The sun rises on a new day. The golden light we haven't seen so much of this summer, glittered through the dew drop dappled windows at dawn, gilding them in July's apricot hue.
Early morning light, the light of magic. Indoors is quiet, folk are still lost in the world of dreams but outside the song of a new day is being composed....
Today the sun shone and the ground felt warm. Bees, butterflies crickets, grasshoppers and all manner of other insects ventured out to enjoy the golden rays that have been so rare this summer.
I picked some flowers to brighten our shady north facing kitchen.
I love the twirly stamens of Nigella ( Love in a mist) It self seeds everywhere here and is so pretty.
Everything in the garden is lush and green from excess growth and water. Below a patch on the lawn that had to be left because it was
much too pretty to cut. Another area that has sprouted yellow and orange hawkweed. The brown butterflies like it too.
I've been busy with the illustrations for the book that I'm working on and in between time have been painting some ACEO's. These are tiny paintings measuring 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches, the size of a collectable trading card. They are based around my painting '
Moonrakers' I started to think about what maybe happened before that moment that was captured in paint. What was the story of the white hare, the fox and the owl? So, I had the idea to do a series of tiny pictures for continuing the characters story. Or I suppose they could be called 'prequels'?
Note the Wiltshire corn circle! You see there were strange goings on that night of cheese raking. ;- ) Maybe I'll do another batch and call them 'sequels'. I suppose it is the Illustrator part of me that wants to continue the story?
Then I did some more..
These were playing with paint really and the wash formed mountains. Mountains that needed to escape on to paper after my visit to Wales and ascent of Snowdon? I really had no part in it, except maybe adding the hares? ;-)
These paintings will all be for sale shortly in my Etsy shop, so if you are interested keep an eye open
here.
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Beautiful flowers... I would have done the same thing. Sometimes my garden overflows its boundaries as things re-seed outside them! So I just mow or weed around... but the paths are shrinking!
ReplyDeleteLove the prequils! And all the moon-y starlit magic! We could use some of your rain! I have wilting plants in the garden. The forecast was for showers and thunderstorms this evening, but it seems they have gone north. Tomorrow I MUST water or things will die :( Strange weather times we are in. Wishing you more sun, oh and that first image is stunning!
My garden is overflowing too at the moment. I really do need to intervene now though as although I like it wild, some parts will be taken over with brambles soon. I agree, we are definitely experiencing odd weather patterns. And yes, you are most welcome to some of our rain, I'll tell it to pay you a visit! ;-)
DeleteI felt as though I were sitting in your kitchen with you. Listening to the early morning bird song, watching you paint. Just lovely.
ReplyDeleteI'll put the kettle on and make you a cup of tea shall I? ;0) xx
DeleteThe sequences are wonderful, they are the sort of story that just tells itself. Words come creeping after the images and whisper the story to us.
ReplyDeleteYour garden has some beautiful wild bits; ours is seeded through with false comfrey (prickly, voracious but the bees love it). We have had many moths but few butterflies in this wet. So far one comma and some large whites, not sign of the lovely speckled wood or meadow brown.
I wish you sun and warmth to bring more butterflies and bees to the wild patches.
I'm glad you like them Charlotte :0) Yes we've also noticed that there are far fewer butterflies this year. Let's hope it warms and dries up soon. Sunny wishes back to you. x
Deleteit has been raining here too many days now. gives me ideas to make woodland rain jewelries. otherwise i think it is an English weather ;) Your little paintings are so very beautiful! i wish i could be able to have one. hares are such a magical beings.
ReplyDeletehopefully you have even more golden moments like this. i just love those moments, when sun is painting the treetops with a golden and pink shades. faery magic!
Hello Delila :0)
DeleteSo you have also had the rain this year. Again today here it is grey and threatening rain, but none yet... I think the rain jewelleries would be beautiful.I have also become inspired by the rain and have a few ideas simmering. I love you're work and must treat myself one of these days. x
Between hare's ears and fox's tail, I'm haunted by your dream like tales of once upon a night and a magical moon light..
ReplyDeleteI will have to make more little paintings to carry on the dream. ;0)
DeleteLovely paintings and beautiful descriptive text too.
