tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90670231078290450752024-03-18T19:57:59.974+00:005preciousthingsI am Ruthie, a pictorial storyteller painting tales of country ways, olden days, folklore, myth and magic, surrounded by beauty here in South West Scotland.Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04072382312014762379noreply@blogger.comBlogger221125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-6276238976222788202021-04-12T11:53:00.006+01:002021-04-12T11:53:45.123+01:00A Spring painting and re-connecting with creativity<p> Spring is finally springing here in this beautiful corner of Galloway, Scotland and what a welcome relief it is. There are treasures peeping up in the garden and the hedgerows, sure signs that mother earth is waking up again, promises of new life and things to come.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkWa0B5_wyHWMJVA4igaPIsAuW0CSjJvSSg7KcxW2mB-9HDS7yrsFSg_2D7Zoro5M5tuDW2Enulo18-jKBv-6aQhJ4nq4qC_QcTGTRG3GjW2cK64XIfRkxv9laQa8b-vDynoGv5RK2cQ/s1080/spring+flowers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkWa0B5_wyHWMJVA4igaPIsAuW0CSjJvSSg7KcxW2mB-9HDS7yrsFSg_2D7Zoro5M5tuDW2Enulo18-jKBv-6aQhJ4nq4qC_QcTGTRG3GjW2cK64XIfRkxv9laQa8b-vDynoGv5RK2cQ/w640-h640/spring+flowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">In my previous post, way back in July last year, I mentioned changes I had made in my life and my move back to the garden studio, as I tried to re-connect with my creative self in the hope that my inspiration for painting would finally reappear. I had no idea back then if I would ever feel like picking up my brushes again, it was a rather scary place to be. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">I can look back now over the last 3-4 years and remember some of the wonderful collaborations</span><span style="text-align: left;"> and projects I have been lucky enough to work on, but I also see I kept saying 'yes' to everything that came my way, and in the end the price for doing that was complete 'creative burn out', (I don't really like that saying, but can't think of anything else so fitting), and that awful feeling of being totally disconnected from all the things that inspired me in my work. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigz_gekBKxh_O2uKVzmDmuo5MiKb5w0H-e7SHuRGm0eJmgaNAMySn85SKBwSbWu2oGM7p6BUb0dXLyCK73OaS1JX01EKw4XCE0X6CK2NeLhZzlQZpxsgrEY8hwHGkNj_TAUa01tacz7-8/s1080/4+11.4.21+time+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigz_gekBKxh_O2uKVzmDmuo5MiKb5w0H-e7SHuRGm0eJmgaNAMySn85SKBwSbWu2oGM7p6BUb0dXLyCK73OaS1JX01EKw4XCE0X6CK2NeLhZzlQZpxsgrEY8hwHGkNj_TAUa01tacz7-8/w640-h640/4+11.4.21+time+out.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">So, Spring has a very special feel to it this year, for I feel I am waking up again too, coming back to myself and the things that inspire. </span><span style="text-align: left;">I have spent my days immersed in the things I love doing, taking long walks and visiting old haunts (as much as we are allowed just now), reading treasured books, re-discovering my love of knitting, watching favourite movies, family history research, working in the garden and rekindling my joy of taking photographs.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLHQdtJxMWHH3VrTSAsLY-NzVrEhpG0GSzUbEg-f1ufptnZIryfeDb5aKIJTd7MfPoZhr028yKXv7ilNOHQ7QIEx77ofxh4yBelRxPdts5BRj6_Vav8Q0XX-5LpVrc2OAWn9cewk_eSI/s1080/4+11.4.21+creating+again.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLHQdtJxMWHH3VrTSAsLY-NzVrEhpG0GSzUbEg-f1ufptnZIryfeDb5aKIJTd7MfPoZhr028yKXv7ilNOHQ7QIEx77ofxh4yBelRxPdts5BRj6_Vav8Q0XX-5LpVrc2OAWn9cewk_eSI/w640-h640/4+11.4.21+creating+again.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Then for Valentines Day my lovely hubby</span><span style="text-align: left;"> (who has been so wonderful encouraging and supporting me every step of the way), </span><span style="text-align: left;">brought me this scrumptious set of </span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01D081YK8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Coliro Finetec Mica</span></a><span style="text-align: left;"> pearl and shimmer watercolour paints, and suddenly I couldn't wait to get into the studio to try them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">So at long last I am seeing inspiration all around again and can feel the magic rising. My fingers are tingling to pick up my pencils and brushes, and my sketchbook which has sat dormant for many months, is beginning to find little creatures, Spring blossoms and gnarly trees scribbled on its pages again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBBZnY24FIf9oBqsQfbwILxSw1ce5NYnCBCMkTnLSSV6CZBdnSxzBq2PETjL_nqzWj2-AeuEVnL98PwXGwxJ2Ulkjr4zJ4yo5pyiDeZf6UWo2qwJ5JY_7Izc8G8a-XCMaSJmH7GPOltE/s1080/4+11.4.21+spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBBZnY24FIf9oBqsQfbwILxSw1ce5NYnCBCMkTnLSSV6CZBdnSxzBq2PETjL_nqzWj2-AeuEVnL98PwXGwxJ2Ulkjr4zJ4yo5pyiDeZf6UWo2qwJ5JY_7Izc8G8a-XCMaSJmH7GPOltE/w640-h640/4+11.4.21+spring.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">And this happened . . . </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"> . . . the beginnings of the Spring painting to accompany the Summer and Autumn set! I will share progress in my next post, and hope to have her finished by then.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to be creating again, </span><span style="text-align: left;">and feeling much more like my old self. </span><span style="text-align: left;">I really hope I have learnt my lesson and will take time to listen to my heart when it tells me to pace myself and consider what it is I truly want/need to be doing. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">I wonder what do you do to re-connect, recharge, or even keep from taking on too much? </span></div>Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04072382312014762379noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-66373501101362237902020-07-13T17:59:00.014+01:002021-02-04T16:43:19.727+00:00A new studio, a fresh start<div data-block="true" data-editor="7knfd" data-offset-key="2nfcj-0-0">Sometimes all we need is time to stand still and listen to our heart. I found myself doing this, at long last, while all the world has been upside down and back-to-front these past months and days.<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2nfcj-0-0" style="color: #1c1e21; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; position: relative; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2nfcj-0-0" style="color: #1c1e21; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; position: relative; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRIGLQstRwI/Xwx01WMiU3I/AAAAAAAAo98/tgyzgZQRql4M8o9pV_DsFeEsHl3uv0neACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8%2B17.08.14%2BhOLIDAY%2BPHOTOS%2B338.JPG" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="469" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRIGLQstRwI/Xwx01WMiU3I/AAAAAAAAo98/tgyzgZQRql4M8o9pV_DsFeEsHl3uv0neACLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h469/8%2B17.08.14%2BhOLIDAY%2BPHOTOS%2B338.JPG" width="625" /></a></div></div></div><br /><br />You might remember way back in 2016 I took on a bigger studio space a few miles away in our local town. Well, for a good while it served me very well and helped me move forward as an artist. But gradually over time I began to feel something wasn't right, yet I couldn't put my finger on it. I was struggling to produce new art work, got lots of headaches, just felt very detached somehow and would arrive back home at the end of my day feeling exhausted. <br /><div data-block="true" data-editor="7knfd" data-offset-key="deok3-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="deok3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1CTvz0nV-bc/XwxsHo5tP4I/AAAAAAAAo9s/dPjOzoGfWYslCM6ia-V7PjUw-D9V3OGjACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7%2B6.7.2020%2B%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1CTvz0nV-bc/XwxsHo5tP4I/AAAAAAAAo9s/dPjOzoGfWYslCM6ia-V7PjUw-D9V3OGjACLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h625/7%2B6.7.2020%2B%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><br /><br />Whilst we were all in Lock Down I couldn't get to the town studio so I spent more and more time in the little studio in the garden and it began to dawn on me what had been missing all the while. It was my connection to my inspiration, my need to be surrounded by nature, space, peace and quiet. So, I have returned to my roots as it were, given up the town studio and moved lock, stock and barrel into this tiny garden space. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-axL5cAX8pn4/Xwx2WGWZwlI/AAAAAAAAo-I/cPz_1gJhVJ0g_OMXnfycwRqB0DJvGjlsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7%2B6.7.2020%2BStudio%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-axL5cAX8pn4/Xwx2WGWZwlI/AAAAAAAAo-I/cPz_1gJhVJ0g_OMXnfycwRqB0DJvGjlsgCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h625/7%2B6.7.2020%2BStudio%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>It's had a bit of a re-vamp inside to fit everything in and now every corner is filled with arty things and crafty projects and all of my treasures. But I love it. Now I can pop in and out whenever the mood takes me, I can open the door to let the fresh air in, I can sit snug inside and listen to the rain drumming on the roof or feel the sun warm my toes as it creeps through the open door and I'm there to welcome all the wee visitors to the garden too!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHVxS47_3Os/XwyH2zjIT-I/AAAAAAAAo-w/-lLYMzO7kqckvGN1ah03R5ksvB1np1JGACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7%2Bbirds%2Bin%2Bgarden%2Bblog%2Bpost.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="443" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHVxS47_3Os/XwyH2zjIT-I/AAAAAAAAo-w/-lLYMzO7kqckvGN1ah03R5ksvB1np1JGACLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h443/7%2Bbirds%2Bin%2Bgarden%2Bblog%2Bpost.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><br />I'm starting to feel the stirrings of inspiration again and there will soon be new art work on my table. The headaches ( a result of my being hyper sensitive to the strip fluorescent lights in the old studio) have completely vanished, and I feel my energies gradually returning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_SQodPyMlY/Xwx7cBpH5oI/AAAAAAAAo-Y/4KYr9rc1ILoBqWceidYydcMElZBTYA-HwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2543/6%2B13.6%2B%25287%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="2543" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_SQodPyMlY/Xwx7cBpH5oI/AAAAAAAAo-Y/4KYr9rc1ILoBqWceidYydcMElZBTYA-HwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h312/6%2B13.6%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the end of the day, it feels like coming home to myself at last</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><span data-offset-key="deok3-0-0" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></div>Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-75409624875676943042019-03-14T16:17:00.001+00:002019-03-14T16:18:11.430+00:00How I started <div class="MsoNormal">
Day 2 -March Meet the Maker. How I started.<br />
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Many moons ago I had a dream, to become a self-employed artist, I made a wish,
set my feet on the path, made a plan. I gave up my old job, brought myself a
new sketchbook, and set off on my journey. That was eleven years ago and
through sheer determination, tears and lots of laughter I’m here today, feeling
very lucky doing what I love and following my dream.</div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/marchmeetthemaker2019/">#marchmeetthemaker2019</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/anartistslife/">#anartistslife</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/followyourdreams/">#followyourdreams</a></div>
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<br />Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-79927596972618614142019-03-13T12:57:00.000+00:002019-03-13T13:03:36.564+00:00March meet the maker - my favourite things to make - wee mice<div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: justify;">
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I've been away from my blog for so long I don't know where
to start! I've had a long wintery hibernation and much needed days of rest.
