very impressed with the standard of work by the Wessex Textile Artists at the show. Their room was delightfully arranged and very popular with the visitors. Here are three members to illustrate the standard but all the work displayed was fabulous. You can find the Wessex website <a href="http://www.wessextextileartists.com/">here</a> and if you click on members details you can see the individual artists.</div><br /><div>Brenda Weeks's work was wonderfully vibrant and colourful. Her embroideries reminded me of exquisitely detailed Indian watercolours. She has a lovely website <a href="http://www.thefabricofart.com/">here</a> with lots more images.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7KI1lT20I/AAAAAAAAFtw/jAPdjAMwloI/s1600/Brenda%2BWeeks%2B3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543590444510993218" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7KI1lT20I/AAAAAAAAFtw/jAPdjAMwloI/s320/Brenda%2BWeeks%2B3.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7KDUiL76I/AAAAAAAAFto/tAHK9CBjDCc/s1600/Brenda%2BWeeks%2B2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543590349740175266" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7KDUiL76I/AAAAAAAAFto/tAHK9CBjDCc/s320/Brenda%2BWeeks%2B2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Ruby Lever's lovely embroidery hangings were mouthwatering and looked wonderful all displayed in a row. The colours were very subtle and understated and the stitching exquisite.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7Jmz2nXcI/AAAAAAAAFtg/1ePEhR0V7l0/s1600/Ruby-Lever-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543589859931151810" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7Jmz2nXcI/AAAAAAAAFtg/1ePEhR0V7l0/s320/Ruby-Lever-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7JiTKZXCI/AAAAAAAAFtY/5m4V7na0kbU/s1600/Ruby-Lever-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543589782436273186" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7JiTKZXCI/AAAAAAAAFtY/5m4V7na0kbU/s320/Ruby-Lever-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Aren't these just the most gorgeous embroideries? They are the very talented Maggie Hills Alotment Chickens and were very popular in the Wessex Textile Artists stand.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7IohL2llI/AAAAAAAAFtM/4cf891X2npg/s1600/Maggie-Hills-3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 306px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543588789768066642" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7IohL2llI/AAAAAAAAFtM/4cf891X2npg/s320/Maggie-Hills-3.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7IftuusrI/AAAAAAAAFtE/gj1rYwq0vdE/s1600/Maggie-Hills-4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543588638516753074" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7IftuusrI/AAAAAAAAFtE/gj1rYwq0vdE/s320/Maggie-Hills-4.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7IVQUy_FI/AAAAAAAAFs8/LBWLaXd42tA/s1600/Maggie-Hills-6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543588458824662098" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TO7IVQUy_FI/AAAAAAAAFs8/LBWLaXd42tA/s320/Maggie-Hills-6.jpg" /></a> I have more photos from the show so I will post about it again next week. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-82953840929110126992010-11-18T05:10:00.000-08:002010-11-18T05:12:27.757-08:00Back 28 NovemberHello Everyone, sorry to be gone so long. Lots more to sort out and come to terms with than I ever thought possible. I will be back on the 28th though and look forward to visiting everyone again. I have missed you all.Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-48559097308695408992010-09-27T10:45:00.000-07:002010-09-27T10:47:29.040-07:00Blog PauseSadly I will have to pause blogging for a while as we have had a family bereavement and there are lots of things to sort out and come to terms with. I will catch up with everyone when I return.Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-30556906502175761992010-09-13T12:41:00.000-07:002010-09-19T12:43:36.540-07:00Autumn Umbellifers And Birds In TreesAutumn is arriving and bringing Jack Frost along too. The temperatures at night are plummeting and it is time to get the quilts back on the beds again. Someone even mentioned a few flurries of snow before the end of September...surely not.<br /><br />Below is a document folder I bought from a local stationery shop. I fell in love with the graphic design and colour scheme and decided to use the colours for my own piece of digital artwork. There is no name on the folder at all so I am not sure who designed it but they have done an excellent job.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJZacWRoFwI/AAAAAAAAFr0/aEYKkNH2Eok/s1600/Document-Folder.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518697836451469058" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJZacWRoFwI/AAAAAAAAFr0/aEYKkNH2Eok/s320/Document-Folder.jpg" /></a> The one below was my first image<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJZaUVw1BgI/AAAAAAAAFrs/O9rQ9--N4XY/s1600/A-Wonderful-Place-To-Perch-I.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 259px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518697698874951170" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJZaUVw1BgI/AAAAAAAAFrs/O9rQ9--N4XY/s320/A-Wonderful-Place-To-Perch-I.jpg" /></a><br />but I decided to add a bit of black for drama. I am not sure which one I prefer but I do like the design a lot.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJZaAGbgndI/AAAAAAAAFrk/bbQc8ZUNDZE/s1600/A-Wonderful-Place-To-Perch-II.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 259px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518697351161617874" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJZaAGbgndI/AAAAAAAAFrk/bbQc8ZUNDZE/s320/A-Wonderful-Place-To-Perch-II.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I started sketching for the Sketchbook Project a while ago but was very disappointed by the moleskine cahier that we were sent. The paper is far too thin for anything except pencil to my mind. All other media tend to show through to the other side and I hate that. Quite a few people who are undertaking the project have rebound the book with better quality paper. This is allowed provided the dimensions are the same and you keep the barcode on the back exposed. I intend to redo mine with much nicer and thicker paper more suited to ink and watercolour. It means redoing some of my sketches unfortunately. Below is one of my first ones - my theme is "if you lived here" and I will be doing lots of images with quirky homes, houses and nests, the interiors of tree holes etc. Anywhere you could live really.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJZYfyCjgdI/AAAAAAAAFrc/maZyF21x2kI/s1600/If+You+Lived+Here-Sketch.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518695696420798930" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJZYfyCjgdI/AAAAAAAAFrc/maZyF21x2kI/s320/If+You+Lived+Here-Sketch.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The images below are all originally photos of umbellifers in the countryside which I have altered in PS filters and coloured variously. I love umbellifers and they look so nice when they are digitalised and coloured. I have hundreds of pictures of them in my photo folders so you can expect to see some more in my blog in the future.