tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60788446490539631772024-03-13T21:33:21.320+00:00Oberon's WoodBlog about Art, Witches,Faeries, Miniatures, Mermaids, Magic and Dolls, all whilst living up a mountain in Wales.Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-69881455313257810142023-08-20T08:10:00.000+01:002023-08-20T08:10:20.861+01:00Lean On Me<p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TOlCIVfM9Qh6ZqOCt_GyNRIRhGxLOdXdeSjbfMwZALCMV9awBW4YSqrSTtcmw6DVIqSv-KEDgmD8SO5Q3nhbXJ0T4rGb-LNhoFsjVzKXE7Odb1Z_DMLSJsCawVxie7sml8c4gmz8boOAA82F8_cEaxCtYkK8kssItSu64FrVSQgIIlfZ6RLQnonkYg/s1404/Lean%20on%20Me.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TOlCIVfM9Qh6ZqOCt_GyNRIRhGxLOdXdeSjbfMwZALCMV9awBW4YSqrSTtcmw6DVIqSv-KEDgmD8SO5Q3nhbXJ0T4rGb-LNhoFsjVzKXE7Odb1Z_DMLSJsCawVxie7sml8c4gmz8boOAA82F8_cEaxCtYkK8kssItSu64FrVSQgIIlfZ6RLQnonkYg/w453-h640/Lean%20on%20Me.jpg" width="453" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lean On Me<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>Start typing...just start typing...everything needs a beginning...</p><div style="text-align: left;">So, a big thank you to anyone reading this, I really do appreciate you.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I know that I have been away for a while, reasons.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I am back painting, my Muse has said that I should just get on with it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">She's right.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I should. </div><div style="text-align: left;">So I decided to finish some of the 'UFO' projects which were abandoned.</div><div style="text-align: left;">So many...where do you begin?</div><div style="text-align: left;">I have lots to show but this post would get rather tiresome for you dear reader, so I will try to edit them down a little.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I painted this pair of mermaids a while ago but they needed lots of work done so, of course, they were abandoned for something else...sound familiar?</div><div style="text-align: left;">There seems to be a pattern here. (me)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Here they are are in the early stages on my little old easel.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVmXl1TqNcN1iGHwVFkaeDRyRMxdL3koFID62RbwxnZ-R4VVvkHKaj_dsfrvZZ2LN0sNPN7BZ67XXSTTU9-l3KOBM7PyltpU54cyM4oiGHlR07G8I1wVMross1qeNLetY78Cq_rKSrttJrRGbXsB2JFJJGD2UZLxzvQSJb1SRikA3maF4k4JyLp_q4g/s1036/WIP%20Lean%20on%20Me%20Oberons%20Wood.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVmXl1TqNcN1iGHwVFkaeDRyRMxdL3koFID62RbwxnZ-R4VVvkHKaj_dsfrvZZ2LN0sNPN7BZ67XXSTTU9-l3KOBM7PyltpU54cyM4oiGHlR07G8I1wVMross1qeNLetY78Cq_rKSrttJrRGbXsB2JFJJGD2UZLxzvQSJb1SRikA3maF4k4JyLp_q4g/w480-h640/WIP%20Lean%20on%20Me%20Oberons%20Wood.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>As you can see...lots of work to do...</div><div style="text-align: left;">At first they were just sitting enjoying the view but as I painted them they seemed to be doing something else, there was more between them.</div><div style="text-align: left;">It seemed as though one was supporting the other.</div><div style="text-align: left;">By the end of the painting they had a new title.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Because we <i>all </i>need somebody to lean on.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Even Mermaids. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hope you have your special shoulder...<br /></div><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-18543268478596316862022-04-13T14:02:00.008+01:002022-05-31T13:59:01.547+01:00I Thought Trolls Were Invinceable...<p> </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FOdbo8NPKB-lVbac-SaOQZimLIw1Y5E7NFGe5nRPh9x7kKaznRMG-YbWZyBxKdNDu8iSKu70r6oDDsxMD_41qQnOmc_mfpzJhBHE6dqH8GAnxG6aCS1UBEQF_kblUKLZ6J10aiEvKFwhf3wmYJ6uekLcQ47bZQeFVPJhNs6xkR_beNaKo1xmuoA/s1306/Badger%20Hole%20Oberon's%20Wood.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1306" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FOdbo8NPKB-lVbac-SaOQZimLIw1Y5E7NFGe5nRPh9x7kKaznRMG-YbWZyBxKdNDu8iSKu70r6oDDsxMD_41qQnOmc_mfpzJhBHE6dqH8GAnxG6aCS1UBEQF_kblUKLZ6J10aiEvKFwhf3wmYJ6uekLcQ47bZQeFVPJhNs6xkR_beNaKo1xmuoA/w640-h480/Badger%20Hole%20Oberon's%20Wood.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We have a large badger hole in our front garden...<p></p><div style="text-align: left;">Last year, we all fell into it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Unlike Alice, when she fell down the rabbit hole and ended up in wonderland...</div><div style="text-align: left;">We arrived in Hades.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Last Autumn (2021) we were preparing our home for the usual Autumnal celebrations.</div><div style="text-align: left;">We like to feel the changes in the weather and welcome in the seasons.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Then the Shadow of Death decided to come and play too...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Troll (Steve) was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.</div><div style="text-align: left;">He was rushed into hospital and the plan was to remove the growth and a section of the colon.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The surgeon cut him open and found that the 'aggressive' cancer had spread into his small intestine and so he could not cut the tumor out.</div><div style="text-align: left;">He gave him an ileostomy instead.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Steve was very weak and in agony.</div><div style="text-align: left;">None of us could visit him at any time because of the covid rules.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">While all of this was happening, our water tank had stopped filling up from our stream.</div><div style="text-align: left;">We had no water, none to drink, bath, wash clothes, nothing.</div><div style="text-align: left;">We also now had no transport.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Steve was the only one here who can drive.</div><div style="text-align: left;">(We would not be able to visit him even if we were allowed.)<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Living up a mountain with no transport is like being in another world.</div><div style="text-align: left;">A world of Nightmares.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">After a few weeks he came home and started to adapt to his life with a stoma.</div><div style="text-align: left;">He hated it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">When he had gained a little weight and started to feel a little stronger, he started Chemotherapy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">This is when our loving, kind, gentle, soft-hearted Troll turned into a monster.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The medicines he was given turned him into a very aggressive character.</div><div style="text-align: left;">He was not our Troll any more, he was a Troll from a story book.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I had no idea that chemo could affect a person in this way.</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was hard enough trying to cope with our grief without having to live in the world of Grimm.</div><div style="text-align: left;">When each course of chemo would end, he would come back to us.</div><div style="text-align: left;">He would return to being our big, daft Troll.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I have to be honest here and say, I am ashamed of the feelings I had during these times, the steroids he was given made me hate this stranger who was living in our home.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Then he would say goodnight to me in his normal voice and I would hear my Troll again.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The one I loved.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">My children (two of the three) live here too.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The levels of anxiety we experienced during his hospital stay were unbelievable.</div><div style="text-align: left;">We did not know if Steve would ever come home or if he would die in the hospital, alone. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My son has asthma and anxiety and added to this, he was worried about trying to get a job, to help support us.</div><div style="text-align: left;">There are no jobs here, at all.</div><div style="text-align: left;">My daughter became the official rock and boulder mover.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Helping sort out the overgrown garden.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Steve could barely lift himself out of a chair. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Anxiety seemed to become a layered cake.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Each worry added another layer to the tower.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Each new problem became a filling holding up the concoction.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I take this cake up the stairs to bed with me.</div><div style="text-align: left;">It lays on my chest all night.</div><div style="text-align: left;">It stops me from sleeping.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Or breathing. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">My blood glucose levels became another worry.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Trying to keep level and not stressed is so hard in these situations, for anyone.</div><div style="text-align: left;">When you have Type 1 Diabetes it can become life threatening.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The story of my T1 diagnosis can be found in this <a href="https://oberonswood.blogspot.com/2020/01/sparkly-spiders-latin-inscriptions.html" target="_blank">post</a>.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Money is another issue.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Steve is the breadwinner.</div><div style="text-align: left;">How will we pay our mortgages without him?</div><div style="text-align: left;">How will we pay anything?</div><div style="text-align: left;">We have no savings at all. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another layer added to that Alice in Wonderland cake.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I write this, we are waiting for Steve to come home from the hospital again.</div><div style="text-align: left;">He was taken to A&E last week after he vomited so much gunk he screamed and howled.</div><div style="text-align: left;">He had fallen ill again...on my daughter's birthday and spent the day in the local cottage hospital. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Turns out, the chemo horrors he went through, did nothing.</div><div style="text-align: left;">His tumor has grown into his small intestine so much, it has caused a blockage.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Nothing he was eating could get past it, so he was ready to burst. </div><div style="text-align: left;">He cannot eat but he can drink.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He was told that there is nothing they can do now about the tumor.</div><div style="text-align: left;">No operations, no chemo.</div><div style="text-align: left;">He wants to come home.</div><div style="text-align: left;">We are now just waiting for our Troll to come back up the mountains to us... </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Update...</div><div style="text-align: left;">Our Troll died at the end of April... <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-40923645175005270702021-06-17T11:28:00.000+01:002021-06-17T11:28:26.864+01:00A Mermaids' Tale/Tail<p> Mermaids...</p><p>Strange to think that something so lovely can also be seen as terribly deadly.</p><p>The part of our memories where fear lurks, tells us that these females can lure men to their watery graves if they listen to their songs.</p><div style="text-align: left;">You would think that these ladies had better things to do with their time...?</div><div style="text-align: left;">You would be right.</div><div style="text-align: left;">No one would want loads of human corpses floating around the seas when there are so many other human things floating around to clean up.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">As you can see, my mind is doing thinking stuff.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Which makes my art do thinking stuff too.</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, I was thinking about the beautiful coral seas and how they need to be protected.</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Along with all of the other seas)</div><div style="text-align: left;">And this idea of a beautiful strong female found her way into my sketchbook.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Along with some of these other scribbles... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAmx7-oJ4oY/YMhdgxOPMSI/AAAAAAAAA1w/eCOraRvAE1Y-y9n8AhXHD10Iua7X7vQQgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1382/Sketches%2BOberons%2BWood%2BFae%2Band%2Bnudes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1382" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAmx7-oJ4oY/YMhdgxOPMSI/AAAAAAAAA1w/eCOraRvAE1Y-y9n8AhXHD10Iua7X7vQQgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Sketches%2BOberons%2BWood%2BFae%2Band%2Bnudes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you guess which one she is?