Forever filled with magic may this place be.

In my last post I shared a sketch that I had done. Since then I have gone ahead and turned it into a painting. I thought it might be interesting to share the process in stages, as I haven't done that in a while. From sketched out beginnings on wood.

To stirrings of life, aided by of copious mugs of tea and many hours of music.

Until you reach that moment when you stop and say it's done. 

The colours are looking slightly different between these last two images. I think the true colour is somewhere between the two. 

This painting is now available to buy as a print here in my shop.

~*~

A few days ago, I was out early to capture the morning's beauty. 

Fire was rising from the horizon as I walked down and looked across the garden path. 

Ice intricately covered each and every stem. Not a branch, seedpod or faded leaf had been missed. The Winter King is very thorough. I had just a few special minutes in this strange magical half light before it disappeared. A small window in time. I felt as if I was witnessing something ancient that so many from long ago saw when they worshipped the sun. 

 Walking on, the sun watched me, peeping through branches like an eye.  

 Then in no time at all the eye had disappeared, the light diffused and a dragon rose to greet the day.

   It didn't stay long but metamorphosed into another golden being of light. 

In the corner of the field I encountered a golden portal.

I didn't step into it that morning as I had art work to come back to and be getting on with. ;)  But, rest assured next time, I will most certainly step inside.  Who knows where it will lead to?  After all I have asked my little friend to show me the old magic.  I think he is doing a good job so far.  

By the time I walked back home for a cup of hot chocolate, the sky was the colour of a summer flower. 

Hibernating with tea, Merlin and a jar of wishes

It's wild outside this evening as I sit here at my desk and write this. I can hear the tree branches moving and the whistling eerie voice of the wind as it whips around the house. It  sounds like ghostly birds in a storm that have lost their way. I was hoping it would be a north wind and that it would bring snow, but it isn't. Instead rain is being blown against the inky black window panes. So far this area has missed out on any snow, except a tiny dusting that melted as soon as the morning sun came out.

I've retreated a little into hermit mode so far this new year. My bear genes again want to hibernate.

My head has been stuck in cupboards rummaging and rifling through stuff. There have been many trips and bags taken to the charity shop 'to simplify things' I don't mind calling this a new years resolution, as I know I can keep it. I get great pleasure and immense satisfaction from clearing clutter, it's a good feeling!  And on the plus side, the universe always gives you something back in return. I found a lovely coat the other day whilst browsing after dropping my bags off. Don't worry an old coat of mine went into the next bag to replace the new one coming in. ;)

This bear in me has also been drinking rather a lot of tea, reading in the bath and watching episodes of Merlin.

I have been working as well though, doing my tax return, and an illustration commission. 

And I've been playing in my sketchbook. Here's a jar of wishes for 2015. 

And another sketch which began as just a doodle. I think it's about whilst I was busy with the illustration commission, the creatures for my future paintings were waiting for me to come out to play, get my brushes out and bring them to life?  What do you think? 

Better get to it then! :)

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