Poets, painters and puddings. These three things make the world as it ought to be.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Helloo everyone, we are up in the mountains visiting Alison on a Christmas skiing trip. I wasn't going to ski at all. Oh no not for me, but I packed all the gear, hired the skis and booked a very expensive lesson. With great reluctance I went to meet Jules, by the time I got to the meeting spot, my head was dizzy, my legs a trembling and my arms a shaking. I got through two and a half gruelling hours of fear and a ski instructor who obviously could not be bothered to teach. His only words to me were 'Suivez Moi Tess' 'Follow me Tess' as he shot of at great speed down the mountains and I remained miles behind. I could have fallen into the abyss and he wouldn't have noticed.

I was so very cross, fuming, smoke was coming out of my nose. Sadly the bad mood continued for the rest of the day, until I started to paint and then all was well.

So the next day I went skiing with my pal, Pal and it was altogether a differant experience, I had a great time skied well for me, and the rest of the day was really spiffing. Today is Christmas day and we love you all.

Up on the Roof

Years ago I wrote a post about being a grotty grouter, now I wonder what I should call myself. A raunchy roofer, or a rickety roofer, or a racy roofer, a rampant roofer, I don't know what is really appropriate.

So I have been up on the roof, helping the men, quite exciting really. But I am quite glad I am going to London tomorrow to do a weeks illustration course, should be great.

tara

 

 

 

Landscape/Lakescape

Landscape 2

 

My new studio

A room to read and write in, to sort and contemplate in.

A room to paint in

tee he

It is nearly over

It is raining hard, the remaining vine leaves are falling to the muddy ground.

I painted the Lovers a few years ago, I just came across them in my files. I am in the process of building a new website with Alice Barker, so I am very excited about that.

Yesterday was my first official day in my new studio. I was anxious that guilt would destroy the fun of being there. Guilt that I am not at home being busy doing stuff around the house and outside. But NO yippee do. No guilt! I had a great day and it felt good.

Autumn Leaves

Not a very good photo I know, the light's not good and doesn't show the leaves up all that well, but I have managed to put something over the last few weeks.

A Mindful Weekend

I have just had a wonderful weekend of mindfulness guided by my friend Alison Prideaux. I have been trying to put her link in but with no success, but if you go to http://www.omindfulness.com, you will discover her sight. Yesterday we practised mindfulness of the breathing, choiceless awareness and mindful walking and mindfulness of sound and thought. Today we went for a walk in silent meditation, it was very beautiful. I find it very hard to quiet my mind and be in the now, accepting all that is as it is without judgement. To accept all that is as it is with love and compassion. To accept the tempestous and tortuous thoughts of indignation and self damnation, to come to a place of gentle love and gentle self acceptance.

I have come home feeling great peace and serenity which is truly amazing for me.

Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche wrote these beautiful words

Rest in natural great peace this exhausted mind

Beaten helpless by karma

and neurotic thought

Like the relentless fury of the pounding waves,

In the infinate ocean of samsara.

Rest in natural great peace.

I wonder who couldn't feel natural great peace looking at these views.

Vine leaves from Castillion de Bataille

I have just been in Castillion de Bataille, or Theolat to be precise staying with some lovely friends

these are some leaves from the local vineyards.

And I am home and painting some more from our local vineyards.

A day out in October

Twas and early start, a bit too early for me, but it turned out to be a lovely day. We went on our little boat Chips to the Porqurolles Islands just of the tip of Hyres. The sea was crystal clear and delicious to swim in. Who could ask for more on Ocotber 8th!

Kingsbridge

Actually this one is not a good photo nor a good crop and these delicious smelling sweetpeas were painted in my sister Sarah's garden near Devizes.

This one I painted in my sister Ellies beautiful garden.