Sketchbook Work; Hares Weaving tales of the Moon

Inks and watercolour.

National Portrait Gallery

Last week I took the train to London and had a good dose of art and culture.

 

I started in the National Portrait Gallery with the William Morrs Exhibiton “Anarchy & Beauty"

It was really interesting to read about Morris's life and acquaintances.  He was very much a political animal as well as an artist and craftsman.

 

 

 The Exhibition info reads "Anarchy & Beauty explores the life and ideas of the great Victorian artist, writer and visionary thinker William Morris. Through portraits, personal items and fascinating objects, many of which will be on public display for the first time, this major exhibition illustrates Morris’s concept of ‘art for the people’ and highlights the achievements of those that he inspired."

No photographs were allowed of course (as there never are when there is a book to buy - yes of course, its on the shelf).

For me the highlight was this embroidery by May Morris, worked in wools on linen.
“June frieze with view of Kelmscott Manor” 

Branches were transformed into trees and a medieval influence was clear.

 

Following William Morris I headed towards the Tudor portraits.

its the details that I love looking at - portraits can be a wonderful resource as I’m so interested in historical costumes and ornamentation.

Elizabeth I by Unknown artist early C17th.

 

Katherine Parr, attributed to Master John, active 1554-54

Mary I, Unknown artist, 1590-1610 

Sketchbook Work; Birds on a Branch

Another spread from the sketchbook for you to enjoy today.

Layers of jewel like deep and intense paints with a softer creamy surface.

Posts maybe a little erratic for a while as I’m having to travel to see my mother who is ill.  
As she lives 287 miles away I can’t just pop down for a quick chat.

Despite this (or maybe as a way of reducing stress) my mind is still designing away...

 

After I had completed this work, I realised how much it reminded me of work I painted a few years ago.

I really should do more of these when I get time.

Mixed Media - Chrysanthemums

Mixed Media - Cherry Blossom

Mixed Media - Lotus

Mixed Media - Stained Glass

Mixed Media - Birdsong

Oophs I lost the emails....

To that lovely person from Quiltart who sent me an email about my blog and how it fulfilled all three criteria for reading - thank you very much.
Somehow I was replying and then the reply and the original email evaporated into the internet ether.

Sorry about that.  I was writing to say a huge thank you for the lovely comments and would you like to become my marketing manager ;)!

 

Mixed Media - Rose

 

Mixed Media - Hares

Mixed Media Sketchbook work

I’ve managed to hurt my back, not through strenuous lifting, but by pulling up a zip on a boot.

The simple things in life sometimes throw a spanner in to the works!
So I have been resting, resting and resting as the back went from Stage 1 to Stage 2 and I am determined it won’t get to Stage 3 (i.e. can’t move). 

In the meantime I’ll bring you up to date with some mixed media sketchbook work I completed over the summer.

If you follow Facebook you might have seen these images, but not everyone is on Facebook so I’ll post them here too.  
Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Exhibition weekend

Santa said he would come early this year and so I am very fortunate to have a weekend of indulgent pleasure in London in November.

We’ll start with Morris.  The main reason for going south to the big City.  

Who could resist a Morris Exhibition?

Not me.

And if there is a Tudor in the house…. got to been seen.

Then nip across Trafalgar Square avoiding the tourists and pigeons.

Grab a quick dinner and then sit and enjoy Vivaldi (how kind of St Martin's to play my favourite classical music yet again on my London evening).

Arrive at the hotel late and crash out. 

Next morning walk along to the RA for two very different exhibitions.

Then from Moroni to Ming for the final instalment before braving East Coast Railways and arriving home late evening.

Marks on the earth become marks on fabrics and papers

This is an aim for the winter of 2014 / 2015 .  

To capture the feeling of Northumberland -  when you go out for a walk and discover an abandoned hill fort, a cairn or a cup & ring carved rock.

I’m exposing this new work on here - to claim it as mine, we all have copyright issues and so here I declare that this style / idea belongs to me in October 2014.
Just in case. 

A week of laughter

I’m back from a lovely week away in Grasmere with 7 lovely friends and 2 DH’s.
We have laughed, eaten, stitched, laughed, eaten, stitched, walked, eaten, laughed, photographed, eaten and laughed.

We’ve admired the stunning scenery in the fabulous warm and sunny weather.
(Yes I am talking about the English Lake District in late September - early October). 

 I’ve got some lovely memories, loads of conkers, two pieces of work underway and have got stuck in to learning the idiosyncrasies inherent in the new Bernina software. 

Success.

 This is the hotel.  Our work room (all newly built) is the building on the right hand side.

The path leads directly into Grasmere and a certain Art Shop.

Yes, that Art Shop.

One of the best.

Opposite the hotel is Allan Banks, a unique National Trust Property that has suffered some fire damage and they still have the doors on display.  
Fabulous textures and colours. 

The view from the house is STUNNING.
When the sun shines in the Lakes it really does have a natural beauty all of its own.

A walk up the hill ...

… gives a natural sculpture.

And another set of textures and colours on this door.

Couldn’t be in the Lakes without a trip to Keswick and a walk along Lake Derwentwater.

The work room and my gorgeous, funny, lovely, inspiring friends.

Thank you all for a lovely week.