Friday, January 20, 2012

The Slow Path

January is flying by but I wasn't fast enough to jump onto her wing and hitch a ride. I feel I have been left behind and  am taking the scenic path. I have been working very slowly. I'm not sure why this is? I think I'm gathering my thoughts and still recharging my creative battery?  It's strange as when the new year arrives you want to throw yourself into the fresh new beginning. But the mind is not willing and is telling me it's a journey not a race. So I've been looking.
I've met Jack Frost a couple of times, but this year he has more business elsewhere, not Wiltshire.
Sky watching. I've done a lot of that. In fact I always do. There is more magic in light than in anything I feel.


January has gifted me with  lavender sweets, celandines in bloom,  a tear shed or two over War horse, falling into heather and the highlands by candlelight via the pages of my book, answering a song thrush that definitely spoke to me! Beautiful new music, browsing in bookshops, sweet incense and warm spicy soup, a meteorite so ancient my mind boggled and of course  the prettiest thing of January, snowdrops.
Thus have been my days. Simple days.
In between I've been painting. This one, a sketch from last year has been on the list for a long time. And  with the muse deciding it's rest time, it's taking longer than anticipated. But, we'll get there. ;)


There's still quite a lot to do on this painting, but hopefully it should be finished next week?

I'll leave you with a clip of War Horse. Do go and see, a beautiful book  an amazing theatre production (which I've yet to see but so want to) and  now magical movie and part of it filmed here in Wiltshire just a few miles away at Castle Combe.
 

28 comments:

  1. Your way of passing through January sounds just right, energy and inspiration will return with the longer, warmer days ahead.

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  2. I felt a deep sigh of relief wash over me as I saw your post pop up on my screen. Then as the music started, I wanted to land somewhere near those frosted bushes and walk a bit in your world. Sounds and looks wonderful. Maybe the slow-ness is a natural response to the season. How else can we create magic if we move so fast we can't SEE it in the light of the sky and the delicate coating of frost?

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  3. I believe you're both right. And so beautifully said Valerianna. :) xx

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  4. Yes, I saw War Horse last weekend and it is moving and disturbing in its portrayal of the killing fields of World War I.

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  5. This post is a poem to read and as always a delicious visual treat. Thank you. (I am another skywatcher). Thank you.
    PS How do you get those snowflakes on your pics?

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  6. It is indeed Debra utterly sad as all war is. But underlying is the relationship between the horse and boy which shines in the darkness.

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  7. Cait ..Thank you :) The snowflakes are done using the 'picnik' photo website.

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  8. what a perfect January... as you say, we want to throw ourselves in to new beginnings, and yet our minds are not willing. Sky watching and creating slowly is just about the most perfect way to spend this month...

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  9. Must check out this book/movie ~ thank you for posting about it. I don't think hitchhiking is all it's cracked up to be, with another in the driver's seat (so to speak)... who knows where one might end up? Your own intuition is head of steerage...

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  10. Karen
    I felt so uplifted just visiting here today, and reading your thoughtful words, hearing the lovely music, and seeing the painting you are working on.
    I have been following you for about a year now, and love the experience whenever I drop by.
    I envy you your wonderful surroundings -I think you must love where you live.
    Here in Saskatchewan, Canada we have had less snow, as well, it's one of the winters we sometimes have which are milder. However this week we had a sudden drop in temperature (-42 with the windchill), but still not much in the way of snowfall.
    I think I will try to see War Horse, you recommend it so well.
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend, and end of January.
    Brenda
    P.S. I love your art work! The sky at twilight or dawn is one of my favourite skies, and much of your work seems to have a night sky at winter feel.
    I hope soon to order some art cards and possibly pendants for my young nieces through your ETSy shop. This will be my first time to ever purchase on anyone's Etsy - I just enjoy what you do so much.

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  11. This is a lovely post you have gifted us to start the weekend off with. Thankful for your lovely inspiration. And I am curious, how do you get the snow falling effect on your blog?

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  12. Beautiful p[ost - sounds like a perfect January to me. We need to take time to move slowly occasionally and January is the perfect month in which to be rather than to do don't you think?

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  13. I'm in a sort of semi-hibernation too, my imagination says paint but my body says rest. Your handsome prince looks like he will be guardian of all small creatures.

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  14. Day dream on girl! You're an artist, it's research, resting the creative forces so you will be revitalised. I do like the picture you're working on.

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  15. Karen this is a joy of a post! It's perfect reading for a Saturday morning. Beautiful songs in the background too. It's lovely sometimes to just take things more slowly, to relax, enjoy and rejuvenate!
    Dan
    -x-

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  16. Oh how I wish my chaotic January ran a little lovlier and truer as yours....love the style you have in your images it is all your own and I hope I can someday achieve that 'special something' in my own work - especially the quilting (that is not patchwork by the way!!!) Thankyou too for the beautiful music - see you.

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  17. I haven't seen any frost at all this winter! Maybe it came and went one morning when I wasn't looking. I too have felt January to be more sluggish than usual this year. I was raring to go in the new year but things just haven't taken off yet and I feel my oomph is asleep. ;o) I shall take your lead and take the scenic route. :)
    LOve the paintg by the way. He's very good looking, just my type!
    Jess xx

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  18. simple days are always the best I believe....
    your painting is magical...as are you.xxx

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  19. simple days are always the best I believe....
    your painting is magical...as are you.xxx

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  20. I am so happy to have the light of January after the dark we had in December....it made me feel starved of the magic you mention.

    Your new painting is beautiful....I love so much that he is tenderly carrying the fox cub.

    I would love to have heard your duet with the song thrush; going slowly allows us to notice these precious moments.

    Happy sunny Sunday to you ~

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  21. It is so wonderful to catch up with you. I adore Jack Frost's work. Whilst on holiday in the Cantal mountains over Christmas we were winding our way down the valley road when we struck a patch of freezing fog. Every tree was touched with hoarfrost and they sparkled in the brilliant sunshine.

    It's normal to feel slow in January, I am sure. Give yourself the time and your creative spirit will soar.

    Wishing you a peaceful Sunday.

    Stephanie

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  22. What a lovely tribute to the quiet days of winter...we did get a fresh coating of snow this weekend - which has blanketed the earth in white stillness. Your new work is mesmerizing, as always.

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  23. You have reflected my thoughts as this new year gets underway but oh so much more eloquently. The movie trailer begins my day with tears. Thank you for sharing.

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  24. Love the Man and Owl......Very enchanting already.....

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  25. Who is he, the mysterious man on your painting?

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  26. What a beautiful post from one skywatcher to another. I always so enjoy my time with you at your blog. Thank you for visiting me today as well. Have a lovely and enchanting day.
    Joanna

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  27. Happy Imbolc - a time for new beginnings and maybe you'll find yourself emerging from your winter slumber - we all need time to reflect and slow down. I didn't know War Horse was done near us - I've yet to pluck up the courage to see it - my daughter has a horse and I know I'll not be able to stop the tears from falling.

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  28. I've probably said it before but......a lovely, lovely site

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