Wednesday 1 January 2014

A New Year

Happy New Year. It has been such a wet stormy day here. A chance to sit and draw by the fire. I decided to draw one of the objects I found on the shore on Boxing Day. We went for a long walk and I collected a bag full of treasures. There was so much to choose from after the high tides, long wavy lines of tangled grasses and seaweed and feathers with so many other objects left behind on the shore.
I loved poking around, seeing all the different objects but my most exciting finds were not one but three great examples of this black mermaids purse. It was a lucky day as I found yellow and brown ones too, the ones with long thin twisting and curling strands. I found plenty to inspire me including some beautiful feathers, pieces of seaweed and brown and blackened oak leaves. Then I think I must have picked up about thirty red berries, many of them going black after their journey to the tide line!

I eventually washed my bag full of treasures and now my visitors have gone home, we are back to normal quiet time so I have been drawing one of the large black mermaids purse. I have gone big, much bigger then my usual life size drawings because the days are so dark. I used inks and a dip in pen, perfect way to relax. A board on my knee, paper and a jar of ink and watching the lines create the artwork.

I am trying out something else new today. A blog app to post from my iPad. All the time it takes me to post, I am hoping this may turn out to be the answer! This is to be a more adventurous me, so I am also hoping this blog post works. I do not take part in many of the social media, as I feel my time is precious and I want to use it for drawing and making and being creative. And to use my time for getting outside in the fresh air and walking and noticing and seeing all the countryside and nature around me.
So today it might be a wet grey day here, this photograph taken around 1pm, as the tide covered the shore and the clouds formed a blanket over the hills. There is such a bright and exciting feeling at the thought of a new year, my head is filled with so many ideas, creative ideas and projects. We went for a walk on Sunday high up on the moors and we stood and looked at a beautiful rainbow in the sky, like a message, life is magical if you know where to look.

Hope you all have a Magical 2014. See you all soon. Millyx

15 comments:

Gill said...

Happy New Year Milly!
A really wet and dreary day here!!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Milly! I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful drawings through the year :)

Unknown said...

Your drawings are wonderfully creative and inspiring. Great photos too! I like the rainbow, as it symbolizes hope, in a dreary frozen month!

Frances said...

Milly, your 2014 is certainly off to a very fine start. The ink drawing of the mermaid's purse and "attendant" berries is a gem. I love the intricacy of all those inky lines joining together so well to create a very strong image.

The openness of those landscape photographs presents a different type of beauty, full of atmosphere that I agree is very magical. How wonderful to actually witness that brilliant rainbow over the moor.

I am very much looking forward to visiting hereabouts in the weeks to come. xo

Debbie Nolan said...

Dear Milly - lovely work. I am always so enchanted when I visit you. Gorgeous rainbow. It is snowing here and we have received several inches and it is to be very cold tonight. Take care and keep toasty by the fire. Have a Happy New Year.

Acornmoon said...

Happy New Year to you Milly, I look forward to seeing more of your drawings and creations throughout the year. I hope you found your pot of gold.

AnaGF said...

Thank you for dropping by my blog. 2013 was a poor year for me in terms of drawing, but I am determined to make it different in 2014 and visiting your blog is always a big source of inspiration. Your drawings are wonderful - and I didn't know shark's egg capsules were known as black mermaids purses, what a fantastic name! I wish you a great 2014.

Introverted Art said...

wow I love them!

Feathers said...

Happy New Year! right back to you Milly--A wonderful beginning to 2014 here--the rainbow on New Year's Day must mean good luck for this coming year. Have you chosen a "word" for the year as I see some have? (Seems you have)

Feathers said...

That word seems to be "Adventurous"

laura said...

Happy New Year. Always amazed by your drawings: they combine lyricism and detail. The mermaid's purses are beautiful. I have a few I've found near my home by the Delaware Bay (NJ, USA) ... but I never saw such detail in them!
I wonder if you ever use, and could recommend, a water-soluble ink pen? I have been looking for one, but most seem to be waterproof.

suz said...

Happy New Year! Thank you for sharing the mermaid's purses - they are so intriguing - one of my goals is to go to the ocean this summer to see if I can find any!

Mayte clay said...

I wish you , HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Your drawings are fantastic.

Pondside said...

A very Happy New Year to you and to yours! I agree with your view on becoming more involved with social media - there is just not enough time for it. When would you draw, explore, collect and draw?
Lovely to get caught up on your recent posts.

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

Happy New Year Milly. Really like the Mermaids Purse drawings and the rain soaked photos - yes, life is magical if you know where to look! Best wishes. Lesley x