Tempietto del Bramante, Rome

One of the many treasures in Rome, this tiny building by Bramante is a classic example of Renaissance architecture, a history of architecture lesson in one.  It is within a cloister of the church of S. Pietro in Montorio and is thought to be the site of the inverted crucifixion of S Peter, hence its classification as a martyrium.  It seats 10.

Bramante's rather larger dome of St Peter's can be seen from here.

Where S Peter was crucified in centre of Tempietto floor

Never too late

After early aspirations, 50 years on, it is time to make up for time and paint, paint, paint. The joy of getting back to it after a break makes me wonder why it took so long. And some inspired teaching from Caroline Chappell has made all the difference.

The Backs

 

Not much to say - I just liked this image taken in Cambridge on Saturday.

This is a trial post

In an effort to help a friend, I am posting this with hope it can automatically post in my FB timeline.

Bah humbug

At this time of year, coming up to Christmas, my spirits sink into a nasty soup of over reaction to the horrible commercialisation everywhere you look.

This year, I have decided, since I can't change the situation, I shall change my attitude to it. I am observing my physical reaction to that TV commercial, or the music in the supermarket, becoming aware and softening to the feeling of tension.

As my dear Mindfulness teacher says D.R.O.P.S.S.  Don't resist and push, soften and smile.

Nature vs nurture

Spied over a garden wall in a Derbyshire village, glorious colour contrasts are perfect

Natural wild flower meadow on a steep hillside in Bonsall

A frothy garden on a hillside in Bonsall

 

 

 

 

 

Our recent visit to Derbyshire was full of delights. It was Open Gardens in Bonsall while we were there, with some delightful, unpretentious gardens (not to mention, stunning cakes).

Also, the meadows were looking glorious. There are wild flower meadows on farmland everywhere, which is a joy to see, good for the environment and particularly the bees.

The tendency to have 'loose' natural gardens is a testament to the beauty of nature's way. And where one blends into the other, there is the best of all worlds.

A task, duty, pleasure or chore?

 I wonder why some people feel the need to add structure ti their lives, to do one specific creative thing a day? Once during every 24 hours, there are painters who post their daily work on the internet to sell or auction. If you Google 'painting a day', thousands of hits will come up, including Duane Keiser in USA who seems to be one of the Daddies of the movement. Then there are writers who write a Small Stone a day,and photographers who post an image a day via Blipfoto.

Not a painting a day, just one of several in a few hours!

I've tried the last two, which became somewhat forced and lacked spontaneity. My fault, I am sure. Here is my small stones blog and being me, I had to give it an image plus words. I like the simplicity of it and the freedom; looking back, I am pleased that I did it, but for now don't want the obligation, self-imposed, of adding this to the many other things that should be done every day.

Taking a photo every day is easy for me, as I nearly always have my camera with me. But it can become an unwanted intervention between the eye and the scene. Nonetheless, the compulsion to record everything, anything, is strong and gives me great joy.

The reason for the painting a day phenomenon is that it sells paintings, for relatively small amounts, almost guaranteeing a steady income. The quality of these paintings can be exceptional, probably because they are done quickly, intuitively and uninhibitedly.

What about NaPoWriMo? This hideously named, but well-intentioned movement that sets aside one month when poets sign up to 'National Poetry Writing Month'. This idea came out of NaNoWriMo - yes, you guessed - 'National Novel Writing Month'. It remains to be seen whether a best selling prize winner develops from these practices.