Ode to the Crow

W&N watercolour done on a textured back-ground by Skeletal Mess on Visual 200gsm

Ode to the crow
that finds its way
to fly straight home
on this most terrible day.
Through gusts of wind it takes flight
through rain and storm
through dark and light.
We cower down at the sight of bad weather
and it lands when its done
not missing a feather.
We act as though the world revolves around us.
yet when the finger is pointed
all we do is gripe and fuss.
we set our traps of jealousy
to capture which we yearn most
A white lie here and a grin of deceit
we are determined to make all
bow down at our feet.
through dust in ash
where all you can hear
is a wallowing cry
I say ode to the crow
that continues to fly.
- Cameron Daniel Brooks

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Happy New Year!

Time moves through us, weaving its own plaids and patterns, creating an endless swath of fabric that waves in the breeze of who we are.

Ring out the old. Invite in the new. As we say goodbye to one year, we can look forward to the hope and possibilities of another one. They say you learn something every day. I've learnt to live by choice, not by chance. Here's wishing that your 2013 will be filled wonderful choices and I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.

And have a blessed 2013!

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ARUM LILY (Zantedeschia aethiopica)

 W&N watercolour on Bockingford 300gsm

My Arum lilies started flowering a couple of weeks ago and the rain we have had over the past few weeks will certainly give them a push-start for the rest of the summer. Mine don't seem to mind full sun as long as they get enough water. I just love sketching them - their simple, fluid lines allow one to play with the shadows and in just a few brush-strokes they are complete.

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Season's Greetings 2012!

 

The magic of Christmas is in the air and New Year is just round the corner. It’s the perfect time to take a break from work and cherish the warmth of the season. Hope you have a wonderful festive season and for those travelling, be safe!

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Steal an hour

W&N watercolour on DalerRowney 300gsm

As the year draws to a close - steal an hour to reflect on the beauty of Nature.

When breezes are soft and skies are fair,
I steal an hour from study and care,
And hide me away to the woodland scene,
Where wanders the stream with waters of green.

Yet, fair as thou art, thou shunnest to glide,
Beautiful stream! By the village side;
But windest away from haunts of men,
To quiet valley and shaded glen;
And forest, and meadow, and slope of hill,
Around thee, are lonely, lovely, and still,
Lonely—save when, by thy rippling tides,
From thicket to thicket the angler glides,
Or the Simpler comes, with basket and book,
For herbs of power on thy banks to look;
Or haply, some idle dreamer, like me,
To wander, and muse, and gaze on thee.
^UNKNOWN

^::

 

 

A Crow's dream

W & N watercolour on Bockingford 300gsm
Coco, my Black Crow (Corvus capensis) having a dream

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To build a nest
with twigs unrest
lying here, lying there
to lay some eggs
and breed some chicks
to teach them how to click
to swing in the branches
and spy through the arches
to bathe in the puddles
all cool bathed rooms
in search of green woods
fully loaded with ripened fruits
all life did I stood
for life and livelihood
my nest my homes
one for one crow-hus
same straws yet new nest
next time I breast
sweet life, luxurious breeze
small problems everything within reach
friends of mine
plenty and more
we dine together
that is where we gather
we dirt eat to purify the earth
our souls divine burn the heaps holy
Yet I dream of cages untold
where parrots feed on milk and grains
mellow fruits are ripe and ready
anytime to taste without buddies.
 ^{lalitha iyer}

^:: 

The beauty of Autumn

W&N watercolour on Aqua 300gsm 

Autumn is a beautiful time of year for personal reflection and coming to terms with our position in life. There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough to pay attention to the story ...

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A Murder of Crows

One crow, sorrow, 

two crows, joy, 

three crows for a girl, 

four crows for a boy, 

five crows for silver, 

six crows for gold, 

seven crows for a secret that's never been told.

 - Ashe Corven 

A daily practice of sketching and painting gives you a chance to exercise the big three P's 

- practice, practice, practice! 

A collection of crow sketches done on a free Textured back-ground from Boccacino - first I print out the texture on watercolour paper and then paint the sketches on top of that. 

Although cultures around the world may regard the crow as a scavenger, bad omen, or simply a nuisance, this bad reputation might overshadow what could be regarded as the crow’s most striking characteristic – its intelligence. 

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The True nature of Peace

Now I see the secret of making the best person: it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth. 

- Walt Whitman 

W&N watercolour on DalerRowney 300gsm 

A peaceful scene in Tarlton (Gauteng, South Africa). 

For me, total peace is to be found in nature – the biggest problem seems to dissipate in the face of the beauty of a sunrise or a sunset, the birds singing, or while walking in the rain… And as you lose yourself in the moment, you realise that this Peace is the natural radiation of Living in the Now, seeing only the Present and nothing of the Past or the Future.

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What will I find?

Driving up one of the gravel roads in and around our area always fills me with expectation - what will I find over the horison? Neat, green fields? A little stream? Or some antelope crossing the road? I can't remember how many times I've been blessed with some wonderful finds, a Hedgehog sprinting for the cover of grass, a Duiker quickly leading it's fawn back to the safety of the trees, a Kestrel sitting on a fence post devouring its prey.

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