apainterindorset

Gauguin to my shed!

2010-11-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

Well, it really has been a glorious autumnal day! And I have had a great day in the shed.!

I will begin at the beginning of this story!

Two weeks ago, I went to stay in my daughters flat in Luton. On the way, we met in London and went to the Paul Gauguin exhibition. It was truly inspirational. His use of colours, negative spaces, edges - everything that Clare Shepherd ever emphasises in class was there, shouting at me - see, this is how it is done! The beautiful vignettes of landscape seen beyond the figures, the way he shows how important in-between space is. Oh joy!

I also discovered Victor Pasmore, how has he ever elluded me? Amazing.

I think, like prints, I see these images and I know that I cannot do and do not have the capacity to create these visions. These are my perfect landscapes. Especially the top image, it has connections with every great landscape painter there ever was and is, yet it goes beyond to the clear and definitive essence of what it is. I cannot do that, I start putting too much in! I need to be hard on myself!

Sophie opened my eyes to Gerhard Richter, she saw other-wordly things in his paintings and now I will never look at the them in the old way!

So, we have just had half term. I cleaned my shed! I chucked out lots of things, rearranged, bought new shelves for the way-too-many books in there - and files. I sorted out all my pens and watercolour pencils and inks, well, I can now find everything and use it all!

I have an exhibition on at The Meeting House Arts Centre in Ilminster and tomorrow I am going to have a 'Meet the Artist' session! So I thought, rather than stand or sit there with nobody to talk to, I would do a large watercolour painting. But what shall I paint?

The autumnal colours have been so beautiful that I thought I would go out and search for a great spot! I found a site along the Stour next to the Hod and another between Durweston and Bryanston village, looking towards Blackfern Plantation. After looking at some of the beautiful pattern work of Victor Pasmore's drawings, I took a pen and intended to see the landscape as a pattern - but I quickly reverted to my old ways! I assure you I will try to do one like his at some point though.You can see that in the top left I began to make lines and then I became so intent on the landscape I forgot to continue in the same vein. It was wonderful to be out though.

On return to shed, I put Smetana's Ma Vlast No2 on, very loud! I poured some water onto a sheet of watercolour paper, sharpened my pencils over it, hence little dots and set to, using all my newly discovered watercolour pencils, I now have an image to work from tomorrow when I want to create a large scale watercolour. I will let you know how it goes, but I hope I do not get too many people now!! I want to work, work, work!

Janet's little works of art!

2010-07-25T00:50:00.000-07:00

Janet.

Aqua Aerobics teacher, Potter extroadinaire, yet another giggler, a little sponge, she soaks everything up, an absolutely delightful lady!

'Tops and bottoms coming off in the water with all the effort. . . we will go home very fit, or fit to drop!' (JPL)

As I have said before, Janet really was puzzled by what to do, her first pastel still life was very vibrant, but then she got 'stuck' in herself and I had to guide her into the path of 'TRY,TRY,TRY!!' and she did! It does not show up very well, I will try and get a better image, but her colourful bridge, continuous line drawing, next to the still life, worked very well. I did try to encourage Janet to go even larger, but once she had discovered her little works there was no diverting her!

Rosie's paintings

2010-07-24T23:58:00.001-07:00

Rosie's adventures in Normandy!

A real 'Girl's own' spirit! A ride to the village for breakfast on the bikes, a giggler, Morecombe and wise impressions, naughty but nice and worked very hard. I think Rosie enjoyed herself!!

Rosie is a great little watercolourist and although she found some of the subjects challenging, she ploughed on - pushing herself to improve.

A still life, from the first day when it rained.

Apologies to Rosie, for quality of some of the photos.

Sandy's paintings.

2010-07-05T21:15:00.000-07:00

Sandy's pictures.

Sandy is a whizz, always helping and running around after us all, a real team member. Never too busy to lay the table and always has just the right colour in her kit. Sandy also gave us the most hilarious evening. All I can possibly say is 'Pampas Grass'.

Sandy is probably best known as our Abstract Acrylic Artist. She studied textiles and you can see materials emerging from her paint pallette, along with the stitching as she carefully places one colour against another.

On the first full day, Sandy, rather than doing a still life, took herself off to the Table tennis shed at the side of the building. She began by looking to her left and throughout the day moved 45 degrees to a different section, hence the light changes. The completed panel, about a metre by 75cm, is reminiscent of a John Piper. Sandy says it is not finished! We think it is Sandy!

The Bridge at Hambye.

A corner of La Baleine.

Again, Sandy finds a little niche to paint in and considers her composition too. It does look like as though it is woven in places.

Diana's paintings.

2010-07-05T20:49:00.000-07:00

Diana's paintings.

Diana has the most contagious laugh and was a wonderful companion to us all. Determined to improve and work hard, she had goals and achieved them.

La Germiniere, continuous line drawing.

The bridge in Hambye. Diana's first Oil.

And the finished painting - beautiful Diana.

The back of L'Abbaye d'Hambye.
A beautiful watercolour study - Turneresque Diana!

On the first saturday it rained - so I rearranged the house to have a couple of still life's. This was a n old machine from the Dining room.
Lovely sketch.
The fields at the side of the house. Diana was beginning to look at composition and how she could include foreground subjects.

