A rather special garden

While the lads were away at camp, I spent a few days up in Shipley with a friend and we had the pleasure of joining others of our New Wine 'family' for Sunday dinner.

I've posted photos of this garden once before, as has Jenny Freckles on her blog, but it is the kind of place that is worth showcasing again and again; steeply terraced and bursting with colour!

Because it was such a bright day, some of the photos are not quite as sharp as I would like, but you can still get the feel of just how vibrant this oasis really is.

Now, I'll stop interrupting and allow you to enjoy the rest in peace.

A gorgeous garden and a delightful afternoon :)

Thorns transformed

This stained glass window was created from scratch by my artistic friend of yesterdays blog. It forms part of a glass wall; one of a pair erected inside St Peter's, Shipley, when it was refurbished in late 2005 - 6.

The image within the glass was based on a vision of Christ wearing a crown of thorns, which then transformed into a crown of glory, with rays of light radiating outwards.

I particularly like the crown, but if you look closely, there is also amazing detail in the eyes; especially the right one (left from where you are sitting). They look so alive!

Of friends and creativity

When my sons were little, we had a sing along video called A Day full of Songs. It was great! The boys loved the catchy tunes and the journey-story behind them and, I admit, so did their Dad and I. In fact, I think we still have the video squirrelled away somewhere.

Well, yesterday, I went on a different journey and ended up with a day full of friends. I got to spend a whole day in the company of one very good friend, went for coffee with two more lovely friends and even had the chance to meet a new friend who happens to be the author of a blog I enjoy following daily. It was this new friend who taught me how to create a link without having to use the whole web address! And it works!! Thank you Jenny Freckles. Much neater :)

Another friend from yesterday is creative in a different sort of way; one in which I am sadly lacking, she is artistic and she was happy for me to share a couple of her pictures. Thanks Christine.

I love the bold colours and energy of this painting. It is full of life and joy, with big stylised features balanced by lots of little details. It catches the eye and holds the attention. I like it a lot!

I'm annoyed that I blurred the second one slightly, because the textures of the water are amazing.

I particularly like the way the moonlight reflects off the water like a host of dancing, shimmering fireflies. Very atmospheric!

Two very different paintings, but each with their own qualities. I'd love to be able to do this! Wish I had inherited  my Mum's artistic gene!

Ground floor gallery

According to the Visitors Guide,

The 1853 Gallery is so named because that was the year the Victorian Mill was originally opened for manufacturing fabrics.

The Victorian Mill in question is that built by Sir Titus Salt close to the market town of Shipley in the West Riding of Yorkshire and alongside the waters of the River Aire. Now renovated, the ground floor is given over to the 1853 Gallery, which houses a permanent exhibition of works by the Bradford born artist David Hockney. http://www.davidhockney.com/

My first impression of the gallery was the airy feel of the large, high roofed room with its regimented rows of tall arched windows and beautiful stone tiled floor. The second was of colour. Many of Hockney's paintings are awash with colour and the vibrancy of the artwork gives a surprisingly modern feel to the historic building.

I'd be hard pushed to say what caught my eye the most, but I was drawn to this display of pottery; just one part of the much larger Burmantoft Pottery Exhibition.




There was something strangely satisfying about the combination of the pattern, colour, shape and size of the pieces, arranged in juxtaposition, which just made me want to look.