Featured Guests On Altered Bits

Thanks to Alicia (again!) for having me and Simon as her featured artists on her site Altered Bits (Don't forget to check out her own wonderful artwork!)

Arrival Of My Lucky Goddess (and goodness, do I need it!)

She's here! A huge thank you to Robyn at Art Propelled for my beautiful goddess. She is even more gorgeous in real life! Not only that, but she also put in lots of other goodies that are traditionally made in South Africa.

I think my real luck though, comes from having met such lovely, kind online friends such as Robyn!

Just noticed that I have the same top on as in the previous photos. I don't always wear it you know!

The Barton Hall Artists- Continued

Today my featured artist is Sharon Read, who uses various mediums to create beautiful and thought-provoking art.

Sharon Read

"My artwork is an opportunity to explore my inner feelings and views of my life and situations within it. It is a form of expression towards issues that affect me in my day to day living such as emotional responses to circumstances and visual stimuli.

Texture is very important to me and I use materials that will withstand manipulation to create the exact texture I want. The surface treatment in addition is paramount and a key intention to give the textures a certain feel whether this is illustrated by dark and dramatic colours or soft, almost misty finishes."

(All images the property of the artist and not to be used without prior permission. Thank you)

Five Thoughts Of Feeling

Five White Squares

The Haunting

Vista

Willow

End Of An Era

My partner Simon has a studio in a beautiful old house called Barton Hall, home to many talented artists. Unfortunately, it has been sold and everyone is looking out for new premises. So, I thought I would do a post as a final epitaph to Barton and feature one of the artists every day.

Today I am going to start with my man!

SHADOWSHOW

"for in and out, above, about, below, 'tis nothing but a Magic Shadow-show"

(The Rubaiyat of Omar Kayyaim)

The nape of a neck,

The curve of a hip.

The tilt of a breast,

Sweat on the lip.

Tom Waits sings

of love and doom,

And the dust motes dance

in the attic room.

"Naturalist and preserver of animals, birds, reptiles, fish"

Come Back To Haunt Me, Come What May

Property Of A Lady

Confession

A Sin You Swallow For The Rest Of Your Life

Just a tantalising glimpse of Simon's work; to view the rest visit his website on the Shadowshow link above.

(All images the property of Shadowshow. Please do not download or use images without permission. Thank you)

Two Hours With A Few Jump Rings And A Leather Thong!

Sounds like fun huh? Well.....NO!

I made my first foray into jewellery making yesterday and it will possibly be my last.

One of the visitors to Barton Hall, Open Studios on Saturday liked my polymer clay magnets and asked if I could make one into a pendant. "Oh yes, of course", I glibly answered. How hard could it be?

Now, I don't own any jewellery supplies apart from old junk stuff, so I thought I would recycle what I had. After gathering my things and roping in my daughter to help, we set to work.

Happy Jo with her paintbrush!

Two hours later, after shouting words I never thought I would say in front of my children, and a few torn nails I had nothing very impressive to show, let alone sell! Kitty did better than me though.

Don't mess with a woman who has a leather thong in her hand!

Although I have infinite patience when knitting, embroidering, painting etc, I have none when it comes to chasing beads and fiddling about with bits of wire that won't do what I want it to!

"I'm sure I can find another use for these. Simon does need his eyebrows doing!"

I hereby salute all my jewellery-making friends and you can rest assured that there will be no competition from The Crow Road. I'll stick to buying from you instead.

And as for the potential customer....... well she can buy a fridge magnet like everyone else and hang that round her neck!

New For Sale On Etsy- The Crow Whisperer

Altered Bits Zine- "Black and White" Issue

Head over to Altered Bits, the website of the lovely Alicia. Her third online zine has just been published and the theme this time is "Black and White".

It is filled cover to cover with fabulous art from very talented artists, including Alicia herself.

As if all this wasn't enough (and don't forget she's a working mother!), Alicia also organises an online group where artists can get together to show their work, collaborate and take part in art swaps and challenges. It's great fun and you can find it here. Anyone is welcome to join!

Below is my contribution to the "Black and White" issue.

The Almshouse

Summer's End

Just finished a new piece, as yet untitled. Have used a little bit of wax again. Getting the knack a bit more now.

