Feeling flat after an uninspired day at work (lots to do but motivation not too high) I decided to stop by Widemouth Bay on the way home. I sometimes forget how close we live to the sea and why we moved here. Today I needed a reminder.
The sun was just setting, the tide was out so the reefs were exposed, the wind was howling and it was freezing. But I had to get out of the car and wander out onto a headland where I was treated to a group of 5 ravens riding the wind, rolling around each other and generally having a good time. Looks like spring is on its' way. I love ravens. They fill me with great joy. Sometimes see peregrin falcons too but not today. Sparrowhawk instead.
Finding it difficult to find time to paint. Had to get the chainsaw out this weekend, which is always a treat. Loads of important stuff to do around the farm. Got a bit of hedge to finish laying before I  can start in the woods. Need to clear some scrub off an interesting verge with wild daffodils. Got to work too, though!
Soon be spring. Peak oil to look forward to and higher taxes as a consequence. Can't wait. Bring on the true spirit of anarchy. Society needs to change before we all roll over and accept our state sponsored lobotomies. Or is it too late already? Work to live people, not live to work. Start living within our means and realise how little we actually need to survive quite comfortably  really.

 

As you can see from the new additions, I have been busy preparing some sketches for a commission. This is exciting for me as it will be my first! Watch this space.

Been lucky enough to sell some work too. Some people have got good taste I suppose.

Also hoping to confirm some hedge laying soon and to start some woodland management for some good people in Devon. Word soon gets around.

Work is good. Trust is a wonderful thing.

It feels good when talents are recognised and credit is given where due.

Off to France at the end of next week to do some work on my house. I think the kitchen should have a make over.

See you all at Holsworthy Christmas Craft Fair on 13th November.

Be where you need to be and do what you need to do. Life's too short...

Yes, along with a large percentage of the inward movers who call themselves Cornish, I consider myself, partly, an artist. This is exciting as there is a large Bohemian population and you only have to visit the many arts and craft fairs around north Cornwall to appreciate this. After going to Bude Farmers and Producers market yesterday, we visited our stand at the Launcells craft fair at St. Swithians church. I must admit, I was expecting the poor steward to be sat all alone in a dank church, surrounded by 4 or 5 stands of overpriced, low quality tat. Not saying this view is reflective of our products. Instead I was astonished to be part of a thriving, busy and prosperous event. Artists in north Cornwall produce quality, there are loads of us and we all seem to be selling. Yes me included. I have sold another landscape painting, although my wood turning is not quite the same quality as some of the retired folks work. So Tammy and I have both made some money and it proves what someone said to me the other day. There is a market for anything, so long as it is sold in the right place. Speaking of which I really should start on the commission for Chris. It has been difficult over the last few weeks to find time, although I have the inspiration for my view of Rough Tor and Brown Willy from Casehill on Bodmin Moor.

So, as artist and crafts people, we are inspired to spread the word of our embryonic business. We have decided to splash out and attend the Boscastle Food and Crafts Fair in 3 weeks time. Then we checked the website and oh my God, what have we done!? Do we have the capacity to create loads more high quality stock over the next 3 weeks? I have some abstracts which I would like to sell at properish money. I have ordered a chuck system for my lathe which will help me produce finer pieces of wood turnery. Tammy will have to make loads more jewellery. I am impressed with this as her wirework is outstanding and the pieces she is turning out are proving to be highly desirable and prices are starting to rise. Proof that quality sells so long as the price is right.

So life as an artist in north Cornwall  is bobbing along quite nicely. It's now good not to be continually stuck behind caravans and VW's. The beaches have been returned to the natives, cos that's what we are now... And we continue to sell our yurt holidays for weeks and long weekends which is good, proving that people do come on holiday out of season! The yurt holidays have proven very popular, beyond my expectation and are an area to expand upon. Visit www.tamariskaenterprises.co.uk to view availability. Book direct through us and you may get a discount. It is an experience not to miss particularly if you want to experience off grid living, in peace and quiet on a farm with a sustainable ethos.

