A Gull's LIfe

I had a dis-a-ster (read in the style of Craig Revel Horwood) last year.

Well, sort of.

I love Cornwall, specifically the coastline. And when I get the opportunity to visit I always load the car with all my 'arty farty stuff', as my OH calls it, along with the kitchen sink, in anticipation of doing a bit of sketching, painting etc.

Last year was no exception. 
I rely heavily on taking photographs, as the light, weather, view, tide and  colours can change in a second.

Unfortunately I had (being the operative word) the dinosaur of a laptop  and one day last October it decided it had had enough and gave up the ghost and took all my photos with it.

I was most upset at losing my sea bird photos. I have a 'thing' about birds as you may have gathered.

There are a few  lightning sketches of some gulls that I can still work with.

They are notorious for not keeping still  - they  seem to sense they are being drawn!

So the other day I got out my shoe box of vintage Dryad lino block printing stuff (bought for a song) and settled down to a good gouge out, as I like to call it.

I haven't done any since my college days and I was in my element.


Meet Geoffrey....

'No, I told you...I'm not 'going' until I find a public lavatory.'

   

Jewels

I had the immense pleasure of meeting Julia Mills - a truly talented glass artist – at her gallery in Mousehole (not, as I had assumed a few years ago, pronouncing it as Mouse hole but as Mowzull)

Mousehole

Julia has recently move her gallery  from Porthleven to this idyllic setting of a tiny but thriving fishing port, frequented by artists and a growing plethora  of high quality galleries.

I love the delicate seaweed etching!

I have coveted Julia’s work for many years and purchased this modern stained glass panel with a hidden secret. When the sun shines through it, the shadow it casts is, I think, even more beautiful than the panel, if that’s possible!

Hand off! This one's all mine!

Julia’s gallery has a very carefully selected range of other talented artists, including fabulous ceramics and wall art, and quirky home accessories- all of which complement her work.

Her contemporary twist on the age old art of stained glass is breath taking and inspiring –every home should have some! The beauty of the work is added to by fine glass etching that Julia adds to each piece.

I especially covet the ‘tiddlers’ – individual jewel-coloured hanging fish that look fabulous dangling in a window. I’d want about 30 of them to be truly satisfied!

Tiddlers on display at Julia's gallery in Mousehole

The vibrant framed or leaded panels lend themselves to all manner of interior design and sit perfectly alongside old and new.

Julia undertakes private commissions, too.

I can’t wait to have my own original work of art up and on display!

 Permission  to use photographs, kindly given by Julia. See more  glassy gorgeousness at her website

                                                         http://www.juliamillsgallery.co.uk/