A quiet morning today, Liz is in the living room working, whilst I am trawling through file after file on the computer, making sure that all is ok.  A couple of years ago I compiled a book on the Psalms and illustrated fifty odd verses with images from my current tree project; coming across page 28 from "Woodlands and pathways, the book"; it occured to me that you might like it.

The Psalm is 143 and verse 8.

We were on holiday staying within a tiny hamlet in the South Downs called Nutbourne, a gourgeous, quiet, reflective small place, surrounded by woods, fields and footpaths; we rented in a very small cottage called the "Libuary". The above is the only road, in or out; one day we stopped a few hundred yards up the lane from the Libuary, then, the above ws sketched in just about twenty minuets.

Good memories are pleasnt to revisit on occasion. The above is one of those. Now I must go up to Saint Columba's to dust and strighten my exhibition; so the following:-

A small plug.

My exhibition at Saint Columba's is still open until the end of May. I am running a workshop there on the 18th of Febuary. The subject is, producing quick water colours out side, if you are interested phone, 01483766498

 

Just for a few moments today lets look at change. As life progresses our stuation be it, emotional or indeed physical undergo developments and changes, for the better and sadly sometimes for the worse. But whatsoever the change try to be positive and see the good that can be drawn (no pun intended) from these changes. Most of us, particularly and including myself being one of the oldies, experience all sorts of irritating differences in their body efficiencies and functions; however lets leave the functions out of it all for now!

As mostpeople of my age group also do, I have an irritating dose of arthritis, releveant for today I am talking about my hands. and fingers To grip hard is not a good idea, and they are not as flexxible and dexterous as they once were; how can we see threpositive in that?

Well, I hold the pen much lighter now, so, as a result my ink marking is getting ever so much gentler and more sensitive; see above. Its exciting as ny ink work is finding new depths to explore. A calmer, quieter, gentler approach. So always try to see the positives.

The work above was completed about a week ago and is of the Hoe Stream near to the Guildford road as it leaves Woking.

 

After weeks of framing, mounting, planning and much more, my exhibition at St. Columba's is finally up and running. Thank you John for all you help with the hanging this morning.

Above is a watercolour of the back streets of Jerusalem, the street is just north of the temple complex, in the arab quarter;  and was produced on the street, it is a part of this exhibition of 50ish pieces.  A part of the exhibition is a walk around that ancient city in inks and watercolour, all produced on the street. Also exhibited are several watercolour sea side paintings, ink and watercolour tree images, copper wire flower paintings and three of my paper sculptures. I hope you will go if possible, I think you will enjoy it; entrance is free. Realising that money is scarce with us all at the moment, most of the images are very high quality prints, this makes them affordable.

The exhibition runns from today until the 19th. of May this year.

The location is,

Saint Columba's House,

Maybury Hill,

Woking,

GU22 8AB

It is open office hours.

As the house is a conference and retreat centre, a welcome is assure, however due to some of its sensitive work, a quick phone call is a good idea before visiting; call: 01483766498.

This afternoon I am going to sit down and have a short rest!

 

I wish a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to all my readers.

It is so inportant to feel, indeed know that you are loved and wanted by those whom you know; Liz and myself saw the new year in at Sheffield, seeing family and many friends, it was special. In church on Sunday morning, seeing family and friends it was obvious that we are very much missed and loved. As we left church to go to see one of our sons with his family, I had a lovely feeling; I was wanted, needed and much loved; it was very obvious that I was very much missed. That  is a good way to start the new year. But dont forget as well as we need to be loved, so do others; so give a little.

As were were in Sheffield, above is a painting of the old "Midland Bank" by the hole in the road in the centre of the city, the scene is a little differant now, but I have always loved this picture.