ReplyDeleteThank you! x
DeleteBeautiful paintings and story xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Jill x
DeleteOOOh Karen I love these, how yum to let your imagination run wild and they conjur up tales a-plenty. I had a lovely wild patch of flowers just like that in the corner over by the stream, then dear Jake cut the lawn for me!! I forgot to tell him not to do that bit! oops.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruthie. :0) Oh no you're patch of wild flowers!.. Shame! I've had that happen in the past, but Hubby always cuts the lawn and is learning to leave things, after my nagging him. ;0)
Deletelol,I dont think Jake will be cutting my grass again he broke the mower, he's decided it would be a lovely treat for me to mow a patch over the stream and through the wood to the donkey shed!!!! i had to laugh though it was quite a lovely idea;-)
DeleteAhh.. that was very sweet and thoughtful of him. Pain about the lawnmower though. We have got through a fair few over the years and they aren't cheap. :/
DeleteJust Beautiful Karen,
ReplyDeleteI am going to treat my self..
I am having silly trouble with paypal at the moment!
Do you except cheques please?
Have a Wednesday full of inspiration.....
love Mariax
Hello again,
DeleteMy lovely daughter as helped me with my paypal, soo I am up and running again...
thank you , will be checking out your store Karen , very soon!
Love Maria x
Hello Maria. :0)
DeleteGlad that you're daughter was able to help as it can be a bit confusing at times. x
Beautiful pictures, they have such a gentle quality ,very serene.My daughter has the white fox "Clothed in Silver" on her wall now and I look at it as I put her to bed.Very peaceful!x
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachel. Ooh I hope the white fox gives you're daughter beautiful dreams. x
DeleteAh, lovely1
ReplyDeleteThank you. :0)
DeleteSuch charming pictures. And I love that first photograph also.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah. :0)
DeleteI absolutely love your blog, it's like a little online oasis. This particular one also made me think of a song called 'White Hare' by Seth Lakeman. Have you heard it? It's from an album called 'Freedom Fields which I highly recommend :).
ReplyDeleteHi Gaina, I'm glad you like it here. Yes, I have heard Seth's lovely song. My favorite though has to be 'The fabled Hare' by Maddy Prior. :0)
DeleteI haven't heard that one, I'll have to go and hunt it out. Thanks! :)
DeleteKaren I love all of your new paintings! I loved the Moonrakers too and am quite in love with the whole series.. looking forward to the sequel :)
ReplyDeletex
So glad that you like. :0) x
DeleteI used to have a lot of love-in-the-mist in my garden but finding it difficult to grow this year. The seedlings are trying hard though, despite the very wet weather! I love your new little ACEOs, they do tell a story and I could imagine them as illustrations. Maybe you'll write too? :)
ReplyDeleteJess x
Make sure you save any seeds from the pods and give them a helping hand for next year Jess. :)x
DeleteI think your little paintings are lovely. I think if you put them all together they would make a sweet little book. Something like a little accordian book.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I like that idea. :)
DeleteDear Karen, the last two weeks I often thought of your blog - because - we spent our this years holidays in southern England. We drove hours and hours from Germany with our car. And I must say - I love England so much. And on our sightseeing tour we visited the white horses and Durdle door. I saw these wonderful pictures here in your blog and I wanted to show it to my family - in reality. My six years old son loves the white horses very much. And so do I and I'm very happy to see a new painting showing it :-))) The next days I will visit your Etsy Shop, but before I have to prepare a big party - my son comes to school. Thank you, Karen, for all the inspiration here. (And sorry for my "German English" ;-), Carola
ReplyDeleteCarola...How wonderful! :0) I'm so glad that this blog has played a part in you discovering these places in England and very very happy that you enjoyed them so much. Brilliant! xx
DeleteGreat images and illustrations... Very nice weather... And I was surprised by the songs of birds ...
ReplyDeleteBest wishes from Buenos Aires...
http://www.alexiev.com.ar/
Proyectos - Illustrations
Alexiev Store - venta de originales
@alexievg en twitter
Thank you Alexiev. :0)
DeleteYour site is absolutely ravishing! Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much John and thanks for stopping by! :)
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