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

The last day of March

Well it's the last day of March already, so here I am sneaking another post in before it ends. I had mean't to try and do more posts on here this year, somehow that has not happened. Not this month anyway... March has just whizzed by. I hope you all had wonderful Mother's day weekend? And that you took time to kneel down and smell the primroses which are in abundance right now.  

                       

I was a very spoiled Mummy, with tea and a basket of goodies brought to me in bed. In the afternoon I was treated to a performance of Shakespeare excerpts by my daughter at her local drama group, then after, a walk by the river. I spent the rest of the day to my hearts content planting seeds and transplanting foxgloves.
                                                                                  ~ *~
Today the sun is shining again and the daffodils are gently nodding their heads in agreement with this mild warm weather.
I've been busy painting some Spring birds that will be flying across to my Etsy shop tomorrow evening (Tues) at 8pm UK time.

Next to come will be the hares and some foxy chaps.
Talking of hares, you may want to take a trip to the town of Cirencester in Gloucestershire. They have a hare festival  on at the moment. It's a sculpture trail running right through until September. We payed a visit on Saturday and here's a glimpse of what we saw...

Wonderful colourful hares abound. Aren't they adorable! We even found this chocolate one, which I'm sure will appeal to many of you 'chocoholic' folk. 

And yes, it was indeed all edible, as this sign was displayed next to it. :)

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

A small taste of Scandinavia

I had a small taste of  Scandinavia the other day. My sister and I, accompanied by our two teenage daughters, set off on a little adventure to Copenhagen for a few days.

It's always lovely to get away and explore somewhere new.

And of course try the local tipple. In this case gløgg 

Hot spicy mulled wine with raisins and chopped almonds at the bottom of the glass.... yes, it was delicious. From now on, I think I will be lacing my own winter mulled wine with raisins and almonds too.

I'm not really a city loving person, but a few days here and there, seeing the sights I'm okay with. Especially if the sights are mermaids.

Whenever I am in a city, I always find myself looking for nature. Too many buildings, concrete, cars and noise, give me withdrawal symptoms. I always manage to find what I'm craving though, even if it is only made of stone. 

I did find some real too.

Pigeons and pretty yellow aconites in the park.

We made a special journey to walk past Copenhagen zoo, so that I could leave my postcards on the railings. A rest in peace message for Marius.

~*~

I believe the Danish television programme 'The Bridge' is rather popular? I haven't watched it myself, as I'm not a big fan of crime drama, but my sister is a huge fan, so on our last day we crossed the bridge and visited Sweden.

I loved the timber framed houses and thought this valentine window was pretty. 

And this dog. :)

I left with a beautiful postcard illustrated by Lars Klinting

and a strong desire to return. 

Scandinavia, especially Sweden ... I will be back.

The Rosehip Spell

The little white maiden had been hidden in the dark for many months. Sometimes when she stirred she heard echoes of laughter and warmth stretched down to her roots in the dark where she lay asleep. It wasn't her turn to reach for the sky, not when the dog roses were out. She had to wait. She had to wait until the earthworms pulled the old leaves down, and the ground turned cold. She had to wait until the hedgehog was deep in sleep and the darkness lingered. She had to wait until the freezing  rain, ice and snow covered the land. Then it was her time.
    ~Karen Davis 2014

The snowdrop, so perfect and so wonderful to see at winters end. These are in my garden, but I've been noticing them all over lately and even some celandine peeping their yellow smiley faces out early too.
The rain has continued to fall and we still haven't had any really cold icy weather. My heart goes out to all the poor souls who have been flooded and especially Somerset. It looks as if the isle of Avalon has returned, maybe King Arthur will too, we could certainly do with his help.
I finished another heart painting. I felt the need to do a fox as I didn't want him to be left out. ;)

It's titled 'The Rosehip Spell '  Prints will be available in my shop shortly. I will probably be adding the original too, although at the moment it has to stay and have some 'me' time  for a while to absorb some 'love' Does that sound odd to you? How do other artists feel when they sell an original work It's strange as some work I feel more attached to when it comes to letting go. I suppose it is because it is a little bit of yourself, an extension of your feelings and soul.

Over on my facebook page I'm having a valentine giveaway, so  if you would like to win a copy of this print do pop across and comment. Please hurry though as it's only a 24 hour one.

I will leave you with this lovely new song by Emily Portman. I just love the video, I used to have the very same shepherd, lambs and sheep in my farm animal collection as a child!