Le Jardin de Plantes Botanique, Coutances. What a glorious hot day this was and super paintings produced. So much to consider.

Last day - at La Baleine, a difficult subject, the mill. Great shadows give it atmosphere. I believe Diana has completed about three more since this one, I will update you on the finished item/s!

Apologies

2010-07-03T13:06:00.000-07:00

Apologies, have been trying to get piccies from all. I broke my camera on the last day and so have been unable to get all the paintings up.

Here are some to keep you going, I will do a proper update on the following days shortly.

These are mostly continuous line drawings from the multi talented Janet. Janet was once a major designer and painter for Poole Pottery. She says that this holiday really made her 'look' and felt as though she was seeing new things. The continuous line process made her loosen up visually, and made her less fussy about her actual drawing, hence these beautiful, illustrative works. I hope you enjoy them as much as janet's fellow painters, we loved them.

More to come soon.xx

Our first painting holiday! Day six

2010-06-27T22:57:00.000-07:00

The Market and Abbey.

Grafitti at L' Abbaye

Hot, hot, hot!

Left the house at 9.30 to attend the market in Gavray and do sketchbook work. Some wonderful characters to draw and the cattle too. Lots of ducklings for sale. The girls just propped themselves up and lots of sketching began. The locals were very interested and came up and peered over our shoulders. You could hear them telling each other that we were art students on holiday here.

Fresh bread and fruit purchased we make our way to L'Abbaye de Hambye. After some negotiation from the wonderful Sandy we are allowed to stay during there closed period and have the place to ourselves for 2 hours before the paying public enter.

Beautiful day. Plenty if not too much to see, do and paint.

'Such a lovely day - much enjoyed the market. We all did lots of mini-sketches of people and animals. Then on to L'Abbaye and an afternoon of painting. Very difficult, lots of perspective. Super picnic. Then return to house for swimming under Janet's tuition and a a summer supper in the garden.' (RS)

On the way home, Janet, Sandy, Claire and Diana take a detour - the scenic route. (not to be confused with getting lost on the way home.......!!!!) Somebody had swollen ankles, so rests them on the seat infront - hence Sandy has ear muffs!

The Wine Cup House! Near Hambye.

Alison cooks another feast;

Starter; Bulgar wheat, celery and asparagus with prawns.

Main; Pepper stuffed lamb or stuffed round courgettes with
roast potatoes and lettuce and peas.

Pud; Chocolate cake with Strawberries fresh from Gavray Market.....Deeeelicious!

Our first painting holiday! Day five.

2010-06-27T22:47:00.000-07:00

Free day, but most decide to paint at house.

'No electricity, but I discover I CAN draw!' (DH)

'We heard the Cuckoo again today.' (AF)
'What a treat!' (RS)

The Cuckoo was extremely vocal and intermittently sang all day.

Diana and Janet decide to draw the house in continuous line.
Sandy goes up to the top track to paint. Rosie painting house and then foxgloves and daisies.
Audrey practising her negatives in the morning and then a very successful painting down the front of the house, difficult perspective.

Our first painting holiday! Day four.

2010-06-27T03:39:00.000-07:00

Gay Paris? Coutances est plein de jeunes amants!

(Some excerpts from journal)

'Wonderful breakfast - after a fruitless journey to Legronne for bread and Croissants, the shop was in liquidation! So off to Gavray - wonderful Boulangerie et Patisserie.
Coutances today and Le Jardin de Plantes - created by a watercolourist. Hot, beautiful. The first 2 people that we talk to come from Portland.' (CT)

The gardener (I contacted them to ask if it was okay for us to visit, they were the only place that had replied) apporached to chat and I completely forgot all of my french lesson!! So disappointed in myself! All I could remember was that we were English art students! They were very pleased to have us though.

'Hard day painting, worked through the pain and came away with something that could turn out well. wonderful supper, an evening out for everyone and my first Calvados! Not to be repeated soon! But the laughter sees us through anything. Jeans are beginning to feel very tight!' (DH)

'Great painting day in gardens at Coutance in hot sunshine. Returned home to shower and out for the evening meal at local restaurant -v good and party fever!' (RS)

'Painting down a shady path. Sandy saw a lot of Frech activity - a very amorous couple suddenly became aware that they could be seen from the path below them. Alison and Janet discovered a liking for Normandy Kir - cider and cassis and also Calvados!' (SR)

Rosie and Claire has Morecombe and Wise aspirations on the way home! On return from the pub we had to admire and marvel at Alison's amazing discovery in the supermarket....... compressed j-cloths!' (SR)

'Love is in the air, Le Jardin de plantes was awash with young lovers, on the bench a young man read to his girl, they were hiding behind corners and openly amorous!' (CT)

Our lovely chef! Alison.

Bar de l'Etang, Gremisnil

Scallops
Toasted Goats Cheese

Salmon in Sorrel sauce
Duck and Apple

Creme Brulee
Chocolate Mousse
Fudge Brownie and Ice cream
'Janet walking home; (I should point out that this is after a Normandy Kir, wine and calvados!)
'I need a cup of tea! My mouths so dry coz I have had my mouth open panting'! Best not ask!!

