I am Red Fox
There’s an exciting time ahead for me, but also, let’s be honest, after over a year at home doing events via zoom, seeing very few people, going nowhere, a challenging time too.
Next week I meet with the Spellsongs crew. We are all having covid tests ( done this now- all negative, hurray!!!! ) and bubbling together in a hide away of great beauty to make new music, art for a forthcoming second album. We did this before in a beautiful house near Hay on Wye, and Folk by the Oak have put together a gallery of Elly Lucas’s beautiful images from then. Do take a look.
Then we travel to London, and on 27th April perform the Spellsongs Show that we should have performed in March of last year, but in this astonishing setting, beneath the giant of the sea called Hope.
I have paints, brushes, all my years of learning, paper, ink, inkstone, and hope, all packed up and ready to go.
My paper is handmade cotton rag paper from Two Rivers in Somerset. It has the perfect snag for the brush that makes my work look just as it should, pooling pigment in its pitted skin. And the paint is from Deep Deep Light, who, knowing that I am painting big, have made and given me larger tins of just the right colours to summon a fox, when mixed with water and the words of Robert Macfarlane. I’ve been prepping the paper with alphabet swirls and gold leaf. And Two Rivers made me some round paper to play with.
The event takes place on 27th April. We have a special giveaway again. The event is only a couple of weeks away now and we want to build a large audience if we can, even though you can’t be there in person. ( I know musicians are longing, hungering to play in front of an audience again, even as our skin hungers for touch and hugs and soon, soon, I hope it will be soon) So, Deep Deep Light have made sets of paints called Red Fox. These come in a beautiful small tin, and they have sent one to me as part of the giveaway. ( And you can buy them from their website – don’t be worried about the post from Latvia, they travel swifter than UK post)
There is also a copy of the first Spellsongs cd and accompanying sleeve note book, into which I have painted an autumnal running fox with my tiny tin of red fox paints.
To ‘win’ these can you share the date for the Spellsongs Natural History Concert for Urban Nature. To attend you just need to donate to the fund via the link on the page. It would be a beautiful present also for a music lover. I think it will be a very emotional event. And I can’t say I am not nervous, but I hope once I have pigment on my brush I will forget everything except the shape of the words and the shape of an otter and a fox. There are so many rewards to be had.
So, please share, leave a comment to say something about foxes, dreams, paint, music, whose music you love, what you’ve missed. Sharing can be tweeting the event, this blog post, instagram ( please feel free to drag and drop images from this post if you wish) facebook, or talking with friends.
If we get to 100 comments I will add a small painting of a fox to the giveaway.
Thank you. Hopefully, see you beneath the remains of hope, to work towards lifting hearts with the arts. Meanwhile, here is something beautiful from the Spellsingers. I cannot wait to hear what they might make with Silver Birch, Thrift, Moth…..
ps, I have to ‘action’ the comments, so yours won’t appear straight away. Don’t worry, I will find it, and make it live.
I can’t wait to see the fox-fur you summon in russet swirls to intertwine with the swell of spellsongs x
I love the spell songs music, and your paintings. Already signed up for the concert and can’t wait to see what you paint
Tim, your foxes have really helped.
It is impossible to read the Spellsongs without my soul beginning to dance and sing. Living without choir practice, without that regular experience of melting into a compassionate group of loving, lovely human beings breathing in unison, has made the last year particularly challenging for me. Sharing the Spellsongs with my nieces and nephews, listening to their hidden colours and paths come alive in our separate bubbles – gardens, parks, and backyards trees – has been a brushful of glue that has kept us connected throughout these challenging months. It is wonderful to know that the concert will be taking place – a heartbeat of hope, a soulful of song, a summoning of community.
What a very special giveaway for an equally special event! I’ve shared will all my friends on Facebook and look forward to the event in a couple of weeks (although we may watch it on catch up with the little ones at a more ‘child friendly’ time too!) I am lucky enough to own a few of your books and your words and art are always touching and soothing to the soul- thank you so much for what you create x
Hi Jackie,
I love your work. I have always enjoyed nature but your work and the spell songs collaboration has enhanced it so much. I live in Glasgow but because until Friday we weren’t allowed to leave our local area Loch Lomond and the hills have been so near but out of reach. Yesterday evening just as the light was turning I drove out to Duck Bay and walked along the side of the loch and breathed in the colours, all the pearly blues and greys that the light brings at that time of evening. A goldfinch was in the branches of one of the trees and instantly I knew what I had to listen to on the way home.
