Days Fly By. A Painting, Card and Calendar

 

Sea Treasure. A Gift for a Friend

 

The Bee's Spell. A Painting Inspired by a Fragment of the Past

Hello dear blog readers, 

Here is my latest video. Do come and join me on Youtube if you haven't already. It's completely free to subscribe.  :) x

Behind The Scenes And A Painting That Didn't Go Quite As Planned

 

Unboxing Some New Art Materials and a Little Sketchbook Play

 

Goodbye Winter. Hello Spring

 

Winter Days and Painting Mr Tumnus

 

Finding Peace in Land and Sky

My latest video. Don't forget to come and join me over on YouTube! x

 

Merry Christmas

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 

This year I'm not sure I will be hearing the bells on Christmas day as we traditionally always do?  Living in a small village, our traditions in these uncertain times will probably not happen this year.  The Mummers play in the pub on Christmas eve will not take place, the church will be dark and silent for midnight mass. This time last year, who knew we would be where we are now and that the year would be so different to other years... No one ever knows the future and time carries on with its ups and downs, happiness and tragedies, laughter and tears.  For me there have been beautiful, scary and sad times but I am grateful that my family and I are here as we move into 2021.

Creatively, (like many) I have struggled to produce a lot. In situations like these you stop, take stock and assess what is most important in life. New things have been born. Digital downloads (which seem quite popular) and a Youtube channel. Nothing stays the same and everything changes and evolves. 

As I mentioned in a previous post. I will be wrapping this blog up at the end of this year.  I do plan another but I may take a break? It's been 12 years since I began here and there have been various glitches on the site for a while now. I changed the html a long time ago and have forgotten what I changed? Now sites need to be able to cope with phones and tablets adapting to certain sizes, so a new one makes sense. But as soon as I have another one up and running, I will let you know here and share the link. 

In the mean time, I send out a big thank you to all that have stopped by here over the years. For your comments, likes, love, encouragement, shares and constant support of my shop and work. 

I wish you the happiest festive time, filled with love, hope and optimism   

and a peaceful, healthy Christmas and new year.

 I will leave with you my latest video...  Please come and join me on You tube and subscribe if you haven't already! 

Merry Christmas dear folks!

See you in 2021! 

Karen x

 

Stars for an Old Friend

The eve of December and these beautiful berries on the old tree have pretty much disappeared now. 

All of a sudden when the North wind sends whispers of a frost the birds descend. Blackbird, thrush, pigeon and this year redwing. Maybe that's a sign of a colder winter ahead? I tried to capture them on camera but each time I got near they flew away. They are not as tame as the birds in the garden.  

As usual, we picked our bunch before they all disappeared. The sprigs wait patiently in a bucket of water ready for festive decorating. Unless of course Mr Blackbird discovers where the secret stash is. Having a pane of glass missing in the green house, this could be a real possibility and in fact has happened before. ;-) 

It's been a strange year indeed. I still can't believe that we are heading into December already. I don't have any inspiring pictures to share with you as I haven't been anywhere and have been so busy keeping up with orders.  I don't think a studio mess, piles of boxes, receipts and overflowing waste paper bins would have quite the same kind of vibe, so instead will show you the latest painting. 

It's called 'Stars for an Old Friend' and is painted in acrylics on paper.  I filmed the creation of it in time-lapse and made another film. So if you are interested in watching, click here or see below. It's available in both shops as a print. 

'Stars for an Old Friend'

Don't forget to get your advent calendars out and up ready for tomorrow.

See you in December! 

X