4th April 2026
Even though it was zero degrees painting Thursday morning there is a distinct shift in temperature and i am hopeful for the warmth to arrive and be out with my camera or paintings feeling the sun once again.
I managed to connect with Visit Kielder organisation and i will be informed of Bakethin carpark being re-opened so i can go back painting which i am excited as their are some really beautiful forms that initially inspired me to go outside painting. I loved the last 3 months visiting the same place in Bull Crag Peninsular as the forms have been my teachers, however, i am ready to apply what i have learned to new mystical woodland spirits
It is such a strange phenomenon with the way we project our feelings about ourselves onto how others may perceive us. That self doubt manifest in such a strange way built up from an old kept untrue history of ourselves that what we do isn’t enough. It is enormous effort to reveal my work and even then there is such a feeling of shame. I am learning to accept good vibes towards my work and although i would not want to stop, it provides me motivation and encouragement, plus , just maybe, i haven’t got rocks in my head, and my painting and photographs are part of my financial future.
There is a wonderful speech by Theodore Roosevelt called “Man in the arena” which aligns so well with the mindfulness approach of being with the feeling of vulnerability and insecurity manifested by showing yourself to the world. There is no such thing as perfect but only where you are at in the moment and that your are enough.
Being with the uncomfortableness in silence , noticing the feelings without judgement and letting the energy settle whilst letting those un-helpful thought patterns come and go without preference shifts the negativity into being neutral , being equanimous and allowing showing your vulnerability into the same joy which nature experiences in the spring.
Be bold , welcome the nay-sayers , allow the negative thoughts and just show where you are at in this moment , not because its linear developmental but as its beautiful just how it is right now.
Ospreys at Kielder
Visit Kielder has forwarded me a wonderful new project of theirs with a Osprey Webcam which have re-colonised themselves naturally in 2009. Please support this amazing project . I think i will keep on posting the link here , the ospreys are so beautiful.
Bakethin Nature Reserve
It is just at its cusp of spring , a week perhaps behind Hareshaw Linn in terms of new growth. There are buds peeping out , some moments of yellow and the brambles are waking up with confident lime green shoots.
There is feeling within the moss with colour shifts from olive greens to bright sap and yellowy greens along with hidden grasses just about to create a new framework for the trees and rocks.
The fun part of this time is returning more frequently so i may capture those miraculous moments as for sure a blink of an eye and the whole place will look and feel so differently.
These are just rumours and glimpses of a riot of colour , an explosion of leaves and overwhelming burst of energy with a bird sound track to put a metal rock band to shame. I want to be here with it.
Bull Crag Peninsular
Bull crag as a similar feel of the moment to Bakethin , 15-20miles north of Hareshaw Linn makes such a difference. There are indicators , its always yellow which comes first , beautiful gorse and the vibrant dandelion ready to show their sunshine.
I took joy in finding little shoots pushing their way up from the diminished undergrowth to become a beacon of glowing lemon yellow along the verges. Dandelions are so under estimated and un-loved by many.
Dandelions are great pollinators and are essential bees and other insects creating balance in nature. They have high levels of vitamins , tasty to eat and medicinal. Make tea , make wine , dry the root to make a coffee substitute, add Burdock and you have old english cordial. and all offered by nature for free . They make wonderful inks and dyes for cloth and art. Dandelions predict the weather as they are light sensitive and were referred as “rustic Oracle” , if the seeds fall from the head in one day rain is on the way. The seedhead represents the moon with the seeds as stars and wishes whilst the flower head the sun.
Dandelions are messengers of the heart , predictors of the future and seers.
Rejoice and celebrate these wonderful nature friends.
The new is delight and joy but its when the remaining take on such eloquence and ethereal beauty in their vulnerability i gasp in awe. It is a time which tests your attention as our minds are drawn to the powerful and vibrant we often miss the delicate as unworthy and weak. You need to dig deeper by opening your heart as wide as possible to bring compassion to all to be able to notice them but when you do nature will reward your endeavours with the sublime.
In the Wild , Painting
Within the stillness
of movement
the forms
reveal their secrets
to me
Top Left : Watercolour on Bockingford 76 × 56 cm Watercolour Paper
Top Right : Watercolour on Fabrinno 50 × 33 cm Oil paper
Bottom Left : Watercolour on 210 × 140 mm Watercolour Sketch Book
Bottom Right : Watercolour on 250 × 170 mm Leda Supplies Sketch Book
Hareshaw Linn
Oh what a wonderful day of delight in finding such richness and freshness of new life.
The juxtaposition of new and old hold the drama of an opera sometimes brash and brazen and other times delicate and poignant. Its one of the oldest stories of humanity playing out in the woodland for all to witness. The life cycle of time , the clash of new and old , the powerful and the meek.
Three weeks ago the woodland floor was empty , eager and hopeful of new beginning. Now , large patches of ground elder hug the ground with shy delicate spring yellow flowers popping up for only eyes which are open.
Cross the first bridge and there lies an embankment full of promise of an garlicky scent worthy of a mediterranean restaurants. Not quite yet , there is hustle and bustle of rich vibrant green foliage like a packed stadium waiting to watch itself in awe. But , there are just a few with the white flowers forming clasped together ready to explode in colour and smell to make anyone feeling hungry.
Presently its the ground which takes centre stage within the forest with different plants of variations of bright to darker olive greens holding little gems of flower heads which will surprise me in coming weeks of its colour. There are some qualities of not being able to visualise is you see everything as new . fresh and always ready to delight me.