The words are the ones that are on my brother's headstone. (Still in morbid mood as you can tell!) Although here, they are about summer's transition into autumn.

(that's what I like; an adaptable epitaph!)

Is It Just Me, Or Is It Hot In Here?

My post today is a somewhat personal one. I seem to have started the menopause at a very early age; it began about 2 years ago when I was 42. I read all about the peri-menopause, which can last about 5-7 years, and managed to cope with the occasional hot flush.

However, things seemed to have stepped up a gear and the flushes are becoming frequent and almost unbearable!

I was wondering if any bloggers out there in a similar situation, knew of any natural remedies that worked for them. I really don't want to resort to HRT.

I used to be called "hot" when I was younger, but this is ridiculous! : )

Image above taken from an informative site called A Midwife's Muse

Gothic Arch ATC's

These are my offerings for the October swap on Illustrated ATC's and were really good fun to do.

Have a look at their site, there are some incredibly talented artists on there.

What Were Our Mother's Thinking Of?

This, my friends is a photo taken in 1976 on the residential school trip to Colwyn Bay, Wales. This was shortly before we were all to go on to senior school.

Can you spot any of the people in the "33 years on" photo?

Thanks to Lynn (front, 3rd from left!) for photo.

33 Years On!

I love this photo! This was taken the other week at one of the monthly get togethers I have with my primary school friends. This one is special as we had the added treat of our teacher Miss. Cooke! She is now 81 and is still as funny and intimidating as she was when we were 10! A lovely night out.

(I'm the one in the yellow and green t-shirt, which actually says, "Reading is Sexy" on it, in honour of her. Although she told me off for not dressing up!)

Bee Inspired

There is a fabulous shop in my town called Bee Inspired that carries every type of craft supplies. It is owned by a couple Jemma and David, who are very knowledgeable about most crafts and also very friendly and helpful.

Just next door they have another small shop that is used for workshops and craft exhibitions.

The only trouble is, is that it's like a black hole! Once in there, it's hard to get out, as there is so much to drool over! I could spend hours in there and frequently do!

Meme Award

My lovely friend Alicia (Altered Bits) has just tagged me and 6 others for a Meme Award!

However, the deal is that we now have to reveal 7 things about ourselves and then tag 7 more favourite bloggers. I don't usually like the "reveal and tag" things going round, so will just award some of my favourites with no obligation to do so themselves.

Ok, here goes, although I can't promise that it'll be interesting.

1. I was once arrested and thrown in a cell for the night for running over a car!

2. Last year I had a very small part in a low budget movie.

3. 18mths ago I didn't know how to send an e-mail and now can't believe I have so many lovely, online friends and a BLOG for goodness sake!

4. I am very outgoing and will talk to anyone. This means that the crazy person on the bus always sits next to me, to the horror of my daughter. However, I worry terribly about what people think about me.

5. I long to make a name for myself as a serious artist, but feel I sometimes lack the drive to actually achieve this. Laziness comes easily to me! (Although I'm getting better)

6. I often complain that I don't have the lifestyle I dream about ie: big, rambling country house, kids running wild in the fields, a studio in the garden etc.... instead of making the most of what I do have. Namely, a loving, caring partner, 2 beautiful children, a nice home and freedom to create.

7. I once kissed a now famous, british actor, with whom I was at college.

The 7 people I pass this award on to are all talented, interesting women I find inspirational:

1. Rainey at The Josie Baggley Co.

2. Canace at Art by Canace.

3. Deborah at Deborah Dare Art.

4. Penny at Sparrow Salvage.

5. Kathryn at KV Creative Designs

6. Lorraine at Glimmering Prize.

7. K C Willis at The Lipstick Ranch.

Tom Waits - What's He Building?

How utterly cool is this?

Dorset 2009

Just back from the family holiday; a little stressful but we had some lovely days out.

These photos were taken at a beautiful place called Church Ope Cove. It is still seems to be off the tourist radar and totally unspoilt and peaceful. (Until we got there anyway!)

Wanted to take this home!

Me, looking a little windswept!

Nico

A rare moment of sibling togetherness!

I am Kitty, hear me roar!