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJZKTQnLpTI/AAAAAAAAFrU/03Ni0iELhq0/s1600/Digital+Umbellifer+Pink+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518680088126399794" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJZKTQnLpTI/AAAAAAAAFrU/03Ni0iELhq0/s320/Digital+Umbellifer+Pink+3.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJZKOjBxQPI/AAAAAAAAFrM/EXG5R8_CuOg/s1600/Digital-Umbellier-On-White.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518680007170408690" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJZKOjBxQPI/AAAAAAAAFrM/EXG5R8_CuOg/s320/Digital-Umbellier-On-White.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJZKFyfC-LI/AAAAAAAAFrE/s5SEgZprYyI/s1600/Digital-Umbellifer-On-Dark.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518679856700913842" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJZKFyfC-LI/AAAAAAAAFrE/s5SEgZprYyI/s320/Digital-Umbellifer-On-Dark.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJZFUflxXWI/AAAAAAAAFq8/lmhlZCS6VzE/s1600/Digital-Umbellifer-On-Pink.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 306px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518674611768745314" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJZFUflxXWI/AAAAAAAAFq8/lmhlZCS6VzE/s320/Digital-Umbellifer-On-Pink.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I found several lovely books on a recent visit to an antique centre in a local town. A little bit more pricey that my charity shop finds but still worth it to me. My favourite was the book below by printmaker John Farleigh. He was an English wood engraver, painter, author and tutor who was very well known for his wonderful engraved illustrations. One of his pupils was Monica Poole, herself a very talented printmaker. She is the author of the book below. I love his graphic and detailed style. Click on the images below to enlarge them.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJOTqmQjQ5I/AAAAAAAAFq0/No0AiT8TL-0/s1600/John-Farleigh-Book.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517916328492745618" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJOTqmQjQ5I/AAAAAAAAFq0/No0AiT8TL-0/s320/John-Farleigh-Book.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJOTkew5kFI/AAAAAAAAFqs/mH1QrJ5eJoA/s1600/John-Farleigh-Book-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517916223401726034" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJOTkew5kFI/AAAAAAAAFqs/mH1QrJ5eJoA/s320/John-Farleigh-Book-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJOTc5Lk28I/AAAAAAAAFqk/-IFXm_eBvU4/s1600/John-Farleigh---Eve-Brooding.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 217px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517916093053983682" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJOTc5Lk28I/AAAAAAAAFqk/-IFXm_eBvU4/s320/John-Farleigh---Eve-Brooding.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJOTUZIjM9I/AAAAAAAAFqc/lcrVmVyCh8M/s1600/John-Farleigh-Book--3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 295px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517915947012404178" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJOTUZIjM9I/AAAAAAAAFqc/lcrVmVyCh8M/s320/John-Farleigh-Book--3.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJOTI_WoTQI/AAAAAAAAFqU/Js0M79aBX-8/s1600/John-Farleigh-Book-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517915751113575682" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJOTI_WoTQI/AAAAAAAAFqU/Js0M79aBX-8/s320/John-Farleigh-Book-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJOS7iB7GzI/AAAAAAAAFqM/eIC3kRm9laM/s1600/John-Farleigh-Book--4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517915519903800114" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJOS7iB7GzI/AAAAAAAAFqM/eIC3kRm9laM/s320/John-Farleigh-Book--4.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Here are some nice autumnal looking brick walls for you. I have always loved the colours and textures of old bricks and last weekend we took advantage of the Heritage Open Day event to visit a local family run brickmakers yard. Sounds really boring doesn't it? Well it was actually fascinating. We were given a guided tour over the whole yard and the complete brickmaking process. Much more complex than you think. We can now recognise handmade from machine made bricks and even know what the difference in shades denotes. It takes a lot of skill and experience to make and fire bricks to a saleable standard. This particular brickworks has supplied handmade bricks to Windsor Castle, Hampton Court and Chequers among many other famous places. The bricks in the walls below are all very old indeed and quite crumbly in places but what wonderful colours and textures.</div><br /><div>Heritage Open Days are four days in September when you can visit lots of architecturally or culturally interesting places in England which are not normally open to the public, such as churches, old barns, factories, castles etc.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJDruUkhVrI/AAAAAAAAFqE/Xvg8S7eiCxc/s1600/Old-Brickwork.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517168724557256370" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJDruUkhVrI/AAAAAAAAFqE/Xvg8S7eiCxc/s320/Old-Brickwork.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJDrmcLYmwI/AAAAAAAAFp8/eLSR9PSyexE/s1600/Ancient-Building.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517168589160356610" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJDrmcLYmwI/AAAAAAAAFp8/eLSR9PSyexE/s320/Ancient-Building.jpg" /></a><br />I was photographing this old house below when a chap stopped and asked if I wanted to know more about it. I had a few spare minutes so I said yes. He then proceeded to give me a fascinating potted history of the house, from the origination to the present, hugely wealthy owners. I thought he must be an amateur local historian but he told me he was the Town Crier and often did tours of the town for visitors and special occasions. Town Criers in medieval times passed on the town's news to the populace who could not read and he did this in an extremely loud voice whilst ringing a bell - hence they were also called Bellmen. There are around 200 left in England now and this chap was obviously very proud to be keeping an ancient tradition alive.</div><br /><div>He told me that the bricked up doorway that you can see in the wall below was originally the way the servants entered the building. No front doors for them!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJDrfblAdtI/AAAAAAAAFp0/7UhSQkanv8g/s1600/Crumbling-Old-Wall.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517168468740306642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TJDrfblAdtI/AAAAAAAAFp0/7UhSQkanv8g/s320/Crumbling-Old-Wall.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Lilo Fromm is a wonderful illustrator and artist from Berlin who has illustrated countless childrens' books. Below is one of her titles in German. I love that vividly coloured illustration on the front cover. Her artwork of the buildings below are beautifully delicate and harmonious. You can find more of Lilo's work <a href="http://artisgallery.eu/lf/de_index.html">here</a> and there are examples of some of the titles she has illustrated if you type her name in Amazon.