Rainbows and retirement......

Week 42 of the Kim Klassen 'Be Still 52' workshop.....

10 weeks left to go......10 shots..... my photography has improved, I look at ways of taking shots and what might work in different ways.....I've developed a kind of style.....I wish it was linens and French Grey.....its not!

I closed my psychotherapy practice this week after 44 years of working as a social worker and then a therapist....I know!

Im feeling a bit undone sometimes.....quite a bit relieved sometimes......a bit sad sometimes.....feel that I should have spent my time drinking Proseco rather than wondering what hit me!

I finished a couple of projects in the studio and had a big tidy up.....these cards and words were left overs from a 52 card, weekly word set.......

The prompt is about using a crate....I used a wooden box on my old studio stool.

Although its freezing here today the sun was streaming into my studio and I ran to collect some crystals to reflect the light....and then there was a rainbow in my room.

Retirement and rainbows......

Still making.......

So, this weeks prompt on Kim Klassen 'Be Still 52' workshop is 'Make' again this week....long may this last, as I'm always making!

This week more making of 'Little Mouse', of which there will be more coming up to publishing.

Also on my work table are the Morocco themed pieces, some of which have morphed into artists books.

I'm going to be teaching a weeks workshop in Morocco next April, at Maison Anglaise in Taurodant ........a whole year to work on what Im going to teach!

I took these shots on my west facing table this afternoon. It may have been the first day of spring here in north UK. 

I walked on a cold, blue, hazy beach this morning, three enormous white swans flew out of the sea mist and honked their way south.

Here are my shots of handpainted papers and folded books.....which give a bit of an optical illusion effect....... 

make.......

Today's prompt from Kim Klassens 'Be Still 52' workshop is 'Make'

I've been making for a few weeks now......

I have a commission to illustrate a children's book about domestic violence called

'Little Mouse Finds A Safe Place'.

So here are the tools of my trade and........ Little Mouse!

Textiles and tea........

You fancy a bit of stitchin? Get your fingers moving at the Textiles and Tea day at Shepherds Dene on Saturday 11th April 10am-4pm.

Accompanying our gorgeous 'Common Thread' exhibition, of 8 women working with textiles.

A day to relax in the beautiful surroundings of Shepherds Dene Retreat House, Riding Mill, near Hexham in Northumberland and try your hand at two workshops, one in the morning and one in the afternoon and a lovely lunch!

What could be nicer? Choose from trying felted embroidery, landscaped art quilting,needle felting,knitting your genes or needle point....

The day costs only £20 which includes your lunch, tea, coffee and home made biscuits......what a nice Mothers Day present!

To book phone Shepherds Dene on 01434 682212

See you there.....

Light......

This weeks prompt is light......

It was nearly dark when I shot these photographs, but I quite like the dark background against the light cloth, glass and candles.