Botanical books & beauties
Hello m’ blustery barnacles,
It has been a soggy, cold week here at Long Mizzle, so lots of time's been spent indoors, chain drinking tea, browsing botanical books and attempting some watercolour painting. Look what’s popped out in the last few days – Monsieur gave me this Moth Orchid (Phalenopsis) a few years ago for valentine’s day, saying it was "the runt of the litter and the last one in the shop". Immediately I loved it.
Some people chop off the stray, fleshy aerial fleshy roots, but I think they just add to its weird beauty. Plus, these plants photosynthesize from their roots, so it is best to leave the aerial escapees intact and allow them to party, whilst the lower level roots are best kept in a clear pot. [Regarding root condition, green = good, silver = de-hydrated, brown = dead]
To stave off some serious cabin fever and an excess of screen time (work and virtual home schooling relies on it!), the sprogs and I have been most ladylike and taken to watercolour painting. This very morning I found the eldest kid painting at the breakfast table, so the littlest and I joined her, with a big pot of tea and a few rounds of toast.
[Experiments with watercolour paints and pencils]
Inspired by Betty’s beautiful watercolour and silk paintings, I was eager to try some flowers, so I had a go at the orchid. Now, having not done any painting in over twelve years, this was quite a challenge. Even back when the paint flowed, I bypassed watercolour and opted for acrylics or oil, which I found much easier.
Hmmm, it reminds me of a duvet cover I had in the late 80s/ early 90s! I think I need to put in some practice, but it was very relaxing to sit there smudging colours about.
Here's the biggest kid, busy at 07:30 this morning -
Here are two of my botanical books, bought for mere pence from charity shops. I could look at them all day long. Aren't they great?! Wild Flowers by Paula Joyce (20 p from chazza) -
The Concise British Flora in Colour, by W. Keble Martin. (There's a 1st edition, good condition book currently on eBay for £120! Mine's a 3rd edition, battered version - 50p from a local chazza).
A life time's work for Rev. W. Keble Martin, who used to jump on a train after giving his Sunday sermon in Devon and train ride across the UK, sometimes to as far afield as Scotland, to track down plants in the wild.
Just when you thought dandelions were dandelions, and grass just grass...you get pages and pages illustrating their subtle intricacies....
This week we finally said thank you and goodbye to our forced hyacinths. Their colour, scent and eagerness helped get us through a dreary January.
Here’s my mam’s last bloom, taking its last bow and exit…
Great seedling news: All eighteen of the chilli seeds I sowed a fortnight ago here have germinated! They must have liked my Bet Lynch attire. When they get their first set of 'true' leaves, I'll prick them out and and pot them on.
That's all for today folks. The sun actually emerged this afternoon and I very much hope it sticks around for the weekend. I am looking forward to February; it is one of my favourite months. It is said that the fairies that inhabit the local woods come out for mischief in February!
I'll leave you with a picture of Bob the Blackcap's girlfriend, Belinda, enjoying one of the bird cakes we made last week.
I hope you are keeping well. Please do say hello in the comments section below.
Lulu xXx
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ReplyDeleteThose beautiful flower filled books make me want to cross stitch. I haven't done any in a while but now I am wondering where my Aida is. Had to delete my original post as only half appeared.
DeleteHello Cherie! Thank you. Ooh, just had to google what an Aida is! Ah, I've seen those. Cross stitch looks like one of those activities that requires lots of patience but can have fab results. I'm popping over to see what you've been up to in the garden... Lulu xXx
Deletep.s. Blogger is being very strange today. I had to delete loads of spurious code that it had added to my post and was in turn slowing down the load time!).
you name your garden birds - how lovely!
ReplyDeletethere is some genuine talent in your family! the kids do very well and water painting is the most difficult kind in my books - because it lives from the colour that is NOT there.... so chapeau!!
looove such books - they are art. and one can recognize a plant with the help of a accurat painting much better then with a photo.....
now i know what went wrong with the orchids i had in my life - put them in a ceramic over-pot because i disliked the plastic.....
beware of cheeky fairies! :-D
xxxxx
Hello Beate, yes, we don't have any pets so we are growing quite attached to the garden birds. Thank you, you are very kind. I have been doing some more watercolour painting today and I am starting to learn that pre-mixing colour is key, and less paint is more! The kids just put me to shame with this kind of thing, as they just churn out spontaneous creations.
DeleteI agree, the plastic pots are not glamorous. Hmmmm, I wonder if glass pots, with drainage holes exist... (?) I will be sure to watch out for the fairies! Lulu xXx
Bob's girlfriend is a looker, isn't she? We were planning to do the bird watch thingy today but it's been snowing since 8am and they're all hiding.
