Mar 17, 2009

Oh England, you steal my heart each time.


well, i am no longer in Israel but in England, and how I love this place.

Went to visit Great Dixter and all my garden friends there, woke up to misty mornings with the English birds serenading me, or at least that is what I like to think. Little living orchestras..


 the glorious long border with it's winter skeletons,
and springs new children,
and as always the punches of color like exclamation points in the garden.

each morning was quiet
and each evening too, especially with Vira.(Thanks Tom!)
And London, with all your chaos and inspiration, puddle jumping my way around.

Color combinations are everywhere if one takes notice, and subtle textures too.

 
Some more texture and friends..

The streets are punctuated with flowers for sale, like these jolly primrose.

 and the windows at The Lodge, always makes me smile, as much as it's inhabitants.(Thanks Stephen and Greg!)

Some sleepy mornings and

and jet lagged afternoons....

Which leads to silliness with friends, while donning a new cap.

 The book stalls near the Thames

and more street art on the walls, i love it all.

Still jetlagged but woken up by bursting yellow Narcissis in St. James Park.

The light here on the architecture makes me smile

 or reflections in the lake, which give me ideas for pushing the idea of water features and what we have come to expect of them. Do they really need to spout water?

Whether it's blocks of Crocus color or 
blocks of primary colors, it feeds me all the same way.

It lifts my spirits

makes me feel wise

and helps me to get creative,
So I can break the surface and push the boundaries.

My sketchbook is increasing and filling up, though I don't always get to finish, such as this alley in Jerusalem on Zion Square.
But my mind is going in new directions
and trying new things.
I am off to Spain now to experience a city I love so much, and look forward to it's gardens, Gaudi, Picasso, and all other random bits that make me smile..... 

5 comments:

  1. Have recently discovered your blog when hunting for information on line about Great Dixter. Your blog is really special; lovely photos and thoughts that help make life better. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. thanks for your comment Peter, it is such an uplifting thing to hear.... jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for your comment on my site. It is truly good to have stumbled across you. Laura and I spent a happy evening yesterday looking back through some of the beautiful photographs and interesting thoughts on your previous posts, "travelling" with you to France and Israel, and Merry England.

    I was born in England, and have lived in New Zealand since 1976, arriving here at the tender age of 17. My wife is from Te Kuiti in the North Island of New Zealand. 11 years ago we both managed to spend 4 months in the UK, staying with an uncle of mine in Oxford for much of the time. I spent many happy hours filling sketch books, mostly drawing in pen and ink (I was a painter until 5 years ago, when pottery took me over).

    Laura (who sends her greetings) is very fond of painting and gardening and reading all sorts of gardening related books. We did managed to get to Sissinghurst, and also Levens Hall, but sadly missed Great Dixter. We had the great pleasure of attending a slide talk by Christopher Lloyd when he came to New Zealand quite a few years ago. He was witty and very wise, and made me very homesick for England!
    (Laura says to tell you that she loves the photo of you "donning a new cap".)
    Best Wishes. P.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jimmy I just loved this post!!!! So beautiful and thoughtful.
    xxx Joey

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great to see you on the move gain. I'll miss the Mediterranean wildflowers though. Your drawings are charming keep up the good work. D.

    ReplyDelete