happy Monday

I usually find Mondays rather difficult - but today has been a rather good one - fingers crossed the rest of the week will follow in a simular vain ;)

there's a bit of spring in the air

I've just been for a quick walk up the hill to the post office, to pick up a parcel, and there was a real feeling of spring in the air.

I discovered some snowdrops in the garden and then some daffodils in bud alongside the path where I went for a walk. The birds were singing and although there's still a chill in the air there is also the feeling of things coming in to bud ... new beginnings ;)

thank goodness it's Friday

I'm so glad the working week is over - it's been a long and intense one - and I think next week will be the same. I hope to be able to post a link soon so all can see what's been using up all my time and energy in my 'day job'!

It's nice to have a weekend and 2 days with no real restrictions (other than housework that is ;) ) ... hopefully I'll get some time with my sketchbook ... and some images to share ...

doggy doodles

Here are some 'doodles' I've been doing recently. There's just something about the shape of a greyhound that appeals to me ...




Yes, those are coffee cup marks, I was using some paper that was on my desk that I had been using to stand my coffee mug on - it gave me an interesting background to start working on ;)

dead / sleeping blogs

It strikes me that a lot of people start up blogs with all the good intentions in the world, but then life takes over and the blog fizzles out ... mmmm ... sound familiar? Well that's what happened to my blog last year. It's difficult to find what to say in a blog and what direction to take it in. I have decided though that blogging can have some value for me, so I plan to give it another go ...

Good start so far, 2 post in 2 days!

Expression in Calligraphy

Yesterday I went along to the monthly Saturday meeting of Plymouth Calligraphers (a group of local calligraphers), the theme of the meeting was 'Expressive Calligraphy', it took the form of a discussion and a show of historical slides in preparation for a weekend workshop coming up later in the year, all presented by a very talented calligrapher - Celia Lister.

Calligraphy is seen by many as a craft with the strict rules of letterforms within a particular hand being the overall 'idea' behind it all. But when you have mastered the basic letterforms of the various hands (italic, uncial,round hand, foundational, ... etc.) and the rules that usually apply to them, you can take things further and add you own 'mark' and create your own calligraphic language - crossing the border between craft and art.

I think this is the same with many 'artistic' persuits, you need to learn the basic craft first (ie. how to draw, paint, sculpt ... etc.) before adding your own expression and personality ... taking things on to that other level.

Once I've attended the workshop later in the year I will post some images of my results and add a little more of my thoughts on the subject.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I'll start with an apology to all for such sporadic blogging in 2007 and then move on to the hope and plans for better and more regular blogging in 2008 (at least that's the plan!).

I'd like to wish anyone who should stumble across this blog a successful and creative 2008!