ReplyDeleteAren't the Rev. W. Keble Martin's illustrations stunning? I love that Betty inspired you to have a bash at painting and juniors' art works are very impressive, too - you're an artistic lot. xxx
Belinda sure is a beaute, Bob's a lucky lad Wow, seems like the rest of the country is getting snow. Mustn't be fun for the birdies. I forgot it was the RSPB bird watch event this weekend!
DeleteIt is astonishing the amount of hours that must go into these botanical illustration books. In the book's sleeve, it says the Rev. would often paint and draw on the train on the way back from his outings.
It's really good fun us all sitting round the table painting, nattering and drinking tea of course! Thank you Vix, Lulu xXx
Wow you have made some lovely art work there - that's so beautiful and I am so honoured to have been an influence - I'm a motivator lol!!! new skill to put on cv! joking:) I hope you are going to do lots more, don't stop there because your art is really good and refreshing :) I love this post as you have all the books I hope to find in charity shops but never do - I would like to paper a wall with pictures like the ones in your books. I love orchids and every birthday I am given orchids by those who know me well - but they never make it to the following year, they go mouldy - what do I do wrong? also don't want to sound like some show off (but here goes) when I went to Costa Rica we went on a jungle walk and the guide showed us orchids - I was expecting biggies but couldnt see them at first then realised they are miniature ... there were teeny weeny yellow ones hugging a tree, so beautiful ... then in the market we saw people selling them, wrenched from the trees and I felt sad... Anyhow, wish you lived near me so I could borrow all your books and we could paint together xxx Betty
ReplyDeleteYou are a motivator, and a guru too Betty! Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. It would be great if we lived near each other and I could pick up some tips. I have been painting today, it is so relaxing. Some of my happiest memories of school include sat round a table with my girl friends in art class. Our art teacher, who let us listen to music, said we were a load of chatterboxes and that surely one day we would run out of things to discuss!
DeleteYou are so lucky to have seen tree orchids in the Costa Rican jungle!!! But that is sad that they are ripped from their homes for market. I've been watching some orchid care videos on YouTube, and it seems to be a common problem that the roots rot. In the wild, they'd have rain sporadically rushing through them, but they'd never be sat in water. I water mine just once a week, with a tepid pint of water. The majority of water runs straight through and I let it thoroughly drain off before popping it back on its saucer. Take care Betty, Lulu xXx
Hi Lulu! Having all sorts of online problems at the moment. Was without for two days but BT has given me a mini hub. Trouble is, it's not very good! Internet is very slow and it keeps crashing. Can't use my landline so can't phone my old mum (my mobile signal is linked to the internet and sounds very tinny. She's pretty deaf and can't hear me). End of moan. I LOVE your and your daughters' paintings. How charming. The book illustrations are gorgeous. Really makes me want to go on a wildflower hunt! My sister is up for it so, when the weather is better and restrictions slightly lifted, we're out there! My hyacinth is steadfastly staying at about 4cm of leaf. Never mind, it will be a joy when it's ready to share. Great photo of Belinda!
ReplyDeleteHello Catmac! Sorry to hear you have been having t'internet issues. You really could do without that right now and fingers crossed it gets sorted. Thank you for battling the technology and still leaving a lovely message for me!
DeleteIt has been an exhausting week, and I thought I'd best do a blogville catch up before collapsing in an armchair with a cuppa. A wildflower hunt with your sister sounds brilliant. You shall have to tel me what you find when you are able to venture out. I think your hyacinth may need a drop of Scotland's finest (whisky!). Take care Catmac, Lulu xXx
What a delightful post and loved the 'lessons' on orchids. We never seem able to get on well with orchids until this year. We have one the same colour as yours and it is behaving well.
ReplyDeleteSome great artwork!
Enjoy your week - I'm sure you will.
Thank you Mike! You have the same colour orchid?... snap!
DeleteGood to hear it is behaving itself. They're jolly things aren't they. (I think I need to grow my collection!)
Take care, Lulu xXx
Those flower books look amazing and I'm very impressed by your productivity and creativity - the whole family! Not easy keeping everyone motivated in this weather over the past week. Let's hope it cheers up a bit (she says, looking out of the window at pouring rain, and just about to go out for a walk with Lainy!) take care Xx
ReplyDeleteHello Sue, how kind, thank you! The weather's not been too inspiring has it, but we have been enjoying the lighter evenings this week. Dogs are just brilliant; always keen and apparently happy in all weather! Lulu xXx
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