Coat Hanger Doll's House

I celebrate light even if it is only a tiny glow; each time I enter a darkened room.  

As a child I lived with my parents, little sisters and baby brother on a houseboat. We had no electricity; we were reliant on paraffin lamps and a fire that burned drift wood.  All of which was carefully monitored by mother or father.  During the summer this was not a problem; but the winter months were darker and colder than they should have been. Occasionally we children were left unattended.  Sometimes after school we would come home to cold and darkness; my dad didn’t come home until 5.30 and my mum perhaps delayed while shopping.  So we, unable to ‘make’ light or heat would huddle together until they returned.  This didn’t happen often, but they might go out occasionally to play cards with the neighbours and leave us to watch the…

Needless to say my day at the Rising Sun Arts Centre : Christmas Art Market was a joy! Of course I was able to put a price on my pictures, cards and gift tags.  Once I had set up and got over my initial anxieties, I circulated and found my way to the to the mulled wine.  Both of which were warming exercises; one rather more than the other.  Although the circulating may have a more lasting effect!!! Already I had made some sales and invites to other exhibitions. Which is a good start to the new year … which begins in the Land Of Nela Bligh Today Happy Advent … to whatever you enjoy.

For the first time since I started to post daily I really am not going to make a fresh new blog post.  I really cannot think of anything that will reflect my mood.  As you know I have family in Brazil and you can imagine I don’t get to see them that often.  

It is 9 months since we visited them in Rio and we made plans then for them to come to us at Christmas and since the flights were booked I have been counting the days and making lists.  Unfortunately, due to a change in the immigration laws my son-in-law has been refused a visa. As in Saturday’s post this is not a legal requirement but does make for a comfortable entrance at border control.  His previous application has been refused twice because ‘they’ cannot be sure he will return to Brazil in January. He doesn’t feel…

Today is the Christmas Art Market; I have been working very hard for several weeks.  I am pleased with the result and ready to produce a little display.  But I am not ready to put a price on the pieces. Why is this? Does it mean I value my work at nil? I suppose it does. So the questions go on and the self doubt creeps in.  

This is a shame because all the time I was working, making shapes and marks and creating I was happy.  I did not consider the price of the materials or the time it took.  It t has been a joy I do not regret the costs or the time.  When I look at the result I smile and say ‘Yes time and money well spent’

Taking it to the show I feel like a mother and her beloved but scruffy kids on…

Book of myths by Jean Lang ;  drawings in colour by Helen Stratton

I came across this book in the Children’s Collection while looking for something else.  I was drawn by the the illustrations, by Helen Stratton 1867-1925.  Although, Stratton was painter and portrait artist she was best known for her illustrations.  She studied art at the Art Nouveau School on Glasgow and specialised in children’s fashion.  Early in the 20th century she illustrated serval books including Grimm’s fairy tales, The Arabian nights and The princess and the goblin.   

Stratton continued to work with children’s stories and fairy tales.  Although she moved to London she always remained true to her Art Nouveau School of Glasgow style especially with regard to children’s costumes and their background.  Her animals and birds were quite realistic.  She worked in balck and white and water colour.