"I begin with an idea ... and then it becomes something else"
~ Picasso

Saturday 31 December 2011

November

I think of November as a brown month
not in a dreary soggy leaves and damp weather sort of way
but of golden brown leaves and bare branches
and glamorously ploughed fields
(have you ever looked closely at how neat they are)
rich and earthy
decaying ... but also renewing

A winter walk

1. Five cool trees - freshly ploughed Scottish field 2. Sycamore seeds 3. Chocolate drops 4. Last summer's souvenir 5. 1 rainy morning in the park 6. Winter day 7. Soft beauty 8. Bound 9. Making hay, 10. Mr. Gunston 11. Untitled, 12. Hiver 13. My life is like a picture left out too long in the sun

in autumn when the trees are brown
the little leaves come tumbling down
they do not make the slightest sound
but lie so quietly on the ground
until the wind comes puffing by
and blows them off towards the sky

the winds will blow their own freshness into you
and the storms their energy
while cares will drop away from you
like the leaves of Autumn

Autumn days are here again
John Muir


a time for hibernation
and preparation for winter proper
of logs and kindling
twinkle lights and chocolate, too, of course ;o)

personally ... it was a very bad November for me

for it was on a bright and sunny day in a garden
with a gorgeous show of autumn colour
that we gave thanks for the life of my darling Nanny

feeling emotionally drained and so, so tired
our journey back to Cornwall
turned into a horrific night that I shall never forget
when we were affected by that terrible accident
on the motorway on November 4th

a foggy night, the air was thick with bonfire smoke
fuzzy orange street lights blended with so very many flashing blue lights too

the accident happened just two minutes in front of us ...
and we just knew it was gonna be a bad one
from the speed of the ambulances rushing to the scene

we were diverted off of the motorway just before the accident
and spent the next hour trying to get across Bridgwater
all roads were closed for the town's annual carnival

we spent an hour on what would normally
have been a five minute journey across town
everywhere the air was thick with grey fog and smoke
so eery ... so surreal
blue flashing lights on every road

the weather was filthy that night
we had already asked each other
why do people drive so fast in such bad conditions?
(cars were speeding past us 90 - 100 mph)
some drivers just don't make allowance for poor weather

to wake next morning and hear on the news
the full extent of that horrific accident really shook me up
I just can't get it out of my head ... still
I will never forget that day

*

golden browns in my palette

in November I hid away
painting and melting
making beads

stash sorting and admiring

stitching

and losing myself in the magical world of flickr

in November
I had a thing about owls
I think I'd like to make an owl next year
we have one in the garden that sits on the pointy bit of our shed
and I like to lay in bed and listen to it calling

this was the last mosaic of Autumn
and also the last one I made in 2011

1. Luka the owlet 2. barn owl 3 - tyto alba edit 3. maple leaves & bokeh square 4. owl progress 5. the bones of us living 6. embroidered button 7. journal spread close up 8. owl necklace 9. honestly 10. great horned owl 11. ChiLL ing OuT.... 12. empire owl cushion 2009 detail of back 13. ginny and the owl 14. owl poems, 15. we left our love in our summer skin 16. vine 17. lucien the fox - felt art toy 18. untitled 19. cottonwood flyers b 20. basket of nature owls close up 21. back to the book of boo 22. mummy family 23. misty sunset 24. || 25. promenade

in November
the weather was mostly dark, rainy and blustery
but a handful of golden sunrises led to brighter days

a Cornish sunrise over the neighbouring cottages
on such days I "pottered" in the garden
looking closely
making discoveries

love these rosehips

I had a little play in photoshop

it's another world I lose myself in …..
I find it really relaxing to take a photo
add a texture and bring it to life

in November

I bought a pomegranate
and let it dry out for a few days
pomegranates have such wonderful tones and textures

the words come from Wind in the Willows
which has to be one of the best books ever
for curling up with in winter

I enjoyed creating a series of pomegranate studies


seedlings from the pomegranate tree


this one really enhances the leathery texture of the skin
and highlights the those warm pink orange tones

a sad month of melancholy
but there will be other autumn times to cherish

and now for December ...

19 comments:

Amelia said...

Hiya, sorry to hear about the awful accident, I know how horrible it can be. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful ideas though and I hope you have an amazing New Year´s eve and fantastic 2012.

Amelia.x

Doreen G said...

Carolyn I love reading your blog-the photography is beautiful and your words are pure poetry-both the good and the sad.
I look forward to reading more in 2012.

Anonymous said...

I look forward to your lovely blog and photos and words, Carolyn; hope that 2012 will be a better year for you and yours with lots of creativity and interesting things to focus on which will inspire all your followers. With best wishes from Sheila from Bristol

Pom Pom said...

Oh, Carolyn! I quite agree that winter is a perfect time to read The Wind in the Willows once again!
Yes, owls. Do it!
I love your posts.

Diane said...

What a mix of emotions Carolyn. Heres wishing you a very Happy 2012 and looking forward to meeting up again in St Ives. XXXXXX

Caroline said...

Lovely recent posts. The accident was indeed awful - we used to live very near to that place - I understand how it affected many.
Good to see all the beautiful work you have created despite the difficult period.x

Angie Willis said...

I'm so sorry you've had such a bad end of the year Carolyn and I wish you the very best for 2012 - you deserve it|! I've loved reading your catch up blogs and I adore your new design. Keep smiling and creating :-)

Julie Shackson said...

Such a beautiful pomegranate series to focus on after that black night.

Licho_Nie_Spi said...

Stunning pics with so calm colours! Best wishes for 2012 year!

Lynda Howells said...

Accidents are terrible things and having seen a few in my time, l; know how they linger in the memory. I am so sorry for you my friend.xxx I love pomegranates, such rich colour. Anyway..have a fantastic New year's Eve and may 2012 bring you all you want down in wonderful St.Ives.xxLyndax

Joanna said...

How shocking to have been so close to that dreadful accident.

Beautiful photographs, lovely studies of nature.

xx

Emma said...

Delicious colors, here's to a happier new year. x

rl said...

Just gorgeous Carolyn. Here our November is taupe and almost black. I love it. Before spring comes it's taupe and blue sky. I love every season.

vilterietje said...

happy new year!!!!:)

Mrs Button said...

gosh...so sorry to hear you were affected by the terrible accident...it sounded horrific. thank you for the beautiful images here. :)

dissertation writing services uk said...

Amazing post. Thanks a lot!

Julie said...

I hadn't realised you were caught up in that terrible accident. I hope the effects of that night are less prominent for you now.

I have enjoyed catching up with these last three posts and you have made some beautiful images. I shall look forward to the next catch ups too :-) xx

Jackie said...

So sorry you had such a sad event followed by the awful trauma. x

Carol Rigby said...

I have just joined your site,but I have followed your blog for a long time now and am totally inspired by your lovely work. you are so talanted and I look forward to seeing what you have to share with us for 2012