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Thank heavens for laptops because after yesterday my feet and legs are so tired that I don’t think I can leave my bed today!
We thought we’d escape the stresses of house hunting yesterday and go far away from our daily grind for a day trip.
Cambridge is a beautiful little city, where every square inch seems to have a church or decorative building of some kind. We were on a strict deadline to see two particular things so we didn’t deviate to wander much. Plus it was raining – well this is Britain!
One reason for going, was to catch this exhibition at the ridiculously beautiful Fitzwilliam Museum. Boy, do they have a lot of works of art in that place. It felt criminal to stomp past illuminated manuscripts, altar pieces, Old Masters etc but we were focused! And this was the reason why…
Self Portrait – Spencer * Portrait of Dorothy Barnard – Sargent * Mornington Crescent Nude – Sickert
I love Stanley Spencer’s work although it’s sometimes a little bonkers and unsettling. I love the way he played with biblical themes, bringing them up to date and setting them in modern scenes with contemporary clothing and modern everyday references. There were a couple of his landscapes in the exhibition, which I know he hated painting, but I love these the most. It’s amazing what detail he gave to every leaf of every plant. The whole canvas looks like the surface of a tapestry, where each brush stroke makes up each leaf. He had staying power! I’d get bored with that much constant detail, not to mention working in every shade of green known to man!!
- Stanley Spencer ” Cottages at Burghclere” 1930
After this delight we rushed off to Kettle’s Yard to drool over Winifred Nicholson and much more! But that’s for another day, I really do have to get up now! Have a great Sunday.
Everyone seems to love my new teapot and jug!! This was my valentine’s day present. Result! I know. I did drop a few hints and then I eventually said to my son to actually tell my other half with no subtly that I would like it!! Devious I know…
You remember my excitement at finding the green china? Well I had actually gone to buy this pot and jug originally but when faced with the decision of more china for less money I bought into the greedy option. However these beauties stayed in my mind and luckily the shop window. So from never being the lucky bargain hunter of vintage china, I am now the proud owner of two new sets.
What am I doing about painting them though I hear you ask? Well I woke up feeling under the weather today and then our new house purchase looks so wobbly that it will probably collapse very soon. So I made some cakes, watched Relocation, Relocation (it’s good to see what trouble others get into!) and very little else!! Gotta go with the flow though sometimes eh?.
I’ve had a new idea buzzing around in my head which incorporates a little inspiration from all of these.
1. Oriental Treasures, Jean Martin.
2. Rye Bowl and Pansies, Debbie George
3. Mary Fedden.
Inspiration struck today and I decided to have a go at something new. However after 55 mins of drawing it out, I realised my mistake – too detailed. So I’ve rubbed it out, been for a long walk and come back to a blank sheet again! It will have to wait a few days now – why is it that a school holiday is never long enough ?!! Have a good week everyone 
Recipe for half term happiness; marinade a mother and daughter for two nights in a funky hotel, add a dash of good old British seaside fun, a pinch of the two pence waterfall machine in the amusement arcade, stir in a stroll down the pier with a view of the sea, mix in a little shopping, a cinema trip, lots of eating, a dash of amazing graffiti, two tablespoons of walking everywhere and finally sprinkle some culture on top with a trip to the Royal Pavillion. Bake for three days and enjoy!
I’ve got a friend who can go into a charity shop and find amazing purchases – things to up cycle, vintage treasures, bargain pieces of fabric. I just don’t have the knack for that somehow although I do keep trying! That was until last Saturday when my unlucky streak was broken. I was the fortunate person who saw this tea set in the window in time to be the same person who purchased it. Hurrah!
© Claire Leggett "Green teacup."
P.S. I’m off for some half-term holiday fun….see you in a few days.
“Primula” February 2010 © Claire Leggett
This was a sweet painting to do – sweet to look at, sweet to make. I think Mary Fedden’s witticism rubbed off on me when I included that little dog ornament. I love his little smirking face.
"Primula" February 2010 © Claire Leggett
Not my usual colour palette either but the Primula dictated that and it did help to rehearse playing with those colour ranges before hand in my colour book. I love it when a plan comes together!!
"Primula" February 2010 © Claire Leggett
“A picture speaks a thousand words.” So here’s five thousand words about my last two days…
This project has come about by following a trail of ‘breadcrumbs’.
Breadcrumbs from this favourite book, talking with a friend whose back at college and studying Textiles, a desire to let loose a little without an end result in sight, reading this book which has reminded me of child like play and reading the blog a creative mint, to name but a few.
Back in the day when I was an art student, we were encouraged to keep a sketch book of clippings from magazines, or photo’s, or anything really that appealed because of its colour or design. I used to love doing them. And I realised that I still do. In fact I’ve been gleaning, stealing, ripping and behaving like a magpie ever since, just without collating it all into book format.
Having been inspired by a plant I bought last week (more on that at a later date as I’ve begun a painting of it) I began some colour pages based around the purples and greens. I was amazed what I’d already had cut out for years, piled up waiting for some direction. This book will be a great reference of what colours go well together and it will be really easy to flick back through when I need inspiration – much easier that the current cardboard box!
