Review of it all...

It's been a full and exciting year... With plenty of ups and downs too, making it rich in many ways.

 

Holidays at home and away... St Ives, Port Isaac, Suffolk, Venice...

Exhibitions, at home, in Cornwall...

Farewells as Charlie set off on his travels, then off to Plymouth... And back!

Goodbye... To my great friend Louise. Really missed.

Weddings...4 of them! Very happy times.

Friendships, family, strengthened and held dear.

 

Of course there's loads more... It's just a snapshot of life in the Reeves home... Looking forward to next year and all it holds. Glad and grateful for life, work, family, friends, faith and laughter.

 

Silent...

'...Silent and soft and slow, descends the snow...' Longfellow

More snow pictures...

I am aware that this is just a brief season and that spring is stirring (yes it is!) So I am indulging that liking for silence and stillness. And during the quiet weeks ahead I am going to be busy anticipating new things...

 

This is the tree I love most in my front garden... (actually it's the park in front of my house... I just pretend). And it reminds me today that spring will come and summer too... Better get ready.

 

Natures inspiration...

Here is a little example of how a trip out on a sunny day provides lots of inspiration for work. Nature is a hard act to follow so best not to try and be completely representational! An impression will do for me...

Glass is a lovely medium to work in and painting on to it with powdered glass somehow seems to work with these trees...

 

Brrrr.

Just reminiscing about last years cold snap.

Have watched these beautiful trees across the road change with the seasons over the year. This has got to be a favourite though.

 

Fairy light wonder.

I really am winding own now if I've got time for playing around with fairy lights. I love these though, it's amazing what you can do with a phone camera these days.

Without the pressure of working to a deadline, I find it a little bit hard to focus at the moment. So I am looking forward to January and having a daily plan of action. The main aim being fresh inspiration and new avenues....

In the mean time, fairy lights and tinsel suffice.

(been listening to Tracey Thorn too much!)

'Consoling sea...'

I'm looking forward to taking time out in January to look at, watch, paint and be inspired by the coast. The thought is the equivalent to quenching a thirst on a hot day. Can't wait.

It's can be a bit draining living in the city. But that for me can also crystallise the whole reason for being creative. The refreshment and restorative value of the sea and the coast is huge. It's so important.

John Betjemans poem Winter Seascape is a favourite. I love the last verse.

'Here where the cliffs alone prevail, I stand exultant, neutral, free. And from the cushion of the gale, behold a huge consoling sea.'

Say no more.

Perfect and still

Padstow was full to bursting today. So many people busily being festive.

It was a good day at The Picture House Gallery... We met lots of new visitors and some regulars too. And there was an encouraging response to the Winter River collection.

The sun shone and the sea in the harbour was calm and still, a perfect backdrop.

Then the santas came running by.

Festive Padstow...

In the morning I'm heading off to Padstow with a collection of glass pictures and paintings. If you are around for the Christmas Festival on Saturday afternoon, come and say hello! I'll be at the Picture House Gallery between 12 and 3. It will be a festive affair!

 

'Wise Trees'

Winter Trees

All the complicated details

Of the attiring and

The disattiring are completed.

A liquid moon

Moves gently among

The long branches.

Thus having prepared their buds

Against a sure winter

The wise trees

Stand sleeping in the cold.

William Carlos Wiliams