Before Christmas, a pesky virus really knocked me for six and instead of
resting I fought against it tooth and nail, so my body decided to take charge
and went into shut down and its really taken time to get going again. But I'm
beginning to feel a wakening in my soul.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Knowing I needed to change my days and find a
new rhythm or connect with one long forgotten, I've taken time away
from social media, tv, radio, just trying to go with the flow of quiet time and
listening to my heart instead of my head. Not so easy after years of oughts and
shoulds. But it has been wonderful!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I'm tentatively poking my nose outside the door and
breathing in the fresh air of new beginnings and exciting things!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Over of Instagram I have been taking part in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/marchmeetthemaker?source=feed_text&epa=HASHTAG&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARAHGyNmE3NvkLe6BEoQJEGIKnOlcrV6UVGxGhn_01WI87fMWbSmhrvLJsvLiy_Bx2U01F2jksOmJVryBTh5VT69mWqNKBX9g6EllWgF3wZTPSyS5R56tkw-hxHWYBgcm4NYPf_gZiPrWv3edx2qZBrDyJ0CsT2CXSENPwU5kmiej9SHmPLNY2pcZt_Pj3XZWsVYSK16G9BOjIvHjEtmLXuYLHCsnHZmypq-H0iTAMaceHpcobD85w1TBFpXrcxqRsL_8GEIAxhO5jf_SLgL2lIIW-I4njMM02v5cXBNsC7ewc03dQ9l2RiLvbBc4bEbzs4923UobkDz260JQyMrCvqRcw&__tn__=%2ANK-R">#MarchMeetthemaker</a> by
Joanne Hawker again this year. It's a lovely way to learn more about the
artists and makers of Instagram. I'm loving reading all about other artists and
makers so I thought I would share my posts here too!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 1 - Favourite to make and it was such a hard one to
decide, but I'm going with my wee animal sculptures for they are great fun to
create, and I love sewing their wee clothes too.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Back tomorrow with day 2!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-89293452547189862342018-10-25T14:27:00.002+01:002018-10-25T14:27:55.700+01:00Settling down to Autumn<div style="text-align: center;">
What a busy Summer that was, the days passed by so fast, and my travels have taken me here and there and everywhere. It has been one of my busiest years in business yet with workshops and exhibitions, Pop Up shops and projects on the go. Trying to keep my feet on the group and remembering to Breathe has been a definite challenge.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aUMVXJgh57o/W9Gdcr-WlDI/AAAAAAAAJbc/4YVxs7yqZpYokS0bbzKWqPsfnpXx-ruFgCLcBGAs/s1600/2018%2Bsummer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="1600" height="632" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aUMVXJgh57o/W9Gdcr-WlDI/AAAAAAAAJbc/4YVxs7yqZpYokS0bbzKWqPsfnpXx-ruFgCLcBGAs/s640/2018%2Bsummer.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: justify;"> When I first sat down to compose this post I thought I hadn't done much but as I started to write I see it's no surprise I ended the Summer feeling burnt out. So I'm trying to slow down again and find my own rhythm with of working. Changes need to be made!</span></div>
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A<span style="text-align: justify;">mid all the rushing about there have been some precious moments, pockets of quiet and calm that I have been much thankful for. At last w</span><span style="text-align: justify;">e finished the summer house (you can see the before picture above in the bottom right hand corner!) it has now become a wee oasis of quiet, somewhere I can retreat to when I need time out. It has a tiny log burner, though it needs some attention as it has been belching out smoke. We decided </span>no electricity, for candlelight and solar lights are all that we need.</div>
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I spent my birthday visiting dear friends in the South of France with various members of my family, including my lass and her partner, the honeymooning couple! Such a hidden treasure tucked away up in the hills in the quaint village Embres et Castelmaure. Delicious food, good company, beautiful scenery all did much to help me mend. Then I had a trip to visit my beautiful Granddaughters and my eldest lass and a weekend away with Mr O!</div>
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And so back home and into the studio, with pockets full of lovely memories, easing into this my favourite season of all. Autumn, it feels like a dear old friend, the trees all clothed in their final finery of the year. The colours always inspire and make me want to paint!</div>
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I had this snippet of a poem by Thomas Hood waiting in my sketchbook for a long while and at last I finally felt inspired to work on it.</div>
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I built up watercolour washes and finished it with gold and bronze acrylics to give a hint of shimming leaves in the evening light. Beautiful old Autumn. I hope to get prints of this in my Etsy shop very soon. But i'm not quite ready to part with the original yet.<br />
Happy Autumn all x</div>
Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-37227910614735351582018-07-26T10:56:00.006+01:002018-10-25T11:11:36.336+01:00Sunsets, silhouettes and a painting<div style="text-align: justify;">
I always feel a rush of excitement when someone loves my work enough to commission a painting. It's a joy to work with customers trying to interpret their ideas and come up with a design that they will like.</div>
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The painting above was for a wedding gift and needed to have thistles and shamrocks in it, combining the bride and groom's Scottish and Irish heritage. I can't share the whole image yet as the gift hasn't been given! The sun I finished in 23.5 carat gold leaf so that it glimmers when the light catches it.</div>
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I always have my camera to hand for I love taking photo's and many of my paintings are inspired by the photo's I take near my home here in beautiful Dumfries and Galloway. You might have guessed that I love the gloaming, sunsets and silhouettes, quiet times and magical moments.</div>
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I love to take a moment to sit quietly in the garden at this time of night to listen to the world softly settling down to sleep. it feels like I have stepped into another time, another place. Just the sort of place for me to conjure mystical images to work into my paintings.</div>
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This last photo was the view I caught on my way back from home one evening, driving along the coast road, it was so dramatic I just had to stop and try to capture the light!</div>
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This is one of the things I love about living here in South West Scotland, the light and the sunsets, and every day when I drive along this road I feel so blessed to live here</div>
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I wonder, what do you love about where you live?</div>
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Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-6698636888313281082018-07-11T17:04:00.001+01:002018-10-25T11:07:27.807+01:00Summer workshops at Kirkcudbright Galleries, Dumfries and Galloway<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
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There has been a hustle and a bustle in the studio lately as this Summer finds me putting on my 'ART EXPLORERS' hat! My brand new business partner Susi Briggs and I have been designing a whole heap of crafts for the family drop in workshops we are running at <a href="https://www.kirkcudbrightgalleries.org.uk/">Kirkcudbright Galleries</a>.</div>
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We were so pleased to be asked to work in this beautiful B listed building which has recently been completely transformed into a gallery of National significance here in the Artists town of Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. You can find us up on the mezzanine floor every Wednesday throughout the Summer.</div>
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We have developed a lovely range of topics to delve into and are thoroughly looking forward to meeting all the busy bees who come along to participate. Our 'Nip Nebs' workshop with crafts inspired by our new book (more about that in a later post) was a huge success. We did wax resist painting, web weaving and peg doll pixies.</div>
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and the paper stained glass inspired by <a href="https://www.crmsociety.com/">Charles Rennie Mackintosh</a> went down a treat today too. </div>
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18th July - Mad Hatter hats</div>
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25th July - Puppets, 1st August - Clay house tiles, 8th August - paper portraits, 15th August - Masks</div>
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22nd August - Lanterns</div>
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29th August - Create your own family tree</div>
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5th September - Art Journaling for kids</div>
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So do hop along and join us every Wednesday through the Summer for a fun filled workshop!</div>
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The workshops run from 10.30 am -12.30 pm.</div>
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There is a minimal charge of £2 per child.</div>
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No need to book just pop along.</div>
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All children must be accompanied by an adult.</div>
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Aimed at ages 7-12 years, though we can accommodate younger children too.</div>
Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-60921948816531028392018-05-03T10:25:00.001+01:002018-10-25T11:05:07.406+01:00Becoming a self employed artist - This time ten years agoSo much to tell! <div>
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I've been away from blogging for far too long and missed it so much! But finding the time to write my lovely long posts like I used to is proving difficult with life being so very busy just now, so I am changing the way I post, smaller snippets of news more often me thinks, we shall see how it goes.<br /><br />I just realised today that this time ten years ago, being a full time artist and working for myself was just a dream! It was such a scary thing to take that first step, but I'm so very glad I did and I've never looked back.