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So I started painting her, well that was the idea...</div><div style="text-align: left;">But she didn't look right to me, her tail was wrong, it was too chunky. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xaVVtCfVkRo/YMr-tVnosAI/AAAAAAAAA18/8OVR4ONDvs0aOSDsm0pNCVWplytGg563wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1036/WIP%2BAfro%2BMermaid%2BOberons%2BWood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1036" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xaVVtCfVkRo/YMr-tVnosAI/AAAAAAAAA18/8OVR4ONDvs0aOSDsm0pNCVWplytGg563wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/WIP%2BAfro%2BMermaid%2BOberons%2BWood.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I also didn't like the angle of the tail.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The hair looks a mess right now but I have plans for that, so it doesn't concern me too much.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Just that chunky tail.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Time for some repainting...</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, I have to confess here that I forgot to take more pictures of her being painted.</div><div style="text-align: left;">So I'll try my best to describe my actions... <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I did all sorts of daubing and scraping and mopping of brows.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I did layering of paints and then wiping off the same paint because it was horrid.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I even did hair styling!</div><div style="text-align: left;">After lots of chocolate and many cups of tea...</div><div style="text-align: left;">I think she finally looked how I saw her in my head.</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Although paintings are never really as good as the ones in your head!)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Here she is, finished, along with her story.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0vr9VJV5AwA/YMsgxM5lFmI/AAAAAAAAA2E/NqWGpWtgirY5If9wcNa0vTl7UWtk3B72QCNcBGAsYHQ/s1052/Afro%2BMermaid.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1052" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0vr9VJV5AwA/YMsgxM5lFmI/AAAAAAAAA2E/NqWGpWtgirY5If9wcNa0vTl7UWtk3B72QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h452/Afro%2BMermaid.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <br /></div><div class="replaceable_photo-photo_caption">'Coral Sea Guardian'</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="scheme-content container" data-cols="2" data-hasrows="0" id="maincol_bottom"><div class="contentsection contentsection-general checkempty unEmpty" id="photo_details"><div class="contentpadding"><div class="contentInner"><div class="replaceable_photo-details"><p class="field">This lovely mermaid is one of the Guardians of the Coral Seas.<br />
She swims many miles in the beautiful water each day making sure the reefs are safe.<br />
Sometimes she takes a little rest and gives the coral a (careful) hug.<br />
She is caring and protective and tries to ensure that no one harm the precious sea bed in any way.<br />
<br />
(Painted in oils size 12 x 16 inches or A3</p></div></div></div></div></div></div><p> </p>Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-27823625385727222422021-05-24T11:34:00.000+01:002021-05-24T11:34:37.001+01:00The Water is Lovely, Dark and Deep...<p> Oh my, it appears that I have been absent long enough, so I thought I would show some of my <span><span data-dobid="hdw">work in progress.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span data-dobid="hdw">As you can see, I change my mind many times while I paint.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span data-dobid="hdw">It will also show some of my horrendous mistakes! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span data-dobid="hdw"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span data-dobid="hdw">I had an idea for a mermaid/siren, floating (see what I did there) around in my head.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span data-dobid="hdw">She started as a rough sketch as usual, like this</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span data-dobid="hdw"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1JYQYHJ8gHk/YKttxZ2FcHI/AAAAAAAAA1A/yVLWyMgB1wsOjUV8AQioHiGyU8yfykMhACNcBGAsYHQ/s922/Siren%2Bsketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="692" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1JYQYHJ8gHk/YKttxZ2FcHI/AAAAAAAAA1A/yVLWyMgB1wsOjUV8AQioHiGyU8yfykMhACNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Siren%2Bsketch.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure red is my colour...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /><span data-dobid="hdw"></span></span>Here she is as I start the painting.<br /><span><span data-dobid="hdw"><span><span data-dobid="hdw"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span data-dobid="hdw"><span><span data-dobid="hdw"></span></span></span></span><span><span data-dobid="hdw">The first layers of paint make her look a little creepy!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span data-dobid="hdw"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span data-dobid="hdw"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u3asr7eqON8/YKtu3VjGsCI/AAAAAAAAA1I/FACMzPulgPQ4yfBEiUDu_sZgQQ7nw7eJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1036/WIP%2BSiren%2BOberons%2BWood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u3asr7eqON8/YKtu3VjGsCI/AAAAAAAAA1I/FACMzPulgPQ4yfBEiUDu_sZgQQ7nw7eJQCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/WIP%2BSiren%2BOberons%2BWood.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>The water is lovely, dark and deep...</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span data-dobid="hdw"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span data-dobid="hdw"><br /> </span></span>I think she is a little too skinny for my idea...time to give her a little more flesh...</div><div style="text-align: left;">Also, something needs to be done about that hand! <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l0vuXHIJOv4/YKtwcEgBJZI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/LCJrXoEqvC8ktLu7PieX97ZZFpwhfnUogCNcBGAsYHQ/s1036/WIP%2BSiren%2B2%2BOberons%2BWood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l0vuXHIJOv4/YKtwcEgBJZI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/LCJrXoEqvC8ktLu7PieX97ZZFpwhfnUogCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/WIP%2BSiren%2B2%2BOberons%2BWood.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a few snacks 😀</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>That's better...she has some fingers and flesh.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now the part where I leave the painting to fend for itself whilst I get on with other 'important' stuff. </div><div style="text-align: left;">(Like looking on ebay :o) )...</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Some time later...</div><div style="text-align: left;">After buying tacky items which Oscar Wilde would love...</div><div style="text-align: left;">(I'll show and tell one day, just so everyone can laugh at my taste).</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">She now has a little more colour...not too much as I want her to look fishy.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Just a dab here and there with the makeup, and maybe a new hair do.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bhXd1zBfRA8/YKt64ZiJOiI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/K0DO4f1GXqwK7Hhlp_gmIFlaBah0MKXVQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1036/WIP%2BSiren%2B3%2BOberons%2BWood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bhXd1zBfRA8/YKt64ZiJOiI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/K0DO4f1GXqwK7Hhlp_gmIFlaBah0MKXVQCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/WIP%2BSiren%2B3%2BOberons%2BWood.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because she's worth it...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Almost done...now is the hardest part of painting.</p><div style="text-align: left;">Everything in the early stages is just blobs and changes and big brushes and daubs.</div><div style="text-align: left;">When you get near to completion it is so much harder.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Small brushes, tiny strokes, lots of mistakes to cover.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Then comes the time when you have to ask yourself if it will ever be finished...well, will it?</div><div style="text-align: left;">I do not think that I am ever truly happy with a painting.</div><div style="text-align: left;">They are just never as 'good' as the painting inside my head!</div><div style="text-align: left;">They never will be either.</div><div style="text-align: left;">But that's the thing which drives you on.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Never being quite good enough.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">So here she is, along with her story...</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJA81zkBFpo/YKt-qZLbn-I/AAAAAAAAA1g/vOvDHR6OgpQwgk2YNmG96Jecxj3wsk30QCNcBGAsYHQ/s1052/Sea%2BGuardian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="744" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJA81zkBFpo/YKt-qZLbn-I/AAAAAAAAA1g/vOvDHR6OgpQwgk2YNmG96Jecxj3wsk30QCNcBGAsYHQ/w452-h640/Sea%2BGuardian.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Sea Guardian'</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="scheme-content container" data-cols="2" data-hasrows="0" id="maincol_bottom"><div class="contentsection contentsection-title scheme-littlehead scheme-title checkempty unEmpty" id="photo_title"><div class="replaceable_photo-photo_caption">'Guardian of the Seas'</div></div><div class="contentsection contentsection-general checkempty unEmpty" id="photo_details"><div class="contentpadding "><div class="contentInner"><div class="replaceable_photo-details"><p class="field">The sea is so vast and so precious.<br />
We need to protect it any way we can.<br />
This is how I envisage the Spirit who guards and protects the waters of this beautiful planet.<br />
She may be a Mermaid.<br />
She may be a Siren.<br />
She may be a Nereid or Naiad.<br />
She goes by many names and in many guises.<br />
She loves the waters and keeps them safe for us all to share :o)<br />
<br />
(Painted in oils size 12 x 16 inches or A3)</p><p class="field">Hope you enjoy your next visit to the beach ;o)</p><p class="field">- Cee <br /></p></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span data-dobid="hdw"></span></span><span><span data-dobid="hdw"><span></span></span></span></div>Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-78157614894655215052020-01-23T08:58:00.002+00:002020-06-13T11:44:58.351+01:00Sparkly Spiders, Latin Inscriptions & Other Fairy Tales<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm not sure I want to share this post.<br />
It has taken me a few days to write it...<br />
<br />
Firstly, let me just say that right now, I am very happy.<br />
I'm calm and feeling groovy and I am okey-dokey. <br />
I just feel that it is important for people to know about this...so here goes...<br />
<br />
Last year ended with me in Intensive Care.<br />
I woke up after being unconscious for some time.<br />
I could see sparkly bright coloured, teeny-weeny 'spiders' dropping down from the ceiling, really pretty and gentle.<br />
There was also gold writing in Latin carved over the walls, (?), this went away after a couple of days. <br />
I just lay in a tiny bed, like Snow White - (the ICU is also the children's ward, it's Wales...).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fo8RLtNBfWI/XiMW2m5HQTI/AAAAAAAAAus/4ZyRvXOBilEug3VmSENpxCX8WBQcyRjqQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/J%2BD%2BBatten%2BSnow%2BWhite.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1103" height="347" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fo8RLtNBfWI/XiMW2m5HQTI/AAAAAAAAAus/4ZyRvXOBilEug3VmSENpxCX8WBQcyRjqQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/J%2BD%2BBatten%2BSnow%2BWhite.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist, J Batten</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I felt completely happy.<br />
<br />
I had no idea how I got there.<br />
<br />
A few days before this I had been to the same hospital for tests.<br />
They had taken lots of blood and scans, sadly they didn't test for the right things. <br />
My bladder had stopped working so I was given catheters to use myself, which I did, and was given some antibiotics.<br />
The antibiotics made me vomit and I had a weird reaction to them. <br />
My own doctor wanted me to have some more tests next week...they didn't happen.<br />
<br />
I am usually very healthy, eat well and exercise three times a week, don't drink, don't smoke,<br />
(wow that makes me sound such a goody-goody he he he). <br />
<br />
A couple of days later... I fell unconscious and Steve (AKA 'The Giant Troll' ), called the paramedics, who got lost and took and hour and a half to get to us. (We live up a mountain in Snowdonia).<br />
I was taken to A&E. <br />
<br />
Steve told me what happened...I have no memory of anything that was done to me, which seems to be the best thing really.<br />
He watched everything the A&E team did to save me, sounds horrific.<br />
