Monday 10 January 2011

My New Project for 2011



Welcome to my new project. On January the first I walked along the shore and enjoyed the fresh air and the views. The snow had melted and the grassy shore was very wet, soggy and slippery so I had to pick my way carefully. As usual my eyes scan the ground for interesting finds as my head continues to sieve through my thoughts. I need a new project, something fresh to occupy my need to draw. Gradually I start to find little interesting pieces of sea weed, lovely colours and then a snail shell, so out comes the collecting bag.
Maybe I have found my project, if I can find some more interesting objects. My foot pokes about in tangled debris and I collect tiny shells and leaves and seeds. There must be a sycamore seed, there is always a sycamore seed and I felt the delight as the large blackened shape appeared before my eyes. The sea water gives the leaves a dark blackened colouring, especially the many oak leaves. Red berries are always collected, that is my unwritten rule. Gradually after my hour and a half walk my bag is bulging with the wet tangled up treasure.
I have decided that each Saturday I will collect for my project. It is a big book, a double page spread will record my finds. There are some rules, only natural objects and walking the same piece of shore. One week to record and then a new week and new finds.
Here is Week 1, recorded in pencil and acrylic paint. Hope you will follow and see what the sea washes up, what grows and lives here and the lovely feathers from the birds in this beautiful estuary.
Hopefully 52 weeks later ...a fantastic book of my shore line finds.
Thank you for your comments, I love reading them and they are appreciated. Millyx

20 comments:

Dan said...

The sea? Love it!
Dan
-x-

Beth Niquette said...

OOooh....oh, these are so exquisitely beautiful. They fill my eyes.

Dreaming Woods said...

incredibly beautiful Eileen. you truly are one of my favorite artists! i have been meaning to respond on your note about you visit on Bearix Potter's home. i would love to read more of your visit, it must have been a unbelievable visit.

Delila

martinealison said...

Un panaché de vos trouvailles! cela me paraît intéressant...
Bisous

Diana said...

beautiful,Milly, how lovely,the grasses look like winter don't they, kind of twisted and yet so beautiful.. This is going to be an incredible book. Diana

Unknown said...

Wow, what a lovely new project.
Your idea has definitely inspired me to look to my own backyard so to speak. Dartmoor here I come. Good luck with your 52 weeks!

Lucille said...

Shore Line. What a great idea. (I love a play on words Sure Line). I'm looking forward to it.

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

What a good idea Milly and an interesting challenge for you - I'll follow with interest. Lesley x

Susan Scheid (Raining Acorns) said...

Spectacular! What a wonderful project, and how lucky I feel to be able to witness it from week 1!

Pondside said...

I'll follow this with such interest, Milly. I love to walk on our beach and often wish that I could capture what I find on the shore, summer and winter. I know I'll enjoy whatever you come home with!

Posie said...

The painting reflects your enthusiasm Milly, absolutely gorgeous and fluid.Looking forward to sharing in your project and weekly finds,
Posie

Carol Creech said...

Fantastic new project!! I love this painting and can't wait to follow along with your weekly journey. Awesome!
Carol

suz said...

Your work is so lovely - I can't wait to follow you along your new journey.

Frances said...

Milly, the curvy seaweed is a wonderful subject. I think that your new 2011 book is going to be a treasure trove.

How I do look forward to seeing each week develop!

xo

Windsongs and Wordhoards said...

Oh this looks like a fantastic new project! I love the drawn and the painted seaweeds, so beautifully done. I'll really look forward to seeing this book of yours grow, very inspiring actually... makes me want to get painting...

Jill said...

Looking forward to the next 51 weeks.

ELFI said...

comme toujours ..très beau!
dessiner la végétation qu'on ne remarque pas beaucoup...

wandering said...

That sounds like a fantastic project.. (am being selfish here :-) I would love to see your sea finds work.. It'd be a real treat, that!)

Jannette

Teresa said...

What an utterly fabulous book this is going to be.

laura said...

A wonderful idea for a project. I've viewed and read your posts up to week 10 now (having just found your blog) and love your drawings--they're so fine and expressive. What a priceless book you'll have after 52 weeks!