Alphabe Thursday …. J is for the walking of James Joyce
James Joyce ( 1882 – 1941) poet and novelist,we understand was known to have developed the style called the stream of consciousness. In his novel Ulysses, the jumble of thoughts and recollections of his characters unfolded best while he was walking. He saw the long distance walk as an easy way to find a narrative continuity. Joyce managed to write one of the greatest novels of the 20th century about a pudgy advertising salesman trudging the streets of Dublin.
Wednesday and a printmaker …
Yesterday, I was very busy in Special Collections; I was unable to do my usual research (or not) into Wednesday’s woman wood engraver. Having come to the end of a project I was moving books in the the library; but I was not too busy to browse awhile when one item took my eye. I am a printmaker and trying to ‘improve’ my methods, so , for the next couple of months I have some workshops planned. One with Nick Morley at Hello Printing Press and another here in Reading Museum with Cath Baldwin; where I hoping to develop my lino cutting skills. So I am always on the look out for inspiration last week it was Mark Hearld. This time it was Edward Bawden who took my eye! It seems he always found time for lino-cuts . He used this most humble way of printmaking for more than 50 years. He has used it for making repeating patterns, for wallpapers, posters, book decorations and for collages. He used to cut and print little bits of lino as a student, printing them in repeating patterns as neckties or decorative papers; he used his feet to press out the pattern. the story went on and I returned the book to its shelf!
Weekly Photo Challenge … Serenity
A look of serenity cannot be captured ; truly. It is a feeling and often so fleeting that it is not reflected in the body at all.
However; I not wanting to not participate have a story instead. My daughter and I are separated by the Atlantic Ocean; a furious monster that brings us grief and despair. However, by the same token from generous waves we get joy and comfort.
Often though, we both forget the place somewhere in between those crazy climes, a place of serenity and calm not noticed in the upsy downsy of life. This snapshot taken on the beach near my daughter’s home in Rio, sort of represents that place … looking out to Europe and home and me looking back and for a moment only a heartbeat away
Monday and a work in progress
On Saturday I attended yet another workshop; while I do not feel like a new girl these days; I still have a fear of the classroom situation. I try and prepare myself and to some extent I am getting better. Nonetheless it is usually an hour or so in and at least two cups of tea later when I start to feel comfortable.
Then, when home time comes I think ‘if only I could start all over’
This little work … is a delight but remains a work in progress … by the end of the day he will fly.
Silent Sunday
Saturday … for a bit of nature and play please
It is Saturday,there is no snow but a light frost as I look out across the rooftops and a patch of clear blue sky and sunlight; lovely.
I peer at my garden through slitty eyes like artists do ( and me without my spectacles) and try to absorb the shapes and colours of nature and wait a while for the robin who regularly at this time comes to the bath and table.
Today, I will be at art class and doing ‘stuff’ in the style of Mark Hearld, he knows nature and birds, I will have to blag a bit because I know nothing. While I have not studied art for long I have stayed with subject matter I am comfortable with like the containers that surround my desk, but predominantly tea pots and cups and my beloved bike, who doesn’t live by my desk, but is a trusty companion. A week or two ago I tried life drawing, this was a little to difficult for me at the moment.
So here I am thinking about today’s subject matter; it is a little alien but I think I can warm to it. It is the materials that are a little daunting. I have so far used erasers, lino and wood for my prints; today these are put to one side and we will be using alternatives with a suggestion of ‘play’ Like I have said before I have not played at art since 1966 even then we were looked over by a teacher and a cane!
So today, I ask the one brings good fortune to artists and all beings for the sense of nature and fun!
Friday a snapshot from the Library
This week I started work with a work experience ‘person’ ; we had a short session before Christmas but now we begin for real. I share my work with her for a day a week. It is a good situation; she gets a chance to see library work at the coal front and I get help and good company. We began with some items bound for the Childrens Collection ; all were very nice but one huge book took our eyes ; King Arthur’s Wood is a children’s book written and illustrated by Elizabeth Stanhope Forbes. It was first printed in 1904 with a limited print-run of 350 copies.
As we considered adding it to our collections ; we imagined two or three very special children looking at in on the floor in a very elegant house much like the one we work in over a 100 years before.
Alphabet Thursday … I is for Italy
Still walking in the streets but now in Italy; Italian cities are considered the ideals among travellers who are enthralled by the ways their architecture give beauty and meaning to everyday lives. Authors compare and demonstrate the ways in which ‘plazas and streets can function to tie a city together socially and architecturally’. While in other cities have ‘deteriorated into highways and parking lots’. One author tells us of the Bologna’s portico, a 4 mile walkway going from the central square to the countryside. Another, describes Milan’s Galleria, winding streets of Perugia, car-free streets of Perugia and two storey public arcades of Brisighella. A New Yorker in appreciation of the Italian walkers says ‘In ancient Italian towns the narrow streets at dusk becomes a kind of theatre’.
Images from
http://www.thecultureconcept.com/circle/the-portico-an-ancient-architectural-people-protector
Wednesday’s wonderful wood engraver
One of my favourite wood engravers is Sarah van Niekerk while her quality and style is no less perfect than the likes of Gertrude Hermes and Yvonne Skargon she is able depict a humour in somewhat serious situation when the knight falls. The lightness and detail in the Jacobs in Shropshire is a delight!
Weekly photo Challenge … Shadows
There is not much to say about shadow it just happens like our breath as if by magic
Coat Hanger Doll's House 