Suddenly it is February! My mum passed away in early January and we celebrated her life a few weeks later so January has been a memorable and very family oriented month.

Here is a pic of mum and I (in the white coat with the knickers falling down!) and my sister Dianne. Mum was a very beautiful and talented woman, all her life, and will be sorely missed.

I’ve been making an effort to get back down into my studio and paint or draw. I really love to get in there and make pictures but it can be surprisingly hard to actually do it. The question ‘What will I draw/paint?’ can be a real killer so I have got some old sketches out that I made years ago when I was first learning to work in brush and ink and am working over them. It is a surprisingly satisfying activity. Theses sketches were rough and un finished and my skills with the brush have improved a lot over time so I am looking at them with new eyes and a new skill set.

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I have also been painting birds. I am a keen bird watcher and took some photos of sea birds when I was at Lake Tyers in Victoria (Australia) last year. I enjoy practicing capturing the birds with a few brush strokes and ink. These are painted onto rice paper, which is an unforgiving medium. It is good practice for making a commitment with the brush.

Of course I am knitting. I’ve cast on a new pullover. It is the ‘Ranunculus’ pattern by Midori Hirose. I’m using Amuri merino/possum yarn from New Zealand. It’s luscious.

And, I made a dress. I really love to sew, specially when I am feeling anxious or down. I find sewing very engaging and relaxing, and there is always the finished product. This is the Stasia Dress by Sew Liberated.

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I hope you have had a good couple of weeks. 🙂