Garden
Oatmill Cottage – open garden
The National Gardens Scheme – Yorkshire Gardens 2014 On Friday evening I drove out over the moors to Oatmill Cottage in Lealholm – the roads are narrow, steep in places, and winding so it is an unhurried and steady journey. I was surprised by how much colour there was in the heather for this […]
Plants and Sunshine
On Sunday it was the Scampston Hall Spring Plant Fair and I set off with my pots and stone sculpture. The annual Plant Fair is held adjacent to Scampston Walled Garden and exhibitors are specialist nurserymen selling quality plants and also there are other garden related stands. I had the most wonderful day. For […]
Pots of Style
It seemed a bit of an extravagance ordering this magazine – but I’m glad I did! Garden’s Illustrated have produced this special edition – Pots of Style – perfect planting ideas for beautiful containers – and I’m in some sort of heaven leafing through it. The photography is stunning and there are tips aplenty […]
Home Grown Easter Feast
I’ve just been and cut chives and parsley from my garden to have sprinkled in my goose egg omelette for my evening meal this Easter Day. Such a rich, beautiful smell is coming from these herbs, its making my mouth water and I can’t wait to taste their pure, full flavour. This robust wholesomeness, […]
Spring Planter
I love carving images onto my little stone planters, and when they are finished I just want to keep them all, and plant them up – I cannot help bringing home little bunches of spring growth and flowers at the moment, and the pots look lovely filled with them. This pot has a hare […]
Glorious Garden Images
I’ve picked out a couple of photographs that appeal from the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition run by Kew Royal Botanical Gardens. There are so many beautiful images, it is hard to choose. International Garden Photographer of the Year is the world’s premier competition and exhibition specialising in garden, plant, flower and […]
Sketching in my Greenhouse
Ideas for sculpture are always in mind, shapes being formed and worked out. Often ideas come too fast, or are only part visualised and I have an urgent need to jot them down on paper. In working towards my exhibition ‘Naturally Inclined’ over the past few months, I’ve adopted the habit of shutting myself […]
A Perfect Oval Form
My eye follows the curve round to the large end fitting perfectly the hollow in my palm, arcing up again to the smaller top oval. The matt surface draws in the light and makes soft shadows. An egg shape, an egg, a perfect egg. Ah, if I could sculpt so perfectly. You can probably […]
Spring Vase
The sun shone through the windows today. The shafts of light brought the outside indoors with a feeling of a Spring. With spirits lifted, I arranged fresh flowers, simple purple tulips with their bright new green leaves. Through the long, grey, wet days we’ve been having lately, you’re probably like me, remembering the […]
Garden Birds – Long-tailed Tits
Whilst counting for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch last weekend, I tried to sketch my little visitors as I watched. A flock of Long-tailed Tits flew in to the feeder, and most of my drawings were of these charismatic little birds – I found it difficult as they all moved around so quickly! I […]