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I am now preparing the second draft of the whole book manuscript, and marking up for line art, colour plates and photographs. I received some wonderful comments on my work from some of the people who attended the Bourn Brook meeting (see 5 February entry of this diary), so this has spurred me on to produce the best possible illustrations.

There was an open meeting about Bourn Brook at Bourn Golf Club (Toft Road,Bourn, Cambridge CB23 2TT) ON 5 FEBRUARY 2014 from 7.00 to 9.30pm. The meeting was organized by Vince Lea (Cambridge Restoration Trust) and Ruth Hawkesley (The Wildlife Trusts for Bedfordshire Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire). Open discussion included wildlife and invasive species, pollution and flooding – and some people expressed their fears about the new development of Northstowe and building on Bourn Air Field. Famous wildlife photographer, Jeff Harrison was there (he has photographed the kingfishers along the brook), and I displayed some pictures, photographs and illuminations which are provisionally earmarked to be published in my book.

I completed the first rough draft of my chapter in the book I am co-authoring with Sylvia M Haslam. I am now turning to the illustrations and photographs for the whole of the book itself. My chapter has been mostly about the ups and downs of a medium size brook near Cambridge, Bourn Brook. Although I was only supposed to provide 10,000 words, the first draft has over 20,000 words!

I purchased some Staedler fine nib indelible pens to practice with, in readiness for the lineart work for my book. Even though I have purchased the smallest nib, it is still not as fine as the Rotring pen nib, so I shall have to clean these out again!! But the Staedlers will be all right for larger works. As you can see, I do need some practice with pen and ink as I have not done any for a couple of years. The subject here is Medlar fruit, which grows on a tree in a little patch of grass across the road from my house. These particular fruits are rather overripe and ‘puss’ globules are oozing from them. They all seem to have a funny little appendage near the stalk, the purpose of which I am not sure, but it adds character to the drawings. The fourth drawing from the left is a messy cross section. It was difficult to see the formation of the seed chambers and surrounding soft flesh of the fruit – presumably the stuff that is eaten – although I have not plucked up enough courage to try it as it does not look very nice, although the smell is very sweet. In late spring this little tree is covered in beautiful white flowers – perhaps the subject for a nice painting some time. Learn more about the history of this little-known fruit in today’s world: View

Artist Code 1302: ‘Molly’ – Commission. The feline had died earlier in the year, and the commissioner wished to share a memory with her partner. This was a smaller than usual artwork for me, done in pencil, but the commissioner was very happy with the result. The oval outline was added by computer, the actual picture being A4 portrait.

These nine photographs show the everyday type of destruction that is going on all around us to take away our natural green scenery. These pictures are of Long Road, Comberton, Cambridgeshire, and you can see that a relatively old hedge is being hauled out to the core, I suppose so that the run-off drainage channel does not get blocked. The beautiful hedge, made up of Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Crab Apple, Bramble, Wild Plum, Ash, Horse Chestnut and other woody shrubs, has had its guts ripped out, and the banks laid bare. There is a 150 yard stretch still standing, but I am sure this will also disappear in the next few days. In that 150 yard stretch I counted 14 bird nests of various sizes and make-up (this year’s). Whilst photographing, I saw a Wren, Blue tit, Great tit, Blackbird and a lone Fieldfare (most unusual). Over the years this hedge has provided food, a breeding place and shelter for local and over-wintering birds. The water is running through the existing bit of hedge and overgrowth extremely well, so pulling out the hedge completely seems a bit OTT to me. It is a sad day for Comberton’s natural history. But recorded here for posterity!!! Can all people with valuable green spaces and scenery take photographs of it now, so that future generations can see what a once very green and pleasant land we had. I have lived in Comberton for over 46 years and am slowly dying inside because each time I venture out and around I see that trees have been chopped, hedges destroyed, land built on, and ‘KEEP OUT’ signs erected where once we roamed to pick wild mushrooms and other foods from nature’s larder, with the blessing of the landowner. All in all a sad day for Comberton – when will mankind stop abusing this earth?

 

After a 6-month lapse, I have now started to take commissions again, and am very pleased (and grateful) to be asked to produce a large oil painting of a ‘typical British scene’, which will go to Australia, and two family portraits. I am just completing the 10,000 word first draft text for my part of the book I am co-writing with Sylvia Haslam, and will be starting on the artwork fairly soon. So 2014 looks quite promising at the moment.

Spent some time rummaging in and clearing up my little wild garden last weekend and discovered quite a few things growing under the decaying plant matter. Below is a selection of photographs of things which should probably not be growing at this time! And my persimmon tree has got two fruits on it again this year.

Pink Pearls on a Velvet Cushion – published online 30th October 2013 at 11.00 at http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/what-s-on/arts-butanica-at-the-walled-garden-1-5632215. A unique exhibition featuring the work of 22 of the country’s top botanical artists opens at Luton Hoo Walled Garden tomorrow (October 30).

 

A lovely email from the Association of Animal Artists – ‘…We are very glad to hear that you are looking to take part in the Martin Mere exhibition in the next few weeks. I was just looking at your picture of the two birds below [Pearly King and Queen, Great Crested Grebes], and was thinking that it would be well suited to the publicity poster for this exhibition. I just wanted to ask if you would be happy for AAA to use the picture for this? (and of course I am delighted!)