On foxes there is a high population of urban foxes where I live, but I still consider it a great when I see one. I was walking along the canal last week and spotted 3 individual foxes curled up on the opposite bank, each in their own nook sleeping in the sun. They were perfectly still but I stopped for ages to watch them as it was beautiful to see them enjoying the sun.
I’ve already got tickets for the 27th and adored the VIP session in February. So stunning seeing your beautiful painting emerge with the lost words beside and around and in it, and alongside the spell Songs performances. I’m telling everyone I know – the combination of lost words, poems, stunning art and gorgeous musical performances from some of the best musicians is just magical
I can’t wait to see the beautiful foxes and otters you conjure Jackie. It will be emotional to hear the SpellSongs gang doing what they do best once again – you all bring a tear to my eye, fill my heart and lift my spirits thank you. Xx
I’ve shared your post on Twitter.
I occasionally see a fox, although not often as we are close to a badger sett. When I do see one they always seem to have a sense of purpose – crossing a road, disappearing into an alleyway. It’s not an animal that I’ve ever tried to draw it paint before, but I am inspired now to have a try.
I have loved foxes since an urban fox ran rings around me late one night while walking home along the Thames when I lived on the Isle of Dogs. It then stopped and watched me for a moment before dashing off. It was beautiful and lives in my memory!
Sounds like a very emotional evening heading for all of you on the 27th of April.
Spellsongs is a very beautiful way of raising awareness. In words, music, art. Simply beautiful.
I love your paintings and books and there are not the right words to find, to say what you do for nature, people and children with what you do.
I share this on Twitter and my little blog. http://www.farbenfuersleben.com
All the best wishes from Germany.
Bernadett
I am sure a lot of schools will be interested in this event, will they be able to access it in future to use sections in assemblies, in class etc? (Forgive my technical ignorance here).
We’re still hoping the Sheffield date of the original tour will be rescheduled, I think at the moment we are still on ‘postponed’ rather than cancelled.
Best wishes for the event next week, I am looking forward to it.
I have just finished The Lost Spells and feel very inspired by your beautiful watercolours. I started to paint last year and fell in love with watercolours. I discovered you through your foxes on Instagram and will share the concert date on my stories. I find the poems soothing especially Silver Birch. I am studying your watercolour and want to try snow and night landscapes. I hope the event goes well I’m sure it will.
I feel that light is coming into our lives once more. I am looking forward so much to seeing foxes again
Very much looking forward to this event. Just returned from a gorgeous week by the sea basking in some much needed sunshine and spring flowers – didn’t realise quite how much I’d missed it. We took our paints and hoped to do some painting but it was just so good to be outside and walking by the sea!
A second album sounds amazing… wishing you all a smooth transition back to face to face painting and music making.
I’m so looking forward to the event it will be amazing. I’ve loved the books, the music ……and the magical paintings !
When I was a teenager doing my A-levels, I lived in a strange rented cottage with my mum. It was a converted stable block and on one of the last bits of undeveloped land on a very expensive road in Surrey. This gave it an otherworldly, out of step feeling. I was doing A-levels in art, English and French and wanted to pursue art but had a lot of pressure from my school to do English at Oxford. I spent many happy hours preparing my art portfolio in that cottage. Outside the window of my bedroom were wild open fields, where occasionally sheep would graze. But every now and then, I would see a flash of burnished copper – the fox – and in my head, it felt like that was me, a bright streak, slinking away, following my nose. I have definitely missed seeing friends and family over lockdown but there’s quite a lot I would keep about lockdown life.
Ahhhh – “See you beneath the remains of hope” – excited for you – have fun!
So excited to be able to attend this gig. We had tickets for The Barbican. But the rest is history.
Enjoy x
We are hoping to tour in the real in January! Fingers crossed.
