Silent Sunday …
Saturday …
After a couple of weeks of severe pain, I have tried to manage the obvious discomfort and mood, I have found ways to be creative, albeit a little upsy downsy at times. So there has been some positive happenings and results.
Last weekend I was able to exhibit at a local show and sell some work. On Monday I had my first session with my new art teacher. It was much like most inaugural lessons with some preliminary plans but we began with some dry point two hours went by in a flash but I think the next few weeks will be spent colourfully and playfully.
Today, I am hoping to attend a wood engraving weekend at Badger Press. I am well prepared with some pain killers and some exercises just in case things get difficult.
Friday’s Library Snapshot … of Joan Hassall.
Still absent from work with sadness; but looking forward to returning meanwhile a reblog …
The wood engravings of Joan Hassall with introduction by Ruari Maclean
I came across this little book in a the Mark Longman Library; which is an Aladdin’s Cave of jewels from 1900 -1980 that never ceases to delight me. As with other collections, if I don’t see something immediately, it will point me to something else.
For instance, last week I posted a piece about the Two Rivers Press’s translation of the Drunken Boat by Arthur Rimbaud. I was reminded of a translation by Samuel Beckett. This is without images so not as graphically pleasing for me. However, it was published here at the University of Reading in the Typography department and typographically most attractive and complementary to the my first choice.
You will see later that Joan Hassall does not stand alone for me in the collection (s).
Joan Hassall (1906-1988) was widely known as one of the…
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Alphabe Thursday … V is for Vemos (we see)
Vemos tudos de primeira
Das aves aos animais
De domesticaos e selvagens
E milhões de vegetais
Potenciais de riquezas
Nas ervas medicinais
We see everything first
From birds to animals
Domestic and wild
And millions of plants
Potential wealth
In medicinal herbs
As the alphabet in the world of the Dicionario Brasileiro de literatura de cordel comes to a close, the poet reminds us that his country has botanical wealth beyond measure. Brazil is a new country and it doesn’t seem so long ago when a mother would care for her family using remedies from the trees and flowers.
Not voodoo or witchcraft; but sensible and practical measures to prevent or cure illness.
Wednesday’s Wise Woman
It is not too late to mention Ada again …
Yesterday we celebrated Ada Lovelace day; an international day celebrating the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths.
Augusta Ada King , Countess of Lovelace (1815-1852) was born Augusta Ada Byron commonly known as Ada Lovelace. She was an English mathematician and writer famously known for her contribution to Charles Babbage’s early mechanical general-purpose-computer; the analytical engine. Her notes on the engine include what is recognised as the first algorithm intended to be processed by a machine. As a result she is often described as the world’s first computer programmer.
I have read a little about her and it is not clear how it was that she become so interested in mathematics and for it to go on to dominate her adult life and then for her to make such a mark in history.
It would appear that as girl she suffered prolonged illness and when…
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Wednesday’s wise woman … Ada Byron
I am a day late … but nonetheless its good to celebrate Ada!
Ada Byron (1815-1852), born in London; the only legitimate child of the poet Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) and Anne Isabella Milbanke. Born Augusta Ada Byron but better as Ada Lovelace; didn’t have a close relationship with her father; her parents separated when she was a month old and he died when she was eight.
Ada was a sickly child and suffered headaches and blurred vision. Later, after a bout of measles she was paralysed and confined to bed. As a result she could only walk with the aid of crutches. However during this time she continued her education. Her mother obsessed with the idea that Ada may be insane; taught her mathematics from a young age. She was schooled privately by eminent mathematicians of the day
By the time she was seventeen she was recognised as having ‘remarkable mathematical abilities’ and her interest dominated the rest of her adult…
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Weekly photo challenge … happy place
In post-war Britain life was not too comfortable; no need to dwell on this in light of discomfort we still see day -by-day not so far away. Nonetheless, the anticipation of a new bar of soap brings back harsh memories of lack and then the unwrapping, its smoothness and sweet perfume brings me to a happy place.
Last week …
Last week I was on annual leave; but sadly I have been unwell with Sciatica. The pain began while at work about 10 days ago, thinking it was a pulled muscle. However, this was not the case and before long I was taking a cocktail of painkilling tablets some with horrible side effects. So what was planned to be a happy holiday became nightmare. This is not an expression I use lightly I am generally a fit lady and enjoy a healthy lifestyle and to be taking such intrusive remedies has been alien to me.
During some time of less pain I was able to organise some work for an exhibition yesterday. It proved to be a little surreal, while I wandered about in a haze of drugs, throw up, and even returned home for an hour to sleep and top up on some pain relief … I managed to sell a piece although that has to be confirmed, I was pleased that the event happened. But not without support of those who made way for me to have clear run to the bathroom when the need arose.
So back to the GP this morning knowing that these drastic methods of pain control cannot continue, not because of the side effects although they are ghastly but more because they are addictive. So although I must begin weaning myself off during the next few days and am happily looking forward to returning to my gentler and less obtrusive methods to keep well.
Silent Sunday …
Its Saturday …
It is Saturday and a time when I tell you about the good and the bad … and my life as it dangles in between most of the time! There is no need to dwell on either, although some situations might come to light . Especially as I did get to London yesterday and visited my favourite shop and art gallery on the South Bank; to Intaglio Press to buy some printmaking supplies was a joy only to be surpassed with a wandering around Bankside Art Gallery and to buy a book!
There have been black times and even now I cannot think how I can finish writing this blog post without some ‘help’ that come now in the form of morphine; so the mood might improve and the rosy glow might make the world seem better.
However, with the help of my easel, sitting was not an option), a clutch of pencils and an eraser I was able to make these marks. …. the chicken is a bit nature that I don’t allow into my work too much but seemed to come out the paper and make me smile …
Coat Hanger Doll's House 