</div><br /><div>Book Illustrated by Lilo Fromm<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TI_OHQvc8vI/AAAAAAAAFps/p8WCFXxv2R8/s1600/Lilo+Fromm+Book.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516854692700549874" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TI_OHQvc8vI/AAAAAAAAFps/p8WCFXxv2R8/s320/Lilo+Fromm+Book.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Hermitage<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TI_N8AgHvNI/AAAAAAAAFpk/bMzx4zhUUJA/s1600/Lilo+Fromm-Hermitage.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516854499362716882" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TI_N8AgHvNI/AAAAAAAAFpk/bMzx4zhUUJA/s320/Lilo+Fromm-Hermitage.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Marshy Town<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TI_NybYQhoI/AAAAAAAAFpc/y1rFGGGmsfY/s1600/Lilo+Fromm-Marshy+Town.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516854334778803842" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TI_NybYQhoI/AAAAAAAAFpc/y1rFGGGmsfY/s320/Lilo+Fromm-Marshy+Town.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The wonderfully whimsical images below are the work of the very talented Mexican illustrator/printmaker Jazmin Velasco. Jazmin uses different media to creat her work including linocuts which I really admire. I love the way she uses black and white with a touch of red to give zing. I like to use those colours in my pen and ink work. I actually saw Jazmin a couple of months ago at Art In Action event. She was assisting printmaker Colin Moore but there were so many people in the marquee I didn't get a chance to speak to her.</div><br /><div>Jazmin's work can be found on her website <a href="http://www.jazminvelasco.com/home/index.html">here</a> and she has a bright and funny blog <a href="http://jazminvelasco.blogspot.com/">here</a>. You can also catch her at the Tile Kiln Studios open studio event in London on the weekend of the 25-26 September along with four other artists. (Don't you just love Archie?)</div><br /><div>Brahms And The Fox<br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TI-5bNqufbI/AAAAAAAAFpU/qG7HfWS1fB0/s1600/Jazmin+Velasco+-+Brahms+And+The+Fox.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 221px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516831945728622002" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TI-5bNqufbI/AAAAAAAAFpU/qG7HfWS1fB0/s320/Jazmin+Velasco+-+Brahms+And+The+Fox.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Archie<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TI-5UhLXDsI/AAAAAAAAFpM/2zy2x4gGrTE/s1600/Jazmin+Velasco+-+Archie.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516831830706687682" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TI-5UhLXDsI/AAAAAAAAFpM/2zy2x4gGrTE/s320/Jazmin+Velasco+-+Archie.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Fishy<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TI-45AvpAoI/AAAAAAAAFpE/SRtASa-wyfU/s1600/Jazmin+Velasco+-+Fishy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 296px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516831358144021122" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TI-45AvpAoI/AAAAAAAAFpE/SRtASa-wyfU/s320/Jazmin+Velasco+-+Fishy.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>Brahms Duet<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TI-33kPA5HI/AAAAAAAAFo0/7qGwjXenQuA/s1600/Jazmin+Velasco+-+Brahms+Duet.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516830233799484530" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TI-33kPA5HI/AAAAAAAAFo0/7qGwjXenQuA/s320/Jazmin+Velasco+-+Brahms+Duet.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-45697167183913026092010-08-27T12:24:00.000-07:002010-08-31T14:34:17.426-07:00Summer Blog Holiday - Next Post 19 SeptemberI have had such a busy week that I haven't had much time for creating artwork so the pieces below were both done quite quickly. I have plans for doing much more in the next couple of weeks as I am taking my summer blog holiday. The weather is quite autumnal now and the nights very chilly. Where has the summer gone? It only seemed like yesterday that we were admiring the spring greenery and now the leaves are starting to turn golden. I daren't mention the C word but I am starting to think about what image to use for my C cards.<br /><br />I really enjoyed drawing this cute little pen and ink bird. Very decorative.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH1thrSoFZI/AAAAAAAAFok/QU9MTrUdGu4/s1600/Little-Bird-Pen-and-Ink.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511681944295314834" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH1thrSoFZI/AAAAAAAAFok/QU9MTrUdGu4/s320/Little-Bird-Pen-and-Ink.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Pen and ink portrait of a woman<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH1tO1k54pI/AAAAAAAAFoc/w8aZNBnrWvE/s1600/Pen-and-Ink-Portrait-Of-Woman.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511681620638818962" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH1tO1k54pI/AAAAAAAAFoc/w8aZNBnrWvE/s320/Pen-and-Ink-Portrait-Of-Woman.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I took delivery of my moleskine for the Sketchbook Project today. This is an American based project whereby anyone who joins receives a sketchbook which they then fill up with artwork and send back to the originators. All the sketchbooks from all over the world then tour galleries and museums all over the country, before reaching the Brooklyn Art Library where anyone can view them. Finally they are put on the Internet for even more people to browse. I think it is a brilliant idea. You have to make sure you return your book to them before Jan 15 2011. I first learned about it from the lovely <a href="http://carolinesstudio.blogspot.com/">Caroline's studio </a>as she is also participating. You chose your theme and then get sketching. My theme is "if you lived here" and I chose that because I can do lots of quirky little habitations. That theme has gone now but there are still a lot more to choose from. The Sketchbook Project website is <a href="http://arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject/features">here</a> if you want to take a look.</div><br /><div>I will be posting some of my sketches for the book in the coming weeks.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH1oaIYK27I/AAAAAAAAFoU/Z0JG8ozSUnU/s1600/Sketchbook-Project.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511676317106101170" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH1oaIYK27I/AAAAAAAAFoU/Z0JG8ozSUnU/s320/Sketchbook-Project.jpg" /></a><br /><div>On a visit to the lovely and ancient market town of Thame recently I visited the huge and beautiful church. I found a couple of interesting pieces of statuary in the churchyard. The dog below is so lifelike it could almost be real,<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH0lWQ3tkSI/AAAAAAAAFoM/9MTYfrR52rQ/s1600/Thame-Church-Dog-Statue-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511602583387345186" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH0lWQ3tkSI/AAAAAAAAFoM/9MTYfrR52rQ/s320/Thame-Church-Dog-Statue-1.jpg" /></a> but it belongs to this stone dedicated to a local animal lover.