Transcendence of the Lilac Tree (Wax crayons)
I made this sketch in the Botanic gardens in Bath on a soothing August morning. The ladden lilac tree seemed to rest so calmly in the sunlight. I did not have green crayons to draw the stems, so I went for the golden one. This quickly inspired the angel carrying the burden and the beauty of these flowers. I wonder how many angels carry our own burdens and beauty every day.
A brave tale of knighthood I shall tell
That speaks not of blood stained swords or spells that repel
Nor does it speak of the shields that crush hearts of stone,
But of the courage of a man who is truly alone.
You have been sent to the bleakest abyss,
Where madness and darkness are never amiss
And if your brother raises his sword before you with death
Spare him his life and leave him his breath.
Be not afraid of those who can kill
A body of flesh as it can again heal,
Take heart, have courage and bare all with faith
And let not one soul become a wandering wraith.
Your brother will wake and morrow will ring
Of clinging voices who have forgotten their sting,
Heartfelt songs will replace the harsh and cruel zeal,
Saying: “My brother spared me so now I may heal.”
* Anam Fiáin is a character I created for an Empire LARP event
Have you ever seen a straight branch? Similarly to how a branch twists and turns to take a glimpse of the sun, so does a person’s life twist and turn to take a glimpse of God (perfection). And the truth is, each branch is unique and so much more beautiful than a straight one (if such a branch existed).
After a nice trip to Freshford, near Bath, I discovered a hidden secret in one of my photographs. I have to say, this reminds me of the film Blow Up (1966), when a photographer discovers a murder after developing a photograph and magnifying it a few times. Of course my story has a happy ending:
If one adds a drop of water in a bucket every day, one will surely fill up the bucket in time. That is, unless one lives in the desert. That is how I finished this painting, which will be the front cover of my work in progress novella, Voice Mountain. You can read the chapters I have revealed so far here.
Josephine at the cherry tree (Voice Mountain)
Easter is coming and my heart yearns more and more to find its path. I discovered a freelancing course called The No Pants Project, which sounds ideal for me :)) I get to rediscover my gifts, what I enjoy doing and how I would like to serve others.
Also, I am amazed at how many self-improvement coaches are out there. From superstar Tony Robbins to philosophical Jordan Peterson. My mind listens, my heart smiles, but my soul asks: ‘How is all this related to Christ?’ Some things are, which encourage me to grow, some things aren’t and are best left aside.
‘Life happens for you, not to you.’ (Tony Robbins)
I just posted a storyboard for Tippy Tappy, the little tap dancer, finding his moves in a world of indifferent shuffles. Find it on my Anamation storyboards page here.
And I’m celebrating it with this silly video of me singing to myself in my pyjamas.
Enjoy!
Buster Keaton (1895 – 1966) is an inspiring physical comedian who believed in never faking a gag. His work was 50% planned and 50% improvised. He only shot his stunts once. If they worked, the worked, if they didn’t he wouldn’t shoot them again! What an inspiration he is to this day!
Buster Keaton – La Maison démontable 1920
Dr Anamaria Weston 