It has been pleasant to spend time outdoors to enjoy the delights of spring. We have made several journeys, the first being up to Scotland to Gatehouse of Fleet, where we stayed in a small hotel by the river. The hotel was a great favourite of Dorothy L Sayers and I am told she wrote Five Red Herrings there. We travelled to nearby Kirkudbright and met up with Ruthie Redden, it was a great treat to chat with a fellow artist whom I met via this blog. There is so much to see in the hometown of Jessie King, there are art galleries a plenty, in fact Ruthie was busy preparing for a family show at The Harbour Gallery when we met.
We revisited the house and garden of E A Hornel, the garden was looking particularly splendid and we enjoyed strolling down its many paths. Broughton House has a rear view which overlooks the river whilst the front garden is in the town, so it has the best of both worlds. I pictured myself living there, well, we can dream...
Shortly after our scottish trip we took another journey, this time down to London where we saw more botanical treats. This time at the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace where we saw an exhibition of Maria Merian's Butterflies. It was my first ever visit to the gallery and I was delighted to find this exhibition as I have admired this artist's work for many years. The exhibition runs until October, if you love exquisite detailed paintings of insects and plants combined with fabulous design skills, this exhibition will not disappoint.
Our native bluebells have been splendid this year, in between the very many showers, we managed to enjoy several walks through our nearby bluebell woods. It always amazes me that so few people know of their existence. Two years ago we scattered our little dog's ashes in a quiet corner of the wood so it is always something of a bitter sweet experience to return. This year however I did feel his determined, self assured and inquisitive little spirit walking alongside.
Last but not least, I received a copy of this lovely book by Ann Benson- "A History of Coton Manor and its garden". Ann used a modified image of my artwork on a special bookplate and she very kindly sent me a copy of the book as a gift. Ann told me that she and her mother enjoyed visiting Coton's Bluebell Woods and both enjoyed the therapeutic atmosphere. Sadly I don't live near to Northhamptonshire but I am enjoying reading all about it and it is already on my wish list. You can make a virtual visit here on the website.
Next time I write I will tell you all about a wonderful workshop I took with a Persian Miniature Painter, bye for now.