Our first painting holiday! Day three.

2010-06-27T01:15:00.000-07:00

Blissful and cold!

(Excerpts from journal)

'Rosie and I left at 7.20 am on the bikes for St Denis le Gast. Wonderful morning, birdsong, only a couple of cars. We tied the brad to the handlebars. Invigorating. Called out to wake the house on our return. Alison and Janet appear at their windows to greet us.'

Wonderful bike ride for Rosie and I, fresh air, lovely roads, we wish we could do this everyday at home too. I make a comment in the Boulangerie that it is not good about Annelka being sent home. We have heard very little news but did see this on the paper. We then worry that perhaps they think I said it was good!!! Oh dear! Rosie gets chatted to by a dear French local and is flabbergasted that she does not understand a thing. We finally work out that she is saying that perhaps the weather will be better today. We hope so.

'Painting at La Ballaine - no - L'Abbaye de l'Hambye. So much to choose from. We need another week to capture this Normandy countryside. Another Aqua-aerobics class. We should be fit by the end of the week, but may be heavier after eating all of Alison's delicious food.
Paintings are all so different and some very exciting images appearing.
More hilarity and varied topics at the dinner table.' (SR)

'Great bike ride with Claire - early! Missed the swim in the evening cos I was exhausted. Tomorrow is another day. Delicious supper, veggie flan and Raspberry Ice cream.' (RS)

'Warning! Pampas grass can be very sharp, especially when outside sandy's front door!!' (AF)

We get to La Baleine to find a host of Motorcyclists, becuase it is so narrow, I decide to move on and we end up at L'Abbaye. After a walk and a discussion, we all end up in the picnic area painting the river and the bridge. Janet is stumped. I suggest she takes her pen and notebook and just concentrates on a continuous line drawing, following the shapes and lines in a natural flow rather than focussing solely on perspective and the objects themselves. After an hour or so I find that she has produced the most exquisite little illustration of the bridge. Janet is also delighted and starts on a whole seriers of continuous line paintings.

We stop to have cheeses and meats again for lunch, lovely.

We continue until about 4 when everyone begins to flag and we make our way back to the house.

Menu;

Sweetcorn chowder with spicy butter (Otto Lenghi!)

Veg and 2 cheese tart

Homemade raspberry ice cream, cherries and alison's shortbread!

Absolutely fabulous!

We finish with an art crit in the lounge.

Our first painting holiday! Day two.

2010-06-27T00:57:00.000-07:00

(Some excerpts from journal)

Oh no! It's raining!

Well, what do you least want or expect on your first day? Yes, it rained! So all plans change and after a sumptuous breakfast of fresh fruit, muesli, yoghurt and coffee to get us going, I set up 2 rooms with a still life and some go out in the side building to paint the great outdoors. We hope that the weather will clear by lunchtime.

'Raining! Rosie up last!' (CT)

'Lots of hard work done. Lunch outside. Mini exhibition at end of very productive day. After supper - parlour games - drawing peopleby not looking at the paper (under the table) and with a continuous line. Some bizarre and hilarious results!' (SR)

'Painting at house. Claire arranged still life for us inside. Busy, fun morning and outside in the afternoon, followed by amazing swim in the pool with Janet's Aqua- aerobic instructions. Pool is wonderfully warm. Alison is working so hard for us in the kitchen producing delicious meals.' (RS)

'pm Sat/Sun am. Things that go bump in the night. Claire and Alison (who are sharing the little girls dorm) meet on the stairs in total darkness and scare each other badly. Then dissolve into giggles and behave very badly, despite probably waking everybody else. Can't get to sleep for hours and have girly chat in our dorm!' (AF)

Menu;

Lunch; Cheeses, cold meats and salads. LAison had a hectic morning - could not get ingredients again and ended up at Le Clerc, the other side of Coutances. Finally arrived back and a little more relaxed now that she has everything she needs.

Supper; Goats cheese and roast veg salad
Lebanese lemony chicken,
Bulgar wheat with fennel and aubergine
Fish for veggies

Apple cinnamon tart with Creme Fraiche (epaisse! that is important as only Alison and I know too well!)

Our first painting holiday! Day one.

2010-06-26T23:24:00.000-07:00

The Journey. (Excerpts have also been taken from the La Germiniere diary, which participating artists contributed to.)

'Friday 18th June. Up at the crack of dawn and off to meet a group of delightful ladies with whom I am about to spend a week. The house is magnificent and already I am certain we are going to have a splendid time.' (DH)

''After an uneventful crossing, the mini convoy arrived to discover the supermarket just closing at noon. Lunch in Gavray. House delightful. Claire and alison went to stock up and we explored the area with a lovely walk to the village. Excellent and delicious meal and lots of talk, a great start to the week' (SR)

'Claire and Alison had fun in the supermarket testing their french skills...' - oh so quickly attained on the Monday before we left - thankyou Veronique! ''sal','doux','demi-sal' - NNNNOOOOO we just want unsalted!!...nevermind' (CT)

3 cars, 8 people, 1 by 1 we congregated and finally in a convoy made our way to Poole and the Ferry for a 7.15 departure. As always Poole Harbour, Sandbanks, Shellbay, Brownsea Island and Old harry did not disappoint. What a wonderful vision for our foreign visitors arriving here.
Crossing smooth, most had a little snooze and hardy Alison say on deck for most of journey and read.

