My Photo... River Dee

Today was like a game of football... a game of two halves.
In the morning we had glorious warm temperatures, but by early evening it was back to grey rainy weather. 

It was the kind of day that reminded me of my time when I lived abroad.
Outside of the house would be warmer than the inside.
Thankfully I captured images of the better half of the day. 

I had just taken my newly retired hubby back to school... cookery school that is.

The cookery class was part of a birthday gift and thankfully he loved the idea. 

He even had ideas of grandeur.... commenting that he could be the next Paul Hollywood!

All he hoped was that by the end of the day he didn't have a soggy bottom!

(that's a Great British Bake Off reference by the way, just in case you are wondering what on earth I'm referring to)

After I finally got my laughing under control, I was ready to do the school run! 

 As I  passed the River Dee I just had to stop the car in order to take a few photos. 

It looked so beautiful.

In the photo below you can see the Bridge of Dee which is one of the oldest bridges in Scotland. 

The Bridge of Dee or Brig o'Dee is a road bridge over the River Dee and dates back to 1527.

If you look closely in the centre of the photo above, you can see a fly fisherman.

He is casting his fly for salmon. 

The River Dee is renowned as one of the great salmon rivers of the world.

I can't help thinking that even though it was a beautiful warm morning... it would be pretty cold standing waist deep in the river.
The pink flowers looked incredibly like orchids but I'm not sure.
I'll have to go back and take some detailed shots of them.

The cooking class was a huge success by the way.

He even managed to save a sample of one of the dishes out of the three he'd made and brought it home for us to sample.
He ate the other two, plus samples of the chef's work!

I dread it now that he'll probably be so fired up... he'll no doubt start to preach about not using jar's for sauces anymore! 

I may have created something I may later live to regret!

So that's it for today folks. 

I'm linking up with Photoalife once more.

Just before I go I'd like to link up with  Mersad over at Through my lens over in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He has lots of great photographers link up, so if you'd like to see more then please just click on the link above.
Also Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing) 

... and

Have a wonderful week and thanks for popping into my place.

I hope to see you again soon.

Experimenting... Wildflower Meadow... PPF

Now this is actually beyond a Tail-End Charlie entry into the Paint Party Friday link... I've almost missed the boat! 

As usual I thought I'd manage to do at least one piece of artwork during the week, but alas this morning I realised that it was actually Friday and I hadn't got anything to show for the week! 

Where did that week go?

It was actually the bin men arriving that reminded me... so after dashing the wheelie bins out into the lane at record speed, I decided that I would make some time today for art.

I had seen an artist a few weeks ago, using a technique that I've been wanting to try.

So I decided today was the day to give it a go....

This is only the draft piece hence the substandard paper. 

I just wanted to see if I could make the same effect that the artist had. 

It's a wildflower meadow by the way just in case it's not clear.

Firstly, I wet the paper (hence the wrinkles and curves... see I told you it wasn't the best quality paper)

Then I started to paint a sunrise. 

As you can see... not very well at this stage, but please bare in mind as I waited for it to dry I had been nipping in and out of the garden to tidy a few borders and pull yet more weeds.
It's not the best way to produce a masterpiece, but it's the best I could do.

This incessant rain makes the weeds grow like triffids!

This was only a trial so at least I was able to do something, which is better than nothing at all.

Next I mixed various colours and flicked the paint onto the paper. 

Then I added some details to give the effect of wildflowers.

The wildflowers are so important in helping to keep the bee pollution thriving and is so topical at the moment.
We are actually thinking about having our own bee hive because we already have our own meadow (it's actually a patch of garden left to whatever wants to grow ie wild flowers and weeds) so we're almost there. 

I'll hopefully be linking up as usual with Kristin and Eva over at Paint Party Friday if I'm not too late.

Thanks ladies for hosting such an inspiring linky.

Plus this week is the second week of Alexandra's Sunday Sketches from the UK. 