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH0lO8cecUI/AAAAAAAAFoE/W-Lkq8I6oX8/s1600/Thame-Church-Dog-Statue-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511602457645314370" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH0lO8cecUI/AAAAAAAAFoE/W-Lkq8I6oX8/s320/Thame-Church-Dog-Statue-2.jpg" /></a> This was the only angel I found but she is a beauty. If you look carefully she seems to be gazing at a brown moth.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH0k6rDosKI/AAAAAAAAFn8/j0PNEDdRl7k/s1600/Thame-Church-Angel-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 269px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511602109380341922" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH0k6rDosKI/AAAAAAAAFn8/j0PNEDdRl7k/s320/Thame-Church-Angel-1.jpg" /></a><br />It looks like it was carved but was definitely alive.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH0k0Aql1gI/AAAAAAAAFn0/C856sW1HMok/s1600/Thame-Church-Angel-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511601994921793026" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH0k0Aql1gI/AAAAAAAAFn0/C856sW1HMok/s320/Thame-Church-Angel-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I found a lovely pigeon perched on a gravestone and just asking for his photo to be taken. The strong sunlight really brings out the colours of the stones.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH0kTGUv1jI/AAAAAAAAFns/J1mFabF_yYk/s1600/Thame-Pigeon--3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 245px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511601429505103410" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH0kTGUv1jI/AAAAAAAAFns/J1mFabF_yYk/s320/Thame-Pigeon--3.jpg" /></a><br /><div>A cute and tiny Thame cottage. It doesn't go back very far either. Just one up one down by the looks of it. Bit of a little doll's house really. I definitely wouldn't have enough space for all my books in there.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH0j1NYnTrI/AAAAAAAAFnk/Zp2tzx-FPEs/s1600/Tiny-Thame-Cottage-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511600916004294322" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TH0j1NYnTrI/AAAAAAAAFnk/Zp2tzx-FPEs/s320/Tiny-Thame-Cottage-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I found several interesting books in charity shops in Thame too. One of them is Drawing Techniques by Giovanni Civardi. I will tell you about the others in a later post. It is only a slim book but has some lovely pencil and ink illustrations and techniques about how to achieve them. I would like to spend a bit more time drawing with my pens as I feel I have neglected them a bit lately. Oddly enough I could have bought this book used for 74p from Amazon plus postage but at least my donation went to a good cause. Isn't Amazon amazing? It is no wonder they are loathed by book sellers.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THlti22M6CI/AAAAAAAAFnc/Bq_Go0Va1Q8/s1600/Drawing-Techniques-Book.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 228px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510556064670345250" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THlti22M6CI/AAAAAAAAFnc/Bq_Go0Va1Q8/s320/Drawing-Techniques-Book.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THltczEd7BI/AAAAAAAAFnU/ZT9g4sptL30/s1600/Illustration-From-Book-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510555960577223698" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THltczEd7BI/AAAAAAAAFnU/ZT9g4sptL30/s320/Illustration-From-Book-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THltVgvBuMI/AAAAAAAAFnM/OPmeDzhvePI/s1600/Illustration-From-Book-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510555835396372674" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THltVgvBuMI/AAAAAAAAFnM/OPmeDzhvePI/s320/Illustration-From-Book-2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>Some nice flowering seedheads I spotted on my travels recently.</div><br /><div>Flowering Artichoke<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THliYrPYQYI/AAAAAAAAFm8/In6Oy14gSUo/s1600/Artichoke-3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510543795128123778" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THliYrPYQYI/AAAAAAAAFm8/In6Oy14gSUo/s320/Artichoke-3.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Echinops - Globe Thistle<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THlgM_Rs7rI/AAAAAAAAFm0/xIVrRqVe91A/s1600/Purple-Flower.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510541395324890802" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THlgM_Rs7rI/AAAAAAAAFm0/xIVrRqVe91A/s320/Purple-Flower.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Giant Thistle<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THlcf-79uYI/AAAAAAAAFms/GgjBgHeFk-U/s1600/Giant-Thistle.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 281px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510537323604720002" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THlcf-79uYI/AAAAAAAAFms/GgjBgHeFk-U/s320/Giant-Thistle.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I am a great fan of mixed media artwork although, for some reason, I don't often feature it on my blog. These gorgeous creations are the work of the very talented American artist Stephanie Rubiano. Stephanie originally trained as an scientist but found her love of art eventually took over. She is someone after my own heart with her beautiful vintage ladies and children with crowns and wings. You can see lots of her work on her website <a href="http://www.stephanierubiano.com/home.html">here</a>, her Flickr site <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7785891@N03/">here</a>, and her Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/stephanierubiano">here</a>.</div><br /><div>Magpie<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THlWbJCZ1II/AAAAAAAAFmk/ql9m3hTuIfI/s1600/Stephanie+Rubiano+-+Magpie.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 306px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510530643346969730" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THlWbJCZ1II/AAAAAAAAFmk/ql9m3hTuIfI/s320/Stephanie+Rubiano+-+Magpie.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Eggsquisite<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THlWUtRfMBI/AAAAAAAAFmc/EcNUfCKzJNQ/s1600/Stephanie+Rubiano+-+Eggsquisite.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 209px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510530532814827538" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THlWUtRfMBI/AAAAAAAAFmc/EcNUfCKzJNQ/s320/Stephanie+Rubiano+-+Eggsquisite.jpg" /></a><br /><div>World Of Blossoms<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THlWL4cIJ2I/AAAAAAAAFmU/eX2RWmue3M8/s1600/Stephanie+Rubiano+-+A+World+Of+Blossoms.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510530381193422690" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THlWL4cIJ2I/AAAAAAAAFmU/eX2RWmue3M8/s320/Stephanie+Rubiano+-+A+World+Of+Blossoms.