Expectation

Expectation. This was the title of a piece of art by Gustav Klimt. It was on the card my daughter sent to me for my birthday. She wrote some lovely words, lots of wishes for me and a message, " Go for all the things you want in life and don't worry what anyone else thinks".

I wonder how I reached this milestone, looking back how quickly the years have passed. Then I realised how grateful I am to be healthy and live in a place I love and have so many good things in my life.

Shortly after my birthday I realised I don't feel any different at all. It is just a number. I expect to carry on doing all the things I love to do and one of them is walking and seeing views like this. Last Sunday we walked across the Marshes and wandered along the board walk. The trees have shed their leaves and we were now able to see this nest, the expert believes it maybe a hawk's nest. If you need help, it is in the centre of picture.

We walked through the marsh across the board walk and then along the footpaths.

Everything has turned brown, the rusty bracken and leaves line the footpaths.

The lovely big oak tree on the edge of the wood looking magnificent with it's out stretched branches. Every last leaf has dropped, making a thick carpet on the ground.

The sun was bright and the views of the hills seemed so crisp and clear. As we wandered through the footpaths in the woods it felt so peaceful. Then a loud scream of a pheasant would break the silence. I stopped to look around and see toadstools and leaves of every colour. I loved the blackberry leaves, lots of beautiful spotted patterns and deep burgundy shades as they turn. They ended up being my choice of things to draw along with some rosehips I collected from that lovely day.

I have been working on this all week, an hour here and there. It is painted in acrylic ink and a number three brush. I wanted to capture what I saw, the ways the edges of the leaves change colour to the deep shades of red, burgundy and the spotted shapes and patterns. They were once green leaves but to me so much more beautiful in this stage of decay.

Drawing capturing the details of the bramble leaves.

The first frosts have had a dramatic effect on the state of the rosehips, some black, others caved in and crumpled like a piece of paper.

I was feeling hungry and took a snack out of my pocket. As I unwrapped my fruit and oats bar the sheep all came rushing towards the fence. I think the rustle of the paper and possibly the smell attracted them, I felt mean eating it with so many hungry eyes looking at me.

Today is so grey and there are hailstones bashing against the windows and icy winds blowing off the shore. It is lovely to see the blue sky in these photographs from last Sunday. All taken by my husband.

My finished page in my square book. And I will just share one of my birthday presents. The lovely stool with my hare drawings, made by Sally's Sporting seats, in the beautiful "Peony and Sage" linen fabric.

Hope you enjoyed seeing my drawings.

Hope you are all keeping warm. I am wearing my warm wool scarf and bird brooch. Sitting by the wood burner and feeling very cosy listening to the wind!

Expectation.....you weren't expecting a picture of me, where you?

Thank you for all the lovely comments that all of you write and send me by email, I really appreciate them and enjoy reading them. Hope there will be many many more years of Drawings from Nature. Millyx