Alexandra has moved over from the US to England for a temporary period and she wanted her link to Sunday Sketches to reflect that it is being hosted from England.

She had a competition to design a logo to reflect the move and I'm thrilled to say she picked my design. 

Please tap on the logo in my side bar to nip across to see lots of Alexandra's brilliant illustration work, but also lots of other artists work too.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone and thanks for stopping by. 

I hope to see you again soon.

Happy Thistle Thursday!

A little late but liking up with Wordless Wednesday

Have a terrific Thistle Thursday! 

My Sunday Photo... Yoga In The Park

Oh how I would love to say that this photo was taken of me doing a little yoga in the park... 

but alas it isn't me... but it's my daughter!

Pretty good isn't she? 

I love this photo for so many reasons... yes the light, composition and subject are all good, 

but it's the fact that when I first saw it I thought 'Oh she looks like my daughter' not realising initially that it was my daughter.

I know she's been enjoying taking up yoga, but I hadn't a clue that she had become so good. 

Now she's encouraging me to have a go... so if I become this good... you never know I might well post a photo of me one day! (ha)

As it's Sunday, I'm linking up with Photoalife once more and Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing)

If you'd like to see other great photographer's work then please click on the links above. 

Have a wonderful stress free Sunday everyone.

Namaste

Feline and Folly

Well would you believe it... it's Friday once again. 

I was away last week, so I'm trying desperately to catch up. 

But I did promise myself that I would have something to bring to the Paint Party Friday link this week. 

I know what on earth was I thinking?... 

Talk about taking it to the wire, but I did managed to grab 25 minutes last evening.

I came up with this little chap.

I have no idea why or for what reason.

I think I took him by surprise because he looks as surprised as I was at the outcome!

I think his expression kind of sums up my week really! 

I have wanted to use my watercolour pencils for some time now, so it was a good exercise. 

The trouble is now I don't know whether to add water or not. 

Another thing that we have managed to do since returning home is to add lights into the garden. 

It's something that I have wanted to do since we bought this house.

Finally, we have a lit up the old ruined barn.

What do you think?

I know some people think it's a little spooky, but I love it.

I would love to add another light to shine into a rather large tree, but apparently my new retiree thinks that's too big a job. 

We shall have to see ;D

I will be linking up as usual with Kristin and Eva over at Paint Party Friday 

Thanks ladies for hosting such an inspiring linky.

Plus this week is the first of Alexandra's Sunday Sketches from the UK. 
Alexandra has moved over from the US to England for a temporary period and she wanted her link to Sunday Sketches to reflect that it is being hosted from England.
Please tap on the logo in my side bar to nip across to see lots of Alexandra's brilliant illustration work, but also lots of other artists work too.
Have fun!

My Sunday Photo... Jedburgh Abbey

My Sunday photo is Jedburgh Abbey, in the Scottish Borders, just 10 miles north of the border with England at Carter Bar.

Jedburgh Abbey is a ruined Augustinian abbey which was founded in the 12th century.

I'm still away at the moment hence today's brief post, but I'm linking up with Photoalife once more.

I hope you are having a fabulous weekend and I hope to see you again soon.

Spotting in Edinburgh... PPF

I'm away right now, so today's link to PPF will have to be very brief...

I know when I normally say that I can still natter on, but today I really mean it. 

My post today is still art related, but with a difference. 

We've stopped off in Edinburgh to visit our daughter... who is an Artist/Lawyer. (so there's a link)

Edinburgh was basking in glorious sunshine yesterday... and HEAT! 

I know that will come as a surprise to many. 

The city is also heating up for the annual Edinburgh Festival Fringe. (another art related item)

(The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world's largest arts festival, which in 2015, spanned 25 days and featured 50,459 performances of 3,314 shows in 313 venues)

On to my tenuous link... whilst walking to dinner last night, we came across a film crew currently shooting the Trainspotting 2 movie. 

It's not something that you see everyday, so we lingered a little... it might have had something to do with the fact that Ewan McGregor might just appear on location. 