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Numero Uno<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THlWChv5j2I/AAAAAAAAFmM/elSSLHB0RlE/s1600/Stephanie+Rubiano+-+Numero+Uno.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 236px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510530220483514210" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THlWChv5j2I/AAAAAAAAFmM/elSSLHB0RlE/s320/Stephanie+Rubiano+-+Numero+Uno.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I visited a lovely little gallery in a local town today and found a couple of really nice greetings cards to add to my huge collection. This one is taken from a screenprint by Jane Ormes. Some of you will already be familiar with her work as she is a very popular artist. She creates wonderfully quirky screenprints and you can find lots more <a href="http://www.rostragallery.co.uk/galleryArtists/Print/Ormes/JaneOrmes.html">here</a> at Rostra and Rooksmoor Gallery. Jane's own website is <a href="http://www.janeormes.co.uk/about.html">here</a>, and she blogs <a href="http://janeormes-printmaker.blogspot.com/">here</a>. I had to laugh that she hates men in flip flops. I think flip flops are horrible on anyone.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THgjr5qUMZI/AAAAAAAAFmE/DwGG_DPRNNo/s1600/Jane-Ormes---3-Lazy-Birds-Card.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510193381207454098" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THgjr5qUMZI/AAAAAAAAFmE/DwGG_DPRNNo/s320/Jane-Ormes---3-Lazy-Birds-Card.jpg" /></a> The second card is one by Sarah Venus of Flytrappublishing. I have mentioned Sarah and the website in a previous post. Well worth a peek <a href="http://www.rockfish.co.uk/index.htm">here</a> for anyone who doesn't know of them though. I think this is a great fairy linocut image.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THgjmIfUYmI/AAAAAAAAFl8/KAxigBO6lu8/s1600/Fairy-Sarah-Venus.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510193282108645986" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THgjmIfUYmI/AAAAAAAAFl8/KAxigBO6lu8/s320/Fairy-Sarah-Venus.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Sarah Kirby is a UK artist and printmaker who produces the most lovely graphic linocut images. She is based at Leicester Print Workshop. She also teaches printmaking and artist book making. It would be great to take some of her workshops. I think her work is really beautiful and I particularly love her birds and trees. You can see lots more of her artwork <a href="http://www.sarahkirby.co.uk/Site/Welcome.html">here</a> on her website.</div><br /><div>Love Trees<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THgXtP5q6mI/AAAAAAAAFl0/rF2AhEXUQfg/s1600/Sarah-Kirby---Love-Trees.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510180210217773666" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THgXtP5q6mI/AAAAAAAAFl0/rF2AhEXUQfg/s320/Sarah-Kirby---Love-Trees.jpg" /></a><br /><div>September Bird<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THgXbXGPiBI/AAAAAAAAFls/D2A9J99_0YU/s1600/Sarah-Kirby---September-Bird.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 233px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510179902911907858" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THgXbXGPiBI/AAAAAAAAFls/D2A9J99_0YU/s320/Sarah-Kirby---September-Bird.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Mrs Griffith's Starling<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THgXPlK6KyI/AAAAAAAAFlk/ciyC2JnHNZI/s1600/Sarah-Kirby---Mrs-Griffiths%27-Starling.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 201px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510179700531145506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THgXPlK6KyI/AAAAAAAAFlk/ciyC2JnHNZI/s320/Sarah-Kirby---Mrs-Griffiths%27-Starling.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">72-78 New Walk<br /></span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THgXCd_1vjI/AAAAAAAAFlc/tfGc8ddBmio/s1600/Sarah-Kirby---72-78-New-Walk.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 195px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510179475267370546" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THgXCd_1vjI/AAAAAAAAFlc/tfGc8ddBmio/s320/Sarah-Kirby---72-78-New-Walk.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-28858726626604938252010-08-19T08:51:00.000-07:002010-08-23T16:06:22.833-07:00Two Cats And A FrogI was very amused at an incident at our local large supermarket today. I set off the alarm as I entered the store and was stopped by the security guard. I told him that I hadn't bought anything yet and he laughed. He wanted to know if I had a new jacket on. I was wearing one about a year old and had often visited the shop in it in the past. It turned out that it had a magnetic strip carefully hidden inside the washing instruction label. I wasn't even aware that it was there but he must have had experience of exactly that. It is the kind of tiny magnetic strip shops use on all sorts of "expensive" items like DVD's, pricey cosmetics etc. The shop where I bought my jacket should have removed it when I purchased it. He told me that the store had upgraded their security system and it was much more sensitive now, hence it recognised my magnetic strip whereas before it had ignored it. I went home and removed another one that I had in a similar jacket just in case. I bet the security guards were kept busy removing those strips from customers clothing since the upgrade.<br /><br />This is The Gardener's Cat and took quite a while to draw. Not too sure about the text at the bottom though. I may change it to another font as I think it looks a bit messy and I think it would show up more if it were black.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THL5hN5CnfI/AAAAAAAAFlU/Zzgs6tTOdi8/s1600/The-Gardener%27s-Cat-.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 222px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508739643287444978" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THL5hN5CnfI/AAAAAAAAFlU/Zzgs6tTOdi8/s320/The-Gardener%27s-Cat-.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I couldn't resist taking this photograph on a visit to Studham church recently. I have seen many, many churches in my time but never one with roses around the porch.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THLpqqT4w-I/AAAAAAAAFlM/pmUQbZUgtgE/s1600/Studham-Church.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508722213349016546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THLpqqT4w-I/AAAAAAAAFlM/pmUQbZUgtgE/s320/Studham-Church.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This is the beautiful monument that I had been meaning to photograph for some time. It is in Waterperry Church and is a dedication to a young mother who died aged 27 and left behind her less than 6 month old child. I think it is the most poignant and lovely sculpture and you get a real feeling for the grief of the bereaved husband. I took the photo by natural daylight because it gives a lovely glow to the marble.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THLoEK1T-WI/AAAAAAAAFlE/ltNuAZMC79E/s1600/Waterperry-Monument.