"I begin with an idea ... and then it becomes something else"
~ Picasso

Monday 25 March 2013

first steps back

the first few steps to achieving most things are often the hardest
but they begin by putting one foot firmly in front of the other
and trusting that you are going in the right direction
and, more importantly, for the right reasons

I took those (very difficult) first few steps back in January
by deciding that I wanted to write on my blog again
 

I was away from my blogs for a very long time ... 

I now realise, in hindsight, that I was still getting over
some family things and I believe that, subconsciously,
I was also aware of the deteriorating health of my darling Daddy
who passed away in December 2012

I don't want to go into it all here ...
it's all too painful ... and always will be
but I acknowledge the past few months have been difficult
and now I'm trying to get back to many of my art projects
that were shelved ...but not abandoned


it's very true ...
that spending time creatively can help the healing process
time to lose oneself in an all consuming project or
quiet time to think and process thoughts and feelings

so ... I've been doing just that ...
at my own pace ...

walking on the beach ...
playing with textures on my own photos ...
pushing the pieces around for a still life shot ...

posing tiny little shells ...


enjoying joyful yellow flowers ...
with subtle scents of spring ...


finding inspiration from beautiful words ...


 high above ... the clouds parted for an instant
and a watery gleam of sunshine broke through
the wet streets threw back the reflection of this light
and stone and slate were washed in gold           

anticipating springtime in mosaics ...

discovering a clump of snowdrops on a wintry walk  ...


 enjoying the sprinkling of snow we had
on the Cornish cottage rooftops in January ...


and enjoying new challenges and ways of looking at things

one word wednesday jar project

an inspirational photographic group that looks at refraction,
reflection, distortion, opacity, light, bokeh, colours, textures
and subject matter through the medium of a glass jar or vessel ...
with focus on a title containing only one word

week 1 of the jar project
23 January 2013


we are now on week 9
and I will share some of my jar photos here in coming weeks

I'm finding it such a joyful project

inspired by the snow and ice we had in January
I made a crystal snowflake to go in my first jar photo
I love the refraction through the glass and the pebbles behind


also in snowy January ... I had a lovely day with my friend Jo
she took me over to Sally Snape's shop at Perranarworthal
a most wonderful patchwork/fabric emporium


where I indulged in a little retail therapy


I can justify most of these purchases as they will be used for work I'm producing
for an exhibition of textiles in St. Ives in Autumn 2014 ...
yes ... I've started early for once!!

beautiful lace and soft pastel linens



fabrics with seedheads and starry shaped notions


these are a few of my favourite things

and if you can get down for my show in 2014
you will see that these tones all fit in nicely with my sketchbooks
on a seed pod and seed head theme
 

other "extravagancies" included beautiful batik fabrics
in shades of wintry moon and ocean blues


 ... and lunch at The Olive Grove
where Jo and I exchanged gifts and had a very lovely time
pottering round the nurseries ... looking for snowdrops


in January the moon was beautiful ...

I captured it ...

and printed it ... and made a card

I was amazed when it received 240 "faves" on flickr (thank you)
 

I love moons and mussels
in that particular shade of denim blue ...


moons and mussels


and curating beautiful mosaics ...
those winter blues


more misty blues ...


and during very cold weather I love to make these ...
they are so pretty ... I have them hanging all year round ...
to enjoy their sparkle and reflections

snowflakes

 well ... this is all for now
as I say ... it's a start
 and life is "full on" at the moment
with making for my shop and the other projects I'm working on
not to mention my show later this year

"sew ... a needle pulling thread ..."
so there will be a bit more on that later

thank you for visiting x

28 comments:

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Very happy to see you return to the blogging world Carolyn - you've been missed. Having said that, we all know that life needs to be taken care of at times and blogging is something that can wait until it feels right.

Carol Rigby said...

Great to have your back blogging again Carolyn. I am looking forward to seeing what beautiful creations you have to share with us.

Carolyn Howarth said...

Welcome back, Carolyn. So lovely to have you share your beautiful and inspirational work with us again. Carolyn xx

vintagerockchick said...

So sorry to hear that times have been tough for you Carolyn, but very glad to see you back. As always, your post is beautiful and inspiring. Love the new colour palette.
And I have the snowflake you made me hanging all year round!
(At. This rate, it looks like we may have the real thing all year round) x

Angie Willis said...

How lovely to have you back again and I'm so sorry for your loss. I've not been blogging regularly for a time either but it's because I'm starting so many things and finishing none!

Gina said...

Really lovely to see you back Carolyn and to see all your beautiful inspiring images. It does take a long to to get over such a loss. My Dad died in August and I'm still struggling at times.