Glad I was not there to witness it!<br />
I just woke up with rows of IV drips down both arms and groin and a big fat catheter.<br />
See, I will do anything for attention ;o)<br />
<br />
Turns out that I had Sepsis and went into Septic Shock.<br />
Google it and it is really scary reading.<br />
You can be very healthy one day, and dead the next morning!<br />
So please, find out about it, learn all of the warning signs and act quickly.<br />
<br />
Sepsis kills more people each year than cancer does!</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The team said I had about an hour of life left in me. <br />
The A&E doctor told Steve to bring my children to the hospital to say goodbye to me.<br />
Mmmmm...that part makes me cry...<br />
The thought that I would not have said goodbye to them... <br />
Steve said, 'You don't know her, she will be up and walking around next week'.<br />
I was. (Though it was hard).<br />
<br />
I was moved to the ICU, I was there a few days.<br />
It was a very odd place.<br />
About five beds and some children's toys. <br />
There were a few very poorly elderly folks and a me, then a young woman (maybe late 20s) was brought in next to me.<br />
She died.<br />
The young doctor was distraught, she kept sneaking back to check that she was really dead.<br />
So upsetting.<br />
She was sitting upright propped up on pillows and looked so young and peaceful.<br />
I hope she went somewhere nice. <br />
Steve had walked right past her and not noticed she was dead.<br />
Until they covered her face with plastic.<br />
Steve asked me, 'Is she really dead?'<br />
'Yes, she died this morning'<br />
'But she's so young'<br />
'Yes, she is'<br />
<br />
December, the most wonderful time of the year!<br />
We had been tidying up ready for our Yuletide celebrations.<br />
That was put on hold until I came home, so our decorations are still up.<br />
I'll take them down when I feel like it, they are a comfort to us at present.<br />
A reminder that life could have been so very different this year. <br />
<br />
I know that I have not been myself this past year.<br />
Trying to motivate myself to finish things became harder and harder.<br />
I felt drained.<br />
I was tired all of the time without doing much really.<br />
Naturally, I put it down to just being a lazy old sod.<br />
Artists can find any excuse to not paint :o)<br />
I could still draw every day because I just sit on the sofa to sketch.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4MuHWP6u4HA/XiLKpoQiPJI/AAAAAAAAAt4/mhPlFOwqEqUlXN9GvFlfB_9NO-_M1O48gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sketches%2BOberons%2BWood%2BFae%2Band%2Bnudes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1382" height="476" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4MuHWP6u4HA/XiLKpoQiPJI/AAAAAAAAAt4/mhPlFOwqEqUlXN9GvFlfB_9NO-_M1O48gCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Sketches%2BOberons%2BWood%2BFae%2Band%2Bnudes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketching ideas </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Painting and sculpting...now that is harder.<br />
I do my 'Art' and sewing in the kitchen, so everything has to be moved and then put back, way too much effort for lazy old me!<br />
(Even sewing had become a tiring chore, yet I did manage to finish a special Memory Quilt.) <br />
<br />
I had also been hungry all of the time, stuffing my face, yet strangely getting thinner and thinner.<br />
My children said I looked like a Wraith.<br />
(Scrawny does not suit old women, they just look really really decrepit, like when the 'fountain of youth' goes wrong and they rapidly age then crumble to dust !).<br />
Magic diet?<br />
You bet!<br />
The kind of diet where your body burns all of your fat, just to make sugar...till you drop down dead.<br />
Magic indeed.<br />
It appears I was a diabetic and no one had picked up on it.<br />
Which was why my body could not cope with the bladder infection.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I now know that I had a thing called DKA.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So, I now have type 1 diabetes.<br />
I'm old (57) to get this, usually it arrives when you are much younger.<br />
Guess I'm just lucky hey? ;o)<br />
Told you, anything for attention! <br />
<br />
I have this little kit of things to check my blood/glucose levels.<br />
There is a little black thingy. <br />
I call it my Tamagotchi of blood.<br />
No matter how much I feed it, it always wants more!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y0eB9MRI3Qg/XiLLAxTJQvI/AAAAAAAAAuA/gZzPP7hr58Eh5hH_q7iW4v5XHx2q5ZOOwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Tamagotchi%2Bof%2Bblood.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1382" height="476" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y0eB9MRI3Qg/XiLLAxTJQvI/AAAAAAAAAuA/gZzPP7hr58Eh5hH_q7iW4v5XHx2q5ZOOwCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Tamagotchi%2Bof%2Bblood.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I want your blooood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And a pricker for my fingers, to draw the blood, which is fine if your hands are warm, mine never are, so I sometimes have to do it a few times.<br />
Where is that Spinning Wheel and spindle when you need one?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EguIWbNgGwE/XiLNBQegW3I/AAAAAAAAAuU/9D7IIyhHNJ8aW00m6ma7wtpb_zMXJf8BQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/800px-Elderlyspinnera.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EguIWbNgGwE/XiLNBQegW3I/AAAAAAAAAuU/9D7IIyhHNJ8aW00m6ma7wtpb_zMXJf8BQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/800px-Elderlyspinnera.jpg" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touch the spindle dearie...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Then it says if you are within the correct levels or, 'having a Hypo, or a Hyper'.<br />
This little black thing is really judgy!<br />
<br />
Then you are okay to inject yourself with insulin... four times a day, (yup, 4).<br />
Before meals and at bed time. <br />
Three in the tum and at night, in your thigh.<br />
Fun and larks eh?<br />
I also have to check how many carbs I'm having and not eat too much, otherwise you have to have lots of insulin.<br />
I'm greedy, so this is no fun :o(<br />
I like big dinners.<br />
I don't like the effects of having loads of insulin though...dragon tum, just saying.<br />
The diabetes nurse gave me a magazine about type 1, it was a cheery read.<br />
If you aren't 'good' you can get all sorts of lovely complications like lower limb amputations, blindness, organ failure...see, very cheery :o)<br />
I think I'd prefer to read 'Pretty House' mags instead!<br />
<br />
The doctor/specialist at the hospital was a right beggar, so lovely and sarcastic.<br />
He was small, skinny, totally bald and looked like a goblin.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmVKYQfQkak/XiMaLYbQucI/AAAAAAAAAu4/kFm7p07fOLU3SNfVzKg_bSnrymfsuEFzACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Arthur%2BRackham%2BIllustration_to_the_ballad_Young_Beckie_from_%2527Some_British_Ballads%2527.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1298" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmVKYQfQkak/XiMaLYbQucI/AAAAAAAAAu4/kFm7p07fOLU3SNfVzKg_bSnrymfsuEFzACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Arthur%2BRackham%2BIllustration_to_the_ballad_Young_Beckie_from_%2527Some_British_Ballads%2527.jpg" width="516" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arthur Rackham must have met my doctor ;o)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
He shook my hand and I said, 'Oooh your hands are freezing!!'<br />
To which he replied, 'The heart is colder!'...:o)<br />
<br />
He told me I had been a bit crook, (his words), which I think summed me up.<br />
He would come to see me in the mornings.<br />
He asked me how I felt about the needles and having to do this.<br />
I just said ''I have no choice'.<br />
Which I don't.<br />
<br />
He asked me what I did for a living, I told him I'm an artist.<br />
He said, 'That's a job is it?', then went on to talk about the artists he was reading about.<br />
He knew quite a lot about art really, for someone who thought it wasn't a proper job.<br />
I love sarcastic people, they are so amusing.<br />
He was also a really good doctor.<br />
He said the A&E doctor, (the same doctor who said I was dying), ran down the corridor to him when I arrived, to ask his advice.<br />
Glad he did.<br />
The A&E team saved my life.<br />
The ICU team helped me recover.<br />
The diabetes ward, (most folks there didn't have diabetes, it's Wales ), helped me get stronger and learn to become a diabetic.<br />
I am eternally grateful to them all.<br />
<br />
My doctor works a day a week on A&E and came to see me on the
ward, she found me walking down the corridor and looked up at me and
said, 'My god, you're strong!'<br />
I'm not sure if I am... <br />
I'm stubborn see.<br />
I knew it would come in handy one day!<br />
<br />
So, that's about it.<br />
This is my life now.<br />
The sepsis alone can affect you for years afterwards, it can make you sick for a long time, some folks get flashbacks or PTSD from it.<br />
As I cannot remember anything about being in the A&E, I'm hoping that won't happen!<br />
The type 1 diabetes is enough for me.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBNdi_lWJzE/XiLMAeZ9ixI/AAAAAAAAAuM/I0ql_2P0vWsivt-3R8VLFlKZfeKGsOsmgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/52999977_2384095205156785_8253057333194653696_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBNdi_lWJzE/XiLMAeZ9ixI/AAAAAAAAAuM/I0ql_2P0vWsivt-3R8VLFlKZfeKGsOsmgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/52999977_2384095205156785_8253057333194653696_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As it is now a new year and a new decade, I'm going to look on the bright side.<br />
Maybe when I feel stronger I will be able to get some of my UFOs finished.<br />
At least I have a 'real' excuse now though, so I might milk it a little he he he.<br />
I'll post some pics when I can...you see I have this bone in my arm...<br />
<br />
As for the 'sparkly spiders' and 'Latin inscriptions'?<br />
I have no idea what they had given me in those drips...<br />
<br />
I just know that when I fell unconscious at home that I had left my body and didn't come back until it was safe.<br />
My children say that I was 'away with the faeries'.<br />
Well, the Fae do know that I love them, so I like to think that they took care of me.<br />
I will make something special for them when I can. <br />
<br />
Seems the Fates didn't think it was time to cut my thread just yet...<br />
Thank you ladies :o)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6V0B6rufuU/XiMa6CEy6xI/AAAAAAAAAvA/jQQslmRMRqsyOpgmLK7Ho15HNpUWCWwiwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/John%2BMelhuish%2BStrudwick%2BFates%2BStrudwick-_A_Golden_Thread.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="734" height="371" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6V0B6rufuU/XiMa6CEy6xI/AAAAAAAAAvA/jQQslmRMRqsyOpgmLK7Ho15HNpUWCWwiwCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/John%2BMelhuish%2BStrudwick%2BFates%2BStrudwick-_A_Golden_Thread.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist, J Strudwick</td></tr>
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Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-68774963818384329882020-01-14T15:43:00.000+00:002020-01-14T15:43:43.346+00:00Ivy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I saved this as a draft last year, then...reasons...<br />
I'll write about them in the next post :o) <br />
<br />
Ivy is a beautiful sacred plant.<br />
Many Gods and Goddesses are honoured with it.<br />
We have lots of old gnarled Ivy here.<br />
Birds nest in the deep dark holes within. <br />
Insects buzz around the fuzzy flowers.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
The weird black berries disappear in the Autumn, I'm not sure who takes them all, but I know the thrushes love them.</div>
<br />
I wanted to make a picture which shows the depths inside an old Ivy 'bush'.<br />
It seems that the Fae wanted to join in too.<br />
Who am I to say no?<br />
So, here is the sketch.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDGbu4bjehk/Xh3ZYuZbHpI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/ijfFJEAJfswa3aJKY6_YCVt5fY84AB4eACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Ivy%2Bsketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="692" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDGbu4bjehk/Xh3ZYuZbHpI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/ijfFJEAJfswa3aJKY6_YCVt5fY84AB4eACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Ivy%2Bsketch.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketchbook Ivy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I liked her pose, she looked deep in thought but she wasn't quite right.<br />
Anyway, the painting started, this is the fun bit, where you can make a mess...:o)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SR3OIwXoldY/Xh3aGoST1QI/AAAAAAAAAtY/5gdoeHdNzIUC2KlM9EVeFXlQbj_AYjnzgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Ivy%2BWIP%2BOberons%2BWood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="692" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SR3OIwXoldY/Xh3aGoST1QI/AAAAAAAAAtY/5gdoeHdNzIUC2KlM9EVeFXlQbj_AYjnzgCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Ivy%2BWIP%2BOberons%2BWood.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First, scruffy layers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Okay, I'm really not loving this, it just looks wrong.<br />