Greetings from Australia. I discovered Spell Songs about a year ago, in the midst of our lockdown here. Life is more or less back to normal here now and has been for a while, with only a few a restrictions still in place (mostly border related). My heart goes out to those in so many other parts of the world which have had a much much harder time of things than we have here. I am grateful though for events going online, because it means that I can watch and ‘be there’ from across the other side of the world <3. It is how I found Spell Songs too, watching an online event where several of the musicians performed snippets of the Spell Songs. And in that weird way that things happen, one of those songs was an answer to a prayer, and helped me find peace in a certain situation I was in. Sometimes it is the smallest of things that are the most profound, that make a big difference. I rushed off and downloaded the digital copy of the album, and have been listening to them often ever since. I love them. They are not just magical and beautiful to listen to, but also full of so much wisdom. I would love to buy the books too, they look so beautiful and like something to treasure, but I haven't trusted the global post enough yet. I don't mind if they take a long time to get here, but I do want them to get here and not get lost in the ether somewhere. They are definitely on my list though! I'm excited for you all being able to get together to work on Spell Songs #2 and I look forward to hearing the finished product when its all ready! I look forward to seeing you all on the 27th! 🙂
I love your foxes – I am fortunate to have one – helping musicians on the way. They are the wild in all of us.
Looking forward to hearing more Spellsongs and wishing you safe travels x
Thanks Jackie, shared the date on FB and really looking forward to it x
So looking forward to this. I have missed live music so much. In the early days of lockdown it was Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol that lifted my spirit. Interactive writing of songs every week, full of laughter and kindness by all that took part. The music was released as an EP to raise money for The Trussel Trust. Music and art walk hand in hand and keep dreams alive…..
Hello Jackie,
I’m a huge fan of The Lost Words: I have three copies! ( I love The Lost Spells too). I always used to either read The Lost Words as a bedtime story, or I would ask Mum to give me a random nature word and I would write a poem about it.
I wrote this poem about foxes a while ago, I hope you like it.
In forest, howling
In lane, yowling
Found in woodland, in dale, in valley
In street, in town, in alley
Turning over a bin
Making an almighty din
Running through the trees
Catching prey with ease
Breaking into the unprotected chicken house
Snaffling rabbit and mouse
Searching for food in box
And who does all of this but Fox!
Best wishes
Lucy
Foxes, paint, music and dreams are some of the world’s most precious of things….
Spell songs live up to the collectives name as spells for the soul they most truly feel!
I am trying to teach myself to paint with watercolours Jackie, partly inspired by your work! It’s the most beautiful and interesting (and frustrating journey). I am using my mother’s old paints, which is very poignant so I really get your fascination with using old paints.
We’ve lost so much over the past 14 months, yet we’ve also gained much, I’m thinking particularly of so many people re-connecting with nature. We’ve listened to the dawn chorus, we’ve looked in hedgerows as we’ve taken daily exercise and we’re awakening to the environmental disaster in our seas and oceans.
The Spell Singers and your art point us back time and again to simplicity, to discovery and re-discovery. It’s not too late. The Lost Words are alive in us, we need to conjure them back into existence for future generations. Some things we can return to. I’m loving this journey.
On my walk I saw a perfect red fox strolling along the lane in broad daylight, I hope this is a sign that we can peacefully co-exist, who wouldn’t want to walk with a fox?
So looking forward to next week’s event. Love the first album and your beautiful paintings and excited about the new album project. We are lucky and live by the sea in sunny Nairn and have been able to go for walks along the beach during lockdown. I started painting myself two years ago. I really enjoy it although very much a beginner. If my efforts were half as good as yours I would be thrilled to bits! As it is I will keep daubing. I tell myself it’s about the enjoyment rather than the end product! Looking forward to seeing your new paintings. Exciting!
I discovered the lost words when I lost a dear friend the last year. Between all her books “the lost words” was sitting there really tall waiting for me. Since then my life change…. for the first time I though I could really paint, so I did… I am still in a sort of shock, amazement and transport to a totally different world when I see what I managed to paint.
The lost song have been my soundtrack for the last year and it has transform the absence of my friend in something so beautiful. Both of us love nature and we used to sit in the April sun the last year talking about birds, Orkney and bluebells.
Yesterday I got my ticket to “the lost songs” concert, that would be our date to listen some beautiful songs and to see you with you brushes and colours dancing.
This is a big thank you Jackie, to you and my friend, both of you have giving me something I will carry with me forever.
