My last post featured my stay in Brittany during the month of May.
However, since then I have spent eight days in Kingston Hospital courtesy the wonderful NHS (National Health Service) and have been recouping ever since, all of which emphasises that none of us is ever creative enough to know how things will actually work out………….
I was two years old in 1948 when the NHS came into being. Having been fortunate enough to experience very good health during my lifetime, I have not had the need to use the Service very much, however, I have always held it in the highest regard.
It’s important to say that nothing is perfect…..and indeed when the NHS came into being the world population was approx., two and half billion….now we are rocketing towards eight billion! This of course puts great pressure on all institutions……including the NHS.
My recent experience in Kingston Hospital has brought home to me how fortunate we are in the UK to have such a Service. If necessary we must go to the barricades to preserve it from those politicians who might see it as a cash pot!!! They are out there waiting to get their greedy hands on it……..
The beautiful Brecon Beacons…Wales – watercolour/gouache
A little known fact is that The NHS is available to everyone within the UK no matter how wealthy or poor….it does not discriminate. I know that in countries where free health care is only given to those who are lacking in financial resources….much division has been caused.
Magical Hummingbirds – watercolour
So what happened to me? I think it’s fair to say that I had probably been overdoing things, especially as I hadn’t been feeling 100% since the beginning of the year. I had been experiencing breathlessness…something totally new for me, and after a couple of visits to the doctor, I decided to let time sort things out!
I suppose time indeed did sort things out only not in the way I had hoped……
Crickhowell from the Bluebell Woods – watercolour
Having just returned from a lovely wedding celebration in Atlanta, Ga, I was resting in my flat when all of a sudden I experienced extreme pain through my middle section and nausea. After fifteen minutes, I realised something was very wrong and for the first time in my life, called an ambulance.
The ambulance service was superb. Once they arrived I simply let go and gave myself to their knowledge and understanding. Magical hummingbirds were clearly overseeing the situation.
watercolour
On the way to the hospital it occurred to me that this might be it. It also occurred to me that where and how we die is not of great importance, ….the key is how we have lived our lives.
Have we loved and been loved? Have we loved the experience of being alive and all that entails? Have we done and said the things we wanted to do and say? Have we been grateful for gifts that we have been given? All of this was mulling around in my head….
Maybe it’s because I oversaw the care of my Mother for eleven years at home and in nursing homes, that I am very clear that I prefer quality over quantity. In other words, I would rather live a shorter life of substance and joy than a longer life inhibited by ill health.
watercolour
And so I arrived at the A & E department ready for anything…and at the same time, although in pain, very peaceful and calm inside.
It was found that I had fluid on my lung, plus blood clots…one of which had destroyed my left kidney. {The good news is that my right kidney is still in good shape.}
I had gone to my doctor a few times since the beginning of the year, but hadn’t always taken her advice. I was convinced that whatever was going on would sort itself out! Well this time it didn’t….
summer tree – watercolour
For the following eight days I received superb treatment. So many tests, I lost count, plus constant updates from nurses and doctors and a feeling of being very well taken care of.
I have never enjoyed hospitals, or needles (had a serious needle phobia up until the age of 60) but this experience was different. I found it all very interesting and it’s left me wanting to learn more about the internal workings of my body.. It was as if fear was replaced with intrigue. Plus there was some wonderful ‘people watching’ to be enjoyed – although having said that I didn’t have the energy even to sketch!
Other than my lovely next door neighbour Jeanie who brought in clean pjs etc I didn’t tell anyone else that I was in the hospital. My two children in the States are still recovering from the sudden loss of their father in February and so I didn’t want to alarm them….and given that I was so tired, and occupied with tests, etc. I wasn’t up to people visiting me.
I did let my children know after three days….Since then they have been so very supportive and have told me not to do that again……
Brecon Beacons – Wales – watercolour
Since leaving the hospital, the support I have received has been wonderful….all of which I am very grateful for.
I suppose I am a little like a cat…..when I get sick, I tend to hide and nurse myself…..:) I even asked my dear friend Gail in Kent if I could hide out in their yurt. It hasn’t come to that, yet, but it seems like a good idea to me.
My aftercare has been excellent and is ongoing. Still lots of tests…including heart scans…. It’s all quite fascinating.
Church Path – Crickhowell – watercolour
I was asked by a good friend yesterday what has been the most important part of my life. My answer ‘creativity’.
It is this one element that has made sense of everything else and has enhanced and nurtured the great joys in my life, – my children, friends, animals, etc. It has also been a great buffer against the trials and tribulations that we all experience through life’s journey.
Those who read my blog will know that I am always banging on about ‘The Creative Process being the key to Emotonal, Physical and Spiritual Wellbeing’. It’s true.
watercolour /gouache
This experience has given me cause for much reflection.
Painting, writing, gardening, and all sorts of other creative endeavours will take precedence.
Much more time spent communing with Mother Nature……
As little time as possible in cities……
And I definitely need to organise my life so that I can have a cat again…..:)
Christeve the Cat – watercolour/gouache
Fortunately I don’t have anything on my calendar until October….and so my plan is to just hang loose. Each day I am able to do more writing and painting….and as I said earlier am feeling better all the time.
I hope everyone else is enjoying their summer and keeping well….and of course being creative.
A Bientot
Janet
I took the EuroStar train (one of my favourite forms of travel) from London to Paris which takes two hours and twenty minutes. From Paris Nord the metro to Paris Montparnasse where I caught the TGV to Lorient. My dear friend Elisabeth was waiting to take me to the cottage at Lamor-Plage . Everything on time, and very comfortable and if you book way ahead of time, inexpensive.