Julie Shackson said...

Oh my; what a wonderful post to wake up to! I just love the blue fabrics (especially that blue lace and stripy cotton to die for!) Fabulous mosaics and photos too honey......welcome back!

Just Jubby said...

I just love your work Carolyn so am relishing the fact that you're 'back'. Your posts, whether they come once a year or once a week, are always a treat! Take care.

Jacqui Chimes said...

What a beautiful blog post

TwinkleToes2day said...

Gorgeous pictures to view with a cup of coffee. Such a joy to view them and drink in your words describing your recent journey with such soul, but I also feel the passion for what you love. Have a great week Carolyn :0) Mo x

Anonymous said...

Welcome back, Carolyn. Have missed you and your lovely art. Take care.
Sheila

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Welcome Back Carolyn, Lovely to see all your very creative and inspiring photos and creations. Truly sad when a love one passed on. But taking one step at a time is a good thing and as time passes each step will get easier. Your Friend Hugs Judy

ArtPropelled said...

Lovely to see a post again Carolyn. So sorry for your loss.

Heloise said...

Time will help ease the pain,. I really do believe that being creative is one of the very best remedies. Take good care of yourself. Talk to your Father. I still talk to my Mother and it's 22 years, it does help.

Sue
X

Joseph Pitcher said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Joe Pitcher said...

Hi Carolyn,

I'm new to your blog, but I have to say your work is so beautiful and engaging; really inspiring stuff.

So sorry for your loss,

Best wishes,

Joe
TextileArtist.org

Dotty said...

What a lovely post- thank you for sharing so many beautiful things. I'm glad you have found your voice again. I was so sorry to hear about your Dad. I lost my Dad to cancer in October last year and it has been very hard. Blogging and creating had to take a backseat for a while, but I think there can be some healing in creativity. Lots of love x

Unknown said...

Carolyn, I love to think of you posing tiny little shells. Your creative eye makes it wondrous. Lovely gorgeous mosaics as always. Hope your week is fabby. Love your work. Norma, x

Julie said...

A beautiful return to blogging Carolyn. Your home looks beautiful and must surely tempt Spring to finally return. I love your table setting with the beautiful lacey cloth and daffodils. Your purchases speak of exciting work to come. See you soon xx

Iz said...

Wonderful to see you back again, with all those fabulous pictures of your inspirations. The years will soften the pain, but the grief will always be there: I feel for you.

Unknown said...

It is great to have you back, you have been missed. So very sorry to hear of your loss, saying goodbye to a parent is like sending part of you away...you are in my thoughts.

sharon young said...

What a beautiful inspirational post, Carolyn, it's lovely to see you back and exciting news about your exhibition, I'll certainly be there if at all possible.

Barb Cady said...

I can't tell you how much joy your wonderful work and eye give to me. I am so glad you are back, but understand too painfully well your absence. Art does help when the time is right, I'm so so glad you feel able to blog again. Thank you for the joy of your creativity. Hugs, barb x

Anonymous said...

So glad you are back. Your blog looks lovely as ever and your sense of what is beautiful in the world fills the space. We are lucky to have you and hope each day will ease the loss....xox

Dotty said...

Hi Carolyn,
Thank you so much for popping over to my blog and for your comforting wordsxx

Lynn Holland said...

I'm so glad you have come back to writing your blog. I'm indulging myself on a beautiful Sunday morning with a lie in, a hot cuppa and a read.
It's like being in a wonderful photograph album, an artist studio and a book all at the same time reading your posts Carolyn. Welcome back.
Lynn x x x
Ps. That trim is a wonderful colour x

artangel said...

I'm so sorry for your loss Carolyn. It's obvious that your dad was very supportive of you and that there was a lot of love between you. Something I realized after my dad died though - in many ways that support and love never really leaves you.

I'm very happy that you're blogging again - I always find your posts and pictures so uplifting and inspiring x

Unknown said...

Hi Caroyln Saxby,

I love your creations of your blog! I am so fantasied with your mixed media textiles!

My name is Francesca Hadley, college student at Bury College, Manchester, England. Studying an Foundation Art and Design course to gain a place in higher education. The human body - in's and out's. Also, as this is my final major project, could you kindly give me some feedback on my blog, feel free to make comments on each piece i have created so far. My blog address is http://franbann.blogspot.co.uk. The feedback i collect from my peers in college and outside connections will impact the grade to achieve high grade of Distinction. I need continuous feedback on each piece with strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes and improvement. Please comment on the blog right at the bottom of the page, if there is any problems reply back on this email address.

Thank you,

Francesca Hadley