Today we drank the wine from last autumn’s grape harvest and it was very drinkable indeed. We achieved this interesting feat by joining our local Urban Wine co-operative and pooling our tiny grape harvest with that of members of our neighbourhood. Read all about our grape harvest and the co-operative here and about the Urban […] Read more...
Listen while you work
What do you listen to while you work? Music? Silence? Talk Radio? Yesterday, I ventured into my studio to carry on the beautiful mosaic work (despite still feeling poorly – all healing vibes gratefully received) and I treated my ears and heart to the sounds from Jason Carter‘s In and Out of Time Album. Jason […] Read more...
Small moments of ordinary magic
This is it. I inhale deeply, the air runs into my lungs, expands my soul. Its here. People, please forgive my melodrama. Spring has arrived! Wooo hoooo! It is one the most precious moments of the year. The ritual that marks this moment is unashamedly normal, ordinary, every day. I have hung out my washing […] Read more...
For the Artist at the Start of Day
This piece of writing is from “Benedictus: a book of blessings”, by John O’Donohue (see Amazon widget on the right). John is a most beautiful Irish poet and philisopher who died a couple of years ago at the young age of 49. I often listen to recordings of John’s talks while I am making […] Read more...
The rough and the smooth
It’s bug city round here. Our home must have been put on the bug hotel map cos them little viruses just keep on coming. I have tried not to whinge on here about the amount of bugs we are getting but seeing as, right now, I am in bed instead of in my studio, I […] Read more...
A little visitor
Just popping in quickly to show you a new visitor to the neighbourhood. This little cat (who looks too well fed to be stray me thinks!) has decided she likes noisy, boisterous children. Whenever they are around, she appears and doesn’t seem to mind being chased by Toby. The children are just squealing with glee […] Read more...
South London mosaic workshops and top tips
I know I go one about this a lot, but beautifying our surroundings (homes, public places, workplaces) is a big motivation for me in my art. Well, the world just got more beautiful. My lovely mosaic workshop students are doing a fantastic job of becoming mosaic addicts and creating beauty. They are at various levels […] Read more...
Running with a purpose
Have I mentioned that I have been running 2 or 3 times a week since January? I have been running in the snow, in the driving rain, the drizzle and occasionally, in the sunshine. Last week I saw the first crocuses and did a little yipee inside. I am still captivated by the look of […] Read more...
Hanging wedi board and other happy things!
I have finished my latest piece. When I look at this piece it makes me feel…happy. The simple shapes, muted colour palette, mixed materials (I love using slate) and the little glittery bits of broken jewellery all just work so nicely together. And my obsession with swirls continue (I just can’t get away from them). […] Read more...
Orange Peel Mosaics
My lovely friend, Freddie, suggested putting citrus fruit peel on top of a radiator to release the zingy smell and the end product, dried peel, gave me the idea for this children’s mosaic method. Smells great while you are making them too! You will need : Dried citrus peel. We used oranges, clementines, satsumas and […] Read more...