April forgot her showers

April has forgotten her showers this year it seems? Days have been warm, beneath clear blue skies for most of the month. I have been surrounded by flowers indoors and out.   

Work is  reflecting the April garden, hedgerows and fields.

'Forgetmenot'

These little faces are waiting to be paired up with a hare. They will hang beneath. 

'Stitchwort'

A peep at new items waiting to have string and treasures added.

Talking of treasure, I found these delicate pheasant feathers on my way up to the woods.

And these two lovely old books at the car boot sale.  

And this beautiful Oxslip on a sunny bank beneath a sparrow chattering hedge. 

And... a sunbeam charging a dandelion with solar magic. 

What treasure have you found today? 

A quiet week

This morning as I write with my mug of tea by my side, the view from my window is gentle on the eye. Still and silver, a  misty beginning. Later I predict the sun will burn through and the day will be another sunny warm one, just like yesterday.  The sky is filled with birdsong. A blackbird is close by on a nearby branch, it's song,  a poem for a new day.

Spring is well into her wild and flowery dance now, scattering her magic throughout the grass. 

On days like this, it's hard to stay indoors. Much better to be outside and to take the time to lay down in the grass and moss and look upwards at blue April skies. 

 And to slow down and enjoy the view on  our journey. 

It's good to be back working outside. I may not have internet connection there, but I have the blossom, daisies and dandelion to admire whilst I quietly work away. I'm busy with hangers again now. The sanding part can be done sat in the sun. 

Sometimes it's hard to go back inside to paint, when the warm sun is on your shoulders,  but at least I can open the doors and let the sunshine in,  which is a good thing.  

I found a birds skull the other day when gardening. What a beautiful elegant thing. I shall add it to my nature collection, which I must remember to show you another time... 

I also came across this fellow hiding beneath a stone in the garden. I think his title is, Mr Toad, assistant gardener.

As the greening takes place  and the new leaves unfurl, the banks and fields are scattered with the delicate colours of Spring. 

On my walk tonight I spotted this little rabbit enjoying the evening sunshine.

New life is everywhere, and it's wonderful to see.

I wish you all a Happy Easter weekend. x

A little sunlight in the woods

The sun has been to visit and stayed a while. We took advantage and walked in the woods where only the gentle silent waters moved slowly and birds went about their business without a care of anything else that was going on in the world.

The trees skeletal forms were softened with moss. A green velvety coat that glowed in the afternoon rays.(which reminds me I never did get that green velvet mossy coat that I was after a few years back)
Growing upon the fallen rotting branches, moss covered, I found this bright red fungus. I think it's called Scarlet Elf Cup. What a perfect name, don't you think?

 In fact the whole place seemed  perfect for elves to live... and other creatures.

 "Frodo saw the valley of the Silverlode lying like a sea of fallow gold tossing gently in the breeze.  It seemed to him that he would never hear again a running water so beautiful, for ever blending its innumerable notes in an endless changeful music."  ~ Tolkien

Was that the distant sound of sweet singing I heard? Voices of  Lothlorien perhaps.

Even the ant hills looked a little surreal in the afternoon light, almost as if they were sleeping beings that might up and walk at a moments notice, or when the full moon shines upon them?

~*~

Our wanderings took us near to the pretty village of Castle Combe which is only just a few miles from me. I'm not sure if I've shared pictures of the village before on here, I may have done?

It's a very picturesque Cotswold stone village and very much loved by tourists. Maybe you might recognise it from the film Stardust?

~*~

Although the sun has been with us these past few days and yesterday I was gardening in a tee shirt my thoughts and ideas have been of the north. The latest two finished paintings reflect this. This one below I have slightly changed from my original drawing. 'The Jewelled Breath' available as a print from my shop here

The other painting I haven't got around to scanning yet, so isn't available as yet, but will be shortly. I will take it with me on my next trip to town. I have named this one 'Queen of the Earth, child of the sky'

It's painted on canvas which I often struggle with. It's strange how moving paint across a different surface can behave so differently. Wood and paper is fast, but canvas always so slow, for me anyhow. 

Thanks for all your comments on the last post, so sorry I haven't replied to any, I will get around to it. Time seems to be playing tricks on me at the moment.

Enjoy the sunshine! 

X

Warm Days

Winter has now 'officially' ended and Spring is here.
Outside a  symphony plays. The musicians are black velvet gowned, red breasted and speckle chested. Rook, blackbird, twitterings of hedge sparrow, sweet song of robin, and enchanting lull of song thrush. Celandine, primrose and white violet scent the spring air and the sun is warm. I'm wearing short sleeves in March.

I've made some birds.

Little birds with hearts and toadstools on.

And I finished 'Peaceable Kingdom'

I hope you are enjoying the sunshine and birdsong as much as I am?
Happy Spring! x