Flora and fauna

I must admit to being a little worn down by the building process at the moment, even though I know we're nearing the end of it.

I feel like my wheelbarrow. I used to be slightly embarassed of its green, shiny newness amongst all the battle-hardened others. It's now had two new wheels, needs rewelding, has been repaired countless times with wire and steel rods, and it still doesn't work very well. (It's actually a better analogy than I was expecting, now I write it down.)

Self portrait

Another sign that the building work has become so all consuming was when my youngest daughter gazed up at the sky on a cloudless night and said, "Look daddy, the moon looks just like concrete" - and, to be fair, it did.

So I’ve decided to do two things; firstly look the other way, and start to appreciate the changing landscape whenever I take the dog for a walk (while we pretend to look for truffles), and secondly get back to painting. It's a good thing too, as I'm running a Botanical Illustration course next Spring.

Last year I was able to visit a group of experts in this field and, to my surprise, some of the most interesting work seemed to focus on plants in the process of turning from green to brown as they dried and decayed. There was something mesmeric about watching these painters so focused and concentrated on their subjects, sometimes working through magnifying glasses, and often using lamps fitted with special daylight bulbs to allow them to continue working through into the night. I knew immediately that this was an area I would be foolish to ignore, especially living here, literally tripping over so much flora and fauna.

Some botanical illustrators work in a true, scientific way, documenting and recording the exactitude of the species and giving notes and measurements on the page very precisely. Others, like this particular group, have also developed this type of illustration into a true art form and the images are stunning, plants so real you can almost touch and smell them. You can see their work at www.amicusbotanicus.com

During my Art degree we never spent much time on this area of study but, as I’ve become older, I’ve started to appreciate more the subtlety of this exacting discipline and, living here, you've got no choice. You have to love nature.

Anyway, here’s my early offering of the season, it’s called ‘Parthenocissus quinquefolia’ (or Virginia Creeper to you and me).

The stupidest thing I did today;

This is perhaps the stupidest thing I’ve done all year and I can hardly bring myself to write it down, so all I’ll say is that it involves seeing a poor abandoned kitten one morning outside a bar …

Comments

[New Timberland]

So cute! I already like you on FB and also get your posts on Google Reader. :)

[Sophie]

As usual, showing off!:) Beautiful illustration/watercolour? I am obsessed with plants/flowers also. But mainly photographing them...don't think I have the patience to paint them. One day when I can afford to visit you I can get some practise in!

ps, I've tagged you.

[Elizabeth]

Such a lovely virginia creeper illustration.
I'm fascinated by your blog.
We lived in Italy years ago and are thinking of returning.

[LizP]

I love this post!
Your self portrait, illustration (that vine is here in my yard in Maine as well!), link to a wonderful website, and your "stupidest thing".
All fabulous... thank you!

[Ian]

Found your blog by accident, and loved it so much, it spurred me to write the diary of our Tuscany renovation, If you have a mo' please check it out, any advice gratefully received. I've added you to my blogroll, hope you don't mind.

[diana]

**So I’ve decided to do two things; firstly look the other way, and start to appreciate the changing landscape whenever I take the dog for a walk (while we pretend to look for truffles), and secondly get back to painting.**

I could have written that (changing the last word to "throwing pots". Maybe we should start an Italian renovation burn out support group. I so hear you. I love you blog, have seen it on so many other blog rolls, and I'll go put it on mine now.

Complimenti.

[casalba]

It's payback time! You've been tagged. You know the rules - do with it what you wish.

[Chris]

Gorgeous illustration.

and kindness to kitties... sexy.

[rosaria]

The Virginia Vine looks just beautiful. Astonishing really, at first glance I thought it was a photo. I love botanical drawings.

I do hope the kitten went home with you. I lost count of the strays in Greece that I fed, or took home, during the years I lived there.

[casalba]

Love botanical illustrations and yours is a beautiful example - wish I could attend your course next spring.

I also love the ones which give cross sections of the fruit, or berries and the way all the different plant parts appear on the page layout.

[Scintilla]

They should dedicate a Saint's day to the wheel-barrow. 'Santa Carriola - Saint Carry-all' will do.
I'm a sucker for kittens too.
Your offering is very life-like!

[stephanie]

I am laughing at your self portrait and decription! I have this Virginia creeper turning this lovely color all over my yard...really beautiful drawing!

[Antonina]

I do enjoy whenever you philosophize on inanimate objects , you have a way of making them seem as if they are forces of life.Yet it still may have some use before its retired.Your wheel barrel. As for not abandoning kitty to life of liquor and loose cats or lurking in alleys but giving it a home is just really nice guy stuff.Your Virginia vine looks darn good to me very life like.

[nyc/caribbean ragazza]

Carina. What is the new kitten's name?

Your offering is beautiful.

[Monika]

ooh looks like someone got a new kitten?? hope he/she brings you lots of love as they always do!

[erin :: the olive notes]

haha! I was just talking with Chris yesterday about the new addition :)