At the other end we pulled in, Jane hopped into Audrey's car to give her some company on the journey down. Arrived in Gavray, just south of Coutances at 12, Supermarket just closing - lunch for our artists? Found a local cafe and sat outside for a light bite. Warm but a cold breeze. Eventually arrived at house an hour early, but Estelle welcomed us and went us straight to our rooms to make beds and sort out our wordly possessions. I sent everyone off to do some sketching while Alison and I do a Supermarket shop to stock up.

We have an hilarious time trying to work out Alison's ingredients in French and bombard one particular girl who is particularly helpful! We come back laden - but not with all the things that Alison needs. She has to quickly adapt her menu and worries about how she is going to get the ingredients - fresh herbs etc. Her car boot is full of pans and boxes of all the herbs and spices from home. Extremely well prepared.

Some have had a lovely walk, whilst others are sat in the garden sketching. As we leave A to sort out the kitchen, we have a painting demo and then head to the heated pool where Janet gives an Aqua Aerobics class. Where I have the full attention of my students, I cannot admit to being a good one myself and am one of the giggling culprits that disrupt this wonderful class! Some things do not change!

Rosie finds she is washed away everytime she attempts an exercise and we dissolve into giggles! Fabulous though. Great way to end the day.

'Everyone enjoying learning Aqua-robics and being really good at it.' (really Janet? was this another group? 'Tops and bottoms coming off in the water with all the effort... we will go home very fit, or fit to drop!' (JPL)

Menu

Afternoon tea - and A's homemade shortbread.

Evening meal - Avocado salad
Trout and lentils
Santiago cake and Ice cream (Again, A made the cake in preparation!)

Rosie announced that she would be up VERY early for a cup of tea. ('Cheeky!' RS)

2010-06-26T10:12:00.000-07:00

Riding in on a wave!

I have just returned from a week in Normandy. I took 6 students and a friend, who is a fabulous cook, on a painting holiday.We had a wonderful adventure and lots of work was achieved. I am all in a daze today. Both tired, and wondrous that the week went so smoothly, I return home to normality - the shopping, the cooking and washing! It feels as though last week was just a dream!

The nice part of a home coming are the hugs and family banter - and the gentle meander I have taken, both in the evening and in the morning, around my garden, perusing my little babes. When I left last Friday, my new purple rose was in bud and I have come home to find it in full bloom. I have dead headed the milky white, double bloom roses outside my shed, lifted them to my nose and longingly purred over the soft pink - peach centre that washes away with their unfolding. I have staked the Canterbury bells and new delphiniums, I have cut the dead stem of my new foxglove 'Serendipity' and rewound the sweet peas around the trellis. As I water, I plan all the other plants I could buy from the money launderers purporting to be Haskins and Cranborne Garden Centre - the Philidelphus (?) that I smelt yesterday in Rosie's garden and an Albertine for the back door.

Normandy was a place of openness, of long roads and no traffic, rolling fields and sun rises that filtered gently through the trees and along the fields, that whispered to you of it's wholesomeness, and a promise that you could get lost for ever in it's spacious glory.

But though I am weary for that kind of freedom, I would much rather arrive in an English country garden than anywhere on earth.xx

The story of our painting adventure will come to you shortly!!xx

2010-03-02T06:10:00.000-08:00

Internal tributaries. (Men of art and war).

I am always amazed at how a remark, a book, a television programme for example, can light up little bulbs in our brains and we might then follow those connections to some long forgotten memory, or perhaps it introduces us to something new and exciting. I have had one of those lunchtimes!

Last week in my Friday afternoon group, we looked at a series of photos and paintings of snow! Yes, you would think that we have had enough of it! But for the next 2 weeks we will be looking at snow. Primarily this is to reinforce those rules of watercolour that were so remorselessly entrenched in my brain while studying with Clare Shepherd. She, like many masters of watercolour, has an inate ability to 'capture the white, or light space'.

One of the paintings we looked at was by John Nash. I think Clare must have introduced me to both Paul and John Nash, particularly 'The Cornfield', which is now one of my most loved paintings.

But this painting is called 'Wild Garden, Winter'.

I can remember Clare talking about the negative and positive areas within the image. She may have used it in class, but unfortunately I missed that! Anyway, one of my students suddenly suggested that rather than looking at snow generally, perhaps we could just look at the building within the picture and practice all those negative and positives, wonderful. So here I am, I have scanned and copied some of the picture that we are going to be concerned about.

While I was doing this, I thought why not have a look and just check any of Paul Nash's watercolours, hence the Orchard, 1914. There is a wonderful exhibition of Paul's work at the Dulwich, so I am going to organise a student outing, we can then go to Van Gogh or the Henry Moore - oh dear , how to decide? I just love the tube drawings of Henry Moore, and was quite shocked when it was suggested that these might actually be dead bodies sketched and then put into the tube station scene. Is this true I wonder?

