Wednesday women … an illustrator
I came across Jan’s Journal by Ronald Duncan yesterday morning; it needed a slight repair to the dust-jacket. As I have become interested in illustrators and particularly women this one took my eye. It is illustrated by Ada Elizabeth Edith Swanwick (1915-1989), better known as Betty Swanwick, who is or was quite unknown to me; but decided to find out more when I learned that her teacher at Goldsmiths’ College was Edward Bawden who is more familiar.
Betty was born in Forest Hill, South London; her father, a marine artist encouraged her to paint, when he died she was only 10 years old and she became more determined to become an artist. While she was at Lewisham’s Prendergast School the teachers were not supportive of her but this was to change at Goldsmiths. Edward Bawden and the school’s head Clive Gardiner helped her to receive commissions sooner than her contemporaries. She designed her first posters for London Transport at the age of nineteen. She was awarded two scholarships, one at Central School of Arts and Crafts and the Royal College of Art; she attended both and concentrated on life drawing.
While still a student, Betty produced illustrated ‘novelettes’. These were social comedies; the characters were wide-eyed marionettes which were a far cry from her later more spiritual works.
However, they didn’t go unnoticed John Betjeman called Beauty and the Burglar (1958) ‘strange, startling, funny with a weird beauty’
While teaching at Goldsmiths’ College between 1948 and 1969 Betty continued to work as an illustrator and designer; contributing to journals such as Country Life and the Strand. She produced murals for venues such as the Festival of Britain and Guy’s Hospital. Betty began exhibiting in the Royal Academy in 1965 and gained recognition and was elected associate of the Academy in 1972 and seven years later a full academician; during this time she was elected to the membership of the Royal Society of Painters in Watercolour. Betty died on her 74th birthday in Tunbridge Wells.
Further reading
The Art of Betty Swanwick by Brian Murphy
Betty Swanwick, Artist and Visionary by Paddy Rossmore
The Illustrators : the British Art of Illustration 1800 -1997
Weekly Photo Challenge … Colour
These photographs take little or no explanation they are colourful slithers in a concrete jungle. Much of Rio de Janeiro is in disrepair, there is is much colonial shabbiness, there is a distinct lack of advertising and neon lights. Of course there has been much regeneration and cleansing in preparation for the Olympics and the World Cup. But these jewels of colour make it for me a beautiful city!
Last week I learned that ….
These pictures were taken in Saude in Rio de Janeiro, the area has fallen into disrepair since the nearby dockside has changed its functionally. For instance, the once busy car import area has moved to a place further away that offers more space. Also the central bus station, that brought people, business and life, has moved out of town. So, a once thriving community has died. Nearby is a the favela, Morro da Conceição that has manifested since the city has grown over the last many decades and the city has failed to make affordable homes for these valuable key workers. They would have certainly been affected by this decline in public investment in the local amenities. However, they will be drastically affected by the states next plan for the area. The area is a prime site for regeneration, the like of which we have seen in London, Liverpool and Bristol etc. apartments, shopping malls and recreation facilities not for the low paid but for the new up and coming rich. A place for them to parade, celebrate and flaunt their riches made at the expense of those who live a stones throw away in lowly conditions with no hope of improvement. While the favela dwellers will not be forcibly removed, as this will incur a cost to the government, they will not be able to afford the hospitality and goods offered, since all the cheaper and local amenities have been ousted.
The Very Inspiring Blog Award
I have been nominated by Its JennytheWren Blog for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award and I am very touched by this recognition!
and required to say 7 things about myself and nominate 15 other Bloggers
I am blogger and a mum who posts daily from a personal place separated from a daughter in Brazil.
… blogger and library assistant in a perfect position to share knowledge about books, illustrators etc. in our Special Collections
… blogger and writer wishing to improve skills and take some risks but not yet found the courage
… blogger and artist yearning to make prints and illustrate a book combined with the above literary acumen
… blogger and woman who cares deeply about women in the workplace (which in my opinion includes the home) who maintain a passion for the wellbeing of others before themselves.
… blogger and photographer while not wanting to become a slave to photoshop I wish to become more professional
… blogger and tea drinker; I love to explore new teas and blends and remain devout in my journey to its glorification.
… blogger and scholar of dead languages … trying to keep them alive.
http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/
http://mythoughtsonthesubjectareasfollows.wordpress.com/
http://schererdevries.wordpress.com/
http://iwritestoriesandthings.blogspot.co.uk/
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/
http://jennymatlock.blogspot.co.uk/
http://scarlettsands.wordpress.com/
http://gennepher.blogspot.co.uk/
I am in awe of these and others who have inspired and encouraged me over the last year or so.
