Off Season …no problem!
When I was child I remember long hot summers, frosty winters, cool autumns and bright pretty springs. There were, I recall a distinct mark as the seasons came and went. My mother religiously changed our ‘wardrobes’ with suitable clothes; woolly sweaters, vests and long socks were replaced with our spring and summer ensemble around Easter time.
Now, not only are the seasons inseparable. they seem to overlap and we have so called unseasonal weather.
As a cyclist I find this uncertainty disconcerting; so I have learned to keep my wardrobe simple and easily layered.
Shoes are not so easily layered but with the help of Dr Marten … I can mix and match and do not find myself ‘off season’
Weekly Photo Challenge …
When I was child I remember long hot summers, frosty winters, cool autumns and bright pretty springs. There were, I recall a distinct mark as the seasons came and went. My mother religiously changed our ‘wardrobes’ with suitable clothes; woolly sweaters, vests and long socks were replaced with our spring and summer ensemble around Easter time.
Now, not only are the seasons inseparable. they seem to overlap and we have so called unseasonal weather.
As a cyclist I find this uncertainty disconcerting; so I have learned to keep my wardrobe simple and easily layered.
Shoes are not so easily layered but with the help of Dr Marten … I can mix and match and do not find myself ‘off season’
Remember Che Guevara on or very near his birthday
No dia 14 de Junho de 1928 nascia em Rosário, na Argentina, Ernesto Guevara de La Serna. Querido por muitos e odiado por alguns até os dias de hoje o Guerrilheiro, político, escritor e médico sem dúvida é um dos maiores ícones representativos de resistência e luta revolucionária na história mundial, não atrás de Martin Luter King, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Luxemburgo, Dorothy Stang, Chico Mendes, dentre outros grandes nomes que deixaram suas marcas ao lutarem por seus ideias crendo sempre na consolidação de uma sociedade mais justa e igualitária.
Uma das curiosidades sobre o “Che”, é que muitos anos antes de se tornar um dos símbolos da Revolução Cubana (1953 à 1959) e realizar a tão conhecida viagem de motocicleta pela América Latina com seu amigo Alberto Granado (Livro “Diários de Motocicleta”) o jovem ainda com dezesseis anos realizou uma viagem de bicicleta por algumas províncias argentinas, tendo ainda realizado uma…
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At the weekend I learned …
A couple of times during the last few months I have had the opportunity to see mono-printing in action. Notwithstanding, some YouTube videos of course, but I do find these a little like Blue Peter (here’s one I did earlier.that bears no resemblance to the one in hand), or Paul Daniels-esque (he is a magician) for their own good. Also, as I use lino and wood at the moment, it is enough to be learning that with the drawing, painting and use of colour. So it all seemed a bit too much.
However, mono-printing and in fact ‘other’ print methods have become more attractive lately, so I decided this Saturday to learn a bit about the ‘rules’ and methods from an expert (s).
So for the next 4 hours, I learned about the different papers, inks, the need for a press or not, the reasons and requirement of wetting the paper and much more. In an open access environment and with other experts there were some conflicting ideas and of course some playful deviations.
Nonetheless; if not a little overwhelmed I am now well equipped to practice at home; if only I find the time!
It was lovely and a learning experience I had enjoyed 50 years before!
This little works made on Saturday will be today overprinted … or just kept as a precious reminder!
Silent Sunday …
Bags for the art class …
Today, I am off to an art class. It is my regular monthly open access, where a group of printmakers get together in a local school and print. It is a wonderful time of sharing experiments and tea. I have been attending for two or three years and have learned much. However, it has taken a long time to gather momentum and actually feel and see what I have achieved.
My previous experiences at home and school in the 50s and 60s have left me with an irrational fear of school and teachers; even today I have nightmares about the outcome of lessons; now and planned for the future.
So the preparation of the mind (clearing of) is as important as the accumulation of ideas (thoughts and sketches) and the materials. Bags of regret, doubt and fear, more bags of stuff and a little pouch of excitement and joy!
These sunflowers are the results of some oil paint (not done before) on the sketches for my wood engraving; all in progress.
Friday snapshot …. from the campus
Today is the end of term. For the summer the campus will be quiet while the undergraduates have returned home. There will be of course some students about and life in Cataloguing will go on much as usual.
I do feel sad though, as the students never see our wonderful campus in the full summer. Even during the Autumn and spring terms their mind are elsewhere; so they never enjoy this haven of green in the middle Reading; not even me, as I hurtle through on my bike moments before nine!
Until this morning that is I was able to snap this cygnet and its mum.
From my little book some wise words about the god who intercedes the poet’s thoughts and gives him inspiration. This man in my opinion looks a bit of a wide boy I would not trust him quite so much.
Deus da aquele que tem
O santo merecimento
Quando o dom se entrelaça
Nas células do pensamento
O poeta brota os fluidos
Com expressão e talento
God of mine who has
The holy worthiness
When the gift is intertwined
The thought of cells
The poet springs fluids
With expression and talent
My god doesn’t sit about on a cloud in heaven waiting to answer my prayers (or wear dark glasses) but often I feel someone somewhere brings me hope and timely provision, for that I give thanks my deus of good fortune.
Wednesday in memory of brave Mother …
As you know a I have small collection of Cordels and this week my daughter bought a couple more to add to the collection.
One, I will treasure, it is the true story of Claudia De Silva Ferreira a mother of 4 who was fatally shot in police gunfire during a military police operation on March 16, 2014 in the Morro da Congonha favela.
My daughter lives in a favela along with many thousands of key workers of the city, like Claudia who worked in the local hospital. They go about their business daily, never afraid of their neighbours and should not live in fear those who are supposed to keep them safe.
So a little over a year later it would seem this unstable situation has not yet improved, innocent people remain vulnerable and at risk. So today I remember Claudia and her family who are still grieving her loss.
Weekly Photo Challenge … vivid
No deep and profound diversion from this weeks weekly photo challenge and more likely, no photographic genius for me today. My garden is beginning to blossom … and these vivid little gems are a joy!
Coat Hanger Doll's House 