mental space from all the madness………

The world is in a state of great upheaval and in my mind, madness, all of which I believe stems from greed and fear.

As I observe the mass movement of people from around the world, I recognise more and more how important the basic and simple elements of life are.      Shelter, clothing, food, community.

The question is, how do we deal with the very real stress and horror that we are constantly bombarded with?

Something I often do is imagine myself as a bird flying above it all.       This simple exercise helps.   It doesn’t change anything but it does give me a deeper understanding of how small we really are…….and in those moments of wonder and peace comes a feeling of hope.

A Bientôt

 

Phoebe Friday and a blast from the past….

Today I am visiting Josie and the wonderfully naughty and loveable Phoebe the Jack Russell.

watercolour

Now at the grand age of  91, Josie was at the South London Women’s Hospital on the day I was born.

She has always lived in her grandmother’s house in London which is crammed to the gills with animal memorabilia along with numerous clocks – none of which tell the correct time.

Last time I visited she had found a photograph of me taken in the garden of the house when I was seventeen months old in 1947.

Here it is – a blast from the past…..

For the weekend a magical hummingbird drinking from the sweet nectar of life, and for my friends in the United States – have a lovely Labour Day weekend….the last of the summer. 

a Bientôt

Phoebe Friday

Good morning, it’s Phoebe Friday which means I am off to visit Phoebe the Jack Russell, and Josie, who as known me since the day I was born…..always a joyful and comforting visit.

Flying free of all the madness, magical hummingbirds reminds me of the incredible beauty in our world.  

Have a lovely weekend.

A Bientôt

7th anniversary of blogging….

I happened to mention on Tuesday when Claire and friends were visiting, that this month represents my 7th year anniversary for blogging

I spent the first five years with another server before making the very positive move to WordPress.

Throughout the seven years, Magical Hummingbirds and Christeve the Cat have accompanied me, and so this blog is dedicated to them.

Christeve the Cat and the magical hummingbirds – watercolour

Seven years ago I didn’t know what a blog was….for some reason it just felt right and so I     listened to my intuition….

Two hummingbirds with lilies – watercolour/gouache

Through blogging, I  have met wonderful people from around the world, some have become virtual friends, and some I have had the good fortune to meet in person. 

I have learned a great deal from reading other people’s blogs.    

I have been introduced to writers, poets, painters, and all sorts of people whose paths I probably would not have crossed otherwise. 

Shortly after I began to write the blog, my then 87 year old Mother became very ill….and for the first two and a half years I spent a great deal of time commuting back and forth to my Mother’s home in Kent overseeing carers, etc.

The blog allowed me to stay grounded and connected. 

At that time, I had been planning a permanent move to France but as we all know life is full of surprises.

By staying in the moment and going with the flow…I found my flat in London five months after I began to write the blog – and today, it is still my studio/bolt hole in the UK.

watercolour/gouache

Throughout many changes and travel the blog has been a constant.

Along with exercise and meditation which have been part of my life for many years, blogging became an important part of my morning routine.    

watercolour

The whole blogging experience has been enriching and life enhancing on many levels.     I am so grateful that I listened to my intuition seven years ago. 

watercolour

Most importantly, I want to thank all the people who have followed my blog over the years…

There are some who have been with me almost since the very beginning.    You know who you are:)

A Bientôt

Flowers for the weekend – large oil on canvas – circa 1980

I painted this large oil on canvas as part of a series in 1980

I hope everyone enjoys a wonderful weekend….filled with flowers and magical hummingbirds….

A Bientôt

When I used to drive and heard a knocking sound in the engine, instead of worrying, I would turn the radio up.

‘When I used to drive and heard a knocking sound in the engine, instead of worrying, I would turn the radio up’ – Janet Weight Reed.

rapid watercolour/gouache – Conca dei Marini – Amalfi Coast, Italy. 

For me this a metaphor for life….Rather than worry about all the minutia, I find it better to either throw some paint around, take a long walk or turn the music up.

Some magical hummingbirds for the day.

A bientôt

We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. Joseph Campbell

We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.   Joseph Campbell.  (1938-1987)

The following watercolour sequence is about – spontaneity and letting go. 

An American mythologist, writer and lecturer, Joseph Campbell’s works cover the elemental aspects of the human experience. 

I have enjoyed his books, particularly ‘The Hero’s Journey’

When I need a dose of courage….I read Joseph Campbell. 

A Bientôt

Magical Hummingbirds for the weekend.

I hope everyone enjoys a lovely weekend, filled with sunshine and magical hummingbirds:)

Long tailed hummer – watercolour/gouache

A bientôt

Alexander McQueen – Savage Beauty at the Victoria & Albert Museum.

I am off today to see the Alexander McQueen – Savage Beauty Exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum –  and it’s going to be a glorious day….with warmth and sunshine:)

I have been told that the exhibition is pure theatre.   I will write about it here tomorrow.

Meanwhile, I leave you with magical hummingbirds to inspire the day.

A Bientôt

Light and airy for June 1st.

Something light and airy for June 1st. 

watercolour

Hummingbirds symbolise for me, unseen magic.      

As they seemingly float free of time from one blossom to another, they are a reminder of all the beauty in our world.

Like flying jewels they move before us in a flash ……

There but not there……an incandescent nanosecond of light. 

The hummingbird competes with the stillness of the air…..Chogyam Trungpa

A Bientôt