Old Autumn

“I saw old Autumn in the misty morn
Stand shadowless like silence, listening

To silence, for no lonely bird would sing

Into his hollow ear from woods forlorn,

Nor lowly hedge nor solitary thorn; --

Shaking his languid locks all dewy bright

With tangled gossamer that fell by night,

Pearling his coronet of golden corn.” 

~Thomas Hood

I've seen him too in the misty morn. He was by the hawthorn tree, talking with a magpie. Around his waist twisted a belt of old mans beard to keep his coat of leaves from falling too soon. His coronet was not of corn,  but moss and toadstool, lichen and crab apple and his old beard was woven with thistle down, sticky burrs and seeds like an old vixens tail. Around his neck strung conkers and acorns, and his eyes were ancient amber...

 

I thought I'd stop by and share a little more of Autumn with you before it's slipped by once more. After a misty start the sun is shining gloriously here and the sky is blue as a robins egg. 

There are a few more of the homemade cards appearing in the shop as I make them in spare moments while paint is drying. Some are old repeat design, others images that have yet to appear as cards.

I'm busy creating some wooden pieces for my next shop update (yet to be confirmed)  Will probably be the end of November? In the meantime, enjoy this last day of October how ever which way you celebrate. Happy Halloween, All Hallows Eve  and Samhain blessings.  ;) x

Gold in the days.

As October is being tucked up in bed to sleep for yet another year, the days are filled with hints of gold. There is a golden carpet of leaves on the ground. It glistens in the damp misted morning and crackles and dances like sparks on a bonfire, on the windy days across the paths that I walk.

On the oak tree in the field nearby, we found hornets wearing their golden stripy outfits.

High up in the ash tree a black feathery Sir watches the leaves fall with his birds eye jackdaw view and ice blue eyes. Enjoying the mild afternoon, high up in the wooded cathedral, the sun warms his feathers of velvet and silk.

Meanwhile below the old holly tree, I have continued to feed my little robin friend. He is quite partial to porridge oats I've found out.  I managed to film a little and thought you might like to see.  It's just a short clip and not brilliantly edited, so I do apologise for that. If you follow me on Facebook I've already shared it there but for anyone else here it is.

Golden moments to treasure.
I did this little pencil drawing in between working on new hangers. I think it has captured him and his distinct eyebrows. :)

   ***

In other news... I have two paintings in the latest issue of EarthLines magazine. 

It's a wonderful magazine and I feel very honoured to be included. To subscribe or buy a copy of the latest edition, pop across to here. 

And so the Jack o lantern's have been carved and sit atop the piano waiting to be lit when twilight arrives.

I got to do one this year because Son is at Uni. ;) 

Happy Halloween/ Samhain/All hallows!   It's time to get the fires ready for Winter! x