The past week
Last week I travelled to London, stayed in the most wonderful place called The Artists Residence in Pimlico. The only trouble was, it was such a lovely room I just wanted to stay in it, not go anywhere, and just read, write and paint, but….
I had work to do. I had gone to London for three things:
- To deliver some of the artwork for the Book of Birds to Hamish Hamilton. And I was nervous, as this would be the first artwork, after all this time of working on it, that they had seen. Thankfully the work was received with wonderful enthusiasm, and so now I need to push on to complete the work.
- To visit the Fantasy Exhibition at the British Library ( with Tamsin Abbott and John Mitchinson) and we were massively fortunate to have a guided tour from Susan Redd, one of the curators. Highlights for me were the Owl Service plates. Tamsin took a photo of me, beside my covers for Robin Hobb’s books ( now credited with my name and Stephen Raw, the calligrapher) looking like a big kid whose school project just got highlighted in a display!
- To walk along the river bank.
I can not in all honesty remember enjoying a visit to London as much as this. After our meeting we had lunch at the Artists Residence and I left a stone on the table, gilded. When I left I saw that it was nestled beside the till. The staff were all just so friendly, the food amazing, and the room just luxurious and peaceful. I do love a hotel room with a desk, and there was a table beside the window and a bath deep enough to float in. And yes, I did travel with a typewriter. I needed to be spoiled after the covid start to the new year, and all the work, and although this was a work trip too, it seems to have set me up just nicely.
Oh, and, I almost forgot as it has been so very busy, I also signed a new batch of prints from The Lost Words, available soon through Seven Fables, Falcon Boats and other galleries:
Back home and Tamsin joined us again as we recorded an episode of Ramblings with Clare Balding, out on St Davids Head, Pen Maen Dewi, with ravens and choughs. The show will be broadcast in March on Radio 4. So utterly delighted to be able to walk again. ( over 13000 steps in London)
Today the cloud had come down to caress the earth and so the colours of everything were brighter and closer. Robin and I walked to the rocks and Pi ran wild in the bracken. Rising snipe looked like papercuts flung to the sky, muted and flattened by the moisture in the air. I do love the living cloaks of moss and lichen the stones wear here, and how the wind weaves the trees.
Back home and settling to the studio, still trying to find peace in the turbulent world, and ready, I hope to settle in to the last leg of the bird book.
I have a new typewriter, ex military, tiny, beautiful. It will travel well I think, and I look forward to hearing it speak.
What an amazing London Adventure! And you’re looking so well too. It’s good to see.
Your beautiful paintings ! This whole post is breath of fresh air. Adorned with perfect colorful jumper! Thank u for sharing SO much. Love the hotel room pics, typewriter ( my late Mum loved) and at fantasy exhibition my son went to also, (more to share with him). The connections go on and on. Très charmant.
I really enjoyed reading this post – a lovely distraction from the Leeds HDU where I’m visiting my brother in law following major surgery. So glad you enjoyed London, my home for over 40 years despite having my heart in the hills. I recently did the stretch of river from the Barrier to Erith, a wonderful combination of industrial and natural with sugar factories, sewage works, lapwings and snipe.
Dear Jackie, this is Blaubeerblau (Ulrike).
I’m happy to have found your blog and I enjoyed your London visit very much. The hotel room is a dream, especially the bath tub.
Thanks for sharing your adventures here.
Your new work is wonderful. Love the goldfinch.
I’m working on a new scandic inspired sweater…
Sending much love,
A most enjoyable read. Interesting to see the Owl Service, perhaps the only set of crockery to provide a book title. And you do look different, to the extent that I had to look twice to persuade myself it was you. Must be the new haircut, or something (I am easily bamboozled by changes in appearance). But anyway, it suits you. More power to your elbow, as my mother was wont to say.
Good to see you here. I have one sleeve of a baby jumper to knit, then I need to finish my green sweater. And then…..
The new typewriter really is a beauty.
Oh yes it most certainly is. x
Leaving maze-stones in London is A GOOD THING.
And – you look well – very well – glowing. Your face has ‘lifted’ – only….naturally!
I can’t tell how happy I am to see you on your feet, walking, out in the wilds of home as well as London! What a beautiful post!
Thank you