Nature’s Gems Series
Between 2002 and 2004 I produced twelve water colour paintings which I hoped might be used in the design of a calendar. I went out and about at the beginning of each month and decided what flora and fauna might be of interest in a particular month and what would make nice little paintings to go on my proposed calendar. These 12 paintings have the codes NS01 to NS12 (‘NS’stands for Nature Series). However, when I designed and published the A4 limited edition calendar in 2005 for the year 2006, it ended up with the title: “Nature’s Gems”. All 300 editions were sold. And each year since then I have designed and produced a calendar based on my artwork done during the year, or re-using some popular pictures from previous years. The calendars remain as popular now as they were in 2005 and lovely people come back to purchase them year after year. The calendars have been sent all over the world. I also now produce A5 and Half A3 Calendars, as well as CD size calendars in a plastic case.
NS10 Nature’s Gems: October
Botanical Illustration. Artist Code: NS10. SOLD (private collector). Completed October 2004. Original. Water colour on Aquarelle Arches 100% Hot Pressed cotton rag paper. Unframed size 12″ x 16″. Framed size 20” x 23”
Like March and April, September and October were painted on one sheet and originally framed as a whole. They have now been separated and are being sold separately with an archival mount.
October: The horse chestnut and spindleberry are such wonderful colours. These were drawn from specimens in our local Watts Wood, named after an exuberant local councillor (Bill) who did much for the trees and other projects for the village during his long and active life of service to the local community.
Poems
OCTOBER
October brings a shorter day.
Seeds ‘erupt’ and drop to earth,
to nestle down, await new birth.
See the spindle’s colours bright.
The conker’s glistening, shining light:
majestic leaves—majestic sight!