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 304px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508720452552620386" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THLoEK1T-WI/AAAAAAAAFlE/ltNuAZMC79E/s320/Waterperry-Monument.jpg" /></a><br /><div>If you love dogs and textiles you will love Sue Britton's website "Dogs in Stitches" <a href="http://www.dogsinstitches.co.uk/">here</a>. Sue is a UK textile designer who creates beautiful and quirky studies of dogs getting up to all sort of mischief. She uses her own three dogs as inspiration and loves to include patterns and embellishment. Her website is a delight to browse and the dogs are irresistible.</div><br /><div>Countryside Capers (detail)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THLjX2q8o_I/AAAAAAAAFk8/zSUiNgqlysE/s1600/Sue+Britton+-+Countryside+Capers+detail.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508715293179683826" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THLjX2q8o_I/AAAAAAAAFk8/zSUiNgqlysE/s320/Sue+Britton+-+Countryside+Capers+detail.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Bundle Of Fun<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THLjONM3lVI/AAAAAAAAFk0/-fbtHwTms_o/s1600/Sue+Britton+-+Bundle+Of+Fun.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508715127428846930" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THLjONM3lVI/AAAAAAAAFk0/-fbtHwTms_o/s320/Sue+Britton+-+Bundle+Of+Fun.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div>Whilst cat sitting the other week I noticed Abby peering at something in the grass.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THFHVh64X8I/AAAAAAAAFkk/_yY4mjH8oow/s1600/Abby-Watching-Frog.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508262254458986434" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THFHVh64X8I/AAAAAAAAFkk/_yY4mjH8oow/s320/Abby-Watching-Frog.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>It turned out to be a frog who had been jumping around near the pond. It very obligingly kept still whilst I took its photo. Unfortunately Abby was intent on making the frog's very close aquaintance and I had to use one hand to fend her off and the other to photograph the frog. Eventually it returned to the pond and safety.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THFFvzfGWII/AAAAAAAAFkU/TA-sCCRlCGE/s1600/Garden-Frog.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508260506827643010" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THFFvzfGWII/AAAAAAAAFkU/TA-sCCRlCGE/s320/Garden-Frog.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Poppy was paying absolutely no attention whatsoever, being more interested in a little laid back grooming.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THFFb0A7buI/AAAAAAAAFkM/cCF3UJi8P_8/s1600/Poppy-Resting.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508260163372150498" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THFFb0A7buI/AAAAAAAAFkM/cCF3UJi8P_8/s320/Poppy-Resting.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The lovely ceramics below were made by UK ceramic artist Adele Thurstan. Her designs on the ceramics are very illustrative in nature and are produced from her pen and ink drawings which are screen printed using ceramic enamels on to the item. You can find more of Adele's work <a href="http://www.newashgate.org.uk/pages/ceramics/thumbnails/5235.html">here</a> at New Ashgate Gallery and <a href="http://www.cambridgecrafts.co.uk/artists/ceramics/adele_thurstan/gallery/">here</a> at Cambridge Contemporary Crafts.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THEp6sAmdHI/AAAAAAAAFkE/LOC9fCIQzJQ/s1600/Adele+Thurstan+-+Jug.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508229907473658994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THEp6sAmdHI/AAAAAAAAFkE/LOC9fCIQzJQ/s320/Adele+Thurstan+-+Jug.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THEp1uExvCI/AAAAAAAAFj8/bWb93fn1txE/s1600/Adele+Thurstan+-+Plate.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 319px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508229822128700450" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THEp1uExvCI/AAAAAAAAFj8/bWb93fn1txE/s320/Adele+Thurstan+-+Plate.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THEptlFr9iI/AAAAAAAAFj0/H0xkCX6wTEs/s1600/Adele+Thurstan+-+Plate.+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 312px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508229682277643810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THEptlFr9iI/AAAAAAAAFj0/H0xkCX6wTEs/s320/Adele+Thurstan+-+Plate.+2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I love Joe McLaren's illustrations. He has such a talent in whatever medium he happens to be working in. I think these Christmas cards below are a touch of genius and I wish I had thought of them. He knows exactly which colours to put together. You can find lots of his work if you do a google search for his name but otherwise he can be found <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joemclaren/">here</a> on his Flickr page.</div><br /><div>Christmas Card 2<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THAIEKCSCcI/AAAAAAAAFjs/N3M0I2x52qQ/s1600/Joe+McLaren+-+Christmas+Card+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507911211780540866" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THAIEKCSCcI/AAAAAAAAFjs/N3M0I2x52qQ/s320/Joe+McLaren+-+Christmas+Card+2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Christmas Card<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THAH9iVXq3I/AAAAAAAAFjk/S53gQo0U38I/s1600/Joe+McLaren+-+Christmas+Card.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507911098043968370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THAH9iVXq3I/AAAAAAAAFjk/S53gQo0U38I/s320/Joe+McLaren+-+Christmas+Card.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Three Chickens On An Overcast Day<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THAHyi9C6CI/AAAAAAAAFjc/9Ij2-aewAdY/s1600/Joe+McLaren+-+Three+chickens+on+a+overcast+day.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 210px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507910909231818786" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THAHyi9C6CI/AAAAAAAAFjc/9Ij2-aewAdY/s320/Joe+McLaren+-+Three+chickens+on+a+overcast+day.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Three Chickens And Oast House<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THAHkDDOgqI/AAAAAAAAFjU/jeQWD9yoScQ/s1600/Joe+McLaren+-+Three+chickens+and+oast+house.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 207px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507910660149641890" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THAHkDDOgqI/AAAAAAAAFjU/jeQWD9yoScQ/s320/Joe+McLaren+-+Three+chickens+and+oast+house.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">UK artist Jenny Holm's paintings are quite magical. They have a wonderful movement and rhythm and a lot of my favourite subjects. Her ladies are quite beautiful with their clothes and long hair flowing and her landscapes and trees are mystical and mysterious. Jenny sets the scene with colour and mood and leaves the viewer to decide on the narrative. She is based in Northumberland and you can find lots more lovely artworks <a href="http://www.thebiscuitfactory.com/artist/13382/Jenny_Holm/images">here</a> at The Biscuit Factory and <a href="http://www.axisweb.org/seCVWK.aspx?ARTISTID=1137">here</a> at her Axis site.