Another time warp - July almost over. I know they say that as you get older - time goes more quickly but this is ridiculous! In my defense I have been pre-occupied with a project in July but that is really no excuse. We went to Hastings and walked through beautiful Hastings Country Park to Fairlight Glen where all the little grottos and waterfalls were Victorian attractions. On the way home we made it up Firle Beacon - Finn loved it!
Apart from that I have been walking and photographing as usual, picking raspberries, picnicking in the heather up at Bignor Park, tending my garden.
Picking samphire, swimming in the sea, walking around pagham harbour, watching the starlings and generally making the most of summer.
I've just finished my latest painting - inspired by olive trees in the garden with sunlight dappled through their branches.
I've been putting together drawings from my garden last year - trying to plan out a new painting. My last two attempts have been abandoned half way through as I've realised they are not working, which is disheartening - I find it difficult to judge what will work or not until I've spent days on the painting and another canvas is ruined!
There's been a last minute burst of Summer which is fantastic and it's rumoured to last into October - I hope so. I thought I should do a post before September is over - I've been busy with lots of work - making the most of the lovely evenings - and my continuing obsession with instagram. When the nights draw in - which they are doing rapidly - I will have more time to spend on my blog - well that's the plan anyway...
Here are photos of things I've seen on my walks, an old chest I finally painted, a beautiful bag which is made from the ring pulls on cans - an amazing birthday surprise.
I don't think I've seen such beautiful dogs as these two (apart from Bill of course). They're always sitting outside the pub and the whippet cross often perches on the wolfhound! Late summer landscapes and a luminous passion flower fruit.
August is pretty busy so I'm only dipping in and out of the August Break this year.
Subjects: In my bag; Blue; On the table; Bookshelf; From above.
Apologies as my blogging is a little very sporadic at the moment - we are in the middle of a glorious summer and the temptation to be outside is too great.
I visited Arundel Castle Gardens again and loved them as much the second time round. I would like to be entombed with my favourite dog at my feet when the time comes but think it is highly unlikely to happen.
Visited London to see the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition on the hottest day of the year which was a bit silly, but the exhibition was well worth it. I also saw a lot of Patrick Blanc inspired gardens.
Went to Standen House for the William Morris Exhibition. It was in a tiny room and so quite disappointing but the rest of the house is well worth a visit - especially to see the Rossetti paintings. Apart from this amazing spurt of cultural activity I've also been doing the usual things - walking, swimming, collecting, jam making and painting.
More weeks pass. June has been lovely: reflections, evening walks by the coast, collections, Alf - he loves posing, blue skies, an evening out by bus and my first new potatoes of the year.
I've been swimming in the sea twice, it's lovely and warm, more walks, my olive tree about to blossom and I've actually started a painting - first one on canvas for years!
We had a family get together on Sunday, which was good fun but quite a bit of preparation was needed in the morning.
Well, what a coincidence, the subject 'something old' was on the day of my birthday - so I had to photograph myself!
Something old ... something new ...
A lovely salad nicoise for the word taste - day 20 - the august break.
The theme for August Break today is a selfie, so here I am at my daily ritual of - cup of tea, contact lenses, cleanse, tone, moisturise, hair, makeup ..... the list goes on and takes longer with each passing year .. ha ha.
Day 6 of August Break and the theme is diagonals. I was up early today to take MJR to the beach as a special treat - he is feeling much better - thank goodness. It's fascinating under the pier looking at all the coloured ropes tangled up on the struts.
Day 4 of August Break - LOVE -it has to be my JRT having a Sunday morning lie in!
And my love of walking - up on the South Downs in the sunshine - what could be better? Unfortunately we have to leave Bill behind now as he can't manage such long walks.
Day 3 of August Break - Yellow - a tapas evening and a few glasses of this on Friday night with friends mmm.. .
I've long been a fan of Susannah Conway but have never participated in one of her August Breaks.
The idea is to take a photo every day and publish them on your blog or instagram.
This August I'm struggling with family illness and my beloved JRT has been quite poorly (read 2 sleepless nights this week) but luckily he seems to be on the mend now.
When I become anxious about too many things my personal creativity comes to a standstill - so the August Break has happened at the right time for me - Susannah has even provided a prompt word for each day. I'm not promising a photo every day - but you never know!
My second visit to Charleston Farmhouse was just as fascinating as the first. We were taken around by a tour guide - I don't normally like this, preferring to wander around places at my own pace - but both times have differed and both ladies had their individual style - full of insights into the way the Bloomsbury group lived in the house and the tangled relationships they all had! Definitely worth a visit.
We went on to Berwick Church which has interior paintings by Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell too and finished the afternoon off with an ice cold glass of cider at the Cricketer's Arms - perfect.
I've had some time off lately and have been making the most of the beautiful weather, relaxing and generally slowing down from the hectic pace of working life. Keeping away from my computer and enjoying the countryside, seaside and my garden.
Our garden is full of birds at the moment, starlings, sparrows, blue tits, goldfinches, blackbirds. They are going mad, flying in all directions collecting food for their babies and then when the babies fledge it's even more chaotic, the noise is intense too. Still it is very inspiring with all this going on as they are so funny to watch.
I can't decide whether I prefer the more realistic colouring or the bright colouring - any preferences? This little goldfinch visits me every morning on the telephone wire outside my studio window, he's so sweet.