Not how I picture the lovely old Ivy when I peer into it...or the little Fae.<br />
I'll give her some more layers of skin.<br />
<br />
And some leaves, and redder hair...<br />
Mmmm...still not loving it. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTjWcgrSiqA/Xh3bAnosqCI/AAAAAAAAAtk/-ljvtlK0Xc8ZGthcniAUQPevrAn_lpTwgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ivy%2BWIP%2B2%2BOberons%2BWood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="692" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTjWcgrSiqA/Xh3bAnosqCI/AAAAAAAAAtk/-ljvtlK0Xc8ZGthcniAUQPevrAn_lpTwgCEwYBhgL/s640/Ivy%2BWIP%2B2%2BOberons%2BWood.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking better, but still not right, damn...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, now I think she would look better wearing a floaty little dress.<br />
<br />
I<i> really</i> don't mind painting over her body, it is useful to have as a base.<br />
(Yeah, right, I'm saying that because I'm annoyed with myself for not doing it sooner!) <br />
So, after lots (& lots) more layers were added and some dew drops...taddaaa!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tmduOd-9Uk/Xh3b6y5acqI/AAAAAAAAAts/kQdXahygIpMyfcCMvLgNBgzBypiHLP2WACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Ivy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="744" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tmduOd-9Uk/Xh3b6y5acqI/AAAAAAAAAts/kQdXahygIpMyfcCMvLgNBgzBypiHLP2WACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Ivy.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
'Ivy'</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
(Painted in Oils on canvas, size 12 x 16 inches) </div>
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Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-549879619193422232019-02-09T15:17:00.000+00:002019-02-09T15:17:50.299+00:00When Bert Came Down The Chimney<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We have an inglenook fireplace, a very huge one.<br />
We found it behind a modern ugly replica inglenook fireplace !?!<br />
We had soot in our eyes and up our noses for months trying to clear the stones away and find the chimney. But we managed it eventually and this demon of an inglenook was behind the modern thing.<br />
It would have been a place to roast a dragon no doubt, in the days of Yore ;o) <br />
It would have wasted so much energy to heat the house, so we installed a cast iron stove, those square ones on legs, with glass doors.<br />
There is a reason I'm telling you this bear with me...<br />
<br />
So, the other day my children and I heard this scratching noise coming from the stove.<br />
The torch showed nothing inside it but you could hear something, then it went quiet.<br />
We have lived in other old houses and have had dead jackdaws fall out of old chimneys (on top of my head!) before, but these were in big old wide chimney stacks which had never been lined..<br />
Our chimney here has a flue liner and a cap on the top, with just enough gap for ventilation around the rim.<br />
It is also very high.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V4cUyjwFzuI/XF7m74e9pPI/AAAAAAAAArA/LG1JeNaMS0Unmdyiqn2Njsctx_ueV5lIwCLcBGAs/s1600/chimney%2Bpot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1152" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V4cUyjwFzuI/XF7m74e9pPI/AAAAAAAAArA/LG1JeNaMS0Unmdyiqn2Njsctx_ueV5lIwCLcBGAs/s400/chimney%2Bpot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chimney stack</td></tr>
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<br />
Needless to say, we thought it might be a little mouse or vole but couldn't see how it could get inside the flue pipe.<br />
We opened the doors, holding this big net in front to catch the little critter...nothing.<br />
So, 'The Giant Troll' aka Steve thought it would be a good idea to clean out the stove, it needed a visit from the chimney sweep as it hadn't been used in a while and there was a pile-up of soot inside the stove.<br />
Strangely, on each side...<br />
He wriggled the plate which is just below the pipe and tipped it sideways to get it out and...<br />
This thing shot out, jumped on my back (I was bending over looking into the stove) and vanished.<br />
Steve: 'What the hell was that?'<br />
Me: 'A Jackdaw?'<br />
I looked around the room to see where it was flapping, expecting it to be going crazy round the room, nothing.<br />
Then I saw this weird black thing quickly crawling into the front room, up the step.<br />
So, I rushed over and saw this totally black, long-tailed creature jump onto the mantelpiece and run along it, so fast, my eyes couldn't make out what it was.<br />
I closed the door fast, to contain it.<br />
Then we all heard things smashing and glass breaking, never a good sign.<br />
<br />
My children ran in to ask what was in there.<br />
Me: 'I'm not sure, I thought it was a Jackdaw but it has a big black, fluffy tail...like a cat...but too big, more like a black kitten?'<br />
A black kitten?<br />
How could it be? <br />
Well, how were we going to catch the whatever-it-was? <br />
We decided the front door to the house was the best bet, so stood with a big net guarding the stairs and making a pathway for it to run out.<br />
Steve opened the door to the room and this just made it go crazy, Steve is a Giant Troll after all, the thing just went mad flinging itself all over the room!<br />
Soot was flying everywhere, over everything and pots were falling over and smashing.<br />
We told Steve to go outside out of the way and it might come out.<br />
It did, it saw the open door to freedom and ran/skulked out the door and off into the front garden.<br />
<br />
So, what do you think it was?<br />
Yup, a jet-black fat squirrel.<br />
It was so covered in soot you had a hard time seeing it clearly.<br />
It disappeared over the wall and away to the fields.<br />
And left us with the mess.<br />
Soot prints everywhere.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IqQ6lc7UNNo/XF7nJK3xFnI/AAAAAAAAArE/Eo38qKCcwVIvcKS-MQ-n0q9avusPUhDcwCLcBGAs/s1600/radio%2Bsoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1152" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IqQ6lc7UNNo/XF7nJK3xFnI/AAAAAAAAArE/Eo38qKCcwVIvcKS-MQ-n0q9avusPUhDcwCLcBGAs/s400/radio%2Bsoot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't think it liked the radio channel!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My children were laughing because I had footprints on my back!<br />
I also had soot on my face and in my hair. <br />
We are still cleaning up after it, probably will be for a while, soot is evil to clean, it floats on water you see.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ygyRxXDuovE/XF7ni0wbtaI/AAAAAAAAArQ/93z8vx0I10Q7nQpkAhRjY3iwsgwX-uGAQCLcBGAs/s1600/curtain%2Bpole%2Bsoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1152" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ygyRxXDuovE/XF7ni0wbtaI/AAAAAAAAArQ/93z8vx0I10Q7nQpkAhRjY3iwsgwX-uGAQCLcBGAs/s400/curtain%2Bpole%2Bsoot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the curtain pole was covered, not to mention the curtains!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
One good thing did come out of this though.<br />
'Bert' as he will be forever known, did a great job of cleaning the chimney for us, with his big fluffy tail.<br />
We even had a fire in there to celebrate .<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pVzPK3eKIeU/XF7nyllnywI/AAAAAAAAArY/XpDj8rj7HIQsrFb5wLBCd_raDQj_xJs0gCLcBGAs/s1600/soot%2Bpots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="864" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pVzPK3eKIeU/XF7nyllnywI/AAAAAAAAArY/XpDj8rj7HIQsrFb5wLBCd_raDQj_xJs0gCLcBGAs/s400/soot%2Bpots.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These pots are covered, the small one has now lost a lid :o(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
As they say in the 1960's Mary Poppins film<br />
<div>
<span>'Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-ee</span><br /><span>A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be</span><br /><span>Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-oo</span><br /><span>Good luck will rub off when I shakes 'ands with you</span><br /><span>Or blow me a kiss </span><br /><span>And that's lucky too</span></div>
<div>
<span>(Which is probably why my face was black) :o)</span></div>
<div>
<span> </span></div>
<div>
<span>And I am just not even going to try to clean my art stuff...</span></div>
<div>
<span> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HhFNtHjPCXM/XF7oGRjLNYI/AAAAAAAAArg/X7AbbpLWkNkUFnXsF6i3gTH2SbnluXnzACLcBGAs/s1600/art%2Bprints%2Bsoot%2Bprints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1152" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HhFNtHjPCXM/XF7oGRjLNYI/AAAAAAAAArg/X7AbbpLWkNkUFnXsF6i3gTH2SbnluXnzACLcBGAs/s400/art%2Bprints%2Bsoot%2Bprints.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art Prints or Foot Prints?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span> </span></div>
<div>
<span>Did anyone ever think that country living was relaxing?</span></div>
<div>
<span> </span></div>
<div>
<span>And if anyone is worried about 'Bert'...he came on the bird feeder this morning and stuffed his face with nuts.</span></div>
<div>
<span>We knew it was him because he had a big black stripe down his back and head :o) </span></div>
<div>
<span><br /></span></div>
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Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-37632375161692062382019-01-24T12:04:00.000+00:002019-01-24T12:04:48.281+00:00Working with those Elementals...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ndKsI0wb1Yw/XEmkfIfKGwI/AAAAAAAAApo/XIb1Rv9I7JEZcfBuDjWoDtcxPir1X0NigCLcBGAs/s1600/Fire%2Band%2BWater%2BMermaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="744" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ndKsI0wb1Yw/XEmkfIfKGwI/AAAAAAAAApo/XIb1Rv9I7JEZcfBuDjWoDtcxPir1X0NigCLcBGAs/s400/Fire%2Band%2BWater%2BMermaid.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Dance of Fire and Water'</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Well here she is, actually finished.<br />
I have to say she's looking a lot smoother now and the fish are just how I pictured them when I began, not just blobs of orange!<br />
Sometimes when you are creating art, there is this awful stage which you just have to push through. (The 'Wall' which everyone hits).<br />
The voices in your head are telling you that this is dire, that you have messed everything up (again), that you are rubbish and should try digging graves instead ;o)<br />
These are the times that you have to be the bravest.<br />
Luckily, paint is very forgiving, you can cover most things up and no one will ever know just how bad it was before.<br />
But...I wanted to show my early stages, for just those reasons.<br />
So that those of us, struggling with our paintings can take heart in the fact that <i>all </i>paintings start off really really horrid.<br />
They don't just appear on the canvas looking pretty and perfect.<br />
They are all ugly ducklings. (I actually think ducklings are adorable).<br />
<br />
This one is for the Elementals.<br />
I wanted to paint two forces of nature playing together.<br />
The mermaid represents Water, so is cool and blue.<br />
The fishes represent Fire and are warm, red-orange.<br />
I wanted them to dance the Eternal Elemental Dance within the water.<br />
<br />
I have to say, that they were great fun to paint.<br />
I now need to come up with an idea for the other Elemental beings...<br />
After all, I wouldn't want them to feel left out :o)<br />
<br />
See you again soon, maybe with some more awful beginnings...<br />
(Painted in Oils, size A3)<br />
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Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-27615213883095824952019-01-15T11:25:00.002+00:002019-01-25T16:32:05.029+00:00Well it is still January<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Happy New Year!<br />
I know I'm late, I'm always late, what can I say?<br />
Better late than never?<br />
Anyway, to me it still feels all midwintery as we have left the decorations up, for a while more, it's too dark here in the mountains of Snowdonia, we need the lights of the faeries to keep our spirits up.<br />
That's a good reason isn't it?<br />
We do take them down eventually, usually around Imbolg, we like to celebrate with the seasons and this seems fitting for this area.<br />
<br />
This year I'm concentrating more on my painting and my fabric art 'stuff'.<br />
As the room in which I work a.k.a. the kitchen, is full to the gills with paints and canvas, fabric and trims, I really do need to get on with these ideas to stop them just roaming around in my head.<br />
<br />
I also need to get more organised with scanning and cropping etc so that I can actually show others what I have been doing , I mean, it might just appear to everyone that I am a lazy artist who just has ideas and no content, can't have that now can we?...he he he.<br />
<br />
So here's one I prepared earlier...<br />
