Bitter weather and shorter walks.
The
winter is certainly upon us now, this week alone we have had snow,
sleet rain, dreary
grey
days but
also
wonderful
bright
sunshine. The weather seems to be all over the place and it can make
it difficult to settle into a routine. Do we need
to put
the heating on constant, light a fire or
de-ice the car?
 |
| Remembering warmer months and summer fires. |
We
acquired a dog a few months ago, so at least one thing is now
constant, I know that I will be going out for a walk at least twice a
day and possibly more if it's
neither bitterly cold or chucking it down with rain. This has been
quite a bonus as it makes me go out in all weathers and even short
walks in the blustery rain and hail have been enjoyable. Well, I say
that but actually the best bit of these walks is going back inside
again! It truly makes me
appreciate
and be grateful for my
home even more.
 |
| Gelli-print based on early spring last year. |
I am
set to start the first art project of this year next week. One
which I have been thinking about and researching
for a few months. I
am going to create a small body of work based on 'Hearth and Home',
which I will exhibit in my straw-bale studio next month. I have
always been fascinated by fireplaces and their place in the home. I
love how mantle-pieces are 'curated' by families
and I can still nostalgically remember those of my grandparents and
other elderly relatives, which were of the
time when the hearth was the heart of the home, long before the
introduction of a TV as a main focal point.
 |
| Fireplace installation at YSP last Summer. |
Our
log burner has been lit most evenings and has become another constant
this winter and I am so glad of it. The applied decoration I made
last summer in the concrete hearth has worked well. When
I sweep up the wood ash from it, I remember the time I collected the
leaves, chosen from full and abundant gardens, pressed them into the
wet concrete and looked forward to the 'reveal' when the leaves were
pulled away. Their
imprints
are
now permanently marked into the hearth and
I recognises the traces of Passionflower, Hop and Grapevine leaves.
Now on really grey days and darker evenings I find their subtle forms
and detail are all I need to remember back to a warmer time, with
more consistent bright days. These days will surely come round again,
I just need to wait, patiently.
The
'Hearth and Home' exhibition
is open to all and will take place on Saturday the 17th
of March from 11-5pm in my straw-bale studio. The studio has a
Facebook page of its own, to look at its 'life story', look up
www.facebook.com/Green-Build-Tankerton
I run art and design workshops
throughout the year. These can be either 1:1 or for a small group
and I charge from £15 per hour.
My
own personal art page can be found at
www.facebook.com/RoseClarityArtist I
can be contacted
on 07432679164 or clare@people-to-place.co.uk
