
“My favourite people in the world…all rattle when you shake them. They have little pieces that have broken off inside them that are a constant reminder to them, and to me, of how far they’ve come and how much they have learned and what they have survived.” Jann Arden
It was a hectic dash to the finishing line of my career in academic publishing. There seemed to be so much to complete, to wrap up and put to bed before I could decently draw a line under it and retire. Then, at the beginning of April, it finally came to an end.
I had these plans all ready: there were drawings and paintings to be done, a big pile of books to read, things to sort out and put in order, and days of the week allotted to each. I could also take time to recover from an illness – and its treatments – that had slowed me down from late 2019 until the final quarter of last year.
In the middle of the pandemic I had met someone – an artist whom we’ll call R – whose work I’d admired for some time. A socially-distanced meeting one summer’s day in a churchyard in rural Suffolk led to greater things. It was, as those of you who have followed this blog recently will know, an unexpected development. I was prepared to carry on mourning a past that could never be reconstructed in this world, but then a wish I didn’t know I’d wished was granted, a prayer I don’t remember praying for was answered.
But let’s get back to art. The image above is of a village church, whose tower looms up behind two enormous old yew trees. The bark, the leaves and the seeds of yew trees are highly poisonous to cattle, horses, sheep and other domestic livestock as well as people, especially children, so they were often planted on church property to deter people from grazing their livestock there. They’ve therefore become associated with death, yet their fruit can be eaten by birds, such as the blackbird, song thrush and fieldfare; and small mammals, including squirrels and dormice. The leaves are eaten by caterpillars of the satin beauty moth.
R and I saw All Saints Church on a walk and decided to each do a picture of it. In the days before retirement I would have had two hours on a Saturday afternoon to finish mine, done something in ink and watercolour and been unhappy with the result. Now I had time to think of the best approach, discuss with R what media to use, paint and cut out bits of paper to use for collage, move them around and leave them for a day or two. I had time!
This is something of a departure for me. It’s imprecise. Things are suggested rather than described. There isn’t a line of cross-hatching to be seen. Many of the elements were adapted from abandoned still life paintings. Most of all, it took the time it needed rather than the time I had.
Please visit my website at https://www.michaelrichardsart.com/ – thank you!
Well done! Love, EP
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Thank you, Eloise! Mx
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The time it takes without external constraints… that’s the gift right there, you’re right!
Lovely and thanks for sharing 🙂
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Many thanks! Mx
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Another lovely piece of art from you and another lovely essay from you – thank you for these. But I am even more pleased to read of your finding unexpected happiness with another.
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Thanks on all counts, Amy. Although grief never leaves us life can surprise us sometimes. Mx
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Wonderful Jann Arden quote! Also, very much like your acrylic and collage picture. I did not realise that yew trees were poisonous. So very pleased for you that your personal life has taken an unexpected turn for the better.
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Yes, isn’t it? Many thanks as always for your kind comments, June.
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……………………Michael,
Happy to see you in circulation.
I like things suggested rather than described.
You’ve captured more than the image.
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Thank you very much, MM.
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So happy to see your post, Michael. I love the collage; it seems quite happy like it seems that you are as well. Isn’t retirement lovely? I was just thinking this morning how I love this time of life (even with the aches and pains of senior years!). Enjoy your new friendship and the time to do your wonderful art.
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Yes, I’m slowly getting used to it! Thanks as always for your encouragement and support, LuAnne.
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A lovely take on a familiar scene, the church tower looming impressively over the trees. I didn’t know that about yews, so I’ve learnt something today.
I’m very happy to hear about R. Enjoy! 🙂
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Thanks on all fronts, Jacob!
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precise in the right ways. I could pray there.
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Thank you so much.
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I love the combination of painting and collage. And happy for all your new beginnings. (K)
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Thank you as always for your kindness and support, Kerfe.
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This is great, fab composition, gorgeous colours and recycling beautiful papers too. Result!
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Thanks ever so much, Rosie, much appreciated!
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New beginnings and fresh opportunities. What a wonderful, heartfelt, and hopeful post. And then the art! Love the bold color. Great stuff – on many levels!
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Thank you so much for your kind message. I do appreciate your encouragement!
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