I first met Elisabeth when I was living in Crickhowell (AKA The Magical Town of Crickadoon) Wales almost thirty years ago and subsequently really got to know her when I had an exhibition in Brittany in 1995. She is an amazing woman involved in many different areas always helping other people. She is a good friend.
I can’t feature Elisabeth without showing her dog dear little Nouchka. Nouchka is very special…..I love her:)
And to add icing to the cake – I arrived at the cottage to find all sorts of goodies, courtesy Elisabeth and Nicole…..a lovely welcome 
During my first week, French actress Patricia Pekmezian joined me and was kind enough to sit for several portrait studies. We had a really lovely time together and talked at great length about the arts and life in general……
Patricia in the cottage garden
Towards the end of the month Alice Johnson arrived from the States….Another good friend and artist. We go back many years. We enjoyed painting together and everything else on offer….
Meanwhile, it was so lovely to spend time by the beach and to experience the wonderful fresh air. Patricia and I spent a day on L’ile de Groix – an island I would love to spend more time on. There are miles and miles of amazing coastal walks to be enjoyed and of course so perfect for sketching and painting.
The beach at Lamor- Plage
And then there were the wonderful musical concerts. Brittany much like Wales is known for its love of music and we were not disappointed on this trip. One of the concerts featured a Welsh and Breton choir….bringing home our deep connections and similarities.
During Alice’s visit we were fortunate enough to attend a big concert in the Lorient Theatre with its one thousand seats….all filled. The concert was uplifting and moving, and again cemented the positive ties that we in the UK have with so many of our European brothers and sisters.
And the glorious patisseries that can be found in every village, town and city in France….
There is so much interesting history surrounding the area…especially involving WW2…which I will write about in my second half.
In total we numbered thirteen…however, in this group picture taken in the studio on the last evening, we are missing three of our company – Elizabeth who unfortunately became ill early on, and then Inara from Norway and her daughter Eva from Latvia who had to leave a little earlier because of flights. 
Inara from Norway produced some beautiful work. This quick study of me teaching is superb,
And this lovely piece from Eva – who lives in Latvia…..This was a totally new experience for her. 
Another different element to this year was the addition of tutor Dora Keogh. Dora and her husband John are Canadians who also have a home in Olhao…Dora joined us for all the painting and some of the messing around stuff as well:) I really enjoyed this, and hope that we are able to work together again.
As is often the case, by the fourth day, people are getting into a flow. This gem was painted by Jayanthi…..and is a clear example of what happens when a flow is achieved. 
These two beauties came from Mitsuyo’s brush. Mitsuyo and Larry live in Kaikoura New Zealand. During one evening Larry showed some slides of this beautiful part of the world, plus some of Mitzuyo’s magnificent jewellery. 
It is important to remember that my courses are all about loosening up and letting go of preconceived notions. I can say that everyone stepped up to the challenge. 
Celia explaining to us how the colour of the glazes aren’t necessarily what they appear to be!
The tiles produced by some of my group……what fun. 
Demonstrating a loosening up exercise working from a colour ground. 
Boat driver Nuno taking us to Armona Island. Note to the left is his beautiful dog who is always there to greet us. 
One of many fine meals….this one at the Beach Cafe on Armona….fresh grilled fish and vegetables….and lots of lovely fresh air. 
On this day we ate at a really good Indian restaurant in one of the Alleys in the middle of old Olhao. I am no connoisseur of Indian food but this was delicious and Jaynthi, who knows all about India said it was very good. I look forward to returning there. 
Love Moira’s quick sketch on Armona Island. My photograph does not do it justice
It’s important to recognise that many of these artists are used to working in a much tighter way…..It’s always gratifying to me to see when the looseness starts to show. 
There are so many more paintings to show…..Please check Art in the Algarve FB page…plus my FB page, twitter and instagram.
Carlotta is Margarida’s youngest……Unfortunately I didn’t get any of Beatrice this time.
And wonderful Dora inviting everyone for a beer…..This was the biggest beer container i have ever seen:)
Sketching at the Saturday market. 
Famous for the storks that nest there every year, this little tree is right across from the Ceramics studio. A great place to sit and sketch. 
Clare sketching on the Island of Armona – a fifteen minute boat ride from the School. 
quick watercolour sketch – Culatro island 
A simple and lovely lunch of grilled fish on the Island of Armona. 
watercolour – steps in Olhao Portugal 
The 150 year old olive tree in the School courtyard Olhao Portugal 
One of the many characterful faces of Olhao Portugal. Olhao is a working fishing town. watercolour
Dancing and music during the Saturday market – Olhao Portugal 
Rapid watercolour of sun setting in Portugal 
Jazz at Cantaloupe Jazz Cafe, Olhao Portugal. Excellent for sketching .
A sun drenched wall with trees – Olhao Portugal 
I leave you with colourful magical hummingbirds…. watercolour/gouache
A bientot
Whether living in a large house or a one room bedsit, it is still a box. We use metal box cars, trains, buses and planes to get around. We tend to work in a box and then stay glued to the computer box. At the end of our work day we get back into the metal boxes to return home to our original box, where many watch the TV box or continue to view the computer box……and so it goes.
I first visited Barnes, SW London in August of 2005.
The moral to this story, is to never leave home without a sketchbook…..You never know what interesting person you might meet……