Life is wonderful, if at times a little hard. As well as working on other projects at the moment I am working on  on a book looking at woodland paths and the Psalms of David;.  The plan is for it to be approximate fifty plus mages and verses, here is a taster, page 3.

This path, one of my favorites is just below the Italian bridge at Polseden Lacey. Over the last few weeks Liz and myself have repeatedly re-walked this path over and over, just waiting for the light to be right,

Nature is superb, get out into it, you will feel better.

See you soon.

Well the lock down is over half way through its first stage and it seems to be having an effect on the R factor, if only slightly, but it is in the right direction. However and much better news is the appearance of an inoculation, in fact several of them are on the horizons. Although not proven as of yet, the early tests are very encouraging. Inoculations could be starting for the extremely vulnerable before Christmas; now that is  indeed good news. So lets celebrate with a little wise caution and with a favorite picture of mine. Guess where? I am sorry but there is no prize for correct answers.

I love the center of London with all the busyness which goes with it. Hopefully before too long we will all be able to go back there, with me sitting somewhere or other doing a sketch. As it is getting into the cooler months of the year, maybe I can wait a short while.

Liz and myself are still walking and the experience of autumn this year has been such an eye opener as it has lasted so long and has been so colorful, indeed it isn't over yet. and the colours are still vibrant It is a little cool for sketching at the moment, but the camera has been busy and some memorable shots are being taken. A while ago I composed a work of many images, (ink and photography) of water; these were coupled up with verses from the Psalms of David and the work was called "Deep to Deep". The idea now floating in my mind is to do a similar work, but this time looking at trees; so that is what I am thinking about at the moment; lets see what happens.

The normal ink work is continuing and some good stuff is appearing; so that is ongoing. Also I am beginning to gather together all my writings and thoughts during this pandemic, lets see how that turns out. So I am busy and enjoying being busy. Maybe writing at the moment is a good healthy change for me, but the painting must continue Well lets wait and see, whatever see you all soon.

Trees and  beyond, number 505

We awoke this morning to yet another bright sunny autumnal day. Amazingly during this Clovis period the weather has simply been glorious. Spring started early with the low and warm sun, then summer was one day after another about coping with this solar beauty; being a little thin on top, sun hats were a must for months on end. It never seemed to end. Summer slowly gave way over weeks to a magnificent autumn; now half way through November the autumnal reds and browns are still with us.

I have friend who lives on his own, a brave young man who finds life difficult. We met in the park this morning, all correct social distancing and masks, we chatted for a while. What a lovely way to spend time, being surrounded by the autumn trees, with good company..

Well Being back in the studio now and on the Hi-Fi I am listening to Songs of the Auvergne by Canteloube. If you don't know of this piece, download it or buy the CD, you will not be disappointed. The above water colour has just been finished. I took a photo at Polsten Lacy just below the Italian bridge the other day and it was screaming to be painted.

Well Liz has just finished her meeting on Zoom, so I will make a picnic and we will get out for a walk. We need to visit the chemists in Horbury, that will be about the right distance to walk, with lots of trees and spaces to enjoy as we by. See you soon.

Duncan

 

 

Good morning everyone and again it looks like being another belter of a day, a little misty as of yet, but there is plenty of time for that to clear. The seasons are changing quickly now; yesterday we went for a short walk near Triggs lock and the autumnal colours were giving way to a cooler winterishness. It was late afternoon when we arrived by the river and the low sun and the misty browns were beautiful; what a feast for the eyes.

Its good to notice things like the above, because at the moment we all need to be encouraged. Yesterday own was number one day of the fresh lock-down. So for a while, no coffee shops, no visits to friends and back to leading a rather restrictive life for a while. Having said that it is essential not to get down about it all for several reasons.

1   There is lots to do. On top of everything else I have started a new project, Do something!

2    Keep in touch with friends, phone and zoom.

3    You are not on your own, others care, let people help you with shopping and such like.

4    You are not on your own, You are God's child, He loves you and he is with you.

Lecture over

The above picture is of the woods between Hook Heath and Knaphill which I photographed a few days ago. I normally find this stretch of woodland rather dark, damp and rather depressing, but this corner with the right light was so very lovely. Water colour not being my main media, I thought----can I--- I don't think so.----but I will have a go-----anyway I hadve a go and you know I am quite pleased with the outcome.

Oh well see you soon. Duncan

Every day is different, and today is one of those rare days when there is a lovely feeling of peace about it all. That is strange because we are just going into another lock-down and to be honest I do not like the coming restrictions being correctly imposed us all. They are for the common good,so they need to be accepted as gracefully as possible, with the minimum of kicking and screaming, which after all is  quite understandable and which we are all tempted to do.

Now this morning we have phoned a few friends, painted a while, watched a zoom service from St. Andrews and now for a while there is a chance to be ensconced in my studio for a short while. Whilst painting, I love listening to music of all types, this morning the C.D. which is playing is of Sir Thomas Allen (baritone) singing Victorian and Edwardian parlor songs; not every-bodies taste, but to me, absolutely marvelous.

Having just worked on an ink drawing for an hour, it needs to dry properly, or the paper surface will breakdown and lift when working on it and that would not be to good! So put it aside for a short while, let it dry out and write to you all instead.

The above picture is another leaf image, the same methodology in style, a little like the one which I showed you the other day, but different. This time at the end of the process, a little water colour was added to the leaves as well. I think it works.

 Always try to twist and turn in your thinking and painting process, trying to find new avenues which to go down. Sometimes that process produces utter rubbish, but occasionally it works; that's how you learn, that's half the fun as well.

Well I must have a little exercise; so we, that is Liz and myself must go for a short walk. 

Regards Duncan