Friday’s , So far unread book …
This week I have been on annual leave; using up my last remaining days of the academic year. I had such great hopes to get some work done, read, and have some fun.
This didn’t happen instead I have a sciatica; and have moaned for 5 days! I have picked up books. pencils paper and accomplished nothing except pop more pills that are healthy!
One such book I bought a few weeks back and so far as remained unopened and it might stay that way today!
Alphabe Thursday …. U is for Uirapura
O canto do uirapura
e mais do que um poema
Tanto que sensibiliza
o próprio ecossistema
embevecido diante
do som de beleza extrema
I am not sure how this translates but thinking it be begins
The song of the Uirapuru (is a bird?), is more than a poem
So much so that it sensitizes the ecosystem itself
enraptured before the extreme beauty of sound
I was born and grew up in the countryside but enjoy life and living in a large town, The sounds of a bird is not enjoyed too much over the sounds of urbanisation. My friends laugh when I grumble that birds wake me in the morning and have little knowledge beyond being able to distinguish between a robin and a blackbird. While my husband enthuses over the various tits on the bird table I am bemused. Nonetheless, I can truly understand that the song of a bird surpasses any sounds a human might add to nature.
Wednesday’s Wise Woman … Frida Kahlo
Today I reblog an artist I admire above most not just because she is a fine artist, but because she succeeded while enduring much pain, illness and emotional hurt. I am an artist, not great but a master of self pity, regret and despair so after a few more painkillers, yoga and Acupuncture I will make wishes for those in pain …
Over the last months, I have written briefly and inadequately about women who have risen above adversity (Whatever that is?) to fame (Whatever that is?) My selection may seem random but it is not altogether without careful consideration; mainly because ‘ What do I know?’ Also,’What can I say?’ in 400 words (my self imposed word limit) who has indeed found fame while I have not and never will!
So it is from this humble place I look towards Frida Kahlo, (1907 -1954) who has contributed much to the world of art, to the Mexican Peace movement and making political stands against the North American Government and to the female forum while suffering tragedy and pain.
I have read Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver, and various art books about Frida and even found a poetry book and all provide a rich source in relation to her life and do her a…
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Weekly Photochallenge …. boundaries
From within the bounds of Sciatica I had a great plan to write something deep and meaningful about the need for some boundaries the absolution of others I found myself in a heavy political diatribe … but seriously thinking I just what to be free of pain and enjoying watching this weed creep from its confines.
Monday with Sciatica …
So sad; four days into severe back ache it seems I am unable to sit and write a post. For over four years I have found ways to communicate through some difficult times. However, it seems after a weekend of ‘connecting’ with out-of-hours doctors and even going to a clinic and being given a varied collection of advice and prescriptions … there is no let up!
So this come with love and hope that some relief will come and I will enjoy my holiday!
Happy Monday …
Silent Sunday …
Its Saturday …
Its Saturday! There is good news and some not so good. First I have my regular open access printing session. I have made some drawings and begun a series of reduction linocuts at home; this morning I am hoping to attempt some drypoint with the same images.
The bells hang in my dining room all the year round; they have, I feel, a festive feel and might lend themselves to a Christmas card.
The bad news is a mean attack of sciatica; for the last 24 hours I have moaned and groaned and the out-of-hours doctors have been helpful. While there has been little improvement, we have a management plan to control the pain and they also recommend high levels of activity (not strenuous) so the art class is on … Have a good day.
Friday’s Library Snapshot …
I am in between tasks at Special Collections; soon I begin work reclassifing the Cole Collection. It is at present only on a card catalogue. Nice, but can only be used onsite. But until then I remember a collection I worked on and get organised …
One of my favourite collections of books here at the library is the Gibbings Collection.
Robert Gibbings (1889-1959) was a wood engraver, artist and author. He founded the Society of Wood Engravers in 1919 and took over the Golden Cockerel Press at Waltham St. Lawrence, Berkshire from 1924-1933.
In 1936 he became a senior lecturer in the Typography Department at the University of Reading.
The collection comprises of 300 books written and/or illustrated by Robert Gibbings. There are some books printed at the Golden Cockerel Press and others at the University of Reading, School of Fine Art.
In 1939 Robert built a little boat and sailed down the River Thames. On the way he stopped at nearby public houses; talking and engraving as he went.
This book, documenting his journey, was very popular in the 1940s among people who wanted to escape the harsh reality of England at the time…
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Alphabe Thursday T is for Tenho amor … I love
Tenho amor a minha terra
Quando eu estou longe dela
Fico triste que de noite
Eu durmo e sonho com ela
Felicidade completa
Só tenho encontrada nela
I love my land
When I’m away from it
If am sad at night
I sleep and dream about her
And find complete happiness
I agree with the poet; I love my homeland and enjoy going home, when I have been away. My daughter lives in Brazil and smiles at the adage ‘you can take the girl out ‘England’ but you cannot take England out of the girl’ I expect this applies to everyone who leaves their home whatever the reason.
She looks forward to parcels from home as much for the smells of home as the gifts.
Wednesday’s woman of art …
I love the colours of these linocuts by Lyubov Popova (1889-1924). They are untitled from the portfolio Six Prints (c1917-19) which have watercolour and gouache additions. I would love to see them and discover how this works.
Popova was among the Russian avant-garde’s most important figures. Inspired equally by French Cubism, Kazimir Malevich’s abstract Suprematism, Vladimir Tatlin’s theories of Constructivism, and Russian folk art, Popova produced distinctive architectonic compositions in a range of mediums, from painting and works on paper to theatre design and textiles. It would seem that her use of relief techniques in Six Prints may have been influenced by her experience with textiles which at the time were often printed by woodblock.
Coat Hanger Doll's House 