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Hurrying Home<br /><br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THABE4Hm_WI/AAAAAAAAFjM/lqG0_-3yrs4/s1600/Jenny+Holmes+-+Hurrying+Home.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507903527569522018" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THABE4Hm_WI/AAAAAAAAFjM/lqG0_-3yrs4/s320/Jenny+Holmes+-+Hurrying+Home.jpg" /></span></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">A New Day Dawning<br /><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THAA9Uqu-GI/AAAAAAAAFjE/-iTEV08gT-U/s1600/Jenny+Holmes+-+A+New+Day+Dawning.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 232px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507903397794084962" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THAA9Uqu-GI/AAAAAAAAFjE/-iTEV08gT-U/s320/Jenny+Holmes+-+A+New+Day+Dawning.jpg" /></span></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">With The Wind In Her Hair<br /><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THAA0lJVLlI/AAAAAAAAFi8/AK8lrGicGqo/s1600/Jenny+Holmes+-+With+The+Wind+In+Her+Hair.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 232px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507903247598562898" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THAA0lJVLlI/AAAAAAAAFi8/AK8lrGicGqo/s320/Jenny+Holmes+-+With+The+Wind+In+Her+Hair.jpg" /></span></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Feeding The Birds<br /><br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THAAn_OONuI/AAAAAAAAFi0/XjWyNC1a2mA/s1600/Jenny+Holm+-+Feeding+The+Birds.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 203px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507903031260100322" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/THAAn_OONuI/AAAAAAAAFi0/XjWyNC1a2mA/s320/Jenny+Holm+-+Feeding+The+Birds.jpg" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179606490232711248.post-71377378527241917282010-08-13T11:25:00.000-07:002010-08-16T12:45:27.947-07:00Textile Chickens And Angel BlessingsMy images this week are both angels with blessings. I told you I would be doing a lot of angels now that I have my copyright free angel book, although actually the digital angel predates the book.<br /><br />This is my first etching for quite a while. I have gone over to washable etching ink now as I was making a hideous mess with the other one. The result is just as good to my eyes although there are probably some traditionalists who don't agree. I only have blue and black ink at the moment but I will get some more colours soon. I must say I am very pleased with how this has turned out and I don't say that very often with my etchings, being a beginner to the medium. I am definitely finding the inking up the most difficult part of the process but I have the same problem with linocuts too. Hopefully that will come easier as I get more experienced at printing. I will probably have a dabble with my copper plates soon.<br /><br />This is called Blessing The Hare<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGmQivwi3GI/AAAAAAAAFis/lILI6OWhKjg/s1600/Blessing-The-Hare.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 223px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506090946047171682" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGmQivwi3GI/AAAAAAAAFis/lILI6OWhKjg/s320/Blessing-The-Hare.jpg" /></a><br />This is the etching on the perspex plate. It is clear. The brown paper behind is so that it can be seen easily.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGmQN_uepwI/AAAAAAAAFik/NI5WJej0Ltw/s1600/Etching-On-Acrylic.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506090589556221698" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGmQN_uepwI/AAAAAAAAFik/NI5WJej0Ltw/s320/Etching-On-Acrylic.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Tree Guardian Blessing The Autumn - I drew this quite a while ago as a pen and ink drawing but decided to add a touch of digital colour. I still have the pen and ink version though.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGmPzas_zOI/AAAAAAAAFic/04qk-c1k8Fg/s1600/Blessing-Autumn.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506090132941294818" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGmPzas_zOI/AAAAAAAAFic/04qk-c1k8Fg/s320/Blessing-Autumn.jpg" /></a><br /><div>These beautifully complex landscape wood engravings are by the English painter and printmaker Garrick Palmer. He was born in Portsmouth in 1933 and taught at Winchester School of Art at the same time that I lived in the town. These must have taken him many hours of painstaking work to complete. You can see more of his work at Emma Mason <a href="http://www.emmamason.co.uk/cat_works.php?pg=1&art=27">here</a> (3 pages) and also <a href="http://www.oldstilepress.com/newosp/prints/palmer.html">here</a> at Old Stile Press.</div><br /><div>Fields<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGbdzqADitI/AAAAAAAAFiU/hcT90MmoQ_E/s1600/Garrick+Palmer+-+Fields+-+wood+engraving.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505331474024598226" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGbdzqADitI/AAAAAAAAFiU/hcT90MmoQ_E/s320/Garrick+Palmer+-+Fields+-+wood+engraving.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Sun and Trees<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGbdhUOi8mI/AAAAAAAAFiM/P6od4kfH6-8/s1600/Garrick+Palmer+-+Sun+and+Trees+-+wood+engraving.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505331158942151266" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGbdhUOi8mI/AAAAAAAAFiM/P6od4kfH6-8/s320/Garrick+Palmer+-+Sun+and+Trees+-+wood+engraving.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We went on a geocaching visit to Haddenham village last week. It is the quintessential English village with houses grouped around a huge village green complete with ancient parish church and duck pond. The sort of village the producers of "Midsomer Murders" love. and oddly enough, I recognised this very village in one of the series which I got from the library. I have since read that it has been used as a backdrop by them no less than eight times. The village itself is Anglo-Saxon in origin and the present church dates from 1200's although there was undoubtedly a Saxon church here prior to that date. Haddenham is one of three wychert villages in the country, which is a method of using white clay and straw to make walls and buildings. As for the geocaching; that was great fun and we found all the caches.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGbNIuyhwoI/AAAAAAAAFiE/NFAw4KCsfhU/s1600/Haddenham-Church-And-Duck-Pond.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505313144389616258" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGbNIuyhwoI/AAAAAAAAFiE/NFAw4KCsfhU/s320/Haddenham-Church-And-Duck-Pond.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The church has lots of lovely green and healthy looking lime trees everywhere. Very photogenic.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGbM412_zCI/AAAAAAAAFh8/eXrZqIS24BM/s1600/Haddenham-Church-Limes.