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I'm feeling so blessed to be doing a job I love. </div>
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Be brave my lovelies and take that small first step, you just never know where it might lead!</div>
Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-81054133073799336632018-02-15T12:54:00.002+00:002018-10-25T11:03:41.289+01:00A blessing tree and a special place<div style="text-align: center;">
At last I can share with you some very special news! </div>
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Late Summer I was approached by the design team for the spiritual care section in the new Dumfries and Galloway hospital, who were looking for work by local artists that would fit their vision.</div>
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I am very honored to say that my blessing tree 'May you have' was chosen to hang at the entrance of the palliative care unit.</div>
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You may remember that early last year our precious Dad passed away, he had been cared for in the wonderful Alexandria palliative care unit at the old hospital. The care and support he received there was outstanding, and we could never thank them enough.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aaCAG3qwfuk/WoWCeni7-tI/AAAAAAAAJVU/L-VGyo_AmY8FHdlC_Lgbsm0w_dky7UYMwCLcBGAs/s1600/Celtic%2BBlessing%2Btree%2B%257E%2B%2Bpromo%2Bimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1398" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aaCAG3qwfuk/WoWCeni7-tI/AAAAAAAAJVU/L-VGyo_AmY8FHdlC_Lgbsm0w_dky7UYMwCLcBGAs/s640/Celtic%2BBlessing%2Btree%2B%257E%2B%2Bpromo%2Bimage.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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For me the fact that my painting now sits in the new palliative care unit is so very poignant. I hope that whoever takes a moment to read the Blessing it carries may find a small measure of comfort.</div>
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A Celtic Blessing - May You Have </div>
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May you have walls for the wind</div>
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and a roof for the rain</div>
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and drinks beside the fire</div>
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laughter to cheer you</div>
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and those you love near you</div>
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and all that your heart may desire.</div>
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Dear Dad you are always near us x x x</div>
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</span>Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-60963848712943981662017-07-24T09:15:00.001+01:002017-07-24T09:22:09.373+01:00Telling the Bees, a foggie toddler<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am loving spending time in our garden just now and try to find some time each day for pottering and planting and pruning, there is always so much to keep me busy.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oo2R1dPJmYE/WXIaUmvctlI/AAAAAAAAJSs/7sE92-hbGvULvzVX9XQ684PCwveARGWTACLcBGAs/s1600/Pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="1600" height="632" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oo2R1dPJmYE/WXIaUmvctlI/AAAAAAAAJSs/7sE92-hbGvULvzVX9XQ684PCwveARGWTACLcBGAs/s640/Pink.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">After two years tending what began as a wild patch, the garden is finally coming in to it's own and each nook and cranny holds delicious splashes of colour and tucked away gems. I find g</span><span style="text-align: center;">ardening such a </span><span style="text-align: center;">peaceful and healing pastime, the growing of things, fingers buried in the soil, listening to the bird chirruping in the bushes. (</span><span style="text-align: center;">This year our blackbird is feeding three babies!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNNel4Uq5zo/WXSvQO_aLpI/AAAAAAAAJTs/0W1jdlEnluQRGy0RUqgm5X-8kqVpFYiAQCLcBGAs/s1600/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="1600" height="632" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNNel4Uq5zo/WXSvQO_aLpI/AAAAAAAAJTs/0W1jdlEnluQRGy0RUqgm5X-8kqVpFYiAQCLcBGAs/s640/flowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"> We have so </span>many more bees now too, humming among the blooms and I find myself talking to them as I work, calling them by the Scottish name - Foggie-toddle, a name used in Deeside - ‘Fog’ meaning moss or grass, and ‘toddling’ is meandering with a gentle sound. It suits them so well!<br />
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In Celtic folklore bees were thought to be the wisest of creatures, messengers between worlds. There is an old Scots saying 'Ask the wild bee for what the druid knew'. The old highlanders believed that the soul of a person left the body in the form of a bee once a person had died or whilst they were in a trance.<br />
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I had the perfect excuse to study my wee bees up close for a new commission that came my way earlier this year. A lovely customer of mine all the way from the USA asked for a painting for a dear friend, a glass artist who makes bee & <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/524010661/honeycomb-necklace?ref=shop_home_feat_1" target="_blank">honeycomb necklaces</a>, isn't this stunning!<br />
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The painting was to include bees, honeycomb and daisies, so I took lots of photos first to inspire me, then began sketching and very soon an idea bee-gan ( sorry couldn't resist) to form. </div>
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I wanted to capture the bee close up and have a hint of the honeycomb behind filled with a delicate blend of honey colours and lots of splashes of gold ink to highlight.</div>
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I am rather pleased with the final result and love the way the gold catches the light. I'm also happy to report that my lovely customer liked it too when it arrived safe and sound over seas.</div>
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I have just added 'Foggie Toddler' to my Etsy store as a limited edition print. Each print is hand finished in gold ink - you can follow the link <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/532306680/telling-the-bees-foggie-toddler-a-hand?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Well I'm off into the studio to carry on working on a new exciting project which I will share very soon.<br />
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Oops I nearly forgot to mention - the winner of the Butterfly bunting giveaway was KJ Sutcliffe from the sweetest blog <a href="http://livelovecraftme.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">'I live, I love, I craft, I am me</a>', congratulations!</div>
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Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-75741553493349831862017-07-21T16:55:00.001+01:002017-07-21T17:00:18.444+01:00It's Friday!Yay, it's Friday, it's been a long and busy week in the studio working on some new creations I am excited to share very soon.<br />
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I wonder what adventures the weekend will bring - a visit to see <a href="http://www.creativewhithorn.co.uk/" target="_blank">Whithorn Art trail</a>, doing some work on our 'in progress' Summer House and hopefully a long soak in a bubbly bath with my newest book!<br />
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I wonder what does the weekend bring for you?<br />
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Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-80618151464163587732017-07-10T12:43:00.001+01:002018-10-25T10:48:49.109+01:00Butterflies and colour your own buntingAn abundance of butterflies have been flitting into my garden lately, such a lovely reward for all the planting of shrubs and flowers I have been doing in an attempt to attract more of these beauties!<br />
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They have some wonderful names for the butterfly here in Scotland: in the North East they are called 'Butterflee' or 'Buttery' , whilst elsewhere a chrysalis is a 'Tammie-Nid-Nod' or a 'Tammie-noddie-heid' (heid meaning head), isn't that just lovely! </div>
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The many photographs i have taken of my garden visitors have inspired me to include butterflies in a new creation! So I have designed my 'Colour your own Butterfly Bunting kits'! The kit contains 12 butterflies and 10 flowers for you to colour, all in assorted sizes, enough to make 1.5 meters of bunting and you can choose from a selection of 4 colours of organza ribbon to thread them on to.</div>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pIJsFcwyK_Q/WWNhesekcfI/AAAAAAAAJRo/sY_DMnF4XRMNairRWZ3VJ1hr2RzpMfMxACLcBGAs/s1600/Butterfly%2Bbunting%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pIJsFcwyK_Q/WWNhesekcfI/AAAAAAAAJRo/sY_DMnF4XRMNairRWZ3VJ1hr2RzpMfMxACLcBGAs/s640/Butterfly%2Bbunting%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
I had great fun choosing my colours had a very relaxing afternoon filling them in! I love that the collective noun for butterflies is a' Kaleidoscope', I think it perfectly suits this riot of colour.<br />
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You can find these bunting kits in my Etsy store <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MythWeaver?ref=seller-platform-mcnav" target="_blank">here </a>, alongside some birdy bunting I created too!<br />
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Till next time x<br />
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<br />Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-33730903510537554912017-05-18T14:29:00.001+01:002017-05-18T20:41:17.214+01:00Remembering . . .<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I
have been so thankful for this beautiful month of May, it has always been one of my favourite months and even more so this year with the glorious weather
we are having, the bluest of skies stretching away into the distance, the clouds of delicate blossoms filling hedgerows and new life springing up all around - the lambs and young birds. This month of May has been like a gentle, healing balm and how I need that just now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My days have been painted with sadness this past while, for we said goodbye to our dear, precious Dad in March. It wasn't expected and we didn't have much time but we were so very blessed to be under the care of the amazing nurses at the Alexandra palliative care unit at our local hospital. They ensured both Dads last days and our days with him were peaceful and gentle as could be and for that we are ever grateful.</span><br />