Silent Sunday
Trifextra: Week Sixty-Two …
For his Trifextra weekend challenge, we were asked give thirty-three words of advice. Here is my attempt …
‘Anger, fear, sadness and joy, among other feelings are like friends with whom you have little more than a nodding acquaintance. While you observe their existence, you may not invite them to stay’.
Saturday and going home … ?
This is undoubtedly one of the worst days of my life.There have been a few of such days as you know separation and its various manifestations for me has taken it toll over the years.
The effect of these traumas have left scars that come to the fore when a parting looms. Even though I can look at the cognitive phenomenon; while in its midst there seems no end. The pain wrenches at my soul and sensibility is lost.
However, I can say this has been a most wonderful holiday. I have learned much about Rio, Brazil, my daughter, her ‘relationship’ and her work. They are more comfortable than they were a year ago. Although my daughters legal status is not yet confirmed she is in a position to improve and maintain a degree of stability; which I could not foresee in the UK for many years if she was to move back.
I have learned a lot about myself; ultimately how badly I react to the problems with the internet but by the end of the holiday I was able to discover ways in which to overcome some of the difficulties. Albeit with a lot of pouting. Another fear I had that was partly connected to communication skill and the lack of and generally parenting. Whilst at home (in Brazil) there was no difficulty with language. It was of course while out and about without even a few words we were very vulnerable and at risk on all levels. For Instance this week while waiting for my daughter at the metro, an armed policeman stood nearby with a hand firmly on his rifle and a steely stare. I was delighted to see my girl running down the platform.
So it seemed we were the children needing the constant care and attention not always a comfortable position for an aging parent not ready yet to be ‘cared for.’ Nonetheless by the end of the holiday we were venturing alone beyond the confines of the favela on to the metro and buses without to much difficulty.
So all this leaves me in an unhappy place for two reasons; the first quite obviously I will not be seeing my daughter and son-in- law for at least a year and I know things are OK for them but the separation is far from ideal.
Also it seems that I have spent the whole year preparing for this trip … I do not regret one moment but it leaves me thinking … ‘What next?’
I don’t want to spend my time looking to March 2014 and the void.
But what else?
Friday’s Snapshot from Rio de Janeiro
We went to the EAV, Escola de Artes Visuais do Parque Lage last week when Rio was enjoying a few days rain.
Being Brits we were not afraid to venture out, and where better than to stroll under a canopy of magnificent trees in a tiny piece of tropical rain forest; or so we thought. The gardens of the mansion were ‘designed’ in 1840 by John Tyndale and organised geometrically and bordered by 52 hectares of lush rain-forest species typical of the Atlantic tropical forests. In front of the main entrance of the mansion is a formal lawn with benches arranged around a fountain.
At the park’s centre is a palatial house which was the home of Antonio Martins Lage in 1920 and remained in the family until 1941 when Henrique, Antonio’s grandson died. For the following 30 years the Parque Lage was the subject of countless battles between the government and and the private sector until 1975 when the buildings and the grounds became the property of the public and the home of the Escola de Artes Visuais.
There were other invented delights in the gardens such as a grotto, aquarium and lover’s corner. The slaves laundry however dates back to the colonial times when the land was occupied by sugar mill built by Sebastiao Fagundes Varella in 1610 who was considered to be one of the first mill owners.
It was the mansion that offered us shelter when the rain become torrential and less pleasant. The house where the EAV offers a wide range of artistic activities that caters for the beginner to the those more accomplished who wish to deepen their knowledge, was designed in 1924 by the Italian architect Mario Vodrel. The main facade has a projecting portico lined with masonry. The three-storey construction with it 24 rooms laid out around a swimming pool is embellished with marble, tiles and mosaics imported from Italy. While this must be a beautiful cool retreat from the sun most days, that day is was for me more spectacular in the rain.
Alphabe Thursday … T is for Tea Shop
When we anticipated our second trip to Brazil we thought about trips that we had particularly enjoyed on our previous visit. The Confeitaria Colombo was the first on my list to return too. It is a wonderful Art Nouveau cafe which has a an impressive grand central hall lined with full length mirrors a perfect place for breakfast, morning coffee and afternoon tea and cakes. While it doesn’t serve the best tea by far it really is one of the nicest tea-shops I have been too.
Trifecta: Week Seventy-One … Happy April
This year in Rio de Janeiro we have had plenty tropical rain and in response to this weeks Trifecta Challenge … Rain … I share this experience in 33 words.
‘In Rio when the rain began to pour; so the English lady donned her plastic mac. When she began sweating like the proverbial pig, she wondered ‘Had she done the right thing?’’
Coat Hanger Doll's House 