The lovely lines of lino cut

Well, it is an achievement for me.  Ever since Catherine bought me a lino cutting set for my birthday, I find it a painful experience.  The clumsy being that I am; I have not managed to finish a single piece unscathed until now.  Maybe I have got the knack, what with getting older and all that but managed to create this today without a single injury.  (It does make me wonder why this is considered a good project for middle school pupils; unless they use a softer medium).

However, sharing another aspect with this age-group, I do find myself coming over all silly and excited when peeling back the paper to see how the first print comes off.  So much so, I have shared it with you.  Now take a seat!  It is blurred because I can't concentrate on holding the camera and burnishing at the same time.

Was that exciting?  Yes, I know.  I am a sad, sad woman.

Here is the result.

This is actually thinking of a friend, Sarah, who I saw last night at a concert in the Trinity Church, Bradford-on-Avon.  Catherine was singing in the choir and there were poems and carols all set in among the Christmas tree festival.  I forgot my camera, so here is a picture of the church leaflet with a photograph from last year of the 2010 snows; welcomed at first, and then hated as they lasted too long.

Sarah designs the lay out and sorts the illustration placements for children's books; and she has gone freelance.  Already having orders taking her to the end of spring she still hasn't sorted out a logo for her new business and it got my mind racing.  The name; Tickety Boo, first made me think of ticker-tape and celebration, but then I thought if it as type-facing and publishing, then that coupled with the old-fashioned sound made me think of an old rattly type-writer.  I have to admit, I have since re-thought this and have another totally different design in mind.  All this is considering Sarah hasn't even asked, but you never know - she might like something I have done.

I have been finishing off a painting for an exhibition at the Paintworks in Bristol next year for Mercy in Action. Hope // Poverty has an open invite for submissions with all or most of the revenue collected going to the charity.

I have done my usual; jumping into the idea with gusto, giving myself a headache and blurred vision from the concentration and drive, then once finishing the piece returning to it later to find I hate it.

Bridge

It is an 80X 60 cms oil on canvas.

As an expressionist abstract, the sea of people with a view of hope head toward the warm sun at the end of the bridge.  The mass is very like the sea in its colour and style; indicating the number of people who are struggling to keep their heads afloat  whilst living in poverty.  The suspension bridge is held by wires which become stronger the more we pool our resources and help our fellow man.  The arch has always been a symbol for me of change and new beginnings.  

Well, that's how I see it.  You might have different feelings on looking at it.

I now have another in the pipe-line but am not sure it will make the deadline of the 16th December.  Maybe I should manage my time better. Instead of taking photographs like this, below.

Seldom up early enough to witness the event, winter is the time of sun rises.  I think this was about 8:20 this morning.  The frosty fields have already started their next growth as they toughen it out waiting for the first rays of light to soften their icy encasements.  Sometimes I am glad I live in a house and am not wild.

Maybe it is the lower growth of this Hawthorne tree that has allowed it to hold on to its leaves far beyond the taller oaks.  It certainly looked beautiful first thing against the icy grass.

I have done another lino cut ready to send to a few people for Christmas.  With the intention of gluing these on to some pretty hand-made paper cards, I wanted to send one to my new contact through the moleskine exchange project, Shelley Savor.

She sent me this wonderful print she had made, posted all the way from Canada; in plenty of time.  I can't even find the paper let alone post anything back.  It was such a treat to receive this unexpected gift it made my day and I would like to reciprocate.

This is as far as I have got...

...which isn't very promising.  I hope it is not a pre-cursor to how this, my last Christmas at Wood Cottage, is going to be.