Glastonbury - revisited

After seeing I had been earlier, Alison fancied visiting Glastonbury, so as the sun was shining we made our way across the Somerset countryside to the old flood plain where Glastonbury Tor stands guarding the town.

This photograph was taken as we left and clouds drew up from the north

I had always assumed the tor was built as sanctuary for the town in times of flood, but Alison thinks it was a look-out.  I have just read a bit about it on line and feel a bit sick.  Why did people do such awful things to each other; as here in the 16th Century?  

Back to the relatively cosy 21st C.  One over-riding memory of the town, apart from the alternative lifestyle is the ubiquitous smell of incense.  It is burnt in almost every other shop; gently smoking away near crystals, magical candles and herbs. One is not too bad but it can become a little over-powering. 

Some of the little alley ways have beautifully constructed entrances.  This one (pictured below) had semi-precious stones embedded into the walk way and the windows made me feel I had walked onto a Harry Potter set.

 

I am glad we stopped at the Blue Cedar Art Cafe.  I liked the food we had went I visited with Ellen and, seeing Angela the owner, I finally checked with her whether it was OK to have lifted some photographs from her site.  I didn't expect her to remember me, but she did.  Not only that, but she had taken a look at my site, and wants me to bring some pictures in after New Year!  I felt very honoured and am now thinking about what I can do.  She liked the Hare Hill painting and the setting sun of which I am already starting a series, so it looks as if I am going to be busy for a while.  Bliss.

Ah, if only I were rich.  This beautiful shop full of treasures caught my fancy.  Alison brought her camera.  Here is her photostream.  I actually like the picture she took of me.  I don't look like a freak.  (Not good at having my picture taken).

So here I am, sat at the kitchen table and taking a break, Sunday evening, from the painting.  After sketching out a sun and trees, I have started laying the first glaze of colours before adding detail to the background tress and the foreground.  It is my intention to paint 6 with the sun in a variety of positions so if the 6 are placed in line, it could be seen as the sun gradually setting.  I wonder whether I can hold out long enough to paint them all?  The first one took quite some time and the finer twigs strained my eyes to the extent I was not able to paint for long periods.

I am also messing about with paper cutting with a mind to the moleskine exchange project.  It could actually go into two of the books; one being 'in the kitchen', and the other 'my favourite things'.  You will get the idea when you see these below...

I have shown the shadows cast rather than the paper as I will spray the white paper black once finished and mount them on a white backing.  Can you see what it is yet?  Yes, TEA!  (Love it).