Friendship

There was a smudge of navy blue painted onto a peachy sky. Nothing had changed but the eery manifestation of fading light, on a February evening. 

A unique set of moments. And WE were there. 

The camera captured the scene. But the sound of the moorhens cooing, and of our footsteps through the darkening meadow remain only as memories captured in our hearts, forever. 

Enveloped in the purest of pure gold

It's been three and a half years now since I finally made the decision to live again the artist's life that I had dreamt of as a teenager. Even though for 20 years I kept the Artist's Way beside the bed, it was only recently that like a bolt of lightening it hit me, it was now or never! The voice in my head that said you are not a true artist has gone away and I refuse ever let that be an issue again.

It's not about recognition or approval. I blog as a way to share and to somehow make evidence for myself that I am growing and creating a body of work. Starting to blog has been key in completing the creative circle; showing the work. 

And that is why each of you has been so much part of my recovery. Sounds like I had an addiction to something? I think it was survivor guilt in my case.....but that's another story......

Over the last months I've been messing about with a little book about the creative path and putting together a month by month notebook of photos and words which have kept me going over the last few years. I got the first copy of it in the post from Blurb and although it is tiny (7"x7") it is juicy and full of things I've learned along the way. I look forward to sharing it with you when I iron out a few further details. It's called "Seek light, embrace shade and live colour"

Added to that bit of excitement the Foxglove Lane Studio Blog is again a finalist in the Irish Blog Awards. Also in the finals is my friend Eadaoin from  City of Blackbirds. She is a gifted photographer and gave me lots of great advice about blogging when I was starting out and didn't even know her! Her blog is a pure joy to follow. 

I continue to work hard. Managing a day job and an artist's path means there is never, ever a dull moment. And maybe that's all anyone could wish for?  The summer sun has seeped into my bones and as September envelops us all in the purest of pure gold.......that fading summer sun.....I thank each of you for your encouragement and support. 

And if you love golden light too check out the Golden gallery here

Still drawn to the evening sky

Having posted photographs on line for almost 3 years I've learned a thing or two about what people enjoy and at the top of that list would be sunrise and sunset snaps.  In our house, and I suspect all over the planet, a golden sunset is still a magical yet unfathomable sight. 

Because my windows catch the south western sky with a clear view across open country, I photograph them regularly.  Still drawn to the window every time.....

It can be the reflections in the lake, the dramatic cloud formations or the deepest colours that catch the lens. Critics say that these are the ultimate in chocolate boxy cliches but there's no denying they are always the peoples' choice........

My good friend Susan who blogs on Vibrant Ireland obviously faces east!! She's a curator of sunrise photos from Ireland on Twitter and Instagram. Just add the tag #irelandsunrise to participate or check out the weekly highlights here.

Photography develops keen observation skills and capturing the goings on in the sky puts our tiny planet into perspective.....we may never fully understand the goings on up there but we are still captivated by each stunning performance.......



There are even more here in the Winter Sunset album

The sky is on fire in the west

Just now the October sky is on fire in the west. 

There's grey and then there's grey......

There's grey and then there's grey in it. 

Thin milky grey that comes down as a low cloud, covering up beauty and bringing the whole country to it's knees for the lack of light. 

The thundering grey of darkening skies and seas. Soaked up by the eye, bringing softness and balm to the soul.

Today I floated in grey as if a slate plain page had accepted my watery ink.






Lots more grey photo images in the gallery here 

Listening to voices

I am on the move and missing those walks on the lane. From life on the road, the midlands of Ireland open like a golden tablecloth waiting to be laid for Spring. Crumpled, layered, deep.

The dark trees are silhouettes now, solid and strong. They open conversations with the sky and the land. Then they turn to me saying "Stand your ground and don't be afraid to be alone. Grow old with grace and dignity. Be as big or as small as you are."

The sky joins in, "Spread out" it says, "don't hide, there is enough space for each one."

And the land too speaks saying, "Be what you are, a tree is a tree, a flower is a flower........ a mouse is a mouse."

Then I confide, once the adults called me Mouse and I hid under the furniture reading books and listening to them talk.

"But look at you now Mouse" say the trees, the sky and the land, "driving around the country listening to voices, turning up late to important meetings from wandering the land, staring into space and thinking like a free soul........"

Raindrops

When the rain rolls in from the western Atlantic we can be enveloped for days. The greyness hangs over the whole island like a wet blanket. We struggle to communicate about anything but the weather.
Showers gather, deluges threaten, scattered downpours are aggravated by strong winds.

We laugh about towing the whole country a few degrees southward. We have the temperament of the Mediterranean countries but the weather of the Vikings. We like to think we are Cuba without the sun.

I try to remember the positives, the green it brings, the trees who thrive on it, the cosy pitter patter on the roof at night. But the worst effect has to be the absence of light. It can be scarce enough at the best of times but on these days I pine for it, scouring the sky for breaks of blue.

During a gap I head out for a short ramble. Everything is weighed down with watery raindrops. Full fat globules of liquid silver. One of the most precious commodities in the world. One of the scarcest human necessities in plentiful supply here, sparkling like garlands of jewels.

And I notice the smell of the land......soft, sweet and damp.

It's the same sun, the same sky, and it's even the same me and you.

Everything about London and city life is a world away from my usual slow lane existence. I parted company with my camera (other bloggers/photographers will maybe understand) to spend proper quality time with other humans, and anyway I didn't want to carry it around. Travelling light, I thought.

London is wonderful. Full of cafes, art, trees, bridges, a great big river in the middle of it and skyscapes of magical towers and turrets. Wasn't long before the phone camera was produced and put into full use!!

Before I left home I had taken some Autumn sky shots. On the Thames I remembered our western view over towards the Commeragh Mountains. Same western sky, same sun, same me. Wherever we go I thought, and sometimes we travel a long way, this world is our home.

I thought about all of you who share your comments and thoughts. Those insights about the looming winter, changing seasons, and fading light, and also about your strategies to stay positive and close to the earth. It has been like a show of community strength in challenging times!

And speaking of travelling a long way, I am thinking of all of you Irish people around the world today, same sky, same sun, same you. We all belong here, wherever we are.