On My Mind in March
Goddess Artemis, Diana, Selene. Ink and watercolour with Adobe Fresco.
In March, as winter reluctantly loosens its grip, the delicate snowdrops timidly emerge from the frosty ground, signalling the arrival of spring. These resilient flowers, with their drooping white petals reminiscent of tiny bells, bravely push through the lingering snow, bringing a promise of new beginnings and hope. The sight of these tiny blooms carpeting the still-barren earth is a gentle reminder of nature's quiet strength and the beauty that emerges from adversity. As the days grow longer and the air begins to warm, the snowdrops serve as a symbol of renewal and the eventual awakening of the natural world after its long winter slumber.
The Ebb & Flow of Creativity: Online life drawing - 'Celestial Stillness' with Lilian. Miss Muse Life Drawing.
On my Palette: golden shades of peach and yellow paired with turquoise.
On the Stage: Konspiration - Dramaten. Conspiracy by Erik Uddenberg explores truth in Sweden's past, present, and future. The play delves into intertwined truths and falsehoods that have shaped the country, challenging viewers to reevaluate their understanding. Through turbulent landscapes and historical events, the play reveals hidden societal underpinnings. Directed by Suzanne Osten, known for transformative work in Swedish theater, "Conspiracy" blurs fact and fiction, urging reflection on ingrained beliefs, trust, and reality. Join the stimulating odyssey through Sweden's history and destiny, questioning convictions and interpretations.
Book of the Week: Ritual by Dimitris Xygalatas. Why seemingly senseless acts make life worth living. Dimitris Xygalatas's thought-provoking study into ritual and why it's vital to our world.
On the Radio: Something Understood - The Lump in the Throat. Writer Laura Barton reflects on how we articulate emotion and how feeling finds its way into words. Starting from Robert Frost's assertion that "a poem begins as a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, a homesickness, a lovesickness" and becomes something in which "the emotion finds the thought, and the thought finds the words", Laura draws on some of her favourite writers, including Gerard Manley Hopkins, Carol Ann Duffy and Vladimir Nabokov, as well as music from Van Morrison, Volcano Choir and cellist Oliver Coates.
On the Radio: Natural Histories - Elephants. Humans historically valued elephants for their size, wisdom, and memory. Cultural ties explored by Brett Westwood include ancient battles, circuses, Swahili proverbs, Sheffield’s street art, Jumbo, and celebrations in West London.
Reconsidering Relationships: Accept others as they are and place them where they belong. Begin making realistic decisions about where they fit into your life based on who they keep consistently showing you they are instead of who you want them to be. Pay attention to the gap. And true colours. Make choices based on their true selves, not your ideal. Surround yourself with those who love and support you.
Watching: Howard’s End. SVT Play. Poignant romantic drama with intricate character relationships. Sisters Margaret and Helen entwined with wealthy Wilcox family. Bond forms between Margaret and ailing matriarch Ruth. Love, betrayal, societal expectations drive engaging narrative. Based on E.M. Forster's novel, directed by James Ivory, expertly portrays Edwardian England's dynamics and class struggles, leaving a lasting impact.
On my Windowsill: Pink Camellia.