Summer Solstice;
Full of light and life,
The long, long day!
Happy Summer Solstice, everyone!
Ashley
Summer Solstice 2025
Uncategorized
Lee Krasner: Kick-About #134
The Kick-About prompts from Phil Gomm’s blog at Red’s Kingdom, are an amazing way for me to explore my own visual creativity. For too long I have ignored the artistic side of who I am, and so the K-A is helping me recover my art……..literally! On and off throughout my adult life I have tried something to launch into the visual arts but nothing has worked until now, and the K-A is helping me! The work below is something I did over 20 years ago on a weekend printing course in Wells-next the Sea!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wells-next-the-Sea
The latest K-A prompt was Lee Krasner, a female American artist involved in a movement known as Abstract Expressionism. The quote below comes from internet searches and I think it also perfectly fits my own point of view:
Abstract Expressionists value the organism over the static whole, becoming over being, expression over perfection, vitality over finish, fluctuation over repose, feeling over formulation, the unknown over the known, the veiled over the clear, the individual over society and the inner over the outer.
That was written by William C. Seitz, an American artist and Art historian (1914-1974).
Head on over to Phil’s blog to see this submission and the work of the other amazing artists, such wonderful ingenuity and creativity. Here is the link:
Ashley
A short break in Dundrum, County Down
Two heads,
Surface near the quay;
Harbour seals.
We had a short break in Dundrum, County Down, staying in a fabulous apartment that overlooked the bay. We were a little unlucky not to have the warm sunny weather of the previous three weeks, however, we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. There is a small supermarket and petrol station, a pub and a couple of restaurants and eateries! I shall add a couple of links at the bottom of the page.
Here are a few of the photos from our visit:
There’s a ruined castle to explore and some really wonderful walks around the area, Murlough National Nature Reserve being exceptional. There is also a Coastal Rowing Club; one of my photos shows a couple of boats being launched. Just a few miles south of the village is Newcastle with plenty of shops and places to eat.
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/6345709?source_impression_id=p3_1749475035_P3OXqYmaL4EnlnNC
James Turrell: Kick-About #133
It’s been a really busy time, and we’ve also been on holiday (more later) so I’m pleased to say that I was still able to take part in the latest Kick-About. This time the prompt from Phil was the artist James Turrell. Please follow the link to see my work there along with what others have submitted.
The Kick-About #133 ‘James Turrell’
Here is a preview of my submission:
When I was opening the vertical blinds in our sunny bedroom, the effect of the bright sunshine streaming through the blinds triggered something in my memory of one of Turrell’s artworks. That was my starting point, although something else I’d read about his work also slipped subconsciously into my own artwork. For decades, Turrell has been constructing a “naked-eye” observatory………..in an extinct cinder cone volcano!
Turrell has been called the “master of light” and I cannot ignore what was going on musically in the 1970’s with one of my favourite rock bands, Electric Light Orchestra. The song Mr. Blue Sky was originally released in 1977 but here is a brilliant and colourfully illustrated video from 2019.
Ashley
Semper Augustus: Kick-About
Another in the Kick-About series of artworks. Below is a link to Phil Gomm’s website where I and others were challenged with the title Semper Augustus. Head on over and see what we’ve come up with:
The Kick-About #132 ‘Semper Augustus’
Here is a preview of my own artwork and short verse:
Flowers, tulips, Always uplifting; Wonderful.
If you are not familiar with Semper Augustus, below is a link to the Amsterdam Tulip Museum which explains the story:
Lighthouse Kick-About #131
Another challenge for those who participate in the Kick-About. I love the way each person’s interpretation is so different. This time the prompt was LIGHTHOUSE and below is a link to Phil’s page:
Beltain 2025
Describing this pagan Cross Quarter festival, it is probably best that I quote from Glennie Kindred’s book** Sacred Earth Celebrations. She describes this period as “a celebration of the fertility and rampant potency of the life force.” Goodness, how accurate that is! Stepping out into our little garden, I wonder at Mother Earth’s amazing energy during these days.
(Please click on the images to view clearly) 👀
These photos show the 7ft hedge that is currently fizzing with new growth. It’s an old hedge, as it was here on our northern boundary 20 years ago when we moved in. Somewhere in there, are a couple of old unknown trees that a previous owner of the house must have chopped down, and that has allowed the ivy to flourish. Also, there is privet, holly, beech and some blackthorn. I love it, because it accommodates so much nature as a food source and a place of safety for so many insects like butterflies and bees! The downside is that it is also about 6ft in depth and as someone who cuts the hedge with a pair of shears…..well, it can be a chore. I gave up garden machinery many years ago but if I’m honest, it helps me to keep mobile. Another joy is that garden birds also use the hedge for safety and for nesting. We are currently being entertained by juvenile sparrows, a robin and several species of young tits.
The sky is filled with birdsong,
The trees and hedges, greening;
Mother Earth is bourgeoning.
Happy May Day.
Ashley
** Find out more at: http://www.glenniekindred.co.uk
Spring rain
Spring rains,
From grey skies;
Earth's greening.
Ashley
NB. I don’t understand why my uploaded photo appears to be out of focus. My original is perfect and if you click on the image is appears to be okay. Technology! I’m not coping well with it! It seems to change daily and sometimes it’s just too much! Is it just an age thing?
Treasure Trove, Kick-About #129
The latest Kick-About asked that we think about the term “treasure trove”. Below is my artwork and a poem.
There is a world
out there,
that glows and thrives
without my anguish;
if only I could see
without fear of height or hurt.
There is a world
right here,
that glows and thrives,
a home,
a garden,
filled with light and birdsong.
Our home, our garden,
right here!
Our treasure trove.
To see how others have interpreted the prompt, head on over to Phil’s blog at:
The Kick-About #129 ‘Treasure Trove’
Ashley
Donaghadee, again!
There is something about this County Down seaside town that keeps drawing us back! Perhaps it’s the history with its connections to Scotland, perhaps it’s just a great place to visit with its variety of little shops and places to eat; my wife’s Scottish DNA may have something to do with it! Whatever it is, we’re back again, this time for a couple of days. We stayed at a wonderful location, right on the front:
We were able to find out about One Shore Street through the TrekNI website:
I’m not a historian but here are some things that might interest readers with history on their minds:
There is an Anglo-Norman motte from the 12th century. It must have been great defensive site. There has been a permanent RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) station here since 1910. Grace Neill’s bar has been in existence since the 17th century although it began under a different name. We had a wonderful meal there. Here is a link to its website:
Home
Here are a few photos from our short visit to Donaghadee:
We chose to walk along the path south towards Millisle. Looking back to the lighthouse was a completely different view. We met and chatted to lots of friendly people, many with dogs getting their daily exercise.
Perhaps this is where we should have returned to, 20 years ago! On our day of leaving, the temperature dropped and it felt like winter once again (come on Spring!) Nevertheless, what a great visit.
Ashley
A Different View 