Whilst searching, I came across Charles Rennie Mackintosh. I expect you are all familiar with his chairs and stain glass windows etc, but yes, he was an amazing watercolourist. I have two picture postcards, pinned to the back of my shed. I think they have been there from that first day, when I entered my brand new shed and decorated it with all my little scraps of inspiration. These watercolours are exquisite in their composition and design detail. In later life he moved to France and spent about 5 years there, returning to his love of watercolours. When he came back he was diagnosed with throat and tongue cancer and died a few months later at the age of 60.

The trees of Paul Nash then took me to Eric Ravillious. I wonder why these young men's paintings fascinate me so, but they do. I think it is because they are clear and concise representations of the country they loved. It is not over worked but sharp, I aspire to work like this. It is what makes me get in the shed! They also have such fascinating life stories!

I am working on a painting of the old roman road from Shapwick to Badbury Rings. We went to The Anchor with friends the other night. I would have driven through Langton, but Paul went Badbury Rings way and down this road to Shapwick. There was driving rain and it was bleak, but as soon as we were travelling down it, I knew that it would be a great place to come back to. I did, first thing Monday morning, I found the perfect spot to sketch. Having looked at these pictures I think I ought to go back again!

So Eric Ravillious, Chalk Paths. What a beautiful painting. the sweep of the paths, the undulating hills. Look at those crisp and concise light areas. Oh, if only I had 2 more hours instead of 1 until Harry gets home!

Eric studied under Paul Nash, I presume at the Slade? He also was a war artist. He died aged 39, in the RAF, while undertaking a sea rescue mission off of Iceland. What a terrible waste. He is another artist whom I will have to research, to find an exhibition of his works, to take my students to see.

The memories of Clare's 'light spaces' has reintroduced Eric to me, and also embarked me on a new journey. Just like John Nash's negative and positive tree lines, as you try to unravel the technicalities of watercolour, you will go from long learnt lessons into new explorations!

2010-02-25T07:32:00.000-08:00

Book Clubs are a very serious concern. A whole year's book list has to be drawn up ahead of time, especially if you require the library to pre-order and acquire ready for the whole group to have their own copy. One also has to carefully consider what it is that one would like the group to 'get out' from reading said book. Are there pertinent, topical, political, social, radical, racist, sexist, (even just plain old sex would do sometimes!), moral, rural, urban, ageist issues that you want the other members to wake up to, to become aware of, to discuss! Or is the poetic turn of phrase, the quiet way in which he writes, the concise description that was just enough to allow you to envisage the very world she stood in?

Ah yes, that little gem. A good discussion! Now here is the crux of the good old Book Club or Group. Not only do you have to read the said tome, you then have to discuss the relevant issues. Well, where does one start? One could be at Club/Group location of meeting for some time. I mean, there is the issue of for example; housing, introduction of council homes to said village, (even introduction of net curtains), social injustices, Lord and Lady lording it over one and all, (I do like them though - don't you?), fox-hunting; the fors and against...... Do you get the idea?
At the end of the evening we go through a mini version of all this with the next book, a mini discussion, and you have not even opened the cover yet!

Well, I am a member of a book club/group. Hold on.... I need to find the Thesaurus, we are neither of these things...mmmm, I LIKE 'movement', yes I think we should become a 'movement'! Very apt!....ooohhh, 'Splinter group'?...no, too middle of the road I think.
'Clique', 'Coterie', 'Junta'? More like 'bunch', 'gang' and 'outfit'!! Whatever you would like to call us we are undoubtedly a cooperative of united subscribers! We associate and affiliate with aplomb! Our fellowship of sisterhood is second only to our solidarity. Oh no, do we need a Mayor for our corporation? No, no. We are an institute of trust, although we do monopolize the Crown Hotel sofas! Ultimately we are communal, yet exclusive. We incorporate, but are clannish!

We have no book list, we take it in turns - what can be more syndicalist? We all talk over each other; free radicalism. We talk about everything else except the book - well for the majority of time anyway! Well, in order to have this partnership you have to be a party member.... and we know how to party! Ask the staff how many decaff coffees we have had over the years. Yes, see, you are impressed now aren't you?

When people talk about the seriousness of their Book Groups, I feel myself stretch to ooooh, at least 5ft 2 with pride! You can keep your yearly forecast of reads, I'll stick with my monthly surprises. Long may the usual pulling the teacher out of her house with her slippers still on, just to ensure she gets there on time, continue. The language barriers between countries have been surmounted, we know who gets p***** on 2 sherries or half a 'ferret in a hole'(??). Oh, how we love to remove any male that may have dared to sit in the comfy sofas in the corner, preferably with force - we find politeness gets us nowhere! Oh the joy on the waiters/waitresses face as we get to the bar and remember 2 drinks before we have to return to the group to remind ourselves of everyone else's order! And after several long minutes of all clutching our stomachs, hiding our faces and swaying back and forth we DO ACTUALLY have something very sensible AND intelligent to say.

At the end of the evening, we all try and extract ourselves from the lumpy cushions, gather books and lists and decide who is going home with whom and where and when is the next one? And who might forget it? We are the sensible ones who sit in the warm car while our associate grovels in the gravel, in the rain, looking for her barrier coin to escape.

