A special day

Hi Everybody!

Today its a very special day, the winter solstice. It's the shortest day of the year, but from tomorrow the days will gradually get longer.

The light of the Sun begins a new solar cycle at Winter Solstice. Many people celebrate this day. In winter everything lies dormant in the silent earth, it is a sacred time of rest and reflection before the awakening and the slow build toward brighter days. The energy of winter is that of going within.

Last week I joined with Melanie Rivers and a few hundred others for a Solstice paint along session. Melanie's picture was superb, it really glowed, you can see it on her FB page or watch the repeat of the live event. I am never really happy with what I paint, but I know we have to learn not to compare ourselves with others. You can see that the light comes from the left side and the right side is still in the shadow:

And I made a Solstice portal for my doors challenge at AJJ. The painting behind the arch shows Stonehenge and the return of the light, which I painted a few years back:

This is specially for those who have birthdays near Christmas:

Have a great day, take care,

and thanks a lot for coming by!

T sTands for Tag Tuesday and more

Hi Everybody! 

Time is flying and in a few days it will be Christmas. I hope you have  all finished your preparations and are not feeling too stressed.

Today I have a tag for Tag Tuesday where our lovely Pinkie is hosting. You still have a week to link your 'anything Christmas' tags:

And I have another journal page for my doors challenge at AJJ. It would be nice if more people would join in!

I used a photo from Pexels which shows a public toilet in London.  I gave it various  additions, 8 all together. Can you find them?

Today is also Elizabeth's T sTands for Tuesday link party, so here a warm welcome to all of the lovely ladies who visit here. My drink is, as always, cappuccino:

And I baked a lemon cake, which my neighbours helped me to eat:

This dangerous spider on the floor scared me this morning:

And some funnies and thinkies:

Have a great day, take care,

and thanks a lot for coming by

Weekend Post

Hi Everybody! 

It's weekend - enjoy!

Thanks to all who sent good wishes for my poor fingers, They are slowly getting better, and the blisters and cracks in the skin are starting to heal, which is a great relief. I hope it stays that way!

Today I am sharing another A3 face I painted, a bit different to those I usually paint, but I had great fun painting it:

Today I am also sharing another piece for my 'doors' challenge at AJJ. This is a photo of the school in London where I studied from 11 to 18, when I left to visit university. The motto 'Enter in and learn your duty, duty both to God and man' was written over the imposing entrance doors. Inside the entry was a bust of our founder. The school motto was taken very seriously. We were well taught, strictly disciplined and encouraged to undertake social activities to help others. The doors leading into the building  were also a portal to learning and moving on in the academic and work world. In the meantime the school has moved  to another location, and the students still wear uniforms, but they are not as ghastly as the ones we had to wear!

© Copyright John H Darch and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Some funnies:

Have a great weekend, take care,

and thanks a lot for coming by!

Thursday/Friday Post

Hi Everybody!

Hope your week is going well. Mine is flying by like crazy. Today I am sharing another piece for my challenge about doors at AJJ . This piece was made from leftovers. The blue painted cardboard was left over from something or other, as was the pink. I cut a heart from the pink card, glued the pieces together, and doodled the flowers. I added 2 left over stick-ons:

This another girl inspired by #Effy Wild in her Journal 52. I liked how his one turned out. I am linking to Paint Party Friday:

Have a great da, take care,

and thanks for coming by!

Who's behind the door

Hi Everybody!

Today I have another door to share. And somebody is looking out of the window:

The lady is another painting inspired by Effy Wild. I  added lots of scribbles and some stenciling;

Have a great day, take care,

and thanks a lot for coming by!