Sunday 1 August 2010

The turning of the year

So it is August. How did that happen? July, been and gone. At least keeping a visual diary like this helps you look back and see what did happen.
Unfortunately I should have kept my mouth shut on my last post about Mr T as the next day he developed an infection and will probably have to return to hospital for some more work. He is on mega antibiotics and a district nurse is calling weekly to change dressings. What a wonderful service they provide - last year they were calling for seven months!! Goodness knows what that would cost if we had to pay. (PLEASE don't let it go on so long this time!!) Meanwhile we are keeping cheerful and busy.


I had an inspiration for my August page when I saw this picture in The Guardian from the Garima Gospel. You can read more about it here.

As I say on my journal page the colours remind me of Italian majolica ware which I love for its association with some great holidays so that was my inspiration for August.

What will August hold?

The summer seems to have peaked early this year. I do hope the brighter weather returns for all those who are forced to take their holidays within the school break. But I have been spending time in the garden this week. Not only tidying up, but doing some drawing. This year I have lots of Rose Campion - Lychnis coronaria. I love the way it brightens up the dullest corners.  I had lost all of mine, but seeds from a friend have brought them back to the borders. Only a process red acrylic ink would be bright enough for this flower.

The pinkest pink in the garden!

There are lost of great seed heads appearing and some leaves are turning red early so here is another composition from my A4 journal.

This is drawn with a waterproof pigment liner pen and coloured with Brusho powder watercolours. I have some jars of mixed up colours and I enjoy using the limited palette, mixing the colours only by layering them, some times dry and sometimes wet in wet. It certainly helps keep the piece loose and lively.

If you have been, thank you for 'listening'. I hope your weekend is turning out well and have a good August.

17 comments:

Jane said...

Fingers crossed that Mr T will be making progress soon - my husband is having a bad patch so I know how disheartening it can be. Love the new diary pages. I'm currently collecting pictures of doors and doorways and associated items for a project a friend has suggested we try in the autumn - hopefully it's going to get me started on some art work and get the camera sorted!

(The verification word to post this comment has just come up as 'fated'. Hope that's not a bad sign!)

Marigold Jam said...

What a fascinating article that is and how I love your journal pages. Your artistic talents never fail to amaze me!

So sorry that Mr T has suffered a setback and hope that more hospitalisation will not in fact be necessary. We really are lucky to have the NHS aren't we? People are too fond of knocking it for its failings but when it works it is very good.

Jane x

ju-north said...

How multi-talented you are! Lovely pages! Hope hubby gets better soon.

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

Beautiful pages and always interesting to see and hear where inspiration comes from. I am an autumn lover, so I've been noticing the seedheads and red leaves too ...

I do hope your hubby has a good recovery, fingers crossed x

LAC EMP 2020 said...

Jill,
What disappointing news for Mr T and yourself. I had the district nurse visit me daily for a wound infection after the removal of my gall bladder a couple of years ago. They are fantastic. I hope their visits will be short lived to you this time. Great drawings of the seedheads. I've been thinking about the same thing all day ironically. Hard to believe that it's August already isn't it? Soon be Ch*****as! Lesley x

menopausalmusing said...

My, but you captured the campion........... you REALLY captured it! Here's wishing your hubby a full and speedy recovery. Lovely to know how you choose your colours for your journal pages. I love clicking on them and having a peek.....

Sandra Hall said...

Oh Jill, I'm sorry to read of Mr T's setback. I hope its shortlived and that he's soon back on the mend - it's such an emotional treadmill when your loved one is unwell isn't it.
I love your art calendar pages and those nature pages in your A4 journal are stunning!
Keep well yourself won't you? x x

Unknown said...

What wonderful pages you have made Jill - full of life and colour! Thank you very much for sharing them as they have certainly brightened my day. I hope that Mr. T recovers soon. Take care. x

Karen said...

your journal is lovely, sadly i feel I am lacking in those kind of skills and I harbour a secret wish to be an accomplished illustrator. Thanks for the beautiful words about my work too and I hope your ''invalid'' gets better very soon.

thekathrynwheel said...

Ooooh July looks fabulous filled in (even if it was a difficult month for you) I LOVE your drawings.
What can I say about August? FAB!! You know how much I love colour!
Hope Mr T is ok ... oxoxoxo

harmony and rosie said...

You are clever Jill, your July pages are so beautiful. I double clicked to get a really good long look. Poor you and Mr T, I'm so sorry he's had a set-back and I do hope that the anti-bios do their job. Just as we all thought he was home and dry ..

Keep well, Kate x

webb said...

Sorry to hear about Mr. T. Thinking good thoughts. Love the August colors - so Tuscan!

Emma said...

Hope Mr T picks up soon.

If I could paint I would paint like you - that Lychnis is exACTly like the ones in my garden!

Judy Wise said...

So beautiful & inspiring.

Sending prayers for Mr. T.

Rita said...

Hope your hubby gets well fast! Sorry to hear about the setback.

Love your calendar journal. What a great idea. You're so artistic and I love the colors! :)

Amelia said...

Hi Jill,

thanks for visiting. It was lovely to read your beautiful moments. Stopping for a while is just underestimated!

I'm glad to hear you are keeping up your spirits creatively whilst managing all that is going on - hope it gets better v soon.

Happy August, and I too wish for brighter weather to return.

Amelia.x

Heloise said...

I am drawn to the pink flowers. I've not grown them, have always liked the soft foliage with the strident pink of the flower.

Lovely warm colours for August.