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<span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When
you loose a loved one, suddenly there is a before and an after and life takes
on a very different shape. </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's as if the breathe has been knocked right out of you. It's the kind of heartache you feel in your bones. This l</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">oss is not something you get over, instead it becomes part of who you are and</span><span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> so I am making time; time to recognize this new me, time for quiet moments, time for stillness, time to remember and time to treasure the memories.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IncFx1Qp9wQ/WR2BmwuZfuI/AAAAAAAAJQg/O7yjQ2gawHoNFqozKldlIe3u82q6nTERACLcB/s1600/bluebell%2Bwalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IncFx1Qp9wQ/WR2BmwuZfuI/AAAAAAAAJQg/O7yjQ2gawHoNFqozKldlIe3u82q6nTERACLcB/s640/bluebell%2Bwalk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="en-GB"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><span lang="en-US"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">I heard this on the radio a while ago: </span></span></span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'When we die, we die twice, once when our last breath leaves our body and again when our name is mentioned for the very last time by the last person to remember us.'</span><span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well my dear Dad you were so loved by your big, widespread family that your memory will live on for many years to come. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You are in every beat of our hearts Dad and you will always be in our memories. We will never be without you.</span></span></div>
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Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-71099291697229523012017-02-27T12:49:00.000+00:002017-02-27T12:49:05.562+00:00Family trees and connectionsFamily have been much in my mind this week, family visits, family birthdays and family poorly and in hospital. (Sending lots of love to my dear Dad and hoping he is up and about again very soon).<br />
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I love my family and am fascinated by the links we have, the family traits and characteristics. When I look at old family photos it sets me wondering, where did those traits and characteristics come from. Who could draw like I can? Where did the pale skin and red hair that my Mom, daughter and I have come from? And where did they live my ancestors? How did they meet? what was their favourite song, their favourite food. So many questions, so many stories.<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sV96L76mfGc/WLQF3Oe3bRI/AAAAAAAAJNI/tbjojXiFE1sqYUtMIB3RHrgopGW_xwqOgCLcB/s1600/4%2BFeb%2Bfamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sV96L76mfGc/WLQF3Oe3bRI/AAAAAAAAJNI/tbjojXiFE1sqYUtMIB3RHrgopGW_xwqOgCLcB/s640/4%2BFeb%2Bfamily.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Many years ago my Mom developed a passion for tracing our family tree, discovering the pieces of the jigsaw and writing down the stories of our ancestors. I love to hear the stories, the snippets of information she uncovers, they are part of us, part of our heritage. So far we are back to the early 1800's: all these people I am connected to from so long ago: the Jennings, Flanners, Bagleys, Days, the Jones, Herberts, Blackwells, Jobs, Bloxams! They came from Warwickshire and Oxford-shire, Glasgow and Switzerland, Birmingham and Worcestershire.<br />
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They were gamekeepers, pen nib makers, gunsmiths, carters, glassblowers, glaziers, shoe makers, canal boat workers, plumbers, spoon makers, chandelier makers.Where did the creative side some from I wonder?<br />
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It took many sketches and doodles to come up with a design that was easy to read and on which I could fit all the names and dates. So I created my family tree flower design, it worked beautifully allowing me to add all the siblings in each family too.</div>
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Since that very first tree I have created many other family trees for folk, each one is a challenge, each one is unique. I love that I am part of the process and helping to create a family keepsake, a memory tree for those who have gone before and those still to come.<br />
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My Family trees have been given as Birthday gifts, and to celebrate anniversaries, as wedding gifts and as new baby gifts. If you are interested in having your very own family tree created just drop me a line. I have a wide range of designs on my website that can be altered to fit in your own family members, your favorite colours, a special quote or memory. I am happy to discuss design ideas and love working with my customers to unfold the branches of their trees.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ruthieredden.com/">www.ruthieredden.com</a> </div>
Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-10753839943937683932017-02-22T11:30:00.000+00:002018-10-25T10:46:45.786+01:00A treasure trove of gems and books and sketching<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last week was a time for family. My daughter and Grandaughter came to stay and we had lots of lovely times together, creating clay sculptures, walking down the lane, finding treasures in the garden.</div>
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Having a tiny person in the house is such a reminder to slow down, I love that she notices all the little things, a tiny daisy still growing in the winter grass, the funny shapes of clouds, the sound of the wind whispering through the branches of the trees., All the little things that we often forget to take the time to notice in our days.</div>
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With visitors to entertain it was a perfect excuse to take a trip to the '<a href="http://www.gemrock.net/" target="_blank">GemRock Museum</a>' in Creetown. A fabulous collection of jewels and gems, such vibrant hues and colours. There is a crystal cave to explore and a trail of gem bunnies that a certain wee person was excited to find. I even came across a tiny carved mermaid tucked away. And to finish off we had a delicious home cooked lunch in the cafe and then a drive through the stunning Galloway forest, a perfect day out.</div>
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A few days earlier I found myself over in <a href="http://www.wigtown-booktown.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wigtown</a>, Scotland's designated book town, a must for any book lovers out there! The reason for my visit was a trip to '<a href="http://curlytalebooks.co.uk/" target="_blank">Curly Tale Books</a>', a wonderful treasure trove of a children's bookshop that has agreed to be the latest stockist for my cards! They will be in good company for the shop is stuffed with loveliness of all kinds and is run by author Jayne Baldwin and illustrator Shalla Gray - creators of the lovely 'Beltie' story books. For those of you not in the know 'Galloway Belties' are stripey black and white cows found here in Dumfries and Galloway.</div>
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With visitors here and trips to and fro to hospital to visit my poorly Dad, who hopefully is on the mend now, my sketching took a wee bit of a back seat. I have managed a few though and am loving the variety of topics: eye, small bird, cafe life and the colour blue, I am determined to keep my sketches to within half an hour, but sometimes it's very tempting to keep going! I would like to get it down to 20 mins per sketch soon!</div>
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For folk interested in joining in the sketch a day but who are not on Facebook, I do have a Pinterest board for where you can find the daily topic as well <a href="https://uk.pinterest.com/ruthieredden/sketchbook-challenge-inspiration/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Do let me know if you join in and maybe we can find a way to share our sketches!</div>
Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-48739296538935251202017-02-06T13:10:00.001+00:002018-10-25T11:14:15.102+01:00Sketching again and showers . . . .<div style="text-align: justify;">
We have had some "plowtery" days this last week. Isn't that a lovely word, it's Scottish for showery, I think it sums up this wet weather very well. There are so many wonderfully expressive words in Scots language, I especially like these for wet weather. "Smirr" meaning very light rain or a "dreep" for a steady fall of light rain. I love being inside cosy by the fire whilst listening to the rain pattering outside, but in between the showers I did dodge out to capture these photos.</div>
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The snow drops caught my eye too, nodding in the rain, tiny splashes of white against the vibrant green grass down the lane. They always feel like a sign to me that Spring is on it's way.</div>
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A couple of weeks ago I happened to hear that folk singer, songwriter <a href="http://www.sethlakeman.co.uk/">Seth Lakeman</a> was coming to play at the annual <a href="http://bigburnssupper.com/">Big Burns Supper</a> Festival, and of course had to go, and what a treat! His music has inspired me on many occasions whilst working away in my studio. One of my favourites has to be 'The white hare' , you can have a listen <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMVxcdcVKBk">here</a>.</div>
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Some of you might remember that back at the beginning of 2015 I was desperate to establish a good sketching routine (having failed miserably the year before) and so set up a Facebook group called <a href="http://5preciousthings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/settling-in-and-sketching-group.html">'Sketch-a-day',</a> where a daily sketch topic was set and members of the group were invited to post their sketches on the page.<div style="text-align: justify;">
