Autumn loveliness & an artists palette

I do love Autumn, the colours most of all & it is a stirring

It was this delicious season i was born into many moons ago

and maybe why it is always my most favourite time of the year.

The time i feel most at home, the season that sings to my soul.

Nestling into the days, i reminisce over summers cherished moments

and look forward to the richness of treasures in this new fall.

I have been working on this Autumn painting for ever and a day

trying to capture on paper the very essence of the emotions it stirs.

I wanted to share the feeling of the peace I find on quiet forest paths,

the pleasure of foraging for the ripest fruits amongst the brambles.

The joy of seeing mother natures rich palette tinting every leaf,
as the forest begins to take on fall hues of ochre, russett red and orange.
Colours to which I am called again & again when i dip my brushes

Now at last it is finished my "Autum's Bounty" painting

my  "Am Foghar" ~ Autumn in gaelic.

It is available as prints in my etsy & folksy shops

(Such a pet hate i have ~ trying to photograph my paintings, 

as i use gold ink & paint, they reflect, not easy to capture.)

Hidden in amongst this painting are 10 wee faerie folk to discover.
When we were small & out walking in the woods my Grandad always told us
to  " keep an eye out for wee folk", my hidden faeries are for Grandad x
The original is also for sale, though I might find it hard to part with this piece

for  it is filled with the very essence of so many things that I love.

 Autumn always brings back golden happy memories

of my childhood & that of my own children.

The shine on a brand new conker newly strung onto twine,
the smoky smell of dear Grandads garden bonfires,

the feel of crunchy leaves kicked up by tiny booted feet,

 the sound of wise old owls hooting in the darkening evenings.

Do you love Autumn to? What does it bring back for you?

More info on how to spot the early signs of Autumn from the BBC  here 

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Autumn bowed to place a beautiful crown on the Queen of Morning,
and her velvet robes sway merrily in the chilly breeze.
~Terri Guillemets

Beach combing & creating sea treasures

We are so blessed living in beautiful South West Scotland
only a stones throw from many beautiful beaches & coves
Every once in a while we hear the call of the sea and head off
 for a sniff of the salty air & a listen to the songs of the sea.
Perhaps catch a glimpse of a mermaid or two.

We have so many favourite beachy memories
* cooking marshmallows over a driftwood fire at Carrick shore

* dipping nets to catch flitting shrimps at Mossyard
* stargazing into velvet midnight skies at the Dhoon.
 * * *
Did you know here in Dumfries & Galloway we have
one of only 4  dark sky parks in the Western world!

 The sea holds such magic & the words of this old song conjures all!

"Sea Fever"
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way,
where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.
 by John  Masefiled
*

As we walk the shorelines along balmy seas or stormy waves
 we keep a wary eye open for treasures thrown up from the deep.
Delicate crabs shells long empty, worn seashells just ready to string
mermaids purses, elusive pelican foot shells & barnacles long abandoned
And once even a seaweed strewn child's tiny bicycle!

I collect these offerings from the sea & take them home to my studio
 "Shades of the sea " are the creations I make from my findings.
Driftwood & shell chimes with delicate coloured ribbons

As the breeze catches a chime you can hear a delicate noise
the song of the shells, bringing thoughts of the wonderful ocean to mind
and as the mobile moves, its individual pieces shift & change about,
forming mesmerising sculptural shapes.

You can find my driftwood chimes for sale here & here

Talking of magical things if you love mermaids & magic as I do
you may love this series of books a dear friend recently introduced me.
 Set in Cornwall they are called "Ingo" written by Helen Dunmore.
Do go & take a peep, they will keep you mesmerised.

So i shall leave you with the sound of the sea in your ears
& the tang of salt on your tongue.
I wonder do you dream of sea shore wanderings,
and what would enchant you there?
Do you have a favorite sea poem or story to share here?

If you love magical seashore happenings,
click here to be whisked away to a true tale of my wee lass,
her message written in the sand and a dream that came true.
* * *
next week a tale or two of Autumn x