Twilight Zone

I've been feeling deep and dark recently.  It is though I am in a twilight zone.  This mood is being reflected in my current artwork.  I am not depressed but I am pensive.  

I keep thinking about all the people and creatures in the world  that will never know me or me them.  As William Butler Yeats was to have said 'There are no strangers here, just friends you haven't met yet.'  I feel sad when I think of all the potential friendships and connections I could have made and yet haven't been able to do so.  

Even when I am with people I feel isolated.  I feel a bit like the hollow eyed creature sitting up there on a tree branch in my collage above.  Always on the periphery.  Always on the outside looking in.

Thankfully I enjoy my own company but am occasionally curious to know what it would be like to be with people who truly 'get me'. 

Cliff Richard The Next Time

Autumn in the Garden

    And as if by magic the autumn appeared in the garden.

    New life growing on old lives.

 

    Greens and browns and rich earthy tones grounding and comforting.

Completed Paper Cut Illustration

The finished illustration.

Close up of the dog

Who you lookin' at?

Back where I started

 

I have enjoyed playing and creating with paper for years.  Back in 2008 I shared my first paper person tag here and in 2014 some gift tags here

There are many examples of my papercraft  and collages on the blog and you can find them under labels of papercraft, tags, craft etc., Back then I used printed papers and coloured card-stock.  Nowadays I paint my own papers and create with them instead.  I really feel that I have evolved creatively since those early days but miss something of the charm and innocence of those simple characters.

My watercolour painting has gone on the hold for the time being whilst I reconnect to my first love of playing, cutting and sticking paper.  

The picture above is my most recent work.  It is not complete yet as I need to add some finer detail. 

Solace in Books

I find solace in books.  I've been buying quite a few books recently.  I like the anticipation of guessing what information lies between the covers and hopefully gleaning any useful information.

The book on top of the pile is The Star-Born by Henry Williamson, written in 1933.  It is an original copy complete with untrimmed pages.  It is a sheer delight imagining all the history that particular copy has gone through.

The story is a celestial fantasy set in the real world at Lydford in Devon, on the edge of Dartmoor, and its gorge and castle keep (info from The Henry Williamson Society).

The illustrations are wood-engravings by Charles Tunnicliffe. 

Spoon Decorations Completed

Another task ticked off the list.

 Spoons have now had their ribbons attached and are listed on eBay.

The ones with Father Christmas on them sold well last year.  I hope this is a good year for the wolves!