photo: recent sketchbook pages
Fleeting sun and rain, elaborate cobwebs and many rose hips. There are fewer birds now; if I listen by an open window my ear can pick up individual, intricate voices. I looked out and saw a rare thing for here: a tiny, tiny wren, but it was quite silent, hopping about in old rose branches. The sunflowers in my neighbours’ garden have fading gold heads, ragged from the rain; if left, they may become gentle ghosts of themselves. There are many, many acorns this year - as if making up for last year’s sombre lack. I love to look out for black acorns and have seen quite a few. I won’t pick them from a tree unless they fall into my hand. So I have to remember where they are and then return to them.
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I have been taking a break from stitch-drawing with my sewing machine. This work is very particular - I need to be able to concentrate, focus intensely on a kind of nothing to allow ideas to flow, and I need plenty of energy. Being poorly for at least a week, several weeks ago, made me take a break from this stitching world. Recently, I took the cover from my machine, plugged in, set up the bobbins and made a few lines of stitches. Something did not feel quite right. I was tearful, not because I did not want to stitch but because I had missed my old friend, my sewing machine. Sitting there for a moment, I knew I had to put her away again. It’s a kind of writer’s block, that is the nearest comparison I can make. Not that I don’t have ideas to explore. Ideas are always on my mind. It’s just a sense of not-quite-yet. If I want to suggest to you there is a sort of mystery involved in my stitch-drawing then I suppose that is how to explain it. It’s a mystery to itself and will come and go as it pleases - I have to respect that and not force it. So, the machine rests a little while longer….
Photo: an intricate embroidery work from last year (2021)
I am sure many artists have this experience, whether it is taking a break from the heavy work of using a printing press, or a kiln, or sculpting physical materials. It might not be physically challenging work, but something that means so much to them, it just needs to rest awhile. I think the best work we make needs to sometimes just rest, just pause. The on-and-on of working with one media can make work less than satisfactory. I am grateful that I can switch from one media to another, that I have several different little worlds (or not so little) to enter into.
Years ago I had an interesting conversation with an older and much-respected poet, Jeremy Hooker. He told me he was a ‘bout poet’. He would write a group of poems very quickly, intensely, then that would be it. Possibly for months. He would get on with other writing, criticism and teaching perhaps. Poets don’t have to be writing poetry all of the time.
I can relate to this now, in so many ways. Both as a poet and an artist.
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Here’s a peek at new postcards I have just received from my printer. I am very pleased with them - the colours have been reproduced so nicely. The postcards will be offered as yes a set of three and I will also include a tiny original autumn drawing on watercolour paper. I have just limited stock but will re-order as necessary. These will be in my shop on Wednesday along with a mix of other new work.
photo: new printed postcards set: sketchbook figures autumn 2022
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A few small stories from this week
There are many different people in my local towns, all classes and ages. There are people I see quite often, though I don’t know them, they have become almost familiar. The woman with dyed vivid yellow hair and a wistful face at a particular bus stop, for example. The older gent, who always wears flamboyant shirts, and until recently walked everywhere with his tiny dog companion (sadly the dog has recently passed away)…. These people are not simply characters but people, people I respect, with full lives of their own…..There is a gentleman I have encountered a few times now, who stands by shop windows and steps right in front of passers-by, and salutes. A few days ago, as I walked along, he suddenly stepped out and declared: God Save His Majesty The King and made such a firm salute, all I could do was bow my head and say a firm: yes. We exchanged nods and moved on.
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Arranging tiny paintings to take a group photo. This can take a while. Not always, sometimes the display comes together just as if they all knew their places. But today, I am struggling a little. It’s the shape the group is making. I ask my daughter to see if she can help with her fresh eyes. She is good at looking at something and just knowing. So she shuffles the tiny paintings carefully about and makes them into a perfect rectangle. I thank her and am always so grateful.
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The scent of apples fills our living room. New English apples with that distinctive perfume. It is the smell of September, October and November. It is a smell that reminds me of my Granny’s home and dancing with my sister, juggling fruit and playing greengrocers….
I must admit I am on the lookout now for apples offered by neighbours. Boxes appear by gates and gardens. Boxes with signs saying: windfalls please take. I never take many but do appreciate the offering. I make an apple crumble with apples from neighbours. I cannot offer apples or any fresh produce myself, but do from time to time put empty garden pots by the path, or a pair of wellingtons, or something else we don’t need, and they are always taken.
Photo: a small painting (12cm x 9cm) titled First Apples from 2018 - I am planning to make more paintings this size (as well as the tiny ones) in the future…
photo: sketchbook pages from 2016
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Thanks always for reading here, for your kind comments and for subscribing. Please do like this post, if you enjoyed reading - it helps me to know. Also, if you would like to support my writing then you can buy me a coffee. With so much thanks to everyone for your previous and generous support!
Note: I will not be posting on social media tomorrow, Monday 19th Sept. However, I do plan to update my shop this week, as usual on Wednesday at 8pm UK time.
Each Sunday, it’s like getting the best little story book with pictures!! Thanks always for sharing these stories, and tidbits of your creative practice.
Thank you for sharing your work and thoughts...always appreciated and cherished.