We waited...and waited... far longer than my hubby's rumbling tum wanted, just in case Ewan made an appearance, but alas, apparently we had just missed him. 

There's nothing worse than people bragging that they've seen someone that you would like to meet, but that they've left already and you've missed out!

But then look who I 'spotted'... see what I did there?

Danny Boyle... Looking at me! 

Just in case you don't know...Danny Boyle is a British film director, producer, screenwriter and theatre director, known for his work on films including Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, The Beach, 28 Days Later, Slumdog Millionaire, Sunshine, 127 Hours, and Steve Jobs

Maybe he thought I should be written into the film or perhaps for another yet to be written. 

I'm all ears Danny... just email me the details!

So that's my quick dash for you this morning.

I hope you'll enjoy this post and I promise that I'll try to actually complete some artwork soon.

Just before I go I'd like to link up with  Mersad over at Through my lens over in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He has lots of great photographers link up, so if you'd like to see more then please just click on the link above.

Have a fabulous day and I hope to see you soon.

Wordless Wednesday... Cute

Who needs words when you look like this....

I'm linking today to Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing) 

and

 

Thanks for visiting my place... have a great day

My Sunday Sunset Photo and a little Pokemon

I know you have seen many of my sunset photographs from this particular spot but sometimes I just have to capture them. 

Each one seems so special and I want to make sure that I appreciate them. 

What a perfect way to end a day. 

As usual I'm linking up once more with Photoalife 

Why not pop over and see lots of other great photography.

Just before I go I thought I'd share Muffin's latest Instagram photo with you. 

Who needs Pokémon when you have a Pooch!

Yes I know the ball has seen better days, but she's had it since Day 1 and loves it.
She has other newer balls and lots of toys, but 'Wilson' has had too many adventures with her to just be discarded. 

(Don't worry I check it regularly to see that it's still safe)

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by my place. 

Hope to see you again soon.

Melbourne Laneways Graffiti... PPF

Something a little different for you this week.

Once again, it's unfortunately not my own work... it's been that kind of week once again. 

The weather has been reasonably good, so I've been busy outdoors. 

Although having said that I have managed to do some art, but I can't show it here, as the person who it is intended for might see it before the grand unveiling. 

Anyway... on to today's exhibit. 

It's travelling back in time to our days in Melbourne and this canvas shows one of the many Melbourne Laneways. 

This one is completely full of graffiti.

Graffiti is often a controversial subject because some visualise it as pure vandalism, whilst others a form of modern art. 

Here in the Lanes it seem right. 

I personally hate to see peoples names scrolled on railway bridges or randomly painted on the side of a beautiful buildings etc... but here in these lanes provision has been made and it makes quite a spectacular sight. 

I'm afraid that I can't give the photographer credit for this work as I can't quite work out the signature. Maybe you can?

Al fresco eateries, one-off shops and cosy little bars all nestle side-by-side in Laneways threading throughout the city.

If you'd like to see more type 'Melbourne Laneways' into your search engine under Images and you will be able to see these popular areas. (or click here)

I've borrowed this canvas from my son's bedroom and I apologise for the quality of the photo. 

It's difficult to get the image to look like the original. 

The canvas texture shows through. 

I purchased the print at the Melbourne St.Kilda Sunday market and my son immediately requested it when he saw it. I think he may have dabbled himself in the past.

I will be linking up as usual with Kristin and Eva over at Paint Party Friday link up. 

Thanks ladies for hosting such an inspiring linky.

Enjoy your Friday and thanks for stopping by.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I would just like to add my thanks to Alexandra over at bluechairdiary blog for picking my design for  her Sunday Sketches competition. Alexandra is moving over from the US to England for a temporary period and wanted her link to Sunday Sketches to reflect that it is being hosted from England.
Please tap on the logo in my side bar to nip across to see lots of Alexandra's brilliant illustration work, but also lots of other artists too.
Have fun!