Thursday 5 June 2014

Beach Life.


Strange weather isn't it? It swings from blazing sun to freezing cold, but when it is good we try to make the most of it. Of course, in Cornwall that generally means heading for the beach.


Warmer evenings mean we can move outdoors onto our little courtyard for games of chess. You can almost hear those rusty cogs turning can't you?


The hedgerows burgeon with hogsweed & campion & cow parsley, the whole looking truly beautiful when set against a cornflower blue sea.


Walks every day along cliff paths with views such as these set me up for the day and provide inspiration for designs. The problem comes when I try to reduce the inspiration down to just one or two ideas to work on at a time.


My sketchbook has been kept close to hand lately with every opportunity to practice grabbed with both hands. I haven't done much in the way of sketching other than on designs for such a long time. Odd how things come in phases isn't it? At the moment I see things I want to draw all over the place, although the things that are inspiring me most tend to be coast related...no change there then!


This unfinished sketch is what I was working on in the above photo: a little rendering of the rocks as we waited for the Red Arrows to swoop over the bay to mark the end of The Pendennis Cup.


Sea thrift. Perhaps one of my favourites against the blue. Such an amazing contrast.


Beautiful whether viewed up close or with the headlands in the distance. All these images are views I see daily.


The purpose of this scary photo is to show you the little necklace I made from a cowrie! Rabbit in the headlights springs to mind. I truly am not good at selfies! So lovely to be able to make something so pretty from things I forage from the shores. 


Things such as this sea treasure. Nature at its best. We have so many bowls & jars full of shells such as these. Our mantlepiece has grey-blue mussels and chalky ridged limpets lying next to cowries and flat winkles; the window sills have little heaps of pebbles and shells piled where they are easy to reach for a game of Ship, Ship Sailing.


I really want to draw this. Just look at the intricacy of the florets. This is what I love about drawing and photography: I am forced to slow my pace, to absorb the finer details and try, try, try to capture them. It makes me see the world properly.

The other thing I love is that I can lose myself for hours in the process. This drawing of a hermit crab was done by firelight one cold, dreary night. I had music playing, a glass of wine and Pepper puppy for company. For over four hours I was lost to the world, completely absorbed in what I was doing and only dimly aware of the flickering flames and the beautiful mellifluous tones of Joni Mitchell drifting in and out of my consciousness. True bliss.


Trips into town for shopping usually involve one of the Falmouth Quays which run alongside the main thoroughfare. This is Customs house Quay which is my favourite.


There's always so much going on, even when it looks quite quiet. 


So, that's it for now.


I would love to hear what you think of the larger photos - too large or just right? Also, i do sometimes respond to comments in the comment section. Till next time x









16 comments:

  1. Lovely! Oh, and it's beginning to look a lot like Summer! I love your drawing, you are so talented. I do like the larger images too. I love getting in close and letting the subject fill the frame like that. Waving from Across the Celtic Sea!

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    1. Oh that's lovely to hear as that matches how I feel! Thank you Deborah xx

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  2. Oh it's lovely to feel the sunshine again :) Even with the occasional biting wind! I love your seaside sketches, they are so pretty and the cowrie necklace is a lovely idea
    Kate x

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    1. Thank you Kate. I could do with it being warmer again though :) x

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  3. You must do so forthwith! Haven't popped over to The Lizard for a while but am looking forward to Roskilly's Ice cream soon! x

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  4. I love your sketch and seeing you sat on the beach wearing a sunhat and drawing is so inspiring to me! I always used to take a sketchbook on the beach and I miss it. Thankyou for sharing your wonderful photos - not too big, the bigger the better I say! ;)
    Jess x

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    1. Aw, thank you Jess. that's a lovely thing to say xx

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  5. Pipany, every time that I see you've got a new post, I smile. looking forward to a glimpse of beautiful Cornwall, and your telling the rest of us how living there inspires you.

    As I type, I am still smiling. I love the big pictures, the contact you give us with those shells and plants and ships and the sea, and the vistas across the sea. And of course, the chess master contemplating the next move. Your very own selfie with the cowrie necklace. Portrait of artist on the beach, and accompanying views from said artist's sketch book.

    All fabulous! I do know what you mean about how looking and drawing can be a welcome way to sort of slow down a rushed pace that might be insisting itself into my life. (Knitting works that way for me. Loop over loop, etc.)

    Best wishes to you and yours as summer's warmth arrives. xo

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    1. Hello lovely Frances & thank you. I am so pleased you still enjoy my ramblings! Knitting also provides that escape for me too, as does working in the garden.

      So lovely to hear from you again, sweet lady xx

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  6. Ditto Frances, and love the hat. Life does seem so rushed but what a wonderful way to slow things down.

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  7. The large photos are wonderful! Beautiful sketching reminding me I ought to do more.

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