Yes, as each person is dropped off to their door, there is the subtle,warm glow of gratification of another successful Book Movement concluded!

(Yes, this has nothing to do with painting! Sorry, I needed a day off!!)

2010-02-13T07:07:00.000-08:00

If only I knew somebody that ran a shop in Shaftesbury! I would be screaming at them - 'Buy some Watercolour paper!'.

I have just been on a little 'date' with my husband! Please do not think that this might be a pre-Valentine date, we are far too old and stuck in our frugal ways to consider entering the 'made-up', money crunching, conveyor belt of that little gem!! (Can you hear my husband now? - mmm - I thought so!!) No, this was a 'Shall we have a little shop/coffee and hand-holding morning wander through the streets of Shaftesbury?' type of date! We actually do do this, just once in a long, long while!!

WH******was the first pit-stop. I intended to buy a couple of those little pocket-size, handy watercolour pads. No, no, none there. Lots and lots, ooh and lots of sketch pads, in all shapes, sizes and colours. Oh well, I will pop into H******* on the way back, they will have some. And off we venture.

Ours is a comfort date! By this I mean that we do all the little things that become peculiar habits of the comfortable couple! We walk up one side of the street and get to the coffee shop asap. Then on the way back, we veer, from one side of the street to the other, just to ensure that we have looked at every Estate Agents. Me, I go for the beautiful rose covered porch, on the stone double fronted cottage, for the endless length of garden that will take me forever to look after - and will of course, mean that I have to give up painting to tend, in the autumn of my existence. Haha, yes you may laugh, I am talking late summer, autumn weather, balmy days, soft breezes and gentle evenings, wandering through my arches, gathering my cookers and nuts. By now, I bet you are just itching to join me.

'He',will be looking for plots, looking at prices, bewailing the idiot who would buy that tumbledown cottage that will be a blight on the rest of their lives as they have to re-do the roof, underpin, dig up the garden to renew the victorian terracotta pipes that now leak everywhere!

This is how the conversation goes;

Me; 'Oh that is gorgeous'. 'Oooh, look at that garden'. 'Oh this one has lots of outhouses too'.

He; ' Well, it will cost more than the house to re-do that roof'. 'Who on earth is going to pay that for that?'. 'Ha! Why would you pay that for a bungalow, to have to knock it down and build a new house?'

Like Shaftesbury, we are a tale of two halves! One is the long street, always there and constant, the other lends itself to a street with two sides. (Am I still making sense?) we veer, from side to side, yet always end up in the same place!

Then, arm in arm, we wander across again, to another Estate Agents, for the whole process to happen - ooh - many times!! We do have a pause as we both enjoy a good rummage in the kitchen shop. No matter how bad a cook you are, there is nothing nicer than finding some little gem to place on the top of the kitchen cupboard, to forget you had, until you next visit, espy the very same and mention to 'He' that it hasn't been used much - but ooh wouldn't we love to have a good juicer?!

On eventually getting back to the bottom of the street, I enter the place that used to have it all! Now it does not! Why, oh why do shops sell paints and brushes galore, but do not have the b***** paper to put it on????????????????????? I am aghast! I want to scream at them how ridiculously ridiculous they are! But 'He' does not approve of stooping to caterwauling like a fishmongers wife, (I have never heard this - did it actually happen?) in a store full of happy Mummy's and Daddy's and beautifully dressed children buying their quarter pound of 'Millions' with their pocket money.

His opinion is of course, confirmed, when on leaving Shaftesbury along Salisbury Street, we enter the short area where we should have right of way. The 4 x 4 at the other end decides that they also have the right of way and decided to cruise on up towards us. As I exclaim an utterance of some kind, 'He' calmly reassures that he can reverse, all is not lost, no need to stress, calm down! Don't you just hate it when you have to sit back and sigh at their continued serenity?

Back in Blandford, he drops me off outside of the Art shop, I run in, pick up my 2 little watercolour pads, and home we go!

Date over, nothing exciting happened. Lovely morning though!

2010-02-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

Restless nights, motivation and discipline!

The brain is the most amazing muscle we have. Did you watch Embarrassing illnesses on Channel 4 last night? There was a young man who suffered from 'night terrors'. Almost on the hour he would 'wake' (this is a bit like sleepwalking without the walk!) and tell the curtain to 'F*** off', or lean over his wife and ask who wanted cheese or where were the worms! This was leaving both his wife and himself exhausted each day.The Doctor sent him to a Sleep specialist where they discovered they could do nothing for him, but suggested he go to an anger management counsellor, which he did.

Within the first half hour it emerged -almost as surprisingly to the patient himself - that as a young teenager there had always been arguements with his Dad and brother, to the extent that they would end up in the garden physically fighting. Even talking about it brought tensions to the young man. Over a course of 6 weeks, he is now able to go a week or more without a 'night terror'. The relief of this young couple who are now experiencing the joys of a good nights sleep was evident. The wife explained that he would only have a terror if he had had an arguement or after a bad day at work.