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By the end of that 1st year not only did we have 60 members from all around the world contributing, but the group had become a gathering of lovely like minded, friendly folk, supporting and encouragement each other along the way. It also resulted in my actually doing a sketch just about every day, almost 365 sketches!</div>
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Last year life got so busy that sadly my daily sketching fell by the wayside, though I still enjoyed seeing the sketches that other members of the group put up. There were so many positives that came from that daily sketching habit, my sketching improved hugely, my confidence grew and I tackled topics I would never normally have attempted, so I have decided: new year, new start and I am very happy to report that as the group enters it's third year, I am going back to doing a daily sketch again. </div>
Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-14386576896561376562017-01-30T15:12:00.003+00:002017-01-30T15:15:56.351+00:00Go slow, gratitude and Mindfulness resolutions<div style="text-align: justify;">
A Happy (Belated) New
Year to you all my lovelies wherever you may be! I have rather neglected this wee corner of the world and have missed being here and the connections it
brings. <br />
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Last year was a good year in lots of ways, with a whirlwind of activity: a trip to India, a new studio, exhibitions galore, workshops a plenty and lots of projects on the go, all very good. Yet as Winter descended and the days of the year were numbered I realised my feet had hardly touched the ground and I was feeling decidedly frayed at the edges. <br />
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So I have spent my time since the new year in a state of hibernation, finding time to recuperate, time to ruminate, lighting candles, sitting watching the sunset, taking moments to stop what I'm doing and just breathe. Looking back, I realised that last year I simply hadn't allowed myself much time out at all. No time for mindfulness, for treasuring the moments, no time for the blog writing that I love to do, no time for my sketch-a-day, no time to just sit and be. I hadn't even heard my body telling me to slow down! <br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xehEUjontME/WIoj9dTbOlI/AAAAAAAAJJ0/5yhEVqS0iwgghRK50JBqtwWTxACotHGHgCLcB/s1600/Jan%2Bblog%2B1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xehEUjontME/WIoj9dTbOlI/AAAAAAAAJJ0/5yhEVqS0iwgghRK50JBqtwWTxACotHGHgCLcB/s640/Jan%2Bblog%2B1.jpeg" width="640" /></a>It is so easy to get caught up in our frantically paced world and I knew I had to take action to re-claim the balance that had been missing last year. So I made just one New Year resolution - <i><span style="color: #741b47;">To go slower, to savour the moments</span></i>. After all that is why my blog is named '5 Precious Things', a reminder to self to slow down and find 5 precious things each day in my life to be thankful for.<br />
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I needed something visual and visible so I made myself a huge <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>wall planner</b></span> and had great fun in the process using lots of my HeART Journaling techniques and included my words to live by for the year - Mindfulness, Gratitude, Courage and Peaceful. I will pin my planner up on the wall of my studio and it will be a a daily reminder to keep my resolution, and to live by my chosen words.<br />
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I have made space in my weeks for work projects and for play, for heath and happiness, for family, friends and for myself. It is so important to try and keep a balance and fulfil all the areas that we need to find harmony in our lives.<br />
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It amazes me just how often, when I am looking for answers, the universe drops the perfect solution into my lap, for look what I found in the local shop, this beautiful new publication called <a href="http://www.breathemagazine.co.uk/" target="_blank">'Breathe'</a>, filled with lots of interesting articles based on well being, mindfulness and creativity, including one on listening to your body clock. I also found a lovely wee journal in the sale section in which to record <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>'100 days of Gratitude'.</b></span> Once you start to look for those precious moments in your day, you begin to find more and more. I am already reaping the rewards of spending a few moments at the end of my day to pause and be grateful.<br />
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I set myself one more task to do daily, to help with my new resolution and that is to take a daily <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>gratitude photograph</b></span>. Today's subject just had to be this cheeky visitor to our garden, he was scampering about all over the lawn burying nuts and frisking his tail in the air, and made me smile with his antics. I got carried away trying to capture his antics.<br />
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I can't wait to look back at the end of the year and see my 365 photo's.</div>
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Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-69068168025591103562016-08-30T17:44:00.003+01:002016-10-26T12:44:11.882+01:00A garden of flowers, travels and midnight strolls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can hardly believe Summer is almost over and September just around the corner! I've been so busy with exhibitions and art trails it passed in the blink of an eye, but I did find time to enjoy some of the beautiful weather pottering in the garden. It's coming along beautifully now, it was so sad and neglected when we moved in last Spring.<br />
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I have loved bringing the garden back to life and it is so rewarding to hear the buzzing of the bees now there are lots of flowers for them to visit. Did you know that in Deeside, the old name for bees was 'Foggie-toddlers - 'fog' being old Scots for moss or grass and 'toddling' meaning meandering with a gentle sound. Lovely!<br />
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Flowers have filled my studio with their perfume this Summer too, some from my garden and some gifted by a fellow artist, the very same lady who provided me with so many delicious cutting of plants last year so that I could stock our new garden. How rewarding now to see them growing and filling the beds. The wee posies of flowers below were another gift, left on our doorstep by the sweetest faerie girls who lived next door. They have now spread their wings and flow off with their family for adventures far afield and I will miss seeing their cheeky faces appearing over the fence.<br />
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Thinking of wee smiles, I got lots of those from my wee Granddaughter a few weeks ago when myself and my two lovely daughters spent a week under the stars down South. Very posh camping as you can see! We spent every waking hour in the fresh air and when we weren't cuddling dwarf goats, blowing bubbles or exploring we were sitting up late into the night snuggled in our woollies and under blankets, playing scrabble, and watching the stars. Precious times.<br />
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I got a second weeks holiday after that too, when Mr O took me off exploring in Yorkshire. We stayed in an old inn built in 1613 and slept in what must be the comfiest bed I ever knew! We spent our days exploring places that caught our eye, like <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardcastle-crags" target="_blank">Hardcastle </a>Crags, Gibson mill, and the lovely town of <a href="http://www.yorkshire.com/places/west-yorkshire/calderdale/hebden-bridge" target="_blank">Hebden Bridge</a>, stopping for cake and tea and mooching through second hand shops!<br />
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On our last day we visited the lovely old village of Heptonstall, once a centre for hand looming. It's cobbled streets were discovered in 1980 when the paving was lifted. Of course I had to have a peep at the ruins of it's original church, founded in 1260 and once dedicated to Thomas a Becket. All together we had a lovely few days away.<br />
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Whilst away Mr O and I remembered how much we love walking. When did our days get too busy to go walking regularly! So we are trying to do a walk every day again and are already feeling the benefit, feeling fitter and healthier for being outside more.<br />
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I haven't shared with you before my 'In the gloaming' painting have I, I finished it earlier in the year and the original has already sold. The word 'gloaming' comes from the old English word for twilight 'glom' meaning to glow, what a perfect description for that magical time of day when the setting sun leaves gives it's last whisper of light to the evening. The painting is available as limited edition prints in my Etsy shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MythWeaver?ref=hdr_shop_menu&section_id=12912140" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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So I shall leave you with a taste of 'the gloaming' and some images that I caught on my full moon walk down the lane last week, I love walking in the evening it is a magical time! Such lovely silhouettes to inspire new paintings I hope!<br />
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Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-81060472559822637402016-05-09T15:29:00.001+01:002016-05-13T12:57:20.428+01:00A new studio and a faerie Queen in the making . . . <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Hello my lovelies, it's been a while! In fact it's been almost a year since I last blogged!</div>
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How did that happen, and where did the days disappear to? Being a creature of habit, it has taken me a good while to settle after our move last April. A new wee house to grow accustomed to, new lanes, fields and shore to discover, a new place to create in. Lots of busy days have passed and it has taken all my energy to settle into the new pattern of our life. Now at last I feel like I'm waking after a very long Winters nap, waking into the warm May sunshine full of stories, happenings and creations to share!</div>
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I have so much to share, so where do I begin? Slowly I think, as it feels strange to be writing here again, like meeting with a long lost friend and not knowing where to begin in the catching up! I have missed this blogging, and the connections with all you precious readers, it feels so good to be back!</div>
