There and back again

Well the 'word on the bird' is that she is back again.  This little bird has migrated to the West Coast of the USA.

My last point of call was St Diego and I made some garden sketches in friends gardens.

Went off for the day flying with two friends..One of whom is a pilot. Never been in a small plane. The images below are of the mountains and Los Angeles as we flew. Note the Queen Mary in harbour. I even took some stitching with me but for once I could only look.

 

 Had a lovely Japanese meal at a small coastal town North of Los Angeles .Loved the teapot and bowl.

 

 Whilst back to earth, workshop commenced. A few folded drawings from a quick warm-up in my workshop in San Diego NTC Point loma. hosted by the wonderful Jane LaFazio

 And some more contributions for Tea Flora Tales from some of the students who attended. Brilliant artists by the way.

Some more Tea Flora Tales and some book forms in progress form my second workshop in St Diego with the San Diego Book Arts

 

It was a wonderful finish to the marathon tour. Had a day off in the hills overlooking the desert of California during the time the roads were closed to high rise as the fierce Santa Anna winds blew.

 

Some lovely shadows on the blinds which helped keep the equally fierce heat and winds from the desert at bay. Finally, as the sun came down on my marathon trip a last walk on the beach.

Thankyou to all my friends on the way who made this trip so rewarding in so many ways. For the laughter, warmth and companionship.  See you again soonish.

Plant Life

Spring is just around the corner and life is showing signs of returning. I seem to have a bigger show of flowers in my small front garden now then later in the Spring the Vibernam smells wonderful, winter jasmine and  witch hazel are blooming and even the snowdrops are beginning to peak out with a little white and I have even heard news that in some areas primroses are beginning to show. Flowers come with their own stories. as described in a letter of thanks from a recent commission made in memory of the new owner's mother, Each Little Bird and Flower

 'My parents appreciated the simple things in life and had to work hard. They enjoyed the countryside and their garden. Mum loved her flowers and especially primroses, which she would take to my Dad when he became ill. She grieved deeply for him for the rest of her life, and sought comfort in things like the blackbird which would look from the shed roof into the kitchen, calling to her until she fed him. Mum’s favourite hymn was “All things bright and beautiful” 

 It is no surprise that our favourite childhood hymns or remembered poems celebrate the Spring season as we await for it to arrive.  These changes will feature in new works being created for exhibition in Europe next year including a guest  show at the 20th anniversary European Patchwork Meeting. Updates will be on my blog soon.

Plantlife has produced a 40 page booklet celebrating a highly successful public participation textile art project involving people from across the UK telling stories of their favourite wildflowers.
Patchwork Meadow

    

Detailed below is a page from the book marking a diversity of creative approach one of my favourites is Blackberry Thief by Ilene Sterns the page also includes my Hackney Marsh Edges

Tolpuddle Martyrs Tree by Nigel Costley, Tolpuddle Martyrs Trust is a reminder that flora  has a place in cultural memory, myth and literature as well as marking our seasons and landscape.

 

It was under the sycamore tree in the village of Tolpuddle in the 1830's where farm workers discussed how to form a trade union to defend their meagre wages from further cuts. The tree has become a symbol for democracy and the right for people to join together in unions.

I continue to mark the changes in my local area and beyond in new works and  being made for exhibitions in Europe later in the year. Tea Flora Tales will also be moving on so please contact me if you would like to make a piece to add to this growing collaboration. Below are some Australian pieces and collected scraps.