A Touch Of Wild And A Scent Of Wisdom

Gentle, delicate, insignificant to some who are sucked into the realm of bold, bright loud, showy and repeat flowering... Our native wild flowers hold a special place in my heart. I suppose it's because they are the flowers I grew up with in the country lanes and woods where I played as a child. The wonderful names always transport me through a doorway into a forgotton place. A past of herbal tinctures, small bottles with glass tops, pestle and mortar, apothecaries, bunches of dried plants and garlands hanging from old oak beams. Rooms scented with bowls of pot pourri, flagstones scattered with lavender leaves,  flowers steeped in oils and blended essences.... I'm inspired just by the names . ... Honeysuckle, Shepherds purse, Pennywort, Dandelion, Cuckoo pint, Yorkshire fog, Speedwell, Snakeshead Fritillary, Herb robert, Devils bit scabious, Yellow archangel, Lady's bedstraw, Sticky mouse ear, Jack by the hedge, Fairy flax. Corn cockle,  Foxglove, Deadly nightshade....
I could go on and on...
Here are some I spotted out walking...

                                                Speedwell

                                                                  Cuckoo flower

                                                             Jack by the hedge

                                        Dandelion

And the queen of the woods... bluebell 

The hawthorn is in bloom now too and my little summer hobbit house which I've nick named 'Bag End'  is looking lovely and wild alongside it.

I also have been wearing this scent of  the wild.. Tree Wisdom perfume. :-)

 My daughter gave me this for Christmas. Hopefully the wisdom might soak in?  ;-)

Of course, as well as enjoying being outside, I have been doing other things. 

Sketches for new paintings..

 And one of them complete. Although looking at it now, I can see I have done the tree's hair line differently. I prefer the sketch, so will have to change that.

'Advice From A Tree' 

I've also been in the shed cutting out lots of wooden creatures and still have more to do, so next week will be a very busy week here.

Oh and just incase I forget, (but I'm sure I won't! ;-)) My painting 'The Starlight Hare' is the featured painting for spring/summer on the children's page over at the Hare Preservation Trust!  Please go and have a look as it's a great website and a fantastic cause for a magical beautiful animal. 

www.hare-preservation-trust.co.uk/children.html