Walking to work.

First review of The Ice Bear, in the back to school ed. of The Bookseller.

 The Ice Bear Jackie Morris 9781845079680-  ‘This wonderful book by supremely talented artist Jackie Morris is packed with sumptuous illustrations that children will pour over. It is a beautifully written story of a child lost and found, and will be a must of every teacher, as it demonstrates the importance of humans living in harmony with creatures of the wild.’

Always nervous when a new book comes out, though this one isn't published until September. And I quite like the idea of children pouring over one of my books.

Such a beautiful day that a short walk to check on the neighbour's horses became a long walk in sunshine to exercise the dogs in the early morning cool. A footpath runs through my garden and this is the best place to start.

 

Past the raised beds where the slugs have been enjoying my bright beetrrot seedlings. Time to get slug pellets or a shotgun I think. Past the moonjar with shadow roses decorating its pale surface, across the fields to Adam's studio where a rather fine huge white moonjar seems to be sitting on the reject table! Next week we will both be at Art in Action.

Then across the fields to the sea with ears filled with skylark song and butterflies dancing round my feet. The dogs took off running wild, chasing foxes. Across stepping stones and cows had made a pool by the spring. Meadowsweet is blossoming. 

I do love being clothed in the early morning fresh as new silk air. Ravens where delighting in the wind beneath black wings and I realised I missed the raven from The Ice Bear.

Through my mind ran the refrain:

Here am I 

Little jumping Joan.

When nobody's with me

I'm all alone.

Back home, time to work.

1. Make a list.

2. Stretch paper onto every available drawing board.

3. Rough for nursery rhyme cover.

4. Order books for Art in Action.

5. Rough for Jumping Joan and the other blank spaces.

6. Pick up paintings from John, and drawings of hares in white gold frames.

7. Make a list of things to take to Art in Action.

8. Paint.

9. Leave a little space in the day for unexpected happenings.

10. Read.

11. Walk dogs again in the late twilight and watch for owl and fox and badger and bat.

( A power cut put paid to any painting I might have done. The power was off for most of the day, and I struggled to gather any thoughts and put them onto paper as time slipped elusive through my fingers no matter how hard I cupped my hands to catch it.)