photo: bonsai dish with leafy herbs - a painting from 2015
I was in my bedroom and quickly sketching an idea on loose paper. I needed something to lean on, so I pulled out a book from the nearby bookshelf: The Ornamental Herb Garden by Catherine Mason. The book has lay flat in a pile of ‘non fiction/creative things’ for so long there is a faded edge to the book cover, lending the front photo a slightly ghostly, or wintry appeal. I remember this book so well, because years ago I spent many hours reading and from it made numerous notes and implausible designs for gardens I knew I might never make.
But the process of thinking about the possibilities - that was what mattered. Not just wistful dreaming, it turns out, but useful experience to draw on much later.
It is a book to disappear into, particularly on a grey day. Or during this terrible dry season, with no hope or reason to dig. The Ornamental Herb Garden is a book of comfort and dreams, with only so much practical advice, there is shared knowledge and passion; its lush photography offers an easy escape.
We all need books like these in our lives, they are often picture-heavy and not profound, but they help us out of a narrow dark moment. Picture books are not just for kids, of course. I wonder what picture books (non Art) you have on our shelves that give you that little kick of inspiration without much reading?
I want to design many herb gardens right now - not because they will be planted imminently, but because I see the benefit in thinking about them. A traditional herb garden often has a structure, a symmetry perhaps, a calm. There are design rules and historical influences. I have always loved cloister gardens, old walled gardens. I imagine now, in this dry heat - now officially a drought here in the south of England - I imagine an overgrown herb garden, evergreen rosemaries and thymes cascading over old rocks, tall angelicas, old roses, sages, a bay tree, with beyond perhaps a few pear trees with ripening fruit…. Now I am feeling just slightly cooler…
I think now, having rediscovered my old passion for designing gardens on the back of old envelopes, I should do this all over again. But perhaps with paint and in a more considered way….
photo: tiny book featuring garden inspired pages from 2017
*
Finding, re-discovering yet more pink in my past sketchbooks…
photo: sketchbook from 2015
Photo: sketchbook from 2019
**
A few small stories from this week
At a certain time of the evening it is just right to sit by the kitchen door. I do this, a little self-consciously, because people walking by on the street and neighbouring footpath might see me. The cool air blows gently at my sketchbook. I concentrate on drawing. Hello, good evening, a voice says and I see young bearded dad (30’s) with his little son. I see them often, going out for a walk - sometimes son on his back, sometimes son toddling along. Son points out things, he is at that age of naming the world. We always say hello. Then one evening, I hear a strange knocking sound but can’t quite work out what it can be. I look beyond my chair to see young bearded dad has left his son at home this evening and is practising on his skateboard. Hitting the kerbs of our quiet road. A bit rusty, he says.
*
I sit by the downstairs (studio) open window. It is a quiet morning, with just a few birds drifting in the garden. Suddenly, I find myself sneezing loudly three times. And seconds later, as if I might have been counting them in with my sneezes, my older neighbours sing Happy Birthday very loudly and beautifully in time with one another - (they continue with their zoom call to their loved one).
*
FOOTNOTE: Unfortunately, over the past few days, both my son and I have become unwell. Daughter maintains the downstairs as her healthy zone whilst we languish upstairs with our bottles of water and fans on. I am not too poorly, (son is entirely fed up) but this has knocked me off centre a bit
photo: sketchbook from 2014
So there will be no shop update this coming week! I have a little box of art supplies in my room and will dabble in my sketchbook, if an idea come. Energy will soon return, I am sure.
*
Thanks always for reading here, for your kind and thoughtful comments. If you are not a subscriber please do sign up! And if you enjoy reading here please do consider showing your support, if you can, by buying me a coffee. Thanks so everyone who has done so…… Thanks always and take care. When I have the energy I will join you in a rain dance!
I'm sorry you are under the weather...mend soon! I enjoy your writing!
I certainly look forward to your weekly notes, Cathy!
Sorry to hear you and your son are poorly at the moment… take care and hope you’re back to full health soon.
Amy