Weekend Post

Hi Everybody!

It's weekend - enjoy!

I'm hoping very much that the weekend will bring us some rain and a cool down before I dry out completely and turn to dust!

Today I have a digital piece to share, using elements from me, Serif and Mischief Circus. I was talking to some neighbours who recently lost their son, and they are, of course, devastated. So I made this piece with the title 'sorrow' to sort my feelings. The poem is the first verse of the 'sad shepherd' by William Butler Yates. My auntie Betty  used to read poetry to me when I was a kid, and this was one of my faves, and I asked to hear it again and again....I think she gave me a lifelong love of poetry, and that is a great gift:

The Sad Shepherd

BY WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS

There was a man whom Sorrow named his friend,

And he, of his high comrade Sorrow dreaming,

Went walking with slow steps along the gleaming

And humming sands, where windy surges wend:

And he called loudly to the stars to bend

From their pale thrones and comfort him, but they

Among themselves laugh on and sing alway:

And then the man whom Sorrow named his friend

Cried out, Dim sea, hear my most piteous story!

The sea swept on and cried her old cry still,

Rolling along in dreams from hill to hill.

He fled the persecution of her glory

And, in a far-off, gentle valley stopping,

Cried all his story to the dewdrops glistening.

But naught they heard, for they are always listening,

The dewdrops, for the sound of their own dropping.

And then the man whom Sorrow named his friend

Sought once again the shore, and found a shell,

And thought, I will my heavy story tell

Till my own words, re-echoing, shall send

Their sadness through a hollow, pearly heart;

And my own tale again for me shall sing,

And my own whispering words be comforting,

And lo! my ancient burden may depart.

Then he sang softly nigh the pearly rim;

But the sad dweller by the sea-ways lone

Changed all he sang to inarticulate moan

Among her wildering whirls, forgetting him.

I still have several poetry books that she gave me, and although they are old and tatty I treasure them.

Some photos from my walks. I haven't been far, it's been too hot!

The green man is  dressed well for this hot weather!

The horses are sensible, they stand in the shade:

St Swidbert keeping watch over the town:

Have a great weekend, take care,

and thanks a lot for coming by!

Friday Post

Hi Everybody!

Another week has gone by too quickly, and it was a hot and humid one, too.

And we are still waiting for rain! It's a pity we can't order weather as we like it / need it!

Last week I did a big clean-out in my arty kitchen, threw away lots of scraps, and then decided to tidy my paints. After sorting them back into the right boxes and baskets I tested some which looked as dried up as I feel just now. I gave them a squeeze, and if paint came out, they were allowed back into their basket, if not, they went into the garbage bag. I didn't want to waste the paint I had squeezed out, so I took a large brush and and spread the colours onto an A3 sheet of paper, which I had already used to test my sprays. Then I printed out 3 of 'my' men which I drew a long time back, fussy cut them and stuck them onto the coloured background. I gave them some outlining and accents with red pastel chalk, added a sentiment and sewed around the edges using red yarn. I added a few red diamonds just for fun. I am linking to Art Journal Journey, a stitch in time and to Paint Party Friday:

Lavender close-up:

Another balcony flower:

The meadow behind the house:

I went for a shady walk under the trees by the lakes:

A neighbour's lavender:

I had an appointment in town, so walked part of the way through the old cemetery:

Help - it looks like somebody's trying to escape -or perhaps to get in?

Some of the stones are beautiful:

It's like being in a different world walking through here instead of along the busy road which runs parallel to the cemetery.

Have a great day, take care,

and thanks a lot for coming by!

Rain's Thursday Art Date - heat wave

Hi Everybody!

Rain's theme has come at the right time, as we are having a heat-wave here just now. Those who know me know that hot, summer weather is not my thing. I like the sun and blue skies, but anything more than 24 -25° is too hot to handle for me! Okay, it might be easier  with a pool in the garden and air conditioning, and perhaps a butler to bring me iced coffee or cocktails, but such luxuries are unfortunately not available!

I have dug out some artwork which reminds me of hot and sunny weather:

This is a book cover from Susan Flett Swiderski's lovely book, and the cover photo is   the view from my balcony:

Blue skies, sunshine and dragonflies are harbingers of summer:

I love painting with summer colours even if I'm not a summer fan:

Cold drinks are welcome:

This is not directly a summer piece, but has hot, summer colours:

Flowers  and children love the summer warmth:

And some people like dancing themselves warm whatever the weather:

And some photos showing the sun rise on a hot and sunny day:

And whatever the temperature - keep cool!

Have a great day, take care,

and thanks a lot for coming by!