I go through phases of restless nights. Once awake I begin to worry, worry about everything and anything. The French Holiday, Pauls toothache, Sophie and Sam at Uni and how everything is going for them, Harry's GCSE's options, what I ought and can do around the house, what needs to be done, lesson plans.... shall I go on? So I try to distract myself! One favourite is Ceefax! I LOVE Ceefax. I turn the telly on silent and go from the first page and read all the headlines. If I am lucky by about the 13th page I will want to turn over and go to sleep!!

My other distraction would be something like my Cephalonian home! Oh, did you not know I had one? Yes, it is rather beautiful. Picture this if you will! You are driving down an old dirt track, on both sides it is a rugged landscape, with irregular Olive trees and goats. The sea is somewhere over to your left but the pine tops hide the view. The road begins to wind down and around half way down the hillside is a little lane that leads to a lovely old house and outbuilidngs. In one of the long outbuildings we have built rooms at either end, small ensuite rooms, 3 single ones at either end. We have built up into the roof space above these single rooms, 1 double ensuite at either end with a galleried walkway across the full length of the 'barn'. So this leaves a lot of space in the middle, and height - right up to the old beamed roof and with the galleried walkway against the one back wall, it is a terrific space. Several huge tables, a couple of sinks, easels propped up -perfect.

Outside is my haven. The Olives creep up behind the barn and it really is just rough terrain there, but look between the barn and house and stretching out and beyond is a lemon grove, there are a couple of small pathways that lead you through them. One takes you down to AntiSamos, one of the most beautiful beaches, secluded and crystal clear water. When down there, you only have to sit back and then you will hear the Operatic voices of Captain Corelli and his soldiers, it was here that they filmed that scene. Perfection.

By now I am probably relaxed enough to go off to sleep again! - I know - I wish!!

So then we wake up and have to find the motivation to get on and do! On a sunny day, with a friend, there is nothing more wonderful than having a day out painting. You can forget the world in a field! They should prescribe it! But on these cold wintery days I have found my motivation sadly lacking. I have found every excuse to clean out drawers and cupboards, to clean and clean, is it the Spring Clean virus? Are our brains finely tuned to pick up on when our Grandmothers shook out their eiderdowns and bolsters? Have I been doing my own hibernating? I think I have been! But now the sun is once again beginning to peep through every now and then, even in between the snow showers like yesterday, I can feel an uplifting of spirits, I am looking for those snowdrops and hellebores, I am itching to get out there and play in my garden.

I am also looking forward to pulling everything out of the shed, getting rid of lots of winter bundles that have been stowed away 'to be sorted'. To get some fresh air in there, to have some music playing in the background, to leave the door open and paint, to pack a bag and go out to paint, to enjoy some warmth, to get that discipline of 9 - 4 again! Perhaps MY brain just needed a rest, I had better stop dreaming of Cephalonia - my own 'night visions'.

I am off to paint today, but first I think I will just take in a little stroll through the Lemon grove - ooh look - there is George Clooney!!! Byeeeexx

2010-02-07T03:40:00.000-08:00

I have been reading Clare Shepherds Blog and it was so fascinating - it reminded me of how much fun I had writing my blog! (I really should have kept it up).

So I am going to get this going again!

Art, Sister Wendy and our dedications.

2009-05-29T01:27:00.000-07:00

Did anyone else hear the amazing interview with Sister Wendy on Sunday morning? Can you remember Sister Wendy, the little Nun with a huge knowledge of art? Aled Jones interviewed her on Radio 2 and it was simply wonderful and uplifting.

She revealed that she did not much like the noise of our everyday lives, they have no telly or radio in the Abbey. They have a newspaper delievered - a day late, and after a quick glance at the headlines and the obits, Sister Wendy turns to the sports pages. Not because she has a favourite football team, but because she is in awe of sportmen and women's dedication to their career.

Sister Wendy has left the Abbey in search of art, in fact the early paintings, pre-6th century, of Mary the Mother. After this date a lot were destroyed and so she wanted to see the few, I think she said as little as 6 or 8 that are left. For this, she had to travel to Syria, Jordan and the Sudan. She mentioned how lovely society was in general. I think this might be a lot to do with people recognising her and feeling that they know her. I would not have believed it but Sister Wendy does not enjoy receiving letters, why? becuase it interrupts the daily pattern of her life.

Sister Wendy was impressed that Aled could find religion in his joys of every life, he finds it in his children, in the countryside, in thelove of his family. Wendy said that she had to pray all the time, that is why she so enjoyed being a Sister, and felt that she had to do this day on day practice to ensure that she was as close to her religion as possible. She has been a nun since she was 16!

I began to think about that kind of dedication. Sister Wendy made a choice at 16. Most of us at 16 change our minds every 2 months, or 3 weeks. What a decision to make. She in turn, was in awe of sportsmen and women who practice very day, who work hard at their sport, to perfect every aspect of it.

This made me think about myself! I often say that if I have another chance at life I would like to be n a position to dedicate myself solely to art, to have no other destractions, including children! Some think this very harsh! I would not be without my children for the world, but we are talking 'another life' after all!!!!

