The last few posts have been at the seaside or holidays and not my ongoing tree work; so today an amazing tree, which is a mile or so to the east of Newlands Corner along the North Downs Way. The woods change here from decidious to evergreen woodland and this massive tree is the last decidious tree before the fir trees take over, towards the north of the path. The light stroking the trunk was stunning. At present I am working on a Crack Willow situated on the Wye Navigation, so differant, such diversity

We are so fortunate in this country having such a diverse wildlife and in particular, woodland variety on our doorsteps. 

 

 A bit of a change today, I love painting as you all well know, however my love of the arts is much broader than brushes and paints. Photography has always held a facination for me. Over my life time this art form has undergone many amazing changes; notwithstanding in the last twenty or so years with the advent of the digital aspect. And now we have the amazing abilty of mobile phone photography. The quandry is to select the good from the not so good, then moveing forwards with what you feel is the good. Today I am looking at one way forwards with the digital aspect.

Firstly, I still work out the exposure and all that stuff with the old film method, it works and as far as I can see, it is hard to learn but cannot be improved on for excellency of results; it certainly in difficult situations give the most accurate results. But digital capture has now come of age and is far better than the old film ways and cheaper. The above photo of steps leading down to the harbours water edge in Lyme regis is a good example; old fashioned film style calculating, with digital capture. Notice that by using moderm photography methods, they blend wonderfully with the  ancient black and white image style. More about that another day.

 

Mist over Charnmouth Bay

When on holiday we get a chance to do fun things which normally we do not have time for. One of my fun things is to do a painting in three ways; that is, a water colour, then an ink, which is followed by a pencil drawing or a photo. Do all three or four at one sitting, just relax, whilst enjoying yourself. It is totally absorbing and helps you to really see what you are looking at, because each media highlights differing aspects of the view. Incidentally while you are doing this you will be emotionally in a different place; its rather a nice way of doing things.

I was at Charnmouth for about a couple of hours, a water colour was produced (above) followed by an ink and then lastly came a photograph; it was windy, but not at all cold; that is by my standards, Liz would disagree. This small inlet is  big fossil hunting area and people were dotted around busily hunting for long dead stony remains. A happy place, with everybody being busy, not having time to talk to one another. That makes a change, as it is rare for me to be able to sit painting without at least one or two people coming over to me for a chat. Its a good job that I like people, because that is large part of painting outside.

 Good morning, its a tad early but lots is happening today, so I must get started.

Above is a small water colour of the sea front at Budley Salterton on the South Devon coast. About twenty minuets whilst seated on a pile of stones, it was nice and sunny, with a rather sharp wind; that was OK, local natives were behaving well also, a reather pleasant interlude.

You all know how passionate I am about art, well maybe that should read, "About the arts". For me that includes opera, ballet, theatre, music, books, the list goes on.  As I said lots is happening today, not many of you will know that I write poetry, well I do and tonight is my first stage reading of a few of my pieces. I will be appearing at the "After Hours" club at St Andys, on the ground floor of St Andrews Church, Goldsworth Park. Works being read will include, "What is bad Poetry" and the famous "Christmas Cake and Sprout Curry". Entrance is free, but it would be a good idea to book (St Andrews web page) as it does get a little crowded.

Well if Liz does not get her Saturday morning Times, I am in trouble, so maybe I should get a move on.