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505312871409503266" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGbM412_zCI/AAAAAAAAFh8/eXrZqIS24BM/s320/Haddenham-Church-Limes.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This lovely old cottage was right up beside the church. They have some huge hollyhocks and I bet they have a wonderful cottage garden on the other side of that wall.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGbMa2i_p6I/AAAAAAAAFh0/nxzWN2-wCns/s1600/Cottage-Next-Door-To-Church.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505312356197967778" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGbMa2i_p6I/AAAAAAAAFh0/nxzWN2-wCns/s320/Cottage-Next-Door-To-Church.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This lovely old house was on the other side of the church.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGbMM1cFYDI/AAAAAAAAFhs/iF885IMgIIk/s1600/House-Near-Church,-Haddenham.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505312115382378546" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGbMM1cFYDI/AAAAAAAAFhs/iF885IMgIIk/s320/House-Near-Church,-Haddenham.jpg" /></a><br /><div>A couple of the residents of the village duck pond<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGbL88w_HII/AAAAAAAAFhk/Wric_9gccWs/s1600/Haddenham-Ducks.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505311842471189634" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGbL88w_HII/AAAAAAAAFhk/Wric_9gccWs/s320/Haddenham-Ducks.jpg" /></a><br /><div>and finally a wonderfully textured old doorway of a deserted house in the village. Not sure I would want to live there though. I notice it is number 13.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGbLicimTWI/AAAAAAAAFhc/3RnPIGhwup8/s1600/Old-Doorway,-Haddenham.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505311387144310114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGbLicimTWI/AAAAAAAAFhc/3RnPIGhwup8/s320/Old-Doorway,-Haddenham.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Josephine Broekhuizen is a Dutch artist who married and settle on Arran in Scotland where she has a large studio and smallholding. I love the subtlety of her oils and still lifes and those Marans' are gorgeous. She has also produced linocuts and collages. You can see lots of her work <a href="http://www.broekhuizen.me.uk/">here</a> and you can also see her earlier work archive <a href="http://www.broekhuizen.me.uk/default.asp?year=2003">here</a>.</div><br /><div>Maran Chickens<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWkXiZ57jI/AAAAAAAAFhU/idX-Uo4VYrU/s1600/Josephine+Broekhuizen+-+Maran+Chickens.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 172px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504986843809705522" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWkXiZ57jI/AAAAAAAAFhU/idX-Uo4VYrU/s320/Josephine+Broekhuizen+-+Maran+Chickens.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Field Fares<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWkNN9mELI/AAAAAAAAFhM/vLkR_uu50mA/s1600/Josephine+Broekhuizen+-++Field+Fares.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504986666523562162" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWkNN9mELI/AAAAAAAAFhM/vLkR_uu50mA/s320/Josephine+Broekhuizen+-++Field+Fares.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Three Men In A Boat detail<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWkCloTlpI/AAAAAAAAFhE/8KJuRiS-fkU/s1600/Josephine+Broekhuizen+-+Three+Men+In+A+Boat+detail.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504986483898160786" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWkCloTlpI/AAAAAAAAFhE/8KJuRiS-fkU/s320/Josephine+Broekhuizen+-+Three+Men+In+A+Boat+detail.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I love this beautiful pen and ink hare and green woodpecker by Anne Mieke Lumsden. Originally from Holland but now in Somerset she works mainly in ink and oils. Her hares are lovely and you can see some more <a href="http://www.fountainfineart.com/artists/thumbnails/archive/archive.php?supplier_id=15">here</a> at Fountain Fine Art.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWfDDJOolI/AAAAAAAAFg8/87N0HVOTDu0/s1600/Anne+Mieke+Lumsden+-+Hare+And+Green+Woodpecker.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504980994262737490" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWfDDJOolI/AAAAAAAAFg8/87N0HVOTDu0/s320/Anne+Mieke+Lumsden+-+Hare+And+Green+Woodpecker.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rose Clay's Etsy shop is a delight to browse. It is called Three Sheep Studio and you can find it <a href="http://www.threesheepstudio.com/">here</a>. Rose is a very talented fibre artist who uses beautiful wool to create her lovely designs. She then enjoys embellishing them with various hand embroidery stitches, glass beads etc. She also creates traditionally hooked rugs and dyes her own woollen fabrics for sale. A lot of the designs are available as PDF patterns. My favourites have to be the Urban Chicken series, of which three can be seen below.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWYT-y-mzI/AAAAAAAAFg0/73KNkhTnUsk/s1600/Rose+Clay+-+Urban+Chicken+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504973588572052274" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWYT-y-mzI/AAAAAAAAFg0/73KNkhTnUsk/s320/Rose+Clay+-+Urban+Chicken+1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWYNJEIDxI/AAAAAAAAFgs/bNcoa45HXKk/s1600/Rose+Clay+-+Urban+Chicken+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504973471069245202" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWYNJEIDxI/AAAAAAAAFgs/bNcoa45HXKk/s320/Rose+Clay+-+Urban+Chicken+2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWYF30QNMI/AAAAAAAAFgk/TldjOaXnKfY/s1600/Rose+Clay+-+Urban+Chicken+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504973346180183234" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWYF30QNMI/AAAAAAAAFgk/TldjOaXnKfY/s320/Rose+Clay+-+Urban+Chicken+3.jpg" /></a><br />Beaded Wool Berries<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWX46GbsBI/AAAAAAAAFgc/QVqGueX3PVs/s1600/Rose+Clay+-+Beaded+Berries.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 198px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504973123455004690" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWX46GbsBI/AAAAAAAAFgc/QVqGueX3PVs/s320/Rose+Clay+-+Beaded+Berries.jpg" /></a><br />Jacobean Flower Wool Work<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWXwtIae3I/AAAAAAAAFgU/3thCgQkWYHk/s1600/Rose+Clay+-+Jacobean+Wool+Work+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 294px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504972982534699890" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWXwtIae3I/AAAAAAAAFgU/3thCgQkWYHk/s320/Rose+Clay+-+Jacobean+Wool+Work+1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWXn7DY4pI/AAAAAAAAFgM/k1UxD3Hy74A/s1600/Rose+Clay+-+Jacobean+Wool+Work+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 302px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504972831652897426" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3gH3sLr46NI/TGWXn7DY4pI/AAAAAAAAFgM/k1UxD3Hy74A/s320/Rose+Clay+-+Jacobean+Wool+Work+2.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07095469968246647873noreply@blogger.com16