Timely words of wisdom.

 

Five standout remarkable books from 2024 - each inspirational, timeless, timely, filled with wonder, wisdom, symbolism and integrity! : ) 

Cosmos yf 24

"A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step." Lao Tzu

  " I am the fiery life of divine substance, I blaze above the beauty of the fields, I shine in the waters, I burn in the sun, moon and stars. " Hildegard of Bingen ref 1

"Keep your face towards the sunshine and the shadows  will fall behind you." Walt Whitman

Each new day is the blank page through which the story of your life unfolds anon.

"The beginning is always today." Mary Wollstoncraft Shelly

"No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again." Buddah

"New beginnings, new horizons, new adventures!" anon

"I close my eyes to old endings and open my heart to new beginnings." Nick Fredrickson

New horizons, more often than not, can be a challenge. "Its time to turn the page" - a phrase I repeated frequently throughout 2024, it helped me to keep moving forward, when circumstances presented themselves...pressing on, gaining momentum... Below memorable 2024 stand out books that were inspirational and motivating.

Along with much appreciation for the particularly dedicated, insightful writings of Maria Popova, whose website, 'Marginalian' has been a rich source of life affirming encouragment throughout 2024. 🙏

 Books 📚

The Great Upshift - A rich collection of scholarly writings addressing humanity's greatest challenges, exploring how we can advance toward peace and harmony on our planet.

"A new world is emerging before our eye's. We are surrounded by evidence that civilization is poised on the threshold of a major evolutionary event....Conscious Evolution. " Bruce Lipton ref 1 pg5

Rumi's Little Book of Life - Rumi...a poetic source of inspirational text, full of wisdom that speaks to the heart, as much now as it did in the 1300's. A flick of the page from this timeless read will inevitably resonate. 

"Friends, let us return to the source of pure essence that nothing else can equal. Remember, we are pearls in a vast ocean of Spirit. If not, why are these constant waves surging through our hearts? The primeval wave created the vessel of this body, as it breaks, we will be united with the friend."  Rumi ref 2 pg 135.

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating....Elizabeth Tovey Baileys unique portrayal of her encounter with a snail. The deep lessons she learnt through a year long observation led to her intriguing in depth research concerning the intricate, touching and most curious life cycle of this small creature. Elizabeth is a gifted writer in this heart warming tale of discovery and wonder

"Each evening the snail awoke, and with astonishing poise it moved  gracefully to the rim of the pot and peered over, surveying, once again , the strange country that lay ahead. Pondering its circumstance with a regal air as if from the turrets of a castle, it waved its tentacles first this way then that, as though responding to a distant melody." ref3  pg 16.

 more to add! 

 "The new year stands before us like the chapter in a book, ready to be written," Melody Beattie

final artwork of the year.

A family of four Spaniel's in The Snow. yf
Mixed media, impression,  - Dec 24

🌟Wishing you happy vibes with lots of adventures be they through, books, places, people gatherings, music, art, theatre, nature, where ever it maybe in the coming year

Sending positive universe
 vibes with good wishes for
 2025 photo by tim.

                           Every moment is a fresh beginning. 

Quotes from site 160+ best new year quotes 

Final display images - biodiversity & deforestation

Carlton Marshes Reserve - Suffolk Wildlife.

Contemplation of nature can free you of that "me," the great troublemaker! Eckhart Tolle. Stillness Speaks pg79   

Wendell Berry, eco-poet.peace of

wild things, sketchbook yf

All things in nature are not only one with themselves but also with the totality. They haven't removed themselves from the fabric of the whole by claiming a separate existence :  "me" and the rest of the universe. Eckhart Tolle. Stillness Speaks, pg 79

Below images showing the external landscape views - a sanctuary of natural beauty for wildlife habitats to thrive....On this particular day we saw many species ... a multitude of dragonflies filled the air, whilst the last remaining swallows glided over marsh land.

 

Inside the reserve a space to learn, reflect
have a cuppa and enjoy the stunning
Natural views!

With the valuable inputs of Charlotte
from Carlton Marshes....after an hour
of nail hammering, adjusting images,
 and restraightening wonkey works!
we were finally finished. yf

 

 

Work up 

-

Sketch book work - lino Cut & hands holding 
Rolled up eco quotes for public to take.

Various geclee prints cards quotes yf

A great silent space holds all of nature in its embrace. It also holds you. Eckhart Tolle , Stillness Speaks pg 85  🌺 

Carlton Marsh Reserve - Biodiversity 2024

'The Amazon is nowadays our planet's "last resevoir", the sanctuary of integral nature' Pierre Restany, 1978, ref 1

Final preparations a few images from behind the scenes,   

poster ad for 
display

-------------------- from out of the chaos : )

Hoping  to share the display in situ later in the week 🌈

Watercolour images symbiosis &
Biodiversity within rainforests...all things 
connect. yf.

