A Time To Nourish My Spirit

                                        

 The talking oak
To the ancient spoke.
But any tree
Will talk to me.
                                                -  Mary Carolyn Davies                                           

                                                                                

 I was surrounded by trees most of last weekend. Cycling through forest tracks strewn with pine cones. The scent of needles perfumed the spring air.  Like a magpie and the many forest wood ants I was attracted to the glittering sap resembling summer rain drops or icicles.

Stand Tall and Proud

Sink your roots deeply into the earth

Reflect the light of a greater source

Think long term

Go out on a limb

Remember your place among all living beings

Embrace with joy the changing seasons

For each yields it's own abundance

The energy and birth of spring

The growth and contentment of summer

The wisdom to let go of leaves in the fall

The rest and quiet renewal of winter

-Ilan Shamir, Advice from a tree

A place to collect thoughts and re-charge...

Some nourishment for my spirit.

It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanates from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit -   Robert Louis Stevenson

Here is the most  beautiful song to share with you, which I think almost has the same effect as the forest does...

 

Still Thinking About Foxes

All is quiet, just me and the garden and the birdsong.

Oh and the hum of the odd bee or 'Dumbledore' (as my very good  friend recently reminded me their proper name was )

 A mossy bed amid these bells would be a good idea, in the warm sun, just to sleep for a little while.....

 My mind is still filled with foxes, and foxes and  more foxes so what else could I do but paint one?..

                                                             'Rest Your Weary Head'

Is a very special original painting on wood edged with real silver leaf. It will shortly be listed for sale here.

Before I disappear again for a few days, let me introduce you to my lodger that has taken up residence in the greenhouse. Beneath the salad box he hides and  pays his way by keeping the slugs down.

 Of course it could be a she?...

A Day Out And A week Filled Of Nail Biting.

It's cold here today. Grey skies and a chilly breeze. A gentle blizzard of apple blossom petals  every now and then gust pass the window. We have lit the woodburner. How different to the other day when we visited  beautiful Exmoor.

A wonderful national park, where the fluffy wild ponies graze and sunshine yellow gorse perfumes the air.

And beneath the flowered bushes minature forests exist...

The sun shone and it was warm.
Warm enough to sit by the stream just along the road at nearby Lynmouth.

And eat fish and chips (the best I've tasted in years!) on the sea front wall. This very handsome seagull waited ever so patiently and was very polite about wanting one of my chips.

I have visited here on several occassions but this trip was to show my daughter as she had recently been learning about 'The Lynmouth disaster' at school. She instantly fell in love with the little town.

We sat on rocks, skimmed stones and breathed in the sea air and generally had a quiet relaxing bank holiday Monday.

                                   *****
I've been easily distracted for the rest of the week by various things. My nails have been bitten down and I've have found it hard to concentrate. I keep wandering to this page and it's facebook page and it makes me so worried and sad to think things could change.If you feel the same please please join.

I've  also been painting ...

                                                                     Beneath blackthorn 

                                                                   And Moongazer.

Both of these I'm afraid have been listed and sold already but I thought I would still share them with you.
I have a new painting on canvas which I have just begun and hope to share that soon. In the mean time I think I will go and  warm myself by the fire. ......

See you all soon xx

The Moonlit Gathering

Just thought I'd drop in quickly to wish everyone a Happy May Day!

Also to show you my new painting that wasn't ready to show on Wednesday.

                                                              'The Moonlit Gathering'

Acrylic on a 38 x 29 cm canvas. It's inspired by the story The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge.
 It is also slightly symbolic of my own house, the animals being characters in previous paintings, waiting for me outside...
Today I have been to town , had the painting scanned  and it is now available in my Etsy shop as a print to buy.
I hope you all have a wonderful bank holiday weekend, whatever you are up to?  :) x

Dandelion Clocks And Little Treasures

There are so many things that I love about this time of year. The cloak of green returns, scent of apple blossom and bluebell, birds nest of moss, lambs, brimstone butterflies on primrose and tiny blue on holly, leafy lanes edged in cow parsley and dandelions.

