December airs

I have been off line rather a long time due to losing Tilda to liver cancer at the end of November. She was ill for two months, that is she lost her appetite and a lot of weight. What was wrong gradually became clear through November, and our lovely vet came and ended it for her on the 24th before she had suffered much. So now my walks are a bit solitary, though I take my notebook and scribble fragments of observation.

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No more lurcher leading the way down paths and up the road. A time for more writing and thinking, constructing poems, and sending them off to magazines and pamphlet competitions. I am very pleased to report that the independent literary magazine Tears in the Fence has accepted one about Salthouse church which will be in their summer edition, and has asked for more.

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You can imagine me sitting on a fallen branch under the beech tree and scribbling in my little book.

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When there is light, or even on a misty day when the lights have to be on indoors, the trees, fields and hedgerows are a delight.

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the pool in the wood has filled up again now that the cable trench is filled and the pumping of water from the system of springs has ended

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the pattern of branches above it is reflected, the sky a cloudy mirror the trees seem to be peering into,

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puddles bring the light down to my feet.

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The trees are more beautiful, their branches seem to wave in fluid shapes like dancers’ arms,

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the nude hedges make graphic designs with their stems through which to look out across fields of winter cereals,

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grassy stems holding water drops that refract their bright green to a greyish pastel colour.

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Water in the misty air makes every view soften into blue-greys.

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Muddy tracks are imprinted with a variety of wheel tracks

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irresistible, translatable into two-dimensions.

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Greyed down colours need cool underpainting, unlike the bright autumn which I underpainted with translucent earth yellows.

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acrylic on canvas 17th december The Track

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I was back in the studio for a couple of days before Christmas, then felled by some strange virus. Two recent trips to Scotland and one to Whitby should appear here soon

5 Comments

  1. So sorry to hear about poor Tilda….never easy losing a much loved companion, be it animal or human. We have 3 geriatric Labs and dread the day..Having said that a friend recently lost their Lab to cancer within a week of diagnosis and aged only 5.
    Keep on with your walking,writing and painting,I’m sure it is very theraputic…and in time maybe you will find your way to adopting another lovely dog.Therecare so many out there desperate for a kind home.x

  2. I enjoy your blog with its lovely photos of pots, paintings, art and walks with Tilda. A wonderful pictorial memory. I will miss the lurcher too and can only imagine how much that loss is to you. Keep writing painting and potting and perhaps some of Tilda’s charm will shine through.x

  3. Dear Jane,
    I’ve been following your blog and find it very inspiring. Somehow even Tilda took some place in my mind, and it’s very sad she’s gone. I imagine the feeling of having her in hands will always be real – It’s something I have been living with for almost 10 years since I lost my dog. I wish you soonest recovery.
    Another thing if I dare…through years you’ve been mentioning your tin/dolomit glase. I’m absolutely stunned by what you create. As for ceramics you’re my number one artist in England. Could you think of sharing your recipe with me? I’ll fully understand if not.

    Best wishes
    Larissa
    Sweden

    1. Hi Larissa
      thank you for your lovely comment. I have been so ill (some virus that keeps attacking all my weak points) since I wrote this last blog I’ve not had the mental energy to write any more.
      yes, glazes. well the dolomite glaze is the one in blue/grey and the green/orange/black one, depending on metal oxide additions. my current one, the chun is in a book by Emanuel Cooper. it’s not a dolomite glaze. I have also used a couple of shinos in the past, and a barium/china clay glaze which I’ve almost stopped using because it’s so poisonous, before and after firing! which one are you interested in?

  4. Hi Jane,
    I’m so sorry you’re unwell. I really hope you will be well soon.
    I believe ir’s copper/tin/dolomite. Am I correct saying that these give the greenish/orage/very light yellowish? Your greenish/orange/black are incredible. If you don’t mind I’ll mail a couple of pictures of fish that I hand-make. I would love to finish them by something similar to what I see on your pots.
    With all best wishes
    Larissa

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