Cherry season is almost over so I thought I’d better immortalise these tasty beauties in pen and watercolour before it’s too late. Yum…
Cherries!
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Author Archives: kathrynhockey
Noises in the Attic
For a few nights last week there was a high pitched squeaking noise emanating from the roof above my bed in the attic…was it a bird or a rat?
I was locked out of the house one night so had to beg the use of a neighbour’s sofa and when I returned the next day I found this on my bed and the mystery was solved…poor little bat baby…
A pretty gruesome find you’d think, but according to this page
“Bats represent social relationships, communication and motherhood
The bat is a symbol of communication; Native Americans observed bats to be highly social creatures with strong family ties. They are nurturing, exhibiting verbal communication, touching and sensitivity to members of their group. Bats are sensitive to their surroundings and are seen as intuitive, with the ability to see through illusion and discern truth.
Eastern cultures view the bat as a symbol of wealth, longevity, peace, good health and a good death. In China, the symbol for bat is “fu” — which is also the symbol for good luck.”
I chose the colour combination because there were tinges of them in the poor little creature’s body and they’re reminiscent of the bougainvillea petals that blow into my attic on the gusts of ‘levante’ wind from the most enormous plant of its kind I’ve ever seen, which grows up through the open patio of a neighbour’s house.
Concentrarte Vejer 2016
Yesterday, Sunday April 24th 2016, was Concentrarte Vejer‘s annual celebration of all things arty and crafty.
Arte Vejer encouraged children to let loose their creative spirits by painting in La Plaza de España and a few adult sketchers, me included, joined the throng.
I concentrated on sketching a tiny bit of the fountain in La Plaza with pen and watercolour before the sun came round and burnt the back of my neck.
Peas!
Peas! Yum…nuff said, spring is in the air…
Selfie 1 – Sleepless
I’m not a good sleeper.
The other night I was restless and wide awake in bed so I decided to get up and draw myself:
On seeing the drawing the next morning a visiting friend asked “Who’s that?”
“It’s me” I replied.
“No!” he said, “That’s nothing like you…”
Which is strange because every time I see the sketch I absolutely recognise it as me..
Springtime Vejer
It was lovely to get out in the spring sunshine this Saturday morning with the Vejer Sketchers and capture this view of Vejer in pen and watercolour.
Tricky angle, hence the slanted sketchbook!
Alcázar de Jerez
Last Saturday morning I joined the Xerez Sketchers and Vejer Sketchers in the Alcázar de Jerez, a former moorish fortress. We spent a couple of very happy hours sketching, chatting and comparing techniques and results.
And we were featured in an article in the newspaper Diario de Jerez entitled ‘The Mysticism of Drawing’
Life Drawing 2
I joined the Vejer Sketchers in the castle for another life drawing session on Sunday morning, easily one of the coldest days we’ve had this winter.
Our model valiantly disrobed and while we drew, swathed in hats, scarfs and woollens, she patiently posed with a couple of meagre heaters and a hot water bottle to ward off the chill. Brave and generous to a fault.
All sketches charcoal and chalk pastel.
Starter for Ten (out of Ten)
Those who read my last blog about the mini cup cakes will know that I set myself the challenge of drawing the food at last night’s Alquimia food fest.
The food was indeed divine and the company sublime; my favourite dish was the starter, a delicious concoction of grilled asparagus on sour dough bread topped with a poached duck yolk and jamon Iberico de bellota, which in English means Iberian cured ham from free-range, acorn eating pigs.
The rest of the dishes were wonderful to look at as well, but not so my sketches! Blame fatigue, over excitement, self consciousness…whatever…I attempted two more and then decided to concentrate on eating my dinner while it was hot!
Thank you and congratulations to Alquimia, can’t wait for the next event.
Who can resist a Mini Cup Cake?
Q: What could be luckier than having a friend who brings homemade mini cup cakes round for tea?
A: Having a friend whose mini cup cake is the invitation for a whole evening of fabulous Alquimia fine dining!
So having painted its portrait in watercolours I happily followed the chocolate icing instructions…and delicious it was…(OK, I admit it, I ate more than one).
Really looking forward to this Saturday’s sold out Mar y Bellota event when I plan to sketch some more culinary delights before I eat them.