212

For Alison

Who requested an image that said,

'Welcome, you are wanted here, just as you are'.

It was a morning sometime last year. I took the photograph to remind me of a moment. I opened the curtains in the kitchen and stood awhile watching rain fall. I knew, that out there, the perfume of wet eucalyptus trees and damp earth would be intoxicating. The daylight had a watery luminescent quality that seemed to flow into the room.

Inside, I could hear the hound lapping water and his dog tags tinkling against the edge of the bowl. The fridge was humming, the kettle coming to the boil. An ordinary start to a day.

I sat in the rocking chair (the back of which, shows in the left of the picture),  a cup of tea in my hands and wanted to share the experience with someone.  Alchemist was away and so Dog was my only companion.

You would have been welcome too, just as you are...

211

For Bee

Who requested an image of a favourite book.

'There is a story that's told about Stravinsky...It isn't much of a story, simply that when Stravinsky was in mid-composition, he insisted that his family ate lunch in silence. The slightest sound, a murmer, even a whisper, could ruin his concentration and destroy an entire work'. Drusilla Modjeska

This book helped me understand how often women support male artists. Keeping children and visitors quiet. Putting their own creativity on the back burner, because at the end of the day, who has the energy to paint, pot, draw, write when you have to look after the children, ensure everyone is fed, washed and warm, the bills are paid?

I found out how to look at a painting.

 To see and understand. 
Light, shade, perspective, brushwork
 and social commentary.

Female artists.

 In particular, two Australians.

Stella Bowen
(1893–1947)

and

Grace Cossington Smith
(1892  1984).

Stella left Australia,

went to France and England.
Painted views of the french coast,

 friends, her daughter and finally RAF fighter pilots.
She fell in love with Ford Maddox Ford
(he later left her for Jean Rhys).

Grace stayed at home in Australia,

never married.

Painted pictures of family and friends,

local views, luminous interiors of her home.

Eucalyptus trees, a tea tray,
her sister knitting socks for soldiers.
The Sydney harbour bridge
as it was being built.

I 'll finish with Stella Bowen's words...

"Any artist knows that after a good bout of work one is both too tired and too excited to be of any use to anyone. To be obliged to tackle other people's problems, or merely cook their meals, the moment one lays down pen or brush, is intolerably hard. What one wants, on the contrary, is for other people to occupy themselves with one's own moods and requirements; to lie on a sofa and listen to music, and have things brought to one on a tray! That is why a man writer or painter always manages to get some woman to look after him and make his life easy,............ A professional woman, however, seldom gets this cushioning unless she can pay money for it."
Stella Bowen. (from her Memoir 'Drawn from Life').

Go here and here to view some of their works.

209

For Call me any Name

Who requested an image of 'vibrant vitality'.

During the Spring here in Australia, I took a photo of this grass, because I knew that come the Summer, I would crave all things fresh, green and vibrant.

Right now all is brown and drear. Days of 38-40 degree heat do not sit well with this wilting woman, who grew up  in the UK, relishing days of rain, frost and mist.

208

For Robyn

Who requested an image of my favourite chair.

Some one else likes it too. If I don't barricade it with cushions, Dog settles in for the night. The chair belonged to my Grandmother and came with me to Australia. It is a wing back chair, so is perfect for sitting to read or fall asleep in. It stands beside a small bookcase, that holds some classics, a pile of my present reading matter and a collection of semi-precious stones, fossils, carved objects and a piece floor tile from a roman caldarium.

(click on highlghted text to take you to Robyn's blog)

207

For Rouchswalwe

Who requested an image of the Alchemist and I, toasting with an ale.

Best I could do was this. Sorry, it was champagne not ale.

Can you tell it was my second glass?



This picture is of my two favourite men and they are drinking ale. It's called 'Spitfire'. I like it too, but I was behind the camera.

(click on highlighted text for info)

205

For Suse

Who requested an image of my lunch.

A bowl of Edamame, lightly steamed with a pinch of salt. I do not eat meat and these are a good source of protein. Dog was not impressed. I do not share my Edamame with anyone. (click on highlighted text for info).

204

For Isabelle

Who requested an image of contrasts.

The Summer ocean in December. It was the contrasting bands of blue that caught my eye. Also Isabelle, I thought it highlighted the contrast in seasons, between the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

(click on highlighted text to take you to Isabelle's blog)

203

More updates listed below.

For BB

Who requested an image of a Vincent Black Lightning bike.

( Apologies for lack of image credit. I can't remember. Please be assured I will remove image if nec.)


Click Here, here, here and here.

I did find an awful lot of info. So you had better read it!

Edit:- for BB and RR. Re your comments see here

I grew up with spare bike parts lying in the hall. I travelled in a motorbike sidecar from a very early age and rode pillion from the age of eight (I think). The only person I trust to take me out on a bike is my Dad. Fear not BB, it is in my blood!

How I adore the internet. The twisting pathways that lead one to new discoveries:-  Rouchswalwe left me this link in comments box.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lCH5JgWCZY&feature=related
Richard Thompson singing about a Vincent Black Lightning.

202

For Zhoen

Who suggested several ideas for my challenge. I chose toothbrushes. This is mine. He has an electric one, I can't abide them. Can you see from the image that I live with a chemist? (click on highlighted text to take you to Zhoen's blog)

201



For Grrl

Who wanted an image of 'Dog Love'

I think Dog was showing some love here as he does not always comply with Alchemist's requests. However, as you will see, he did lose interest, so I include an image from his youth.

Eight weeks old

(click on highlighted text for a link to Grrl's blog)

200

The 200th post

A challenge for Herhimnbryn.

Hallo.
Would you like an image,

dedicated to you?

Decide on a subject and

 leave a request in the comments box.
I will post the images here.

(keep it clean, people!)