From my library …
From the back end of last year, until the early this year, I read a lot of books. Mostly by women, but all about women, and how they made their way through life some with astonishing difficulties. I have an increasing collection of items yet to read; since my back injury has improved the need to rest and read has lessened. However, I miss those quiet hours and would like to recapture that part of my otherwise disfavourable malady. With that in mind I return to the unread books and come across this chunky tome; by a man about a man who had none of the previously mentioned difficulties of life; in fact it would seem he was privileged; the title tells us so. I wonder, but not for long why it was there. It was mentioned in a recent book by Patti Smith and only a few chapters in I can understand why. Diego Rivera was born an artist his creative spirit and ability was recognised very early and encouraged rigorously, not in a harsh way it seems but kindly and generously. There were difficulties but he was able to use them in his favour even as a very small boy.
Like I say, it is early days and a big book, although with lots of images and large font … it will be a perfect way back into a good reading regime.
Thursday … for Tea
I am always on the lookout for a book about tea. Lately looking more closely at the design of books and particularly fond of the books I remember as a child. In the 1950s we didn’t have television and relied fully on the expertise of the illustrators of books and comics. We never doubted their ability and access to knowledge. It is only with our new found knowledge that we can question and criticise the books that primed our curiosity the the middle of the last century!
So when I come across works from then I am lifted to another world; along with its fact, fiction, propaganda and illustrations.
This Puffin book the story of tea published in 1947 … tells us of Dr Samuel Johnson a great writer and a shameless tea-drinker in the 18th century and the Duchess of Bedford in the next 100 years started the fashion of afternoon tea that was to become a worldwide practice because she got the ‘sinking’ feeling between lunch and dinner. She invented a new meal … good woman I say!
Anne Skibulits tells us of tea clippers, Boston tea party and smugglers and the introduction of tea to India. She tells the story of Ceylon, famous for its coffee until in the 1860s when a plant disease wiped out the entire crop; and goes on to say how the British were able to plant tea plants and Ceylon went on to be a great Empire tea producer. There is also much about the art of tea in China where it all began … Lovely ‘stories’
I will get a copy to add to my collection …
Wood engraving on Wednesday … words
Wood engraving
In a few weeks I will be attending a wood engraving weekend workshop at Badger Press. These sessions for me have become a regular event, twice a year for about three years now. A time to immerse myself in the age old method of relief printing. It is steeped in old school methods and techniques, using wood and tools with teacher (s) with fine pedigrees as long as your arm.
It is a wonderful getaway from new age and modernity. I do practice at home but being with those who are happy to talk about wood, tools, paper and ink is a joy!
This little block is a work in progress; I hope it will be book-plate but until then …
Smooth fine end of grain
gravers into lemon wood
table set for tea
Weekly Photo Challenge … Dance
Dancing … Oh dear I haven’t danced in years. When I considered why I hadn’t ventured onto the dance for decades; I thought about the things that had taken precedence and mostly they have been my preferred choice. Yes! I love music and to dance around the kitchen when the mood takes me; but the dancing, like singing is best left to the experts.
So it stands to reason that dancing doesn’t show up in my photograph albums. After a bit of digging I found these from a recent trip to Rio and these dancers had a lot to say I think ..
Repair …
I enjoyed a restful weekend; I think; the first for several weeks. My weeks are pretty much filled with work paid or otherwise mostly of course ‘enjoyed.’ The weekends filled to the enth degree with tasks; also pretty pleasing. But this weekend I found myself with space to really enjoy some time with my daughter, some precious moments to just be, to talk without expecting answers or results.To sit in silence. To wander aimlessly. To laugh out loud. To giggle and weep. To talk drivel. Buy gifts no one in particular. Drink tea. Eat cake. Not make plans to do it all again.
Then Sunday I didn’t feel the need to pick up the gauntlet or get back on the treadmill. I sat in the garden, The need to get busy did begin to grab me … but somehow did manage not to allow ‘urgency’ to take hold. I arranged some seeded parsley in a vase, cleaned my boots; I have no urge even to share the evidence of this. Then I repaired a little hot water jug in the Japanese style Kintsugi … what joy!
Silent Sunday …
Saturday …
The weekend begins with early as usual; a day I have looked forward to for long time, my daughter is coming for lunch and we are going to the gallery in Henley where 2 of my works I hanging; I hope! It is not a forgone conclusion each work must be approved and of course there is always doubt. Nevertheless it will be a good show and it is an honour to be a part of it.
So with this in mind I focus on something smaller; my daily ‘drawing’ this involves some pieces of a recent collagraph and attempt at a poem that became a list!
But shortened to 17 syllables (haiku) called the collagraph it goes something like this
Peter Gray’s grey,
prussian blue, raw sienna,
viscosity leaves page.
Snapshot from the Cole Library …
Few weeks in now; and barely begun to reclassify the Cole Library. I cannot pretend it is the most interesting library I have encountered. Nonetheless it is extraordinary in as much there are endless books about frogs and this week it has been snails. Neither of which do I get excited about. So in that respect I am the best person to do the job; not spending too long looking at the images.
Although this book binding did take my eye; and thinking about recreating it as a wood engraving … Loving it … oh dear its getting to me it will be slugs next!
At the Yellow Teapot Cafe …
On Saturday last, I began my journey as a tea maker, author and artist in the Yellow Teapot Cafe; where we had a small exhibition and meeting space during the Open Day at the Rising Sun Art Centre. Beside a fire, we welcomed those who were coming and going to the taster workshops that happened throughout the day. It was a busy, noisy delight but not conducive to talk of art and the finer things of life.
I served mostly green tea and a little white, alongside normal teas, coffee and cake, by other volunteers. Later, alcohol was offered with the musical entertainment that went on into the night.
I was able to present my newly written book more quietly at a Poetry Reading session that proved most successful.
It wasn’t the best way to start my new venture as it was much going on; but it happened, with some lessons learned.
Now I am able to take stock and work out ways I can go forward to print my book and sell it.
Words for Wednesday …
My youngest child lives in Brazil; a migrant who sometimes finds the life in a foreign country difficult and the benefits hard to see and overcome.
On my desk stands an inkwell, that contains permanent ink. Today’s difficulty which in the light of real hardship is of course minuscule. Nonetheless, I will share it; permanent ink is inclined to clog the pen nib, unless used and washed regularly; so I do write daily and give it a rinse occasionally. Then, there is the inkwell made by Mont Blanc, not looking like a mountain unless you have seen those in Rio. It would seem that the mountains do get in the way of communication links, so tunnels are made through them … Like I said we can find ways to get through.
Permanent ink well,
Like a mountain in Rio
Tunnel underneath.
Coat Hanger Doll's House 