Seasonal congestion

Today I woke with a bad head and very sore limbs. Three days into the annual weeding marathon and I’m a physical wreck. (The sore head may have been a bit of sunstroke or even the result of too much brandy butter and red wine with last night’s Christmas pudding). However, I have only just completed the first lap of the marathon and there’s more back-breaking work to be done before summer is over before it officially begins. The weather is a season ahead of itself and we are several culinary seasons behind. I’ve yet to make pancakes, so I had better do that before thinking about hot-cross buns! In light of  seasonal congestion in the Simpson household, I thought I’d share a few festive culinary images from my diary. Now for another analgesic to ease the aftermath of Christmas spirit and propel me forward into the summer sun.

       

Feathers

Last week I switched from fur to feathers. “Barmy Bob” is a Bittern from the Ministry of Silly Walks and was caught on camera by Henry with his big lens. I am very pleased to report that the painting is now sold, and Barmy Bob may reappear in my gallery as a greetings card in the near future.     

Pencil People

Following on from last week’s pencil drawing I thought I’d show you a couple more. I've always liked to work in graphite as much as I do pastels –  I also prefer black and white photographs, especially of people. Does that make me a tonalist? But I love colour, and would rarely dress myself in black and white. A recent impulsive purchase of an over-priced lichen green camera bag demonstrates that I am attracted to colour – or is it the light that grabs me? Anyway, what I was getting round to is that I find human portraits using colour a great challenge, give me a pencil and the end result is more satisfying. I have a lovely little book my husband bought me, “The Craft of the Lead Pencil” by Mervyn Peake. When I get frustrated with my efforts I have a read of that and resharpen my pencils.

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