Unimagined Treasures...

Mark Hearld is one of my favourite artists and I was so excited to visit his exhibition 'Unimagined Treasures' in the Lumber Room, York Art Gallery.

It was a feast for the eyes as Hearld had selected a wonderfully eclectic miscellany of treasures from the stores of the York Art Gallery, the Yorkshire Museum and York Castle Museum.

It was fascinating to see how these pieces had influenced his paintings, drawings and pottery.

I loved this dog so much!

Here's Sam, hard at work....

As I was wandering around, wide eyed and open mouthed, a group of junior school children came in with their teacher.

They stood there, listening intently to their teacher, as he was talking about the emotional quality that a collection can have and the powerful connection that inanimate objects can possess.

I was impressed!

I am obsessed with Hearld's hand writing.

And with this donkey!

It was a real privilege to be able to see his sketch books and scrap books.

I fell in love with this painting, that hat!

(Utmost apologies, but I forgot to note the artist's name due to severe giddiness.)

If you ever get the chance to visit, I highly recommend this exhibition with all my heart.

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Mother Tongue...

Sometimes journaling can catch you quite unawares.

You think you're just playing around,

but when you look at it later

it tells you what has been in the back of your mind.

I've been experimenting for a few weeks now with printing, and this was made from the scrips and scraps that were left over.

But that morning had been a little tricky and being 'mother' had been a little difficult.

I am very lucky as I don't have to face such a problem very often, but it's all part of the job isn't it.

I think this is telling me that even when you sometimes have to use harsh words, they are always said with love.

Journals are funny things.

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Gothic Goings-On!

Well, it's that time of year again....Mini Goth's favourite day...

Whitby Goth Weekend!

We started the day at the fabulous Rusty Shears cafe...

Just the place to have one's black lippy applied and to fuel up with their delicious granola breakfast.

Mini Goth's Steam Punk- esque outfit was made by my lovely Mum and myself from a charity shop found dress and a remnant of fabric.

Not bad for £5.50!

I love the decor in the Rusty Shears...

(Middle wasn't keen on the fox though!)

But she did enjoy the doggy-chinno!

Now it's time to hit those spooky streets of Whitby!

There were just so many amazing costumes...

And there were even Steam Punk mobility scooters!

I was one proud Mummy!

Lottie enjoyed being papped!

And I even found a plastic ice cream that I had never photographed before!

Eek!

There were lots of Goth- Dogs too!

And as the day drew to an end, all the Goths and revellers made their way home...

And the Dracu- Chihuahuas flew off into the night...

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My Name Is Diego...

There must be something spooky in the air!

This sneaky fellow wasn't even invited, but appear he did ( I have no control over such matters!)

I'm preparing an Abstraction workshop weekend for Hope and Elvis next year and I'm tinkering with new techniques.

When I was working on this I asked Hubby what he thought of the cat...

well, he looked at me as though I'd lost the plot ( perhaps I have!)

However, Mini Goth liked him.

So, as I often do in such quandaries, I sent a pic of him to my trusted mate, who suggested perhaps he needed a mask...

I think it is the finishing touch.

It was then he became Diego.

Be afraid.

Very afraid!

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