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One of my most exciting happenings this year began with a chance discussion with a fellow artist, that revealed the possibility of some local studio space becoming available. Having recently discussed the need for such a space with the very patient Mr O (who never grumbled as he shared our home with an ever increasing array of paint, paper, brushes, pens etc) it was decided I should go ahead and apply for a space. The WASPS Artists Studios is 'a charity that provided affordable studio space to artists and arts organisations across Scotland'. They are currently helping 800 artists, 12 art organisations and have 17 buildings. What a wonderful idea! </div>
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Well I am very excited to say I am now the proud owner of a space at the <a href="http://www.waspsstudios.org.uk/" target="_blank">WASPS </a>studios in Kirkcudbright, a lovely light and bright space where I can have all my arty paraphernalia to hand. It has made a huge difference and feels lovely to go 'out' to work each day. It has made a much clearedr definition between home and work as well and means when I'm at work I am not distracted by weeding or dusting that is calling to be done! And when I'm not distracted I get to finish pieces that have long been in the making! </div>
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Back in 2014 I had the idea that I wanted to do a companion piece for <a href="http://ruthieredden.com/photo_10393186.html" target="_blank">Autumn Bounty</a>, inspired by references to magical things in Shakespeare's 'A midsummer nights dream'. </div>
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As I started to doodle and sketch, a 'Faerie Queen' began to appear, as did other fae folk, a magical hare, a drowsy bee and Summer time flowers.</div>
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She is the Queen of the faeries and leads the merriment on Midsummer's eve. </div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">If you are awake late on Midsummer's eve, you may happen across the faeries dancing by moonlight in ancient circles of stone, a wondrous sight indeed.</span></div>
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But remember, do take care, you don't want to be caught or these fae may just cause you mischief. It is said that if you carry a sprig of rue in your pocket it will confuse those wee folk and you can be on your way!</div>
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Faerie Queen - Midsummer Magic' is available as limited edition prints in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MythWeaver?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">Mythweaver </a>shop.</div>
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I am so pleased to have finished her at long last and can't wait to see what my pencils will sketch for the next painting in the set 'Spring'</div>
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It feels so good to be blogging again and I look forward to next time, but for now I shall leave you as the garden is a calling, it's a glorious afternoon and I have seedlings to plant. </div>
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Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-18749848529536827782015-04-30T14:06:00.000+01:002017-07-20T17:02:52.060+01:00New beginnings, a move and silver linings . . .All the best laid plans . . .<br />
Here we are at the very end of April already, Spring has sprung and things are a-changing. New life, new beginnings, new things a-growing.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gsa-U1VN6Ss/VUIKpOyqVdI/AAAAAAAAIs4/oER9XgM8CN8/s1600/Spring.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gsa-U1VN6Ss/VUIKpOyqVdI/AAAAAAAAIs4/oER9XgM8CN8/s1600/Spring.jpg" width="640" /></a>I had such good intentions this year to make lots more art, to write more, blog more and share my
happenings, but you only have to be distracted for a moment and along
come all manner of things to send you off on other paths.<br />
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Sometimes a path can be a little misty and you're not very sure where it will lead, it's an adventure, a little scary, yet intriguing and exciting too.<br />
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As you follow the path, you come across unexpected surprises, some good, some not so, but you keep on going, you don't look back. You wonder what waits around the next corner. </div>
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If you look in just the right places along the way, you will discover unlooked for treasures, the silver linings, the pots of gold. The stars will twinkle and the sun will shine and as the mist begins to clear, you will see a whole new world laid out before you and know that life has taken you off on a completely new adventure. </div>
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I wonder if you guessed? Mr O and I found ourselves on a misty path these past few months, setting off on an adventure, not at all sure where we were heading as we packed up our worldly goods. It turned out we were going over the hills towards the little artist's town of Kirkcudbright, to a new wee hoose. All rather unexpected and very quick, I think in a matter of six weeks we discovered we were to move, we found a new home, moved out and in again! </div>
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As you can imagine, all is a bit of a blur for now but we will '<a href="http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/coorie" target="_blank">coorie doun</a>'
and gradually begin to feel settled again as we grow into this,
the sweetest wee cottage with it's glorious gardens just a-waiting for
us to make our mark on them and nurse them back to life.</div>
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It will soon feel like home, things will find their place and I know we will be happy here, I can feel it in my bones.</div>
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We have been surrounded by lovely folk helping out, moving us, feeding
us, working to fix up the cottage and the garden, folk sending beautiful
flowers, cards and other loveliness and want to send out a huge thank
you to all, we couldn't have done it without you.</div>
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Whilst we have been such busy bee's, amidst the un-packing, the planting and the exploring I have squeezed in some sketching here and there for the sketch-a-day challenge, but I am longing to get properly back into making some art.<br />
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(The last photo is the magical view from our new wee garden, down across the fields to the sea.)</div>
<br />Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-53429668565058657782015-03-05T12:17:00.000+00:002017-03-06T12:30:11.050+00:00Settling in and a sketching group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The sun is streaming through the window, and I can hear the birds singing in the garden as I sit looking out from my new wee studio. I always feel that the setting down of new roots and making fresh memories, the things that make a new place feel like home, take a wee while to happen and need quiet times and pondering times and so I have allowed the moments to tick by here as I have allowed those things to happen.<br />
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We have been exploring, wandering through still woods as the sun begins to set and glimmer through the trees. We have climbing sheep strewn hills to catch glimpses of sparkling sea, and we are feeling very blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the world here in Dumfries & Galloway.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z8BUvd95tY/VY1vSBsSZMI/AAAAAAAAIx0/CeymlU3pOmw/s1600/2%2Bblossoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z8BUvd95tY/VY1vSBsSZMI/AAAAAAAAIx0/CeymlU3pOmw/s640/2%2Bblossoms.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
The May blossom has been so late this year, it almost seemed as though it was waiting for us to settle and find time to appreciate it's tiny blooms. But at last the hedgerows are bursting into life all ready for the coming of July. <br />
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We can't wait to see what the coming month brings in the garden after all our digging and weeding and planting and a-building of walls. Next stop the vegetable patch!<br />
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June saw me run the last of my workshops for a while, so ending a wonderful first half of the year filled with meetings of lovely folks all getting creative. It has been such a pleasure having the opportunity to share my creativity with so many and watching them spread their wings and start to discover the joys of creative play. Thank you each and everyone for coming along and helping make the workshops such special events. ( How beautiful is the bouquet of flowers I was given by the lovely ladies from Gretna!) <br />
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New workshops and happenings will be announced in September.</div>
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The 'sketch-a-day' facebook group I set up is going from strength to strength, and what began as a personal challenge to encourage me to stick to the task of sketching for the 365 days has now grown into a group with over 60 members from all around the world. It has proved so popular that numbers have had to be limited as we were overwhelmed with requests of people wanting to join and I really want it to stay small and friendly and manageable.<br />
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The group is now run by three sketchers, the lovely Valerie (who has a real eye for detail), one of my nephew's Stu (who always finds a fab and quirky way of representing a topic) and me! Every day a new topic is posted to be interpreted freely by the groups members and then shared on the page. We have covered really varied topics and each one comes with it's own unique challenge, it makes you tackle subjects you might normally avoid! (sketch topics: Above~ hot air balloon, red and fox. Below: favourite film character, Japanese, self portrait))<br />
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I am a little astounded but very happy to announce so far we are up to sketch 173 already! There is something very inspiring about doing this challenge with a group and there is much encouragement and sharing of information that goes on too. I have learnt so much already and developed my style in leaps and bounds and look forward to the next 173 days! <br />