I love the word 'dandelion' it originates from the old french word 'dentdelion' meaning  'tooth of the lion' referring to the sharply indented leaves of the plant although I wonder if it doesn't also mean the deep long root it has which you discover when you try to remove them from unwanted places? I remember as a child my Mother telling me that dandelion leaves were good for me, full of iron and having fun picking them and making a dandelion sandwich.(Not very often though as I didn't like the bitter taste) I remember trying to capture  the bright golden blooms in bunches, then feeling disappointment when indoors they would close up like daisies. The golden dandelion is an outdoor beauty. With face to the sun and left to go to seed will  transform into magical fairy clocks.
Did you ever pick them and try to make them last longer than a day by spraying some of your Mum's  hair laquer on them as a child? I did. :)

Another thing I like about this time, is discovering treasures at the local car boot sales that begin again in Spring. Here are some I recently found...

A beautiful illustrated story of a dragon, a golden journal to write secret ideas in and a unicorn.
And another owl.

 Who I can feel is a little special?...

 So apart from enjoying simple pleasures I have been busy making...

Listing new items in my Etsy shop...

I have been trying for ages to source a reasonable place to get Greetings cards printed. So decided to do a taster and get a small batch done.

Many people have been asking if I will be doing more painting on hearts. The answer is yes, definitely.
I'm painting at the moment on a canvas A3 size and it's taking a little longer than anticipated so I will wait a teeny bit longer until the showing of  pictures. In the meantime though  as it's quite similar in some ways I thought I'd show you a painting I did a couple of years back.

                                                                They Came Bearing Gifts

This is the largest painting I have ever done on canvas and measures 100x80cms. It hangs on the living room wall, so the photograph is not perfect. On a bright day I'll take it outside and make a really clear copy, then I might make it available as a print?

Thank you so much to everyone that gives me awards. I keep meaning to do them but there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to keep up a weekly blog and paint and create. I really do appreciate you thinking of me though. and one of these days will do something special?

Just a couple more things ... Don't forget I have a facebook page if you would like to come along and join, you would be more than welcome :) It's here!
Finally, I've been honoured today to have one of my paintings on the blog of the talented Terri Windling. Go take a look here
So, until another day I bid you  fair spring in your step and warm sunlight on your face. x

Happy St George's Day

A song to share on St George's Day.



I will be back in a few days to share some other little things. Have a magical weekend. x

New Life

A little miracle to share with you.

This is always amazing to see. New life, tiny babies leaving the nest.
Yes,I am going to be overun with spiders living in the greenhouse. But, all the more to catch the greenflies!
And here is another nest...
'Sweet Dreams' An acrylic painting on canvas and already available as a print to buy here.

Now, I'm just finishing off this...

 And then...... another picture is waiting in the wings to be brought to life... 

I love the busyness of Spring .

A Reindeer In Spring

There is always so much to do this time of year. Everyone and everything seems busy. The birds are nest building or egg sitting, insects are scurrying here and there as if there is no tommorow. Seeds need sowing, gardens need digging, weeds are growing, window sills need painting, rooms need decorating. In between it's Easter and school holidays. No wonder I am a night owl, there aren't enough hours in the day.
But sometimes you just have to sit in the sun.

Or photograph pretty things.

 Look up to the skies. And look out for the magic.

This week I've done all the above mentioned things. I planted seeds, dug and weeded, painted a room, scurried around like an insect, fussing over eggs (chocolate ones) and I made a  nest. (well I drew one :))

 A little peep into my ideas book, for forthcoming paintings.

  I also made this.

This reindeer has been waiting to be brought to life for ages. And even though it's Spring, a reindeer is for life, not just for Christmas. Don't you think?
x

My Week

This week has been filled with this and that. Last Saturday we turned our lights off for one hour, lit candles and played games in support of Earth hour. Above chocolate ladybirds and seeds some of the games prizes to win.
This week  has been given over to decorating. Our hall has been painted and new floor tiles laid. Just the kitchen to do now. I've managed to escape to my desk and lap top when I'm not needed ;) I finished painting some little hedgesparrows and planned ideas in my sketchbook.

I've enjoyed a lovely shopping trip with my friend to Marlborough and spied a church that looked like a castle.

 

I've picked daffodils, smelled many more primroses, and awoken early at dawn and listened spellbound, with a mug of tea, to the beautiful dawn chorus.
One night I sat up late, alone and  lost myself  in this beautiful film. I just love this clip...



And the music, I can't seem to stop listening to. I love the explanation of understanding poetry. I feel it's the same with painting and pictures.



Whatever you are doing this Easter weekend, I hope you enjoy yourselves. x