Hi Jackie,
I’m signed up for this brilliant event and have been enjoying your ‘warm-up’ foxes on Instagram. Delighted to share details on my feed and just love the look of those juicy Deep Deep Light colours on the handmade paper (although I have the feeling >you< could make those foxes sing on the back of an envelope !!).
The whole Spell Songs Creative has become such a force for good, opening doors in the minds of children and adults alike. I sent the pocket-friendly books widely at Christmas for Grannies & Grandads to have fun with the children, and have now got my local poetry group enthused and on board for the NHM concert. It must be such a buzz to know that this work has touched so many lives deeply.
Just one question – did the dictionary which started the whole thing change their book to include the lost words ?
Not yet. They responded with a letter saying they stood by their editorial decisions, but so far no change.
Hi Jackie, I think you know how much I love your work, and have done for so long. This month I am going to take my Hay hare print to frame, and then, later, watch your wonderful concert. I have Spell Songs, and play it over and over, it’s one of my favourite ways to unwind after a writing day. It has a lightness, a naturalness, a togetherness that gives it a charm, in the enchanted sense, all of its own. If I win a second I already know who I shall send it to. Can’t wait to see and hear the concert. Thank you for weaving such a beautiful project from your observations, talents and dreams.
So looking forward to the concert, love the poems, the paintings and the music., makes my heart happy . I’ve been talking to my friends and family about the books and music for a while , just chatted to two friends about it today as we sat in the garden. Looking forward to see Red Fox emerge and to be immersed in beautiful music .
I love your foxes
I used to live in a flat that overlooked allotments. One of the most special things about living there was sitting and watching the foxes play and… sunbathe!! I had no idea they sunbathed! The cubs were the cutest, of course, but the adults were magnificent. I was blessed.
Jackie, I can’t wait to see you conjure life and movement with paper and paint. I hope there’ll be a recording to show my children so I can watch their Joy and wonder
With each Fox that you have conjured the magic have grown stronger & stronger. All of that practice has allowed not only the shape, but the movement of the Fox to flow from your brush. Thank you for sharing Jackie. Good luck for tonight’s concert.
This entire project really has been so magical and special to me…
When a friend told me about the first Spell Songs concert, I just loved the sound of it. As a fellow nature lover, folk musician and music/art facilitator regularly working with children, I just thought this entire project sounded perfect and so very suited to my interests! I didn’t quite expect, however, how much of an emotional impact it would have on me. I was deeply moved throughout the whole performance, and often brought to tears by so many of the beautifully written songs. I don’t think I’d ever had the experience of listening to music for the very first time and just feeling so very grateful, inspired and overwhelmed – It’s hard to put into words, really, but I do wish I could express how incredibly wonderful The Lost Words Spell Songs truly are, and how much I am looking forward to the next album.
Thank you for bringing this enchanting creation into the world, for your beautiful artwork, for Robert Macfarlane’s wonderful words and for the breathtaking music of all of the phenomenal musicians who were a part of the project. 🙂
I am so excited for this evenings performance, and have shared the event with many lovely people 🙂 Take care and stay safe x
xxxxxxx
Under the blue whale hope and the pink full moon all the spell songs were sang, the brushes and paints were dancing and the words were flying…. Thank you so much to all the beautiful souls who made the last night so special.
So gorgeous. I watched in awe as I am a budding artist myself. They way you worked with apparent ease spoke of so much skill and practice. Your work is truly breathtaking, and I was in raptures with the musical accompanyment and setting. Just wow!
Thank you for sharing your gift with us.
Joy x
We had a fox at home when I was very small. My brother was always rescuing injured wild animals & this was yet another. There was the jackdaw that used to bombard the postman until he refused to deliver to our house & would leave our post with a neighbour.
Anyway the fox, Toby, was notorious in our neighbourhood. He regularly would steal from people’s gardens, would leave droppings in my mums laundry & /or slippers, was incredibly vocal & would fall out with any of the many animals that shared our home. And scent marking was his favourite pastime – anywhere & everywhere.
We loved him dearly. He wasn’t with us for long but it was a heavenly, hectic, sometimes frantic, always hilarious time.
The cd and book and paints go to Joy,, whose comment is almost just above here. Thanks everyone… I forgot!!!!!!! To do thedraw.
Thanks for all your help. You are the best
x