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My sketches will be on show at the '<a href="http://www.artandcraftstrail.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kirkcudbright Art & Craft Trail</a>' from 31st July to 3rd August at my corner of the event at venue 16, the beautiful historic <a href="http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Broughton-House-and-Garden/" target="_blank">Broughton House</a>. <br />
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If you feel up to the challenge of sketching daily topics such as a strawberry, a Hamsa or some canal art and improving your sketching in the process do get in touch as we do have places to spare!Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-35841756231937263102015-02-23T12:26:00.003+00:002015-02-26T17:24:55.370+00:00Creating with HeART ~ workshops & journals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What a whirwind February has been, filled with creativity, writing and workshops. </div>
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I mentioned back in the Autumn, my first HeART Journaling workshop and why it was something I really believed in & wanted to
continue (see <a href="http://5preciousthings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/art-journaling-workshops.html" target="_blank">here</a>). I am happy to report that five months on, I have lots of workshops lined up.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J3o1t69ckHM/VOsHvq3999I/AAAAAAAAIq8/ADZUVQ8SKQ0/s1600/Heart%2BJournaling%2Bcreating%2Bwith%2Bheart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J3o1t69ckHM/VOsHvq3999I/AAAAAAAAIq8/ADZUVQ8SKQ0/s1600/Heart%2BJournaling%2Bcreating%2Bwith%2Bheart.jpg" height="371" width="640" /></a></div>
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There is always much chat and laughter in the air at the workshops
which makes for a great atmosphere, helped along by lovely folks such as Franca, the owner of the Franca Bruno shop our Gatehouse venue. She not only keeps us topped up with cake,tea and coffee but
endless supplies of clean painting water too!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zNS4Oljuxl4/VOpb-q3yoBI/AAAAAAAAIp0/XKEj59Cv07k/s1600/Francas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zNS4Oljuxl4/VOpb-q3yoBI/AAAAAAAAIp0/XKEj59Cv07k/s1600/Francas.jpg" height="394" width="640" /></a></div>
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It brings me immense pleasure to share my creativity with others,
encouraging them to
let go and play, and what wondrous creations they make. The pieces below were done at my 'playing with colour' workshop.</div>
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I often hear folk mention they haven't 'played'
for years, some since childhood, so it it a joy to stand back and watch those creative muses showing face at
last, being allowed free rein to get messy and
have fun with all the delicious art materials to hand.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NOY8804k5zg/VOoi6H4pDWI/AAAAAAAAIpY/6l991Om2Z4I/s1600/Whithorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NOY8804k5zg/VOoi6H4pDWI/AAAAAAAAIpY/6l991Om2Z4I/s1600/Whithorn.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></a>Hearts seem to work appear often, I wonder is it anything to
do with the fact it's called 'HeART Journaling perhaps! This was the 'Introduction to HeART Journaling' Valentines workshop.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cf3sfkMB5CY/VOpgwgoXc8I/AAAAAAAAIqM/ALztZoQlAZE/s1600/INtro%2Bto%2BHJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cf3sfkMB5CY/VOpgwgoXc8I/AAAAAAAAIqM/ALztZoQlAZE/s1600/INtro%2Bto%2BHJ.jpg" height="394" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last year I was asked by storyteller, author and poet extraordinaire <a href="http://www.renitaboyle.com/" target="_blank">Renita Boyle,</a> recently appointed 'Reader in Residence'' for the year for Dumfries & Galloway, to see if I would be interested in running my 'HeART Journaling' alongside her own 'Memoir in a month' workshops, part of an innovative partnership between Dumfries and Galloway library service and the Scottish Book Trust. Renita is a wonderful, whirlwind of enthusiasm and inspiration and I
just knew it would be a pleasure to work with her, so dates were duly set.</div>
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I have held two of these workshops so far in Castle Douglas and Whithorn (there are more on the way) and they have proved such a huge success that I have been asked to
return and hold monthly HeART Journaling workshops in the community
centre in Castle Douglas which start on 12th March! .<br />
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Many of the folk attended both mine and Renita's 'memoir in a month' workshop, and I was right, we have all been hugely inspired by her teaching, words and readings of her magical work. There has been much wonderful writing a-happening, and a coming together of folks over it, but that is to be saved for another day.<br />
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There is something very soothing and therapeutic about putting things down on paper whether it is words or images and since I began creating in my own HeART Journals I have learnt to be brave let go and had great fun in the process and so it is wonderful to see that my workshops are now inspiring others to do the same. <br />
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Talking of journals, I have a real passion for them and wanted to try making my own using materials I had lying around. It was great fun and I loved the outcome, particularly the fact that I had found a use for those often discarded cardboard boxes, used pieces of wrapping papers etc, I am all for re-cycling!</div>
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Of course this inspired my next workshop 'Journal making' which is on Tues 3rd March, The Franca Bruno shop in Gatehouse of Fleet.</div>
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If you would be interested in coming to any of my workshops you can find a complete list along with dates and info over on my brand new, re-vamped website, which I hope is much easier to navigate. <a href="http://www.ruthieredden.com/">www.ruthieredden.com </a> I hope to see some of you very soon.<br />
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<br />Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-4775541555210908272015-01-13T21:33:00.000+00:002017-03-06T12:19:46.431+00:00Sketching daily, a new years intention<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Where do the days disappear too? I'm sure I only blinked and its January already! So a belated Happy New Year to all in blog land and beyond. May you find moments of loveliness in the coming 365 days!</div>
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This year I felt drawn to set myself words to live by to help me keep on track and 'Clarity' & 'Focus' were the words that fell into my lap. Perfect, for I needed a clear vision for what I wanted from my year and I needed to be able to focus on my goals for my business and home life too. It is so easy in this busy, busy world to get distracted and lose your sense of direction. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sLmPEei4ioU/VLVgRwsGkoI/AAAAAAAAIlo/Tce-8UFhD8s/s1600/pic%2B3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sLmPEei4ioU/VLVgRwsGkoI/AAAAAAAAIlo/Tce-8UFhD8s/s1600/pic%2B3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A good long stroll on the blustery, sparkling beach cleared away the cobwebs and I began to form a picture of what I wanted more than anything from this new year. More creativity, more art making! When I looked back at last year and saw just how little art I had made it made me very sad. After all I am an artist and an artist should be making lots of art. So I promised myself I would make some plans this year to change that. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1pbb3XsiGBw/VLVdvYH6SrI/AAAAAAAAIlI/0M9OYuqjdpk/s1600/pic%2B2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1pbb3XsiGBw/VLVdvYH6SrI/AAAAAAAAIlI/0M9OYuqjdpk/s1600/pic%2B2b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I began my new HeArt journal and set down the ways I want my creativity to manifest itself this year. With painting, photography, crafting, writing and sketching. (I have to mention that the mandala in this piece was inspired after a wonderful workshop I did with the lovely <a href="http://www.juliegibbons.com/" target="_blank">Julie Gibbons</a> in December.) I have made lots of plans and have many things in the pipe line and cant wait to get started again.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u2P6HMvXp-w/VLVhghnfxfI/AAAAAAAAIl0/qqJC7NHOLdE/s1600/Header%2Bfor%2Bsketch%2B%2Ba%2Bday%2BFB%2Bgroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u2P6HMvXp-w/VLVhghnfxfI/AAAAAAAAIl0/qqJC7NHOLdE/s1600/Header%2Bfor%2Bsketch%2B%2Ba%2Bday%2BFB%2Bgroup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Firstly I have set up a private <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/486127648194697/" target="_blank">'Sketch a day' Facebook group</a>, where every day I post a new topic to be interpreted freely. It's a place where we arty folk can share our sketches done for the days topic and encourage each other in the process. I am loving the challenge and discovering there is something very encouraging about doing this challenge with others. Last year I tried it by myself and lasted a week! </div>
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These are a few of my sketches so far ~ Topics such as : Breakfast<br />
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Something Blue ( I do love blue & white china)</div>
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An eye (mine)</div>
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A mug</div>
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Already I have re-discovered how much I love pen and wash, how looking hard at something to sketch it just pulls you in and you begin to see more and more, and also how fascinatingand inspiring it is to see the interpretations and works of others. So if you would like to join us do hop on over <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/486127648194697/" target="_blank">here</a>, you will be made very welcome.<br />
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Another resolution to myself this year is to be a better blogger, so I shall be back later in the week to tell you all about the new workshops I have coming up!<br />