Messy preparations
cards and work.

Tuesday working on final card preparations

Cards in display case original linocut & 
printed cards yf

Ref1 quote from The Rio Negro  Manifest - Pierre Restany. pg1 Thursday August 1978.  In the presence of Sepp Daendereck and Franz Krajcberg.

SWL...Preparing eco-based linocuts & eco inspired qoutes!

 "Enter the forest and the boundaries of nations are forgotten. It may be that sometime an immortal pine will be the flag of a united and peaceful world." Enos Abijah Mills.....

The quotation is one of a number based on forests and our human interactions with them - on display in September 24.

Biodiversity plays a key role when considering the healthy dynamics of a thriving sustainable planet.... all things really do connect.

 As preparations gather momentum, the two main linocut images are based on exploring the deep connections and coexistence of flora and fauna within the ecosystems. Titled 'Reflections' and 'Dragonfly'... the work considers the harmonious balances and interactions between flora and fauna within wild habitat spaces....

 Below linocuts inked up, hand printed, and drying . The small works will be part of Carlton display . Hopefully to raise funds for Suffolk Wild Life, Carlton Marsh.

Trees Reflections yf 24 Dragonfly yf 24

                                 Linocut's 'Reflection' Trees & 'Dragonfly' plus 

                                  hand printed images 

Biodiversity (reworked image) yf

Above images & small scrolls tied with recycled hand crafted paper ....the quotation purpose as part of display - further public interaction of  ecological based quotes .

Once again really appreciating you're visiting the art room! 🌻🌈🌝

"Forests, Lakes, and rivers, clouds and winds, stars and flowers, glaciers and crystal snowflakes - every form of animate or  inanimate existence leaves its impression upon the soul of man. Orison Swett Marden.

Main quotations can be found on inspirational website.......Tickled Think

80 Magical Forest Quotes To Inspire You - Tickled Think.com

Carlton Marsh Reserve, Suffolk Wild Life, Preparations.

 

 "In a forest of a hundred thousand trees, no two leaves are alike. And no two journeys along the same path are alike - Paulo Coelho

Preparations commencing! 🌟..... as we head toward the month long art display at  Carlton Marsh Reserve this coming September. 

Last year the eco-project focused on the impact of pesticides resulting in

biodiversity loss, culminating in an alarming decline of wildlife, fauna and flora here in the UK.

This ongoing project was originally informed by  Rachel Carson's work, through her seminal book, 'The Silent Spring' - a sobering read for anyone interested in exploring toxin effects on soil, land flora and run offs into rivers. 

The work on display this year aims to highlight the changing, often irreversible effects, of deforestation in ancient Rain forests, particularly in the Amazon  and deforestation effects on biodiversity 

As well we will be focusing on impacts to both the environment and local indigenous communities, whose ancient and cultural heritage is one of coexisting and living in harmony with the forest. 

Although this series and project was displayed in 2015 it's relevance remains ongoing today. In the UK few ancient Rainforests now remain. Some last ancient forests continuingly threatened by human activity. Once gone, gone forever. 

As mentioned in a previous blog....Our replanting focuses on mono plantations which in contrast to the natural order, won't ever display the incredible wonder of biodiversity found deep within ancient woodlands. Once mono plantations take precidence, they weaken the process of natural occurring ecological systems.....creating an ever susceptible vulnerability- when infestation and disease strike - wiping out whole manufacture induced plantations. Whereas biodiversity is more robust combating this. 

 At a previous time in UK's own history forests covered major land surfaces. The UK now one of the least forested countries in Europe. A historical point of reference here being,  the use of oak trees as wood for maritime shipping fleets in the 17th /18th C.

 By exploring the impacts of Rainforest deforestation I hope to highlight the significant need to protect what remains. Some art images will explore the beauty and diversity of ancient forests, highlighting the symbiotic relationships in these ecosystems. In contrast  other work highlights the significant devastation to these ecosystems when deforestation occurs.

A particularly poignant quote from the 18th C, by a French man  states..."Forests came before civilization and deserts after... "

In line with last years display, sketch book material, quotes and original lino cut art card sales will be there, encouraging public participation. 

Forests, lakes, and rivers, clouds and winds, stars and flowers, stupendous glaciers and snowflakes - every form of animate or inanimate exsistance leaves its impression  upon the soul of man - Orison Swett Marden.

New sketch book material is under way...with more to add!🌝 

"Nature gave me back my humanity." Frans Krajcberg .