I have been lured by the Siren's song yet again...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_aXlcUGjexM/XEs50i4tyPI/AAAAAAAAAqA/qrcYMEbwvBYwn8-pipg4-SeBXQBUupH7wCLcBGAs/s1600/Fire%2Band%2Bwater%2Bsketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="692" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_aXlcUGjexM/XEs50i4tyPI/AAAAAAAAAqA/qrcYMEbwvBYwn8-pipg4-SeBXQBUupH7wCLcBGAs/s400/Fire%2Band%2Bwater%2Bsketch.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sketch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ijve-LjF5ow/XD2_W8zwuAI/AAAAAAAAAo4/muKytBI9Kvs5rIhUZhzzBPT5v9WpKxQ4ACLcBGAs/s1600/Mermaid%2Band%2BGoldfish%2BWIP%2BOberons%2BWood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="692" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ijve-LjF5ow/XD2_W8zwuAI/AAAAAAAAAo4/muKytBI9Kvs5rIhUZhzzBPT5v9WpKxQ4ACLcBGAs/s400/Mermaid%2Band%2BGoldfish%2BWIP%2BOberons%2BWood.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First daubs</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
I know, she looks awful.<br />
These are the early stages of the painting, where I can throw paint at the canvas and not worry about it too much.<br />
I have the idea of what the finished work will be, so I just 'place' things where they should be without much thought, then I'm not too concerned about covering them up when I find the right place for everything.<br />
The 'fish' are just blobs of fishythingys and will be changed completely later, they just need to remind me where I wanted a fish in the picture.<br />
<br />
So, that's a little peek at what I have been doing, how about you?<br />
Hope you have a lovely, creative year ahead, doing something you love.<br />
Now, I really must get back to 'work'...the Muses are pulling my clothes again...:o)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-45436372743162677132018-10-10T08:27:00.001+01:002018-10-10T08:27:59.081+01:00Still sitting here, but now I have a little friend, or two<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-swSYIRkPP3o/W72gwHwyk9I/AAAAAAAAAoE/WJVJAI4AkgMxzCybm5bhfL3NYgNxpMwZwCLcBGAs/s1600/Waiting%2Bfor%2BJack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="744" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-swSYIRkPP3o/W72gwHwyk9I/AAAAAAAAAoE/WJVJAI4AkgMxzCybm5bhfL3NYgNxpMwZwCLcBGAs/s640/Waiting%2Bfor%2BJack.jpg" width="449" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Waiting for Jack'</td></tr>
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The septic tank is broken...<br />
I won't say more.<br />
Let's just talk about Pumpkins...and Faeries...(and mice).<br />
I found this little lady sitting all alone on a pumpkin one evening.<br />
She seemed as though she was waiting for someone.<br />
I hope they turned up, the weather can be a little harsh this time of year.<br />
I do love seeing the leaves change to rust though, and to smell the lovely fresh morning air.<br />
I say this because I just let a field mouse out of a humane trap, down the lane, and it was rather pleasant (the air, not the mouse, although it was a pretty little thing), just seeing the dawn rise.<br />
Everywhere is starting to feel all crispy.<br />
<span>I suppose a pumpkin, a fairy and a mouse would make a sweet fairy tale, unless someone has already done it? he he he</span> <br />
<br />
Speaking of freeing little critters, it is a natural part of living in the countryside, that others will want to come and move in too.<br />
And, I can say that Beatrix Potter was telling the truth in her story '<span>The Tale of Two Bad Mice', we have had mice and voles move into dolls houses and rearrange the furniture!</span><br />
<span>I don't mind them finding the residence desirable, it just gets annoying when they chew the tables!</span><br />
<br />
<span>Ah well, if you can't handle a little wildlife, then the countryside is not the place for you :o)</span><br />
<span>I'm off to add some peanut butter to the traps...</span><br />
<span>(Forget cheese, peanut butter is by far, the best)</span><br />
<span><br /></span>
<span>This painting is done in oils on canvas :o)</span><br />
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Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-44878214538903289232018-09-20T15:35:00.001+01:002018-09-20T15:44:25.797+01:00Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Pumpkin and Little Spode Jug'</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
So, 'tis now the Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness...mmm<br />
I think Keats lived in a gentler age.<br />
<br />
But, as I promised/bored you all with my Autumn rant, here is another pumpkin.<br />
This one took backstage to a little Spode jug who thought she was a prima ballerina.<br />
The apple took offense to being in the sidelines and sulked.<br />
None of them truly shone but they were all treated with care and affection.<br />
Little delicate things are rather prone to accidents, after all. :o)<br />
<br />
Now, I'm off to jump in the fallen leaves...maybe not...! :o)<br />
This one is painted in acrylics on canvas.<br />
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<b> </b><span class="ILfuVd"></span></div>
Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-62120765556111387772018-07-22T12:03:00.000+01:002018-09-20T15:35:40.755+01:00Just Sitting Here, Waiting for Autumn...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--rWICYxisco/W1Re1IAMr1I/AAAAAAAAAns/y00Xi_PaVjQbarICVhzwASQFgdlTGugrACLcBGAs/s1600/Pumpkin%2Band%2Bblue%2Bchiffon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--rWICYxisco/W1Re1IAMr1I/AAAAAAAAAns/y00Xi_PaVjQbarICVhzwASQFgdlTGugrACLcBGAs/s1600/Pumpkin%2Band%2Bblue%2Bchiffon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--rWICYxisco/W1Re1IAMr1I/AAAAAAAAAns/y00Xi_PaVjQbarICVhzwASQFgdlTGugrACLcBGAs/s1600/Pumpkin%2Band%2Bblue%2Bchiffon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--rWICYxisco/W1Re1IAMr1I/AAAAAAAAAnw/BZt5wQuqN3Ijuhn51Lg8NeI_kZnLTyMBQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Pumpkin%2Band%2Bblue%2Bchiffon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="847" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--rWICYxisco/W1Re1IAMr1I/AAAAAAAAAnw/BZt5wQuqN3Ijuhn51Lg8NeI_kZnLTyMBQCEwYBhgL/s640/Pumpkin%2Band%2Bblue%2Bchiffon.jpg" width="496" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Pumpkin in Blue Chiffon'</td></tr>
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<br />
Summer...<br />
Lots of folks just love it.<br />
I dread the beginning and long for the end of it.<br />
That may sound a tad melodramatic but that's me.<br />
Excuse me while I hold the back of my hand to my head and look ethereal :o)<br />
This summer has been such a strange one, all over the world ; too much dry, too much heat, too much rain in some parts.<br />
The mountains we can see over yonder, are always green, endless green.<br />
This month they looked like Arizona in a heat wave (I must say, I have no idea what that would really look like, I'm just guessing), everywhere was yellow, dry, wispy parched.<br />
It no longer looked or felt like North Wales.<br />
It was weird.<br />
And so very wrong.<br />
<br />
Our water comes from a natural spring, way up in the mountains and feeds down to a gravity-fed tank, then to our taps.<br />
Each day we searched the sky for rain, weeks go by and you see it <i>not</i> coming.<br />
We were waiting for the day when our beautiful water maiden dried up. <br />
We have no other water supply.<br />
Droughts are a scary thing up here.<br />
So far, she has been doing a great job, slower, but still there.<br />
We have left roses for her at the source, she deserves so much more.<br />
<br />
So, you see what I mean about Summer...<br />
And so, the pumpkins come out.<br />
Not really real pumpkins, just the ones I have painted or made over the years.<br />
It comforts me to know that Autumn is crawling ever nearer and they can come and play.<br />
So, for a while I will be getting everyone (who cares) into the spirit of the next season by showing you my pumpkins :o)<br />
Here is the first, this pumpkin fell in love with a blue chiffon scarf and wrapped itself up in it.<br />
They did not want to be parted and so I painted them enveloped in their friendship.<br />
Even though the pumpkin was well past its prime, and had lumps and age spots, it still danced beautifully.<br />
This one is painted in acrylics on canvas.<br />
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Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-50810732365664245582018-06-10T09:34:00.001+01:002018-09-20T15:42:12.436+01:00How To Grow a Rose Faerie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Okay so maybe not actually <i>grow </i>a Faerie...it's my artistic license coming out and waiving itself about, so bear with me...<br />
<br />
I have been asked how I 'come up' with ideas 'where does the inspiration come from?'...so...<br />
I will let you into a little secret...I never come up with any ideas and I do not have any inspiration at all...naaah, that isn't true...the opposite is.<br />
I can never ever shut off my damn brain and ideas for subjects to create are everywhere, always pulling at my clothes and nattering in my ears...they are doing it right now, telling me to move away from this evil machine and go and create something!<br />
So, before they pull me into their dark, mysterious lair, I will share how this little lady came about...<br />
<br />
<u>1. Find a willing model</u>...this is quite easy as the Fae are naturally vain and love to be sketched, if you do it quickly! If you're too slow, then forget it!<br />
This lovely lady was sketched out on a big sheet of A3 paper with lovely black charcoal which we both enjoyed smudging and then getting covered in it.<br />
She later washed herself in the birdbath...:o)<br />
<br />
I then completely forgot about the sketch and went and created something else...<br />
(I think it was either a miniature hatbox or an Art Doll...see what I mean)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DdbuICkZrBo/Vwz16zeJyQI/AAAAAAAAAiE/p90yLWnGjcgfMwZvcfAhgyDa9R8-i6gfgCLcB/s1600/Small%2BPlump%2Blady%2Bfor%2Bfae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DdbuICkZrBo/Vwz16zeJyQI/AAAAAAAAAiE/p90yLWnGjcgfMwZvcfAhgyDa9R8-i6gfgCLcB/s400/Small%2BPlump%2Blady%2Bfor%2Bfae.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found this sketch tucked away behind the cupboards where it was covered in cobwebs, that's how long she had been forgotten...that's why she looks a little accusingly at me :o)</td></tr>
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<u>2. Find a pretty flower</u>...this should be easy, there are plenty around...but not in the hay fever season oh no, because of the nasty pollen...and winter is a little too harsh for many flowers to poke their noses up...mmm...so that leaves the spring and autumn...but this is Wales, it rains most of the time...spring is always soggy and everything is droopy with rain...okay, so spring is out, that leaves autumn...nope, by then I have forgotten about wanting to paint a flower and am painting pumpkins instead...sigh...and another sigh...<br />
So, look through your photo's and see if you can find one which will do for inspiration instead! :o)<br />
No, stop looking at all of those other pics, you're looking for a flower, maybe a nice rose, not pictures of your children when they were little and cute...so very cute...sigh.<br />
So, after a while you may find something which might do, if you squint at it, or use a lot of imagination...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uj5D6ePspxQ/Vwz7Ed8yBDI/AAAAAAAAAiU/0NtcPX8qAQMQd_LKkRQXn17Vd9Wy3GbVgCLcB/s1600/Rose%2Bfor%2BOberon%2527s%2BWood%2BFae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uj5D6ePspxQ/Vwz7Ed8yBDI/AAAAAAAAAiU/0NtcPX8qAQMQd_LKkRQXn17Vd9Wy3GbVgCLcB/s400/Rose%2Bfor%2BOberon%2527s%2BWood%2BFae.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Gertrude, not the most beautifully named but she smells divine :o)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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So, now we have a model and a flower...what shall we do with them?<br />
<br />
<u>No.3 Try to fit your subjects together into a pleasing composition</u><br />
Okay, sorry, that sounded like 'art speak' and we don't allow that here...<br />
Because my charcoal sketch is big and I want to paint a small A4 picture I am going to have to get the old sketchbook out and see if the Fae will come and sit on the rose.<br />
Easier said than done...although as the rose is so sweet smelling she eventually consented and it didn't turn out too badly. (Who needs critics when you can do it yourself?)<br />
The sketch is now A4 and done with pencil, so that the lines are clearer-ish, (I never can stay tidy), so we are about to reach the next stage...unless some little squirrel in very shiny Armour comes by, then we will be off somewhere else with the Fae and this will become yet <i>another </i>forgotten painting (I should know, those armoured squirrels have sucked me into their dark wormholes many times).<br />
<br />
<u>No.4 Decide which media to use... </u><br />
Although I love painting in oils best, for this picture I thought watercolours would be nice so everything in the sketch was copied onto watercolour paper and tucked away in a file to keep it nice and clean and away from cobwebs...can you see there's a pattern here?...<br />
Then I went outside to play with the squirrel knight...<br />
<br />
<u>No.5 Remember the painting you started ages ago...</u> <br />
So, you're looking for something to do and because you don't know what you want to start, you go around tidying up your workspace...<br />
And guess what you find?<br />
Not just this picture but loads of other UFOs (Un-finished objects), just lying there in a box, who would have guessed there would be so many lovely things all ready for you to paint?<br />
So, you say cheerio to Sir Squirrel de Wormhole and make a cup of tea and try to choose which one you fancy painting...<br />
Because there is a rather pouty-looking faerie glaring from a big rose, you decide you should maybe choose her... and so the painting begins...after you have found a cookie to go with your cup of tea...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gaGyOMNQsGA/Vw0GWjYnQaI/AAAAAAAAAik/NYdPE5tHehoXUMIXV5H3fUcrCmqYIBMXwCLcB/s1600/Sassy%2Band%2Bpaints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gaGyOMNQsGA/Vw0GWjYnQaI/AAAAAAAAAik/NYdPE5tHehoXUMIXV5H3fUcrCmqYIBMXwCLcB/s400/Sassy%2Band%2Bpaints.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost finished, just a little blushing of the cheeks to do ;o)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
I use old rescued plates and dishes as palettes, hence the rather fancy gold-rimmed painting equipment! he he he :o)<br />
<br />
So, there we are, she just needs a little more eye-liner and she's good to go...I think...maybe I should add a little more shading here and there?<br />
Maybe a little more green on the leaves or more creases on the petals?<br />
Can you have too much paint? <br />
Or, maybe I should just be happy that this one is finished at last...and she isn't looking too grumpy, well, not for the Fae anyway...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1m6TIucOzsA/Vw0KR-osX3I/AAAAAAAAAi0/Vw01row56BkXxIioSsqWmqxKZYLCZ12VQCLcB/s1600/WM%2BRose%2BFae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1m6TIucOzsA/Vw0KR-osX3I/AAAAAAAAAi0/Vw01row56BkXxIioSsqWmqxKZYLCZ12VQCLcB/s640/WM%2BRose%2BFae.jpg" width="451" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you think she has forgiven me yet?</td></tr>
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<br />
Now I really must get my squeaky Armour oiled up...Sir Squirrel awaits...<br />
I may be some time...:o)<br />
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Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-62001790900233282382016-05-08T08:32:00.001+01:002016-05-11T07:59:23.193+01:00Invictus...or trying to keep your spirits up...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am battling with myself at the moment, I don't want to get all heavy with details as I do not want to be known as the 'miserable blogger'...I don't want to be that guy. ;o)<br />
<br />
As we all know misery loves company and I do not think it fair to share mine with you, so in that spirit I will try to be uplifting.<br />
One night last week I was having fitful sleep and as I tossed and turned, lines from the poem Invictus rolled around my head.<br />
Next morning I re-read the poem and began to smile...some part of me, or from outside of me, was trying to help.<br />
I am feeling a little better now, I am in a good place and I am feeling stronger.<br />
We all have those Dark Nights and can find ourselves in a place of sadness from time to time.<br />
I thought I would share the poem with you in the hope that it may help, if you too visit that place of sorrow.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWm1gpwAMbw/Vy7hTlEfjCI/AAAAAAAAAjE/xy6ZgNbxgGMZp-tGwsJ9EaiUhIPNn0h0QCLcB/s1600/Invictus%2BOberon%2527s%2BWood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWm1gpwAMbw/Vy7hTlEfjCI/AAAAAAAAAjE/xy6ZgNbxgGMZp-tGwsJ9EaiUhIPNn0h0QCLcB/s1600/Invictus%2BOberon%2527s%2BWood.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
A strange thing happened shortly afterwards...<br />
I was contacted by someone...you know, the type of person who has
nothing to say to you for years and years and then sends messages of misery.<br />
If this message had arrived at a dark time for me, I do not know what I would have done.<br />
Thankfully, it arrived later.<br />
And like the poem says...<br />
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
'I thank whatever gods may be </div>
For my unconquerable soul...'<br />
<br />
William Ernest Henley is still a fascinating character, his life was so full.<br />
He was also the inspiration for 'Long John Silver', (seriously, how cool is it, that he was also a pirate?), Robert Louis Stevenson was his friend and wrote the character based on him, because of his inner strength (it helped that he also had a wooden leg) :o)<br />
Henley's little daughter was also the inspiration for 'Wendy' in Barrie's play <i>Peter Pan.</i><br />
Margaret would call Barrie 'Fwendy'...sadly she did not live to see the play, but, like Peter Pan, little Margaret lives on...she has become immortal...<br />
What more could we wish for? :o)<br />
<br />
So, remember, <b>you</b> are the master of your fate.<br />
<b>You</b>...are the captain of your soul...<br />
And I shall return soon with some pretty pictures...:o)<br />
Bye for now...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-76581636083062582582016-02-29T15:47:00.000+00:002016-02-29T15:47:05.474+00:00Unsocial Media and His Evil Plan for World Domination, or Where Have All The Bloggers Gone?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When I first started using the Internet (many moon tides ago) and discovered The Land of Blog, I thought it was so fab. (You can tell where I live just from my accent can't you ;o) ).<br />
It was like going through the wardrobe and entering Narnia.<br />
All those pictures and words written by all of those 'bored-at-home' folks; their dreams, their new family members, new creations, new fur babies...also their stories..such stories.<br />
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Sadly there are now very few of us around.<br />
Other Unsocial Media has claimed us for their own and added us to their many denizen.<br />
Instead of writing our thoughts and ideas down in our very own personal space, we now prefer to post on platforms along with masses of others.<br />
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We write small snippets of, mostly, uninteresting product placements or quick adverts of our own lives.<br />
'See what I've just created, it's for sale on blah blah, don't forget to like my Page!'<br />
(I'm not knocking anyone here, I've done similar things too).<br />
'I'll like you if you like me, share the love!'<br />
(I don't do that one though!) :o)<br />
We wait in long queues while other snippets are in front of us, wondering if anyone will even reach us before the store closes and our tickets are invalid.<br />
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What has happened to us all?<br />
We have loads of 'friends' who 'like' us so much, in our own very superficial ways.<br />
We have no real substance, we just exist there.<br />
Like a big faceless store, full of cheap knock-off items.<br />
We know they aren't the real thing but we buy them 'cos they're cheap.<br />
Think of the worst shop you possibly can...now fill it full of 'Actors' kissing each other on both cheeks in an overtly 'lovey' way.<br />
Have them handing out free samples of 'like-me-darling'<br />
Does it really taste like the real thing?<br />
Do we really believe in the hype?<br />
Would we prefer this over the market leader?<br />
I don't think so...<br />
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So, what can be done about it?<br />
I have absolutely no idea...what?, I'm not 'Super Blogger' come to 'Save the World from Unsocial Media and His Evil Plan for World Domination'.!<br />
I'm just 'Clueless Blogger come to Drink Tea and Eat Cake'.<br />
I can mange that, the other...well... <br />
But there's one thing I do know...that if we desert our blogs completely, if we turn our backs on our own personal space within this Land of Blog, if we just post to other media...then 'Unsocial Media and His Evil Plan'...will have won...<br />
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So, in this spirit I am going to try to fight it.<br />
I am going to think of things to actually write, longer things, maybe even some paragraphs!<br />
And I am going to grab my cup of tea and my slice of cake and return...I shall not let my blog die!<br />
There is still life in it...Unsocial Media will not destroy the Land of Blog.<br />
Not while Clueless Blogger has cake!<br />
And a pot of tea!<br />
I will be back...<br />
You have been warned :o) <br />
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Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-86508514792243801192015-10-06T14:35:00.001+01:002015-10-06T19:36:39.698+01:00Dolls Houses and Chewed Fingers.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Okey dokey, I have taken off my poufy frock and finished some more teeny weenies...<br />
It isn't that I don't finish things...it's just that I get side-tracked by shiny squirrels and start other more interesting (at the time) projects.<br />
So here we are again...<br />
Autumn, punkins and toadstools time.<br />
I am painting in oils again, Fae and other tinies, they are a wee bit shy so are not allowing me to show you yet but maybe soon...maybe<br />
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I also make miniature things throughout the year but I seem to forget to invite them to my blog so here is a little peek at some of them...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v2rQ5TR3yDA/VhO_NBPzHII/AAAAAAAAAg8/EHNsAbmDsLs/s1600/Halloween%2Bcandy%2Bcupboards%2Bmixed%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v2rQ5TR3yDA/VhO_NBPzHII/AAAAAAAAAg8/EHNsAbmDsLs/s400/Halloween%2Bcandy%2Bcupboards%2Bmixed%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing at sweet shops :o)</td></tr>
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These are from a few years ago but you get why I enjoy playing :o)<br />
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When I was a little girl my friend Susan had the most fantastic dolls house, it had little jars of real sweets!!!! (They would seem massive to me now).<br />
Her dad had fixed it so that a light bulb (a pea bulb) would turn on when you flicked a (giant) switch.<br />
Gawd it was fantastic, I loved it so much, I loved the fact that we could stick our big heads in there and it was lit.<br />
Magic!<br />
Naturally, Susan was an only child and 'got' everything she wanted, yet she was not spoilt at all, she was lovely, I would dearly have loved to hate her because of this fabulous dolls house, but you just couldn't hate Susan, she was too okay.<br />
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I found it astonishing that every year she would choose some of her toys and give them to the Children's Hospital, see what I mean, way too okay.<br />
My little sis and I held tight to everything we had, hey don't judge us against Susan, we were dirt poor and our things were meagre!<br />
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One year we both had a doll, me a Sindy and her a Tiny Tears ...the smell still wafts over me when I remember opening her box, plastic and newness and probably lots of chemicals but who cared it was Sindy!!!<br />
And she was mine, all mine.<br />
My sis and I didn't have clothes for them but we had the dolls.<br />
Later my mum made us some dolly clothes from a library book after I copied out the patterns.<br />
My Nan and my mum were good seamstresses, I think most folks were good at needle work then through necessity.<br />
I had a Tressy doll too which an auntie had given me but my youngest sister took her behind the sofa (her favourite hiding place for doll-destruction) and bit her fingers until they had stretched into a long flat paw about an inch long, eugh!<br />
She was a doll hater, she loved soft toys instead, cute and fluffy and to me, boring, they couldn't dress up and wear heels, you couldn't brush their long tresses, they were just cuddly.<br />
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One day my Nan dragged a dolls house all the way to our house, many miles walk.<br />
She had bought it from a junk shop because she thought us three girls would like it and knew that she would get the money back from my 'dad' (I say this loosely).<br />
We were overjoyed, it was even better than Susan's.<br />
It had furniture and all sorts of really cool stuff with it.<br />
It was humongous too!<br />
We jumped with joy (I could cartwheel then but the house was too small to roll around in otherwise, me, cartwheeling for the love of this doll paradise!)<br />
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Dear old 'dad' came home from work, took one look at it and ranted about the couple of pounds she expected to get from him, and told her to cart it away with her.<br />
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My nan was heartbroken but she took it home in her big wheelbarrow cart thingy.<br />
Later we would all play with it at her house.<br />
She disliked my 'father' before, but this just iced her cake of hatred.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ik7QRRPLqYc/VhPKH0Jx6hI/AAAAAAAAAhM/d61vj1jdxG4/s1600/Trick%2Bor%2BTreat%2BCupboard%2Borange%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ik7QRRPLqYc/VhPKH0Jx6hI/AAAAAAAAAhM/d61vj1jdxG4/s400/Trick%2Bor%2BTreat%2BCupboard%2Borange%2B2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trick or Treats?</td></tr>
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So, you see now why I make mini things, somewhere within me is this need to recreate the dolls house of my dreams, the one where everything is peachy and a big switch turns on a light bulb.<br />
And Susan and me are sticking our big heads in to have a look at all those little jars of heaven.<br />
Such delicious memories.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ZSaUvq6C6w/VhPNrBqmjBI/AAAAAAAAAhY/ebZ9gUjRdIE/s1600/chocolate%2Bbox%2Bgirl%2Band%2Bdoll%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ZSaUvq6C6w/VhPNrBqmjBI/AAAAAAAAAhY/ebZ9gUjRdIE/s400/chocolate%2Bbox%2Bgirl%2Band%2Bdoll%2B11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calorie-free chocolates :o)</td></tr>
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I often think of Susan and what became of her...<br />
and her dolls house :o)<br />
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Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-12499323641423122742015-09-02T11:22:00.000+01:002015-09-02T11:22:10.354+01:00One Upon a Time <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One Upon a Time ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QdtvmJ-PbyA/VebL5i3T7HI/AAAAAAAAAf4/UEdABqPO2iQ/s1600/Lacewing%2Band%2Bpumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QdtvmJ-PbyA/VebL5i3T7HI/AAAAAAAAAf4/UEdABqPO2iQ/s400/Lacewing%2Band%2Bpumpkin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least that pumpkin is large enough for us to travel in.</td></tr>
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Just when you thought it was safe to go back into The Land of Blog, who should there be tap tap tapping at the keyboard...but your little Old Faerie Godmother (aka Me)!<br />
I have my wand at the ready to turn your autumn pumpkins into beautiful coaches...<br />
Any little mice shall become horses...<br />
You my dear, <i>shall</i> go to the ball! <br />
Now, what do they wear for formal occasions these days?<br />
Are poufy dresses still worn to the Royal Balls?<br />
Ahhh never mind, in my head you are all dressed in the poufiest frocks I can imagine.<br />
(And I can imagine really real poufiness!) <br />
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As you can see I have been swept away into my own world once again.<br />
I think it started many years ago Doctor...when I first learnt how to fly.<br />
Since then there has been no stopping me...<br />
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It doesn't help that the Fae are constantly begging portraits from me...and you know how much they like to flounce around!<br />
So, here I sit, wand in hand, wondering if anyone out there is in need of a Faerie Godmother.<br />
Do you feel in need of a little wand-waving?<br />
Are your clothes all tatty and ragged?<br />
Are you still looking for Prince Charming? <br />
Fear not!<br />
I shall endeavour to right this injustice!<br />
Just say the word...<br />
All you have to do is believe.<br />
The rest is magic...:o)<br />
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Now, I really must finish these paintings...maybe I should take this poufy dress off first...<br />
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Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-61072992145659251452013-08-20T10:48:00.000+01:002014-05-13T15:03:39.905+01:00It's me, your Cathy, I've come home...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Oh my goodness...has it really been that long?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My...don't you all look well!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Seems like only yesterday....</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Greetings aside...I think that I have been 'Rip Van Winkled'...I'm not sure which of the Fae did it but I'm sure they must have.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Everything around me seems so different...does anyone still use blogs?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Or have you all gone off to the dreaded facebook?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I don't know what it is about the 'FB' (hey, just one letter short from the 'you-know-what' *wink wink*) but it just feels so vacuous.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I try to like it but for months now I have wanted nothing to do with it...for a start...everyone 'loves you' and there's all this OMG and text speak that I'm thinking of buying a new dictionary...I don't understand them all!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So here I am...back at my blog and feeling like an old person who has woken up after a very long sleep, because the last time I looked (properly looked) at myself, I think I was young.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So...what has this old person been doing, I hear you say. (I'm not deaf yet, just old).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Strangely...I've been doing 'pretty things'.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I won't go into details but my little sister has been poorly with cancer and for some reason it has made me really focus on beautiful, lovely, pretty things...I suppose there's some psychological reason for this, but you know what, it makes me feel better...and it makes me smile, that can't be a bad thing can it?...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So...I'm going to be bossy big sister now and tell you all to smile...a really big corners-of-the-mouth-turned-up smile...feel better?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Good :o)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm also trying to be more disciplined with myself regards my art...I'm being more critical about the rubbish and maybe a little kinder about the not so bad stuff...the inner critic is a demon but he is right sometimes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've decided that my big Art Dolls need their own space so I'm sorting out a new blog and Etsy store and even an OMGFB page for them...although...I may be a big tease and not tell anyone, when or where, just to see who's really paying attention or likes a good mystery novel he he he</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've also discovered that I am addicted to lace...who knew? (well everyone who knows me actually) and I am often found stroking it (please don't judge me...I bet you do some weird things behind closed doors too) and my daughter and I love the way velvet feels when you stroke it up and down (she's inherited some of my quirks I see) but my eldest son hates it, he says it's as bad as nails down a chalkboard!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As usual my table is piled with UFO dolls which I do want to finish but this lazy bone in my arm is really playing me up and refusing to work on them, so they sit forlorn in jars and stare at me with a Victorian photo vacant stare...they are a little odd with no arms or legs I know, but there is a kind of pleasure in getting so far with them and then abandoning them...I'm sick, very sick...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've been trying to sort through my disgustingly large collection of cards and ephemera too (as you can see here) but that's another story... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So...that's about it really...just thought it would be nice to come and chat with my old blog buddies and let you know what has happened to me...did anyone even miss me?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thought not...ah well...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I hear some dolly torsos calling my name...in a really odd Bronte sisters' way....'it's me...finish me...it's me...finish me...it's me, your Cathy, I've come home...now I've got Kate Bush singing at me he he he</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Don't forget, you're never fully dressed without a smile :o)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svWF4SbJ7Yo/UhM0o_KwIpI/AAAAAAAAAaM/g0RDbxH7X2s/s1600/smile+for+oberon+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svWF4SbJ7Yo/UhM0o_KwIpI/AAAAAAAAAaM/g0RDbxH7X2s/s400/smile+for+oberon+3.jpg" height="400" width="253" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(And just to be really naughty I'm going to link this to my FB page just for the fun of it OMG!) *big smile*</span></span><br />
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Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-34720166016732490822012-09-15T08:50:00.000+01:002012-09-15T08:50:43.611+01:00From Little Acorns...I don't know about you but I love Autumn...although to be honest this year most of the Summer has been very Autumnal!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hj4UTDoe8eI/UFQwxo9u4cI/AAAAAAAAAY4/58In7YgmbTs/s1600/watermark+Acorn+Fae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hj4UTDoe8eI/UFQwxo9u4cI/AAAAAAAAAY4/58In7YgmbTs/s320/watermark+Acorn+Fae.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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I haven't had much access to computers this year and it's been a rather strange experience...on the one hand I have missed and craved the way you can peep into other folks' lives and see how you all are and what everyone's been doing...on the other hand, it makes you so free when you can no longer do that :o)<br />
As I'm rather isolated up here in the mountains of wet and windy Wales it's lovely to be able to travel the world with you all and come to have virtual tea right in your homes but because I haven't been able to visit I have had withdrawals, isn't that odd?<br />
One good thing though is that I can actually get on and finish things begun last year which I always left in the 'to-do' pile...so be warned, you'll all be sick of seeing me soon ;o)<br />
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My little Elves are now speaking to me and not sulking and I have even done a few Halloweeny things...maybe I should get on and photograph them...(yep,that would be a good idea ;o)) then I could share them with you over an nice cup of tea, and a cake :o)<br />
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This painting was supposed to be finished last Autumn but got buried under piles of my other 'oooh shiney' stuff (my attention span is not great when a new idea pops into my head) but at least I've done it for this year!<br />
(As you know I'm a slow worker, I hate being rushed ;o)<br />
To be fair to myself though, I do fit these things in around home-schooling children, trying to tame the wilderness which surrounds our garden and all of the other boring day-to-day things like cooking-gawd I really don't enjoy cooking, and yet I do it every day...come rain...come rain...feeding teenagers is a never-ending story, how can they be so skinny and yet eat so much!? Please let me in on the secret :o) <br />
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Well, enough of that...here she is...this one is for all of you who have that little Acorn waiting to be planted, you know the one...the little idea or dream, just waiting for you to give it some encouragement and a little care ready for it to grow...and we all know what little acorns grow up to be :o)<br />
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<br />Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-84262316770376939192012-06-16T10:30:00.000+01:002012-06-16T10:30:50.617+01:00The ELF need your help!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Boo!<br />
Hello out there in the Land of Blog...<br />
I'm part of the E.L.F. (Elf Liberation Foundation) and I need your help!<br />
This lazy 'Artist' will not finish us...we have been lying around this (very messy!) house and she just keeps ignoring us!<br />
I have tried to look her in the eye to get her attention, I even put on my bestest sweetest smile...nothing!<br />
Please, if you can help, or know of any help groups out there for lazy artists, please send us a message, we can now work the keyboard by using our feet and we enjoy jumping from one key to the next...and we can access her blog behind her back (we aren't as behind the times as she thinks).<br />
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To prove our point...<br />
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This poor creature has only had her head made, yes it is rather large we know, but surely that should not be a valid reason to leave her without a body!<br />
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And just look at the mess she makes us stand in!<br />
We keep trying to tidy it but she always plonks her drawings down and covers us up!<br />
Then she gets black smudgy pieces of stick and scribbles on paper and makes a black mess everywhere, there's no hope for her :o(<br />
When she starts painting her Faery pictures she completely forgets about us...talk about fickle!<br />
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We also have a question...do you think we would look better in hats?<br />
She gave some of us big fluffy hair and we aren't sure we approve...(it's so 1980's) and she only made me a hat (which is making some of the members a little envious)...<br />
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I have also been 'promised' (her promises are pie crusts) a little waistcoat, but I bet she's forgotten all about that idea...especially when she saw that naked Fae sitting on the flowers...her attention span is worse than a child's.<br />
Oh...she's coming back...remember, she mustn't know about our conversation...keep it under your hat!<br />
She doesn't come on this bloggy thing much so she will never notice...<br />
Farewell people in the Land of the Blog and thank you from all of us...especially the ones we could not show you...they would make your hearts break...<br />
Shhhhh...she's looking over here...tra la la la la...(I am the picture of innocence) ;o)<br />
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<br />Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-44999379223343210322012-06-09T14:19:00.003+01:002012-06-09T14:19:56.675+01:00My Bleeding Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3EXag0yB6BI/T9NJlz8YuYI/AAAAAAAAAXw/Ni7hT4Rb_Zo/s1600/watermarked+Bleeding+Heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3EXag0yB6BI/T9NJlz8YuYI/AAAAAAAAAXw/Ni7hT4Rb_Zo/s400/watermarked+Bleeding+Heart.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Call this summer!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rain rain go away...(not really true as I hate having to water the poor plants when it's dry!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We have another small flood in the front room, the rain has gushed down the mountain and banked up against our poor old house and is now trickling in through the stone walls and into the room (which they call The Parlour round these parts, there's posh for you ;o))</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We have had this before...we lost our new carpets and underlay when we first moved here so don't put anything down anymore (learned that one the hard way, funny how no one mentioned that before we bought the house)...but, we do have to house the 'puters and stuff in there and when the puddles start we all rush around picking the wires and things off the floor to stop them getting wet (as you can see we have learned not to mix our water and electrics, safety first my dears!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm huddled into a corner now with wires trailing all over things and it does look a little like a spider will be having me for dinner tonight!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ah well, you gotta love June...if anyone is planning on being a June Bride, you may need to rethink that one...I hear December's quite nice ;o)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Spring passed me by so quickly this year that I didn't get to show my painting :o(</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He was done for a Spring Challenge... and for some reason I decided (on some mad whim), to tidy up the house, so I packed him away safely inside a sketchbook (as you do) and then lost him!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I looked through all of them, over and over but nope...then...when I was no longer looking for him as Spring had made way for Summer (Ha! see top of post) and had decided that my Fae had flown the coop...I opened a book and there he was, trying not to look me in the eye (as usual) Typical!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So...here he is (the naughty boy)...he's sitting on my daughter's clump of Bleeding Heart...so of course, that's what the painting is called :o)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hope the rain is being good to you wherever you are...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm off to try to catch Faeries...in the rain...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cee :o)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span>Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-47217702672272720912012-04-02T09:03:00.000+01:002012-04-02T11:36:47.430+01:00Are all Elves bald and grumpy?<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Well we at last have some rain!<br />
No gardening today, which is just as well as I have banged my fingers up and can't grip anything, my hand is like a crazy claw...(I kind of like the shape but not the bruising!)<br />
Which also means no sculpting either :o(<br />
I have a hoard/horde of angry bald Elves looking at me to get on and finish them...and still I pretend that I can't see or hear them...now I can just wave my clawed hand at them and not feel so guilty, (that's my excuse for today) :o)<br />
I'll try to take a picture of their mean little faces and you'll understand how bossy they are to me...<br />
Not to mention the old bald witch and wizards...my sculpts are ganging up on me...</div>
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Serves me right I suppose...things do get put aside when the weather gets brighter.</div>
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This is a sketch I did before the lure of the outdoors, I think she would make a lovely faery...but then she would most likely moan at me because she didn't have her wings finished...you know how whiny the Fae can be!</div>
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I've not done much sketching lately, I'm such a lazy artist! </div>
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I feel ashamed...a little...hey, actually not really that much :o)</div>
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I have to get as much done outside as I can before the dreaded pollen attacks.</div>
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What is it with the world these days...grumpy bald Elves, mean witches, nasty pollen...?</div>
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I may have to hide under my table...maybe not, that's where I hide my disaster drawings...they just look at me and tell me how rubbish I am.</div>
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I have a feeling that I'm sounding a little pathetic now...oh no...they really are out to get me!</div>
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I hope it isn't catching ;o)</div>Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-89721863556588734162012-03-31T08:52:00.000+01:002012-03-31T08:57:22.436+01:00Kestrel Sparkplug Sprocket the third :o)<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Can you believe it's the end of the month already?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As promised here's the little oddball which was hidden behind the <a href="http://ehagart.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">EHAG</a> poster ;o)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The challenge was to create something from the word 'SCREAMPUNK'...kind of Steampunk meets Spooky...so as usual mine decided to do its own thing and become an Elf!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If I'm honest, I think he's rather odd looking (and from me that's saying something!)...but when my clay and oddments start to go in a direction on their own, I let them...it makes creating something a happy experience and not a chore :o)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is little Kestrel Sparkplug Sprocket the third, from the back...(I could just bite his bottom). He measures a whopping 3 inches high!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here's a little I wrote about him for Etsy...<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/95715769/kestrel-the-steampunk-inventor-elf" target="_blank">Kestrel, The Steampunk Inventor Elf</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span>*This teeny little elf was created for the EHAG member's challenge entitled 'SCREAMPUNK' </div>
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He's my humble offering and as you can see, he is a little oddball ;o)<br />
His
full name is Kestrel Sparkplug Sprocket the third, (I know that his
name is bigger than he is, but he has been steadily growing into it) <br />
I
believe that he was born with only one arm but being born into a family
of inventors, his grandfather made him a little replacement from stuff
the big Human Beans leave lying around.<br />
He has never known anything
else, so does not feel in the least bit disabled...and being an Inventor
Elf himself, he has updated his arm over the years as more useful items
have been found, he even made his own little hat (you would never
believe the amount of good stuff folks throw away!). *</div>
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I have no idea why he ended up like this but there you go...</div>
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If you would like to see what all of the other EHAG members came up with for the challenge, pop over to the <a href="http://ehagemporium.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Emporium</a> and take a peek :o)</div>
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And now, as it is almost April...I think it's time for someone to play the fool ;o)...put your hands up if you're with me! :o)</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><br />Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-80401582854066723662012-03-27T11:05:00.000+01:002012-03-27T11:09:06.702+01:00Gentleman's Relish and Art<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hi everyone :o)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The sun has been gracing us with his presence for a week now!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">North Wales actually had the most sunshine for the UK.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We are normally known for the highest rain fall, so this is really odd for us...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">No rain coats or umbrellas!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I feel positively naked!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Which brings me swiftly on to my new mini...see you couldn't even see the join it was so seamless he he he</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eOLi9hC9Pac/T3GM-GKHfZI/AAAAAAAAATc/ZEuW9p-LylE/s400/P1010080.JPG" width="400" /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/95936368/gentlemans-relish?ref=v1_other_2" target="_blank">http://www.etsy.com/listing/95936368/gentlemans-relish?ref=v1_other_2</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I was sorting through some of my collection of nudes, which I have been collecting for decades now and which my Troll refers to as my 'porn stash'! Humph!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It makes no difference how many times I repeat the fact that this is an aid to my arty stuff, he just recons I'm weird...well no shock there eh?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I started to laugh at some of the old Victorian pictures as they were so odd back then, and this made me think of all of the funny 'Gentlemen' who would have purchased these pictures...which made me want to add some to my miniature world...which then led to editing bits out and shrinking...etc...and this was the result :o)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have no idea who would want them (apart from me) but I thought I would make them any way...just because...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So tell me honestly...I won't be angry...if you had a miniature Gentleman (or lady!)...do you think it would be indecent to let them have their own Gentleman's Relish...or am I truly that weird?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And...do you think me collecting these images in the first place makes me weird? (Remember I am an 'Artist')</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Also...is it a 'porn stash'? (please don't give my Troll any ammunition) ;o)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cee...signing off from another bright and sunny day...it won't last...:o) </span><br />
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<br />Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6078844649053963177.post-59111095125821218552012-03-21T13:03:00.000+00:002012-03-21T13:03:57.806+00:00Spring is in the air...<span style="font-size: large;">Spring time...although looking outside up here in dreary Snowdonia, you would think it was Autumn!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ah well...that's Mother nature for you!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I've been playing around with something for the <a href="http://ehagemporium.blogspot.co.uk/">EHAG</a> Screampunk challenge...but it's still a secret, (so don't tell anyone, okay?) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is a little sneak peek...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Can you tell what it is? :o)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It looks kind of cute from this angle but it isn't from the front!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I've not been doing much in the form of 'Arty' stuff for a while as we have to clear the HUGE brambles and bracken out of the fields, which is an horrendous task which creeps up on us, much like the brambles ;o)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was nice to have an excuse to not stick my wellingtons on and be able to sit at my table trying to remember where I'd put the one tool I really needed and which I couldn't find amongst all of my mess!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So...how are you all then...enjoying the Springy-ness everywhere?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">All of the little yellow daffodils are smiling outside, which makes your heart feel all bouncy and renewed...just what we need after a long winter.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I might actually pull my wellies on and tramp through the mud to take a big sniff of Spring...after I've had another cup of (nettle) tea though...it's still a bit chilly after all ;o)</span><br />
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</span>Oberon's Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295056628551958160noreply@blogger.com1