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<br />Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-44641197843707501982014-10-29T14:11:00.003+00:002014-10-29T14:19:35.379+00:00Autumn poetry, pictures & paintings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The golden hues of Autumn have danced through the trees surrounding our wee cottage and trickled their way into my sketchbook. You perhaps already guessed that I love this time of year, it always fills me with the joy of being and ignites my creativity.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j9RQMPJ_ME8/VFDiLw9a1EI/AAAAAAAAIgY/ueVd8ODApJw/s1600/Painting%2Bwith%2Bsunshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j9RQMPJ_ME8/VFDiLw9a1EI/AAAAAAAAIgY/ueVd8ODApJw/s1600/Painting%2Bwith%2Bsunshine.jpg" height="640" width="584" /></a></div>
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Walks in the ancient woodlands fill my pockets with treasures aplenty, each taken home and placed in pride of place on my studio 'seasons' windowsill to bring me smiles through the darkening days.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-riV7dLCGLNk/VFDiDtfCGtI/AAAAAAAAIf4/PP9T12y9Hrs/s1600/Autumn%2Bfinds.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-riV7dLCGLNk/VFDiDtfCGtI/AAAAAAAAIf4/PP9T12y9Hrs/s1600/Autumn%2Bfinds.jpg" height="466" width="640" /></a></div>
For me autumn feels like a comfortable ancient cloak wrapped about my shoulders, familiar & cosy an old friend to be greeted with joy after the longest of partings. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VThiWqisVKY/VFDxAzVrJdI/AAAAAAAAIgo/mNidGGUYAfc/s1600/Autumn%2Bhair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VThiWqisVKY/VFDxAzVrJdI/AAAAAAAAIgo/mNidGGUYAfc/s1600/Autumn%2Bhair.jpg" height="518" width="640" /></a></div>
Mr O tells says my hair is like "Autumn" and that as we walk in those quiet places I disappear into the surroundings, ha! so it seems I am indeed an Autumn lass.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5xq8OnFqFgg/VFDy1sVzi7I/AAAAAAAAIg0/MA0sVNSrVEM/s1600/Forest%2Bfinds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5xq8OnFqFgg/VFDy1sVzi7I/AAAAAAAAIg0/MA0sVNSrVEM/s1600/Forest%2Bfinds.jpg" height="500" width="640" /></a></div>
I stop at every turn to take my photos, forever astounded by the hues and textures Mother Nature provides, inspiration for my paintings for years to come.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gNEy6TumR0c/VFDiF5XixpI/AAAAAAAAIgI/FNPL9Sb1uUY/s1600/Nature%2Bhearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gNEy6TumR0c/VFDiF5XixpI/AAAAAAAAIgI/FNPL9Sb1uUY/s1600/Nature%2Bhearts.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
Every once in a while I catch a glimpse of wee messages left by fae folk, hearts hidden here & there if you remember to stay still awhile and look for those secret places..<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dRXMyKfoSlI/VFDiFW-Ni2I/AAAAAAAAIgA/nHJ7MA2QjlU/s1600/October%2Bsunsets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dRXMyKfoSlI/VFDiFW-Ni2I/AAAAAAAAIgA/nHJ7MA2QjlU/s1600/October%2Bsunsets.JPG" height="482" width="640" /></a></div>
Even the sunsets seem imbued with Autumnal colour. It seems the perfect way to say goodbye to the day, to stand on our doorstep and watch the sun slowly sinking into the night leaving velvet darkness.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5S5q3BirOK0/VFDiKO7-a6I/AAAAAAAAIgQ/IjmmaeHQjHY/s1600/10%2B25.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5S5q3BirOK0/VFDiKO7-a6I/AAAAAAAAIgQ/IjmmaeHQjHY/s1600/10%2B25.10.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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So I am away back to my paper and my paints to try and capture the essence of Autumn, I'm not sure yet who will appear on the page, but she does have glorious hair. I shall leave you with some words from one of my favourite Autumn poems by Thomas Hood</div>
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<tr><td>"I saw old Autumn in the misty morn</td><td align="right" valign="top"></td></tr>
<tr><td>Stand shadowless like Silence, listening</td><td align="right" valign="top"></td></tr>
<tr><td>To silence, for no lonely bird would sing</td><td align="right" valign="top"></td></tr>
<tr><td>Into his hollow ear from woods forlorn,</td><td align="right" valign="top"></td></tr>
<tr><td>Nor lowly hedge nor solitary thorn;</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="5"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Shaking his languid locks all dewy bright</td><td align="right" valign="top"></td></tr>
<tr><td>With tangled gossamer that fell by night,</td><td align="right" valign="top"></td></tr>
<tr><td> Pearling his coronet of golden corn."</td><td align="right" valign="top"></td></tr>
<tr><td><br /></td><td><br /></td><td><br /></td><td>it can be read in full <a href="http://www.bartleby.com/101/647.html" target="_blank">here </a></td></tr>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-j9RQMPJ_ME8%2FVFDiLw9a1EI%2FAAAAAAAAIgY%2FueVd8ODApJw%2Fs1600%2FPainting%252Bwith%252Bsunshine.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j9RQMPJ_ME8/VFDiLw9a1EI/AAAAAAAAIgY/ueVd8ODApJw/s1600/Painting%2Bwith%2Bsunshine.jpg" -->Ruthie Reddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544345949078281235noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067023107829045075.post-32082150281360848712014-10-08T22:51:00.003+01:002014-10-08T23:19:06.152+01:00Art journaling workshops<div style="text-align: justify;">
Back during the long hazy days of Summer, I had the pleasure of teaching my first "Introduction to Art Journaling" course. Set in the lovely surroundings of the Franca Bruno shop in Gatehouse of Fleet, a beautiful
old converted church, it was the perfect setting for an evening of creativity. There was much laughter, chatter, creativity and playing with paints, pens and papers. Franca provided a delicious array of refreshments to keep us going and someone bought in a big bowl of fresh from the garden raspberries!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J0_hnB3w5Kc/VDWNhPkTrcI/AAAAAAAAIac/xwCr17LqAVg/s1600/Summer%2B2014%2Bworkshop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J0_hnB3w5Kc/VDWNhPkTrcI/AAAAAAAAIac/xwCr17LqAVg/s1600/Summer%2B2014%2Bworkshop.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have been working on a programme of workshop based activities over the past year, with the view to teaching creative play, based around topics that can also take the participant on a journey of self discovery and nurture their soul. It was a joy to see these lovely folk letting go and "playing" with the materials I provided, and coming up with some beautiful pieces of work. When teaching the workshops, I demonstrate a variety of techniques and medium and with creative prompts folk then experiment and get creative themselves.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zMl_vzI4fI/VDWiC2c0lMI/AAAAAAAAIa0/0Eu_hG-wjEk/s1600/ideas%2Band%2Binspiration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zMl_vzI4fI/VDWiC2c0lMI/AAAAAAAAIa0/0Eu_hG-wjEk/s1600/ideas%2Band%2Binspiration.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></div>
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My own art journaling is now an extension of me, a place
where I capture my hopes and dreams, emotions and thoughts through art
and words. A place I can experiment and play creatively.</div>
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An art journal can bring greater insight and understanding of self, it can enhance the ability to listen to our inner voice and heighten our self awareness. By putting down our thoughts it focuses out attention and allows us to explore them. Journaling is also a great stress reliever, and a wonderful way to discover new talents or awake old ones. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WFHI8ATHlVs/VDWsHW_3G6I/AAAAAAAAIbE/bH1xXfk-h3M/s1600/ideas%2Band%2Binspiration%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WFHI8ATHlVs/VDWsHW_3G6I/AAAAAAAAIbE/bH1xXfk-h3M/s1600/ideas%2Band%2Binspiration%2B2.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></div>
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During my workshops we explore self expression, art-making and journaling
all in one go. You don't have to be an artist to participate, all you
need is the desire to be creative and an art journal. So if you ever felt you wanted to:</div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;">* Discover your artist within</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13;">* Begin a creative practice </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13;">* Learn to have some creative fun</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13;">* Get in touch with and nurture your soul</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;">* Explore creative expression</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13;">* Learn how to start creating an art journal</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13;">* Begin your journey of self discovery</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;">* Learn art techniques </span></div>
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then perhaps heart journaling is for you.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pnaFMhOdMVQ/VDWNr-WbWjI/AAAAAAAAIak/tSb8oiNERTE/s1600/Workshop%2Bposter%2BOct%2B2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pnaFMhOdMVQ/VDWNr-WbWjI/AAAAAAAAIak/tSb8oiNERTE/s1600/Workshop%2Bposter%2BOct%2B2014.jpg" height="640" width="454" /></a></div>
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<b>I have dates for my upcoming "Heart Journaling" workshops</b></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"> * Tuesday 21st Oct, 7-9pm at the Franca Bruno shop. Gatehouse of Fleet £5pp</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">* Saturday 22nd Nov 1.30-3.30 at <a href="http://www.the-art-room.co.uk/?layout=index&page=adults-art-classes-dumfries" target="_blank">The Art Room within the Old School, Dumfries <span style="color: #990000;">£20pp</span></a></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">I am also hoping to run a series of weekly workshops in the New Year</span></div>
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You can find more information about the course or contact me if you are interested over on my website <a href="http://www.ruthieredden.com/">www.ruthieredden.com </a>or e-mail me at ruthieredden@hotmail.co.uk.</div>
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* * * * </div>
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You may also be interested to read my post about the "Happiness Book" I keep <a href="http://5preciousthings.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/keeping-happiness-book.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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