Adventures in the West Country

 

 

We have just returned home after a week and a bit away. About fifteen years ago about thirty of us from SMOB (a church), went on holiday together to Normandy staying in a palatial ancient home having a splendid time. Apart from problems such as the covid infection we have holidayed together every other year since; now many of us are spread throughout the kingdom, so this year we all went to a disused hotel near Lyme Regis and spent a week talking, catching up, eating and going out together; at the weeks end we were happily exhausted.

I did a few pure water colours, several inks and a small number of mixed media paintings; above is one of the mixed media images of Lyme Regis; there is a very simple methodology behind it. First a few splashes of water colour, not to exact or presise in their aplication, the colour being kept to the central part of the work. Next using a fine pen, tightening the whole work up with very light and fine ink work; the whole work took just over and hour to complete. Notice small details, such as the couple on the extreme right chatting, that sort of thing helps an image to work; the sun shone, the wind blew and holiday makers were friendly; altogether a rather pleasant hour or so. 

The picture which is shared with you this morning is one of my all time special memories! About twelve years ago forty of us from St. Mary of Bethany's church went on holiday together. We stayed in a chateau  in Normandy, near to Contance. For a wonderful week we were all members of the artistocracy; or pretended to be as such. Apart from one day the weather was glorious; every body behaved reasonably well, the grounds ranged from a palatial lawn at the front, to rustic peasant farm steads out of sight towards the rear. Every other year we still go on holiday together.

The above image was so special because I wandered into the rustic area and just relaxed by this ancient barn; it was peacefull, quiet and so relaxing.

This morning I am thinking of art in a wider sence. artistic endevours are not just about painting, rather they are about the whole way life is approached; music, words or maybe even dance; the latter is certainly not my style. However words facinate me and I must own up and admit that I have pretensions to being a poet. So on April the 1st. and it is not an April fools scan as it is after 12 noon, I am reading some of my poetry in the "Out of Hours" club in Andy's coffee bar in the evening. This is my first coming out as a poet, so lets see what happens.

 

It will be the same for many of us, as you will probably have noticed that this morning we awoke to a lovely white blanket, covering all. My immediate response is,"I'm glad my plans for today are centered on the indoors.

I finnished drawing the above a few days ago, it is worked up from a photo taken at Polsden Lacey last summer. So now today a while will be spent on my computer, putting together the images for an illustrated talk which I am giving soon, called "Out and About". Its all about the people and cultures which are met during owr travels. A few adventures are included as are the  highlights of journeys; the inclusion of those are always essential. So that will be a pleasant hour or so.

When that is done there is an ink work about half done. So although being spent at home, if the snow clears maybe a coffee out would be nice. In the meantime I am nice, warm and snug; and wishing to remain as such.

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