11/29/2020

Autumn days


Strange times continue to challenge us all, however at least I have been able to find solace in nature and quiet hours sitting at my desk. Fortunately walking is still an option and we have enjoyed some splendid excursions. The photograph below shows the landscape around my home close to the Cheshire-Staffordshire border in NW England. I enjoyed working on this gilded painting of a Screech owl with Tiger moths. Earlier this year we visited an owl sanctuary in North Wales and I was able to observe this owl at close quarters. 


This is the time of year we would normally be travelling down to London to visit the annual exhibition of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers, to meet up with friends and to experience all that is lovely and magical about Christmas in London. All these things and more have been cancelled, I expect you also have a long list of cancellations. It is possible to visit their exhibition of previously exhibited work here 

Earlier in the year I enrolled on a hand throwing ceramics class with master potter Jon French. I managed to throw and complete several wobbly and imperfect pots before this too was cancelled due to our newly enforced tier restrictions. It was so disappointing as the whole class had made progress and were getting into the swing of things, so fingers crossed we will be allowed to continue our studies in the new year. I tried my hand at decorating with various glazes and techniques including sgraffito.


Fortunately I have been able to sell some of my original paintings through Art of the Imagination who have an online gallery. Nearly all of their planned exhibitions and events have been cancelled, indeed it feels like everyone is living in some sort of suspended animation. They have some pieces for sale online including this badger miniature. Although we have wild badgers living near our home they are very elusive and are now being ruthlessly culled, so I was very grateful to the photographer Steven Owen @steadyowen for allowing me to use one of his photographs as reference. 


I do hope you stay safe and keep busy and hope this wretched virus clears off once and for all before too long.