The Great Door...

These are some close ups of pieces of glass that are Dart inspired.

Just finished reading 'The Wild Places' by Robert Macfarlane. What a great book, I read the last chapter slowly, didn't want to finish it! If you ever long for a reconnect with nature, the wild... Or just love reading about trees or the beach or birds.... This is the book for you.

It made me think about why I want to be in quiet places. What is it about solitude and the earth itself that is restorative? Where does it take me? Who am I connecting with? Where does the 'great door' lead?

'As you sit on the hillside, or lie prone under the leaves of the forest, or sprawl by a mountain stream, the great door, that does not look like a door, opens...' (Stephen Graham, quoted by Robert Macfarlane)

Part of the out working of being in beautiful places where nature still has the upper hand, is the work... A small thing.

 

 

Lower Greenway.

Just home from a brief visit to the River Dart...

Rather wild weather but stunning anyway. Very bright when the sun shone, lots of contrast, tricky to capture the lovely layers of greens and blues and browns. So many big trees and such wide, high skies.

We stayed at the characterful and confidently understated Lower Greenway Farm... Fantastic old farmhouse with contemporary twist, that was part of the Greenway Estate (Agatha Christies home). Our stay was made all the more enjoyable and interesting by Paul, the host and Chef, who gave us lots of tips over a fulsome breakfast, on where to find secret Dart beauty spots. Would really recommend this lovely B and B.

So... I feel that I've quenched a thirst. And have lots again to absorb.

And legs to rest.

And work to do.

Do you like the Robin? He was showing off.

'The pageant of the river bank had marched steadily along, unfolding itself in scene-pictures that succeeded itself in stately procession. '

The Wind in the Willows

Further Afield.

We took a few hours today to venture a bit further afield...

Up on to the Mendips where there was a bit of snow left in the fields.

The colours were very pale and muted apart from the strong outlines of the trees.

I have a project in mind for the year ahead...to make a collection of pictures called 'Further Afield'. There are some beautiful landscapes around Bristol that I want to explore, places that are accessible within an hour or so, places that I might overlook in favour of more obvious destinations.

Places like this stretch of long narrow road to Priddy. We saw a few sledgers on the top of the Mendips but apart from that it was empty and silent. Almost secret.

I think it would be stunning here in the summer. I'll come back I think.

In the meantime I'll be inspired by these to paint first on to canvas, then on to glass.

 

Blueness...

All sorts of blues, greens, whites...making marks on marks...

trying to catch again the wild moment.

 

 

 

Snow words...

Here's some of my favourites from Kate Bush's song '50 words for Snow'.

"Drifting, twisting, whiteout, blackbird Braille, avalanche, eider falls, mountainsob, icyskidski, creaky creaky, slipperella, shovel crusted, blown from polar fur, vanishing world, snow..."

I might add...bluewhite, secret, skylace, powderwear...

 

Three days in North Cornwall

I've just spent three days in one of the most beautiful places in the world. It's not hard to see why. And it seemed that I was the only person there. Perfect! Hundreds of photos (taken on Ks new Canon G1X) have given me lots to ponder and be inspired by.

My favourites are the fields and skies. These words seem very lightweight and not nearly profound enough to describe how uplifting and joyful it was to be out and about in these places. Just awe inspiring.

 

Today...

Today... Some birds in glass and an experiment half finished...

5 years ago...A small square oil... Cut from a larger painting...

Many years ago...A water colour I painted when I was 18, on Art Foundation!