Have you seen the studioof Barbara Hepworth in St Ives. I can remember feeling totally amazed that there was her ash tray, there were her aprons, her chisels with which she worked each day, left as though she had just popped to the shops and would be back later to continue her work. Barbara had children, but they were very much 'taken care of', whether at nursery or boarding school.

will finish later!!xx

Bonsley Wood and Dew Pond

2009-04-28T23:30:00.000-07:00

Looking down towards Stourpaine from between Okeford Hill and Bonsley Copse

Tuesday was such a gorgeous day. I sorted the back pack out, not wanting it too heavy and set off. I had intended to head towards Tollard Royal and then thought of two friends. They had both mentioned Bonsley Wood to me over the weekend.

One, Kay, had returned to visit the Dew Pond. The last time she had seen it was walking with my father and myself when we were young girls. Another had rung to tell me abot the beautiful carpet of Bluebells, knowing that we had spread Dad's ashes there she thought I might like to go and see this annual spectacle.

So off towards Stickland, Turnworth and I parked n Okeford Hill car park. I crossed the road and took a lane I have not travelled since I was about 13. It took me back to the Sundays when Dad used to drag me out for a walk. He would always have his latest Canon Camera, as kay reminded me, usually with his Zoom in lense on. On one particular day, the three of us encountered two mating adders. Of course being teenagers we were a bit repulsed by the large pink bubble gum bubble between them and wanted to move on, to spare our own embarrassment. Oh no, Mr Goddard had different ideas, out came the zoom in lense and a considerable time was spent, capturing the moment from different angles!

We were always being told to 'Shush', there could be deer in here', and it flew over my head. As I took this lane now, I did not feel sad, but regret, that now, when I loved walking so much, that I could not share this with Dad. But the day was too good to be dispondant. I felt an energy in my step, a purpose in the walk.

Over Okeford Hill, across out into open fields and down to the Dew Pond. Another bone of contention! Whenever dad mentioned the Dew Pond we always said - 'Noooo', it always felt like just a little bit too far to go when you could be playing at the rec, or with friends. Now I could not wait to see it again.

The sky was pure ceruleum, with a flush of clouds. The fields were fresh with the first rain in ages falling on Monday. As I walked across the open fields I could see that indefinable colour, somewhere between a cobalt and the softest violet, splattered throughout the trees beyond. Bluebells.

I turned left to walk along the edge of the wood as the track dipped down into a little valley. There on the right is the Dew Pond, it's edges wrapped in Bluebells also.

I have a wonderful photo on my phone and I'll endeavour to learn how to upload so that you can see it too. It is quite enclosed by trees and fencing which rather hindered any thought of getting a good drawing spot. But I will go again and hopefully at times with the shrubbery less full I might be able to better get in!

I then made my way up and across to the edge of Bonsley Copse. It was here that last April we scattered my father's ashes, beneath a young tree that Sam scurried up and placed Grandad's cap on a little branch. Sam visited last September and it had still been there. But with the winter weather battering across the hills it was a big wish to think it might still be there. It wasn't.

Why do strange coincidences happen? A plane always appears when I am thinking of my Dad. It was his passion and I always like to think he is having the greatest fun, looping the loop and swooping walkers on the top of HIS hill! A super jet came out of nowhere, circled and disappeared. How many times did he tell me thenamesof these things?? How many?? Do I know any? Yes the Tornado, the Harrier, Concorde. What more should a girl know?

As walked back to complete the circle, a deer appeared and cavorted across the same field I had just crossed. By the time I managed to turn the camera on it was fast disappearing.

A bloggin' we will go

2009-04-27T11:52:00.000-07:00

Oh goodness me, it is a whole year since I last blogged. I have had to register and start again. I can hardly believe it. In this ever changing w.w.w of a life some things just will not stay the same!

Back teaching for the summer term and my ever-wonderful students remind me of things that will forever retain that essence, that factual yet ephemeral part of all our worlds. Our past.

One spoke of Grannie's bun, and when let down to almost touch the floor, the white hair had a streak of yellow through the middle. Grannie loved a roll up and the years of nicotine had stained a streak across the top of her head! What a picture. Or Molly's sister having to have a companion to take her to the outside loo, why? Because she was frightened of chickens.

Once these little stories may have been written down on 'paper', shocking. Now these people are brought to life in the retelling of such stories. Painting pictures in our minds. It is one of the greatest gifts of childhood I think. The ability to have an imagination that carries you off to another world, to another culture, to someone elses kitchen, garden, brother, sister, life.

When my students tell me stories, the pictures pop up in my mind instantly. They are there, like a little theatre, interacting.

A place where time seems to stand still is Stourhead gardens. I visited there the other day. I particularly love the two millponds at the far end. On this particular day the woodsmen were busy chopping trees down - coppicing, or good woodland management as it is probably termed now. There was an eerie feel. The small fire's smoke drifted across the top of the pond. The morning sun searched for a way in and dropped little roundels of light of upon the water. At any moment the Cottingley fairies were about to make their appearance. Such a magical place.

The following week I went prepared to do a lot of drawing. The rhododendrons were all bursting into flower, the light was wonderful. I did make a few sketches, but nothing felt right on the day. I will work on some and see what happens. Some moments can only be recaptured in the telling of them. To revisit and to live again would never be the same.

The pond

The gothic cottage