The most recent is work is based on inspirational Amazon Artist eco activist Frans Kracjberg ....sharing here initial  sketches ...

Isolated for a number of years, recovering  after the trauma of the second world war. He said, ' Nature gave him back his humanity ' Frans Kracjberg

    Eventually moving to Brazil Frans' settled in Brahma Nova Viscoca

Where he planted several thousand saplings,  native  trees of 

the Atlantic forest. 

                          

 For over forty years Frans worked using his creativity to alert the world to the destruction of the Amazon Rain forest Which he expressed through sculptural forms of deforested - often charred, remains of wood. His work today residing in Galleries, sharing the beauty of form from the tragedy of over exploitation of Rainforest habitats.

Thank you for taking time to visit the artroom ! 🌈🌻🐦

We are but star dust ..macro /micro

       It takes a whole  universe to make just one swift 🌟 Mark Cocker .

ATM..there are a number of ideas being worked on.. It can, at times feel like multitude of explorations- complex strands being weaved into the process all at once... past ideas re-emerging to fuse with present ones... Ideas that hold resonance on a personal level and feel significant in someway. Particularly when one encounters different perspectives. Articulating with words, on my part, often can lead to a sense of inadequacy -

Attempts to grapple with ideas based around environmentalism, ecology, philosophy, stoicism is ongoing. Concepts around cosmology is a most recent exploration...and it is vast! Dr Ervin Laszlo's work and explorations, has been a recent  discovery  that I find  both expansive and inspiring. Reading his book titled, Reconnecting to Source, based on peoples encounters into new dimensions of being. I look forward to his latest book, The Great Upshift. 

Also recent re-visiting of what is meant by " sacred balance". Which Dr David Suzuki, Scientist & environmentalist, explores in his enthralling succinct book titled, "The Sacred Balance", through which he shares his scientific insights, concerning  human activities impacts on both planet and people. Dr Suzuki's  in-depth study revealing, our inter-dependency on the natural elements; water, soil, sunlight and oxygen -  the breath of vegetation that sustains all life forms.... I'm reminded also of journalist writer, George Monbiots apt qoute highlighting the conditioning  of our disconnection....

 "Civilization is but a flimsy dust sheet thrown over our psyche rich in emotion and instinct,shaped by the living planet ". ref2. 

Our industrialised  mindset, endeavouring to comprehend alternative narratives, to what now is...Exploring what a  purposeful meaningful life and exsistance is as a human being. A great many writers, poets, artists whose journeys illuminate and inspire widening and expanding ..breaking through the conditioning of anthropic ways of being into an expansive whole  ...their works expressing timeless knowledge's resonate more than ever today. 

 

"The World lives within us ; we live within the world. By damaging the living  planet we  have diminished our exsistence" . George Monbiot, red 3.

Bird of the Amazon Rain
forest, The Spangled Cortinga.
 Symbiosis & Biodiversity. yf 14.

Books of interest Dr Ervin Laszlo "Reconnecting To Source" & "The Great UpShift"

Dr David Suzuki, "Sacred Balance "

ref 1 Mark Cocker quotation.

ref 2 . How Did We Get Into This Mess?George Monbiot Verso Books qoute Pg91 

ref 3 How Did We Get Into This Mess, George Monbiot, pg 93 Versso Books.

Pensychnant Reserve Open Art Exhibition. July 24

Looking forward to two mixed media works being part of the Pensychnant Conservation Open Exhibition in Wales .

The circle of life. In the circle of life every being is no more or less than any other . We are all sisters and brothers. Life is shared with the bird, bear, insects, mountains,clouds, stars and sun. Ref 1

It's inspiring to realise there are more events
representing ecologically focussed art works. Pensychnant Nature Reserve is one such place. A well established conservation center that  has a keen passion focusing on the well being of wildlife habitats along side sheep farming . Set in stunning surroundings it is open to the public - it also hosts numerous nature events and is proactive in protecting wild life habitats in an area of natural beauty. 

The images relate to  the impact of  industrial pesticides and herbicides on wild life habitats and the ongoing consequences these pollutant residues  have on both biodiversity, wildlife and wild flora. Here in the UK populations of certain wild species are in decline some now classed as  endangered.

Below are various artists works which are part of the Pensychant Reserve display....Each artist creating interpretations which primarily focus on the beauty of nature or themes concerning ecological  conservation . 

Works inspired by the natural world.

Detailed images of natures beauty.

All Things Connect - Wren yf.24

All Things Connect - Bee yf24

Ref1, Deep Ecology in the 21st C, by George Sessions, editor,. Shambhala Publications London & Boston 1995.