CLICK ON ANY IMAGE IN A CLUSTER TO ACCESS ITS GALLERY, INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF WHICH CAN BE VIEWED FULL SIZE BY SCROLLING DOWN AND CHECKING BOX AT BOTTOM RIGHT. THE TWO SINGLE PIECES OF ARTWORK CAN BE ENLARGED WITH A CLICK OR TWO.
When our friend John Jones visited to paint and draw in our garden last September, the day was so wet that he was confined to the greenhouse to avoid unwanted drops diluting his watercolour painting.
Today, even John would not have minded a little rain. He arrived on time, and, with Elizabeth, we sat for a while on the patio, drinking fizzy lime cordial. Jackie then repaired to the kitchen to prepare a splendid salad lunch which the four of us later enjoyed; and I took John on a tour of the garden so he could choose his vantage point. He said he was spoilt for choice
and settled in the Westbrook Arbour looking down the Phantom Path.
One of our first Japanese anemones stood just in front of him, and an accommodating hosta gathered up fallen geranium petals.
Over lunch we shared memories of childhoods – ours in London, and John’s in Southampton. Horse drawn carts were just one of the similarities we all identified. Many of mine feature in ‘An Historic London Borough’.
After lunch, our artist continued with his work. He spoke of how, in some ways, working in the steady light of a rainy day, had been simpler than with grappling with shadows on the paper.
Having taken this first piece as far as he could today,
John transferred to a shady corner of the Rose Garden. His necessary expressions of intense concentration were softened by his engaging smile.
He left his drawing at this point.
The four of us settled into the Rose Garden with pre-dinner drinks. Then it rained heavily, we got wet and eventually fled indoors. Then the rain stopped.
After drinks Jackie drove John to New Milton station to catch his train home to Southampton.
Jackie, Elizabeth, and I dined at Lal Quilla this evening. Elizabeth enjoyed korai chicken tandoori masala with pilau rice; Jackie chicken shashlik