Wednesday 15 January 2014

High tides

After the flood warnings, everyone waited and watched as the highest tide came rushing into the estuary. It was such a windy cold day and the whole of the shore was soon covered in water. The water rushed on to flood fields and it was obvious there was going to be a possible risk of it breaking over onto the railway lines and onto the road.

 

This is an average sized tide, the view from my house across the estuary.

 

This is the day of the huge tide, the railway bridge to the right and you can see the water flooding in. It did break the boundary line of the shore and the trains had to be cancelled because of the water on the lines. The high tides continued for about a week and then I ventured down on to the shore for a walk and curious to see what might have been left .

There was lots to choose from, so many pieces of seaweeds, lots of mermaids purses and black mussel shells, lots of red berries! I have been for a second walk and so I now have two collections to choose from. The sand has shifted around in the tidal river and we found some pretty pieces of china too, one with a bird on which I have plans for.

I have been drawing this little group.

 

And a lovely piece of blue and white china.

 

Today I added the final touches. It is painted with a number 4 sable brush and acrylic inks. The real berries and the seaweed have now wrinkled and dried up. I really like this piece of china with all the texture from spending years in the salty sea water on the shore.

It is cold but I was so happy to see the first snowdrops on my garden, white buds about to burst, a lovely sight. Meanwhile a vase of red tulips and daffodils on my kitchen table, a present from my sister, signalling spring is not so far away. We had a walk in sunshine yesterday, such a welcome after the wet and grey days. I have been delving in my seashore bags and I have washed some more objects for a new drawing, they do not smell too nice but I have definitely found such interesting things to keep me busy. Perhaps I am just easily pleased. Hope everyone is keeping warm! Thank you for the lovely comments and your New Year Wishes. There has been lots of visitors to my blog, people enjoying lots of my old posts, why not say hello? See you soon, Millyx

 

 

13 comments:

Diana said...

HI Milly, Happy New Year, so sorry about all the horrible weather. I'm glad it's sunny now and better there. Your new painting is lovely so very delicate. You have such a beautiful way of arranging them as well as the gorgeous way you paint. Wishing you a beautiful year. love,Diana

laura said...

Lovely, Millie. In the first picture of your finds, I like the crinkled paper too!
Love the view from your house--what a great thing to see every day!

RH Carpenter said...

So glad the flooding didn't reach the homes. And the new "finds" are lovely and will continue to make beautiful paintings. Happy New Year!

Frances said...

Milly, this latest shore collection has really inspired you to an exceptionally beautiful painting. You already know how much I admire all your drawings and painting, but truly, this one is very special.

The contrast between the natural elements and that scrap of seafaring china gives us so much to look at, and think about, too.

Bravo, dear Milly. It appears that the flood left riches for your artistry.

xo

Unknown said...

What a lovely post, to get a glimpse of what your winter's day is like. Beautiful photos, and the drawing is going to be wonderful. I would have chosen exactly what you decided to draw, too. I might have drawn the crumpled paper. Are you going to put that in the background? Just curious what you're envisioning)

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

So interesting to see the difference between the average tide and huge tide in the estuary, Milly and I've enjoyed seeing your 'finds' turned into beautiful artworks.

Haven't seen any snow drops yet, but 'Daphne' is flowering in some of the gardens around here. Lesley x

Feathers said...

Snowdrops??? How wonderful! Your spring can't be too far off. What amazing photos of the flooding-nature has such extremes. Glad to know that it has gone back down and the trains can again move. Easily pleased?--No, I believe you have a fine appreciation of your different finds. I love seeing them too. Thank you for sharing.-Anita.

Debbie Nolan said...

Milly - those high tides - are they something that happens often? So glad to see your pictures. Such a beautiful place you live.

I am always so excited to see your lovely art too. That piece of china would certainly attract me. Wonder if it was from a plate or a cup? Wonder too how long it had been floating around? Thank you for sharing. Hope you have a lovely week.

Melody said...

Freshly found pottery chards, yeah! I do so love the blue ones! Looks like a lot of water sloshing around over there! I'd stay inside and snuggled up to the fire with a fresh bottle of ink... :)))

JP said...

I do so love your blog - please don't ever stop - the china is lovely

Sarah Melling said...

I know I'm reiterating what others have said, but your eye for arranging the page is amazing. Your painting itself is already lovely, but the compositions really elevate these pages as works of art.

suz said...

sorry to hear about the flooding - hopefully no homes were damaged. Your new painting is lovely - I find the china pieces enchanting.

Acornmoon said...

Those high tides must have been a little scary? You always manage to find something beautiful and to share it with us in your own inimitable way.