Monday 2 November 2009

November - Looking back and looking forward

This time of year has always felt to me like a new beginning. A time for looking back at special times and places, and also for looking forward with excited anticipation.
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The land has always held a fascination for me. From being very young I have been entranced by the atmosphere of places.

Circular Garden Poole Wood Ingrid Sylvestre ink drawing North East artist Ingrid Sylvestre Durham artists This year I'm celebrating the beginning of November by re-reading parts of an artistic journal I kept several years ago, while painting the landscape at Grey Towers, Nunthorpe.
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I've included a couple of excerpts here, written after a walk at the end of October.


Sunset Stable Block Grey Towers watercolour by Ingrid Sylvestre North East Artist Durham artist


Though many years have passed since writing those words, the sense of wonder has not. If anything it has intensified. Whoopee!

In Poole Wood Grey Towers by Ingrid Sylvestre North East artist Durham artist UK
Writing this blog-post was prompted by reading 'Endless Renewal and Other Things' at Solitary Walker's blog - always an inspiring read! It was through reading this and Nature's Whispers blog that I learned that now is the time of the Celtic New Year.
Rainbow over the Meadow Grey Towers acrylic painting by Ingrid Sylvestre North East artist Durham artists UK
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North East artist Ingrid Sylvestre Durham artists North East art for sale Ingrid Sylvestre County Durham Newcastle upon Tyne Middlesbrough Teesside Cleveland North Yorkshire
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32 comments:

Jasmine said...

What a beautiful post. You have a lovely log here. I'd like to visit again :)

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Jasmine - you are very welcome!

Jasmine said...

How did you find my blog? Are you doing the Creative Astrology course too? I'm so pleased to have a place on this course :)

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Ooh, I love your ability to capture the color and mood of fall. The color painting of the bare trees so puts me in mind of Van Gogh's autumn poplar series... Fall has always been my favorite season--most see it only as an end to summer, but I've always seen it as a beginning as well. Finally, I also very much feel place resonates with me... where I live and my physical surroundings has always affected my mood... I am grateful my current home and garden give me much peace and comfort.

Phoenix C. said...

HI Jasmine - I can't actually remember how I found your blog - I think it was via visiting a blog, then another, then another, so you can't remember the route you took!

I have not heard of the creative astrology course - it sounds like you are enjoying it!

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Monica!

Autumn is such an evocative season, with intense atmosphere as well as colour - I too have always loved it.

Your current garden looks glorious!

Barbara Martin said...

Lovely paintings of your garden and woods.

I read somewhere that the winter solstice on December 21st was the real beginning of the new year.

My feelings of renewal of the season are expanded at this time of year as the leaves take their rest.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Barbara!

I suppose every day is the beginning of a new year!

I like to see the new buds already formed on the twigs, ready for the spring.

The Solitary Walker said...

This is such a lovely blog! I too have a thing about 'the atmosphere of place'. Indeed, experiencing this is one of the most important things in my life.

BTW, I used to live in Durham in the early 1970s. It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever lived in. That walk through the cathedral, by the colleges, then along the Wear was very special to me. I also remember walking to Finchale Priory. And seeing kingfishers on the Tyne near Corbridge and Prudhoe... Lovely, up there.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I love your descriptions of how you felt seeing the colors. I can feel the warmth radiating out of the picture of the trees by Grey Towers. I see it's called Autumn Light on your sidebar. I just love that one, I'm really drawn to it.

lynn'sgarden said...

What a great idea! I love reading journals from my youth...I end up laughing alot but also a reminder of what you loved and had forgotten about. Your renderings and words were/are wonderful, P.C.!
Lynn

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Solitary Walker! The atmosphere of place has always been of vital importance to me too.

Durham is very special. The walk round the back of the Cathedral is still unspoilt and beautiful, and probably much the same as when you were up here. There are gems all around the area. I must look out for kingfishers!

Phoenix C. said...

Catherine, thank you! I love to paint the light and to express the atmosphere I experience in these lovely places.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Lynn! It is good to remember special things - and laugh! I wish I had kept more journals.

Diane AZ said...

A most enjoyable post! Gorgeous journal entries and artwork bathed in that warm gold color.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Diane!

There's been a warm gold colour here most of the day, with lovely autumn sunshine!

Prospero said...

It is plain to see how the landscape influences you. It is like an organism that engulfs you while forever rejuvenating itself. This is the deep well from which the poetic emerges.

Phoenix C. said...

It is indeed like a deep never-dry well, Prospero, and while rejuvenating itself it also rejuvenates those who delight in it!

Anna said...

A beautiful post Phoenix. Your painting of Grey Towers reminds me of Bruges for some reason :)

Phoenix C. said...

Anna, thank you. I'll have to visit Bruges - I think I've been through it on a train!

karen said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful works of art. Autumn light washed over my heart chakra with its rich golden color tuning my emotional,mental, and spiritual being today. Bless you. What a fantastic talent. Until today I had never heard of Samhain; so I appreciate the intro to Nature's Whispers. Happy New Year!
love, karen
xxoo

Rob (ourfrenchgarden) said...

Your art is always a delight.

November is always a month to take 'stock'.

Phoenix C. said...

Happy New Year, Karen and thank you!

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Rob!

Taking stock and planning ahead too.

PERBS said...

It was a beautiful re-run both in photo s and words. Thanks for sharing!

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you PERBS - glad you enjoyed it!

Dimple said...

Thanks for sharing your journal and art. I enjoyed both. And thaks for your kind comment on my 'Gateway' post.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Dimple - glad you enjoyed them!

lynn'sgarden said...

I read these again with much joy! You are continuing to journal, yes?

Come see my bench pic...thought of you when I took it!

Lynn

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Lynn! I am continuing to journal, I've just been phenomenally busy this last couple of weeks!

I shall come and see your bench now ...

Malyss said...

Your drawings are not only beautyful, they are moving., epecially with your words. Yesterday, In my main blog, I also was speaking about the golden light of autumn. I like this time of the year too. ANd I would like so much to be able to remember things by drawing them, like you do. I especially love the little picture with rain (I love rain), and the last one, so hopefull!

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you so much, Malyss, I really appreciate this!

I love the rain too, especially in the countryside, and at this time of year there are such lovely scents.

I shall come over and visit your main blog.