Also have a look at my work website to find out a little more about Ruby Country, the often ignored, one of the most rural and also one of the most beautiful parts of Devon. Visit www.therubycountry.com and keep an eye opn it as I will updating my bit, which does not exist at the moment, on a regular basis.

Good health, etc, everyone!

Yes, and no surprise really. I start work tomorrow, for the first time in 5 months! When I say work, what I really mean is going to work for someone else, as I have been so busy with my own stuff since coming down that I have often forgotten how close to the sea we live! I'm looking forward to getting a bit of routine back in my life and to be honest the 6 week school holidays are too long!! For me anyway.

So today I have been to buy a new wardrobe, as in clothes to put on my back; shirts, trousers, jacket. What an amazing place Bude is for charity shops. 2 pairs of trousers, another new shirt and a jacket for £13! I can recommend this shopping experience and the service was outstanding!!

Yesterday we went to the new Farmers/Producers fair that we have set up in Crackington Haven. Really good turn out and we all made some money. The PV cells on the roof of Crackington Institute are outstanding and a really good investment. Local community event at it's most vibrant. And I may have got some lecturing from the network too. Always wanted to be an art teacher.

On Sunday we killed our ducks. Yum (hopefully). But first we have to pluck them and past experience suggests this may be a nightmare.

Last weekend I got my first commission. Not a huge amount of money but at least someone has recognised my talents and wants a piece of my work to hang on their wall!

And now, off to Widemouth for a last leisurely laze on the beach before I nick the car and confine Tammy and children to Trelay Farm, whilst I beaver away for 4 days a week to replace the benefits. Hazel starts secondary school on Friday and it only seems fair to let her have a little more fun before this huge change. Teenage angst to come. Fearing this..

Good health.

But then again all weeks seem to be busy, days blurring together and hours passing in a blink of an eye.

My brother and his family arrived on Friday night and we spent some quality time together.

Last Sunday we had a Country Fair at the Farm. It was quiet, we made some money but more importantly we did a bit of networking. Along with Gary of Wooda we decided to try and start up a regular farm/crafts/art market in Crackington Haven. Not sure how many people are going to be interested but Bank Holiday Monday seems the favourite time to do it.

Then on Tuesday I had a job interview which went really well, so well in fact that I was contacted in the evening and asked to supply my references.

On Wednesday and Thursday we prepared stock and stuff for the Bude Farmers Market. Spent a while picking beans and weeding as I was going along. I also finished Tree Layers, our regular newsletter at Trelay. That was a chore I can tell you.

Thursday night we went to my brothers holiday let for dinner. Regine, his wife is a great cook and I came away full of Hungarian fried bread, spicy chicken, garlic oil and banofee pie. Not mixed all together though!

On Friday we went to market, our first and had a reasonably successful day. A good starting point, from which we learnt a lot. We did loads of networking and there was a lot of interest in our  produce. It was really enjoyable.

Then on returning I helped prepare food for our Indian evening, which went really well too. 25 people, including our guests crammed into the farmhouse lounge. Great food. Thanks Heather.

As if that's not enough, I attended the St.Gennys Church Flower Festival with a craft stall yesterday and sold a painting. "Thanks" to the family from Derbyshire, in particular their daughter who took a shine to Provencal  Sunflowers. I hope you sell your house and can move to the house in Mullion Cove. It's fantastic there, just like Cornwall in general.

Sunday morning, and still life continues. I have buried a piglet this morning, and am now about to make a Spanish omelette for a picnic on High Cliff, to wish Maxime well on his return to France. Later on we are going to Moses' birthday barbeque. Moses is a local farmer, a jolly fellow who may want me to manage his woods. But we'll see.

I still have yet to hear about the job. They did say they would let me know by the end of the week, which has now passed. No news is good news (I hope).

Good health every one. I recommend you read "How to be Free" by Tom Hodgkinson. It's very good and has spurred me on to revisit Animal Farm (the book by George Orwell...) which is also poignant in many different ways. Enjoy your roast dinner!