I’m enjoying this new hobby and they’re great for when I’ve no time to paint. I don’t lay-out the whole quilt, but rather, I put 2/3 pieces together each time. They remind me of my mosaics or doing a jigsaw, just building up the whole, piece-by-piece. They’re great for when I haven’t got time to […]
Art Quilts
Art Quilts I took a fancy to making a small ‘art quilt’, and spent a week raking through a huge bag of scrap materials I keep. I hate sewing and therefore admire all those folk who love to sew and the skills they have to make clothes, quilts, etc. This one took me a week […]
Dalai Lama Portrait
Portraiture I enjoy the challenge of portraits even though I find them difficult to do. Extra tension is added to the painting process in trying to capture a likeness, and I feel more constrained than with my usual form of painting. I work from photographs of the person. Native Americans believed that the photograph steals […]
The Sacred Well
The Sacred Well In the ancient village of Scotlandwell in Portmoak parish, there lies a sacred and holy well, its waters as clear and sparkling today as they have been for thousands of years. Childhood My maternal family were born and bred in this little village, in the house of Spionkop, across from the well. […]
Dancing with Rainbows
Dancing with Rainbows This painting happened during a particular chaotic period when major changes were taking place. I followed the painting where it wanted to go, colour became the main focus. I wanted to make the painting brighter and brighter, finally abandoning the work when I felt I was just going over and over the […]
Doric Ode Tae Wind-Farms
Doric Ode Tae Wind-Farms (Written in response to the destruction of the countryside in my area.) Move aside, get oot the way, Progress is comin’ tae oor hills an’ braes, Giant machinery strides across oor land, Neither beauty nor beast can stop the demand. Wi’ diggers and lorries rippin’ an’ tearin’, The countryside noo looks […]
Mani Wheels. The Sacred Power of Words
Mani Wheels. The Sacred Power of Words The mantra is inscribed repeatedly on paper inside the prayer wheels. Turning the prayer wheel means the mantra is recited over and over, sending the peaceful prayer of compassion in all directions and purifying the area. “The benefits of reciting the Compassion Buddha mantra are infinite, like the […]
Ava Maria
Gratia Plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu In Mulieribus Benedictus Fructus Ventries Tui Jesus Sancta Maria Sancta Maria Maria Ora Pronobis Nobis Pecatoribus Nunc et in Hora In Hora Mortis Nostrae Amen AmenAve Maria ~~~ The Marion Prayer Hail Mary This classical version of the Ave Maria, is based upon words taken from the Gospel of […]
Help Hedgehogs
Listening to a radio programme last week, there was an appeal to help hedgehogs and to make our gardens more hedgehog friendly. Here are the links provided from the radio programme. Welcome to Hedgehog Street Hedgehogs are declining and urgently need your help. Please become a Hedgehog Champion today and create your very own Hedgehog […]
Dawn Chorus O Mossmorran
On the 11th June 2011 at approx. 3:10am, Mossmorran suffered an ‘incident’ which woke up half the town, as well as several neighbouring towns. The explosion later referred to as an ‘incident’, scared us half to death! Insiring me to write a dark, comic, Doric poem, entitled; ‘Dawn Chorus O Mossmorran‘. The Mossmorran ethylenecracker plant […]
International ME/CFS Awareness Day 12th May
International ME/CFS Awareness Day 12th May Help Raise Awareness Worldwide Sat 12th May 2012 International ME/CFS Day raises awareness about ME/CFS, a widespread and debilitating condition. This event promotes a greater understanding of ME/CFS and the impact it can have on a person’s life. International ME/CFS Day is set to fall on the birth date […]
Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum ‘Hail the jewel in the lotus’ Om Mani Padme Hum can not be translated into a simple phrase or sentence, as it is said to contain all the teachings of the Buddha within. It is a mantra (prayer) which invites the powerful blessings of Chenrezig, the Compassion Buddha. The recitation of […]