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

Hurtling towards our future at 1670 kilometres per hour

Myself and the neighbours sky watch and throw our wishes for light into every short encounter. From "there's a stretch in the evenings" to "as long as it's bright" we are guilty of  the most repetitive weather conversations that can be had.

From the top of the hill you can see the sea. In ten minutes on a dark January evening you can hike up there to catch the sun set over the the coastline. It's golden and hazy tonight and everything is in hibernation mode.

Meanwhile our sun is burning fiercely, sending out solar storms and creating aurorae now visible from our northern shores. After the winter solstice a few weeks ago the earth has already started to turn in the right direction, from up here on the hill tonight I sense the tilt.

So hurtling towards our future at 1670 kilometres per hour we are surely on an amazing adventure?

At this time of the year I hold onto that.

A change is as good as a rest

It's still raining in Ireland and so my mind has wandered back to May and the heart of an olive grove in the mountains of Mallorca.

Arriving during the night through a perilous cliff side track. Smelling before seeing. Ground cover of thyme, rosemary and lavender filling the still air as we walked our final few steps down to the small gate of the house where we would stay for two whole weeks!

The twisted olive trees and the rocky mediterranean coastline were revealed at dawn. The heat of the rising sun soon seeped into our bones and the freckles appeared on our noses. Every evening on the terrace over looking the sea, I took photos of the fading light.  Every day we climbed down the stony path to the rocks and swam out through deep warm water, dreaming.

The sun burning on skin, the dry raked earth and fallen lemons on the streets of the village, five swims and a fish supper to follow. A change is as good as a rest, no wonder we crave it, here in the land of 40 shades of green, and endless days of rain.

Everything is dripping wet for the first day of Advent

Last night as I was sleeping 
I dreamt -marvellous error-
that there was a fiery sun here in my heart
It was fiery because it gave warmth as if from a hearth, 
and it was sun because it gave light, 
and brought tears 
to my eyes.
      
-Antonio Machado

While the garden sleeps a soft winter is bringing buckets of rain. After one exciting frosty morning, now mild Atlantic weather systems have taken over and instead of winter wonderland we should 
have a wet and windy Christmas.

We need to keep a warm flame in our hearts at this time of the year, a memory of heat and light, 
to see us through until the spring. Time to get the 4 candles of Advent lighting and to retreat indoors.