ANIMALS FOR OPUS GLUEI, AND TAKING A BREAK

- Jez

This reluctant lady was created some time ago, the cow collaged on to the pre-painted acrylic background and altered.  She is my entry for the current 'Animals' theme at Opus Gluei.

TAKING A BREAK

I've taken the easy route of using a past piece because I have decided that for the moment I feel it is necessary to take an enforced break, and my energy levels are close to nil.

- Jez

My current health problems are not resolved yet, and there are more blood tests and X-rays to come this week.  Added to that, Dev is undergoing lots of tests for what looks as though it could also be something rather serious.

So I am hoping to come back to Blogging as soon as I can but until then I shall try to visit and comment when (a) I am awake and (b) things are a little better.

Until then, I want you to know how much blogging, visiting, commenting and most of all your lovely comments have meant to me and have kept me going through some difficult times.  I'll be thinking of you.  
             - Jez

Linking to Order of the Opus Gluei, Paint Party Friday, Manon's Paper Saturdays

HOUSE - BLACK AND WHITE AND A POP COLOUR

I've managed one very simple, quick sketch which I am linking to three challenges - Opus Gluei and Art Journal Journey, and because I like black, white and red, I'm linking it as a second entry for So Artful.

Pitt Pens in black and red - Jez

NEW HOUSE FOR SALE

What would I want in a house that's new?

Some trees, a wide sky and space to roam.

But it's family, friends and a "Welcome to You"

That turns a house into a home.

                                                                                                                                                 - Jez

 Linking to Opus Gluei, Art Journal Journey, So Artful and Paper Saturdays.

BLACK AND WHITE FOR T.A.W., AND SO ARTFUL

One design to fit two challenges today:

Shapes in Black and White - Jez

The challenge from So Artful for June is 'Black and White', and this celebrates the time Dev and I went to see Stevie Wonder in the Birmingham NEC Arena - I think it was in 1984.  I have been reminiscing lately on great musical memories, and one of the highlights for us was seeing and hearing Stevie sing for a whole evening.

For Take a Word the theme is 'Shapes', and there are plenty of different shapes in this piece.

I have not been able to visit and comment as I normally love to 

because I am out of action and asleep much of the time.  

I do apologise, and will get back to see you and comment as soon as I can. 

Linking to Take a Word  and  So Artful Challenges

SKETCHBOOK - JUST A FEW MORE PAGES

Feeling a little better each day, but getting very little done except a few sketches for Paper, Paint, Pencils and Pens, where this fortnight's theme is 'Music and Musicians'.  As I am not getting out to see any musicians, I am concentrating on musical memories, which has been fun and the cause of a good deal of discussion and laughter in the family.

'Sparky and his Magic Piano'
Pitt Pen and Coloured Pencil - Jez

The Sparky records on the radio in about 1947 or 48 were my introduction to the wonderful music of Chopin, and to other classical music.  I had never heard anything like it, and fell in love with it.  Does anyone else remember Sparky and the piano that played the music for him?

Add caption

One day my younger daughter blew into her recorder.  A large earwig shot out of the other end, and she screeched in horror.  She just reminded me that I said sympathetically "Well, that shows you haven't been practising".  And that was the last note she ever played on a recorder.

Well, the sketch with its story tells you everything here.

The three of them, each with their own piano-accordion, took lessons together for a couple of years until their teacher married and moved away.  And they all moved on to different instruments.

Musical memories of seeing a special production of 'Madame Butterfly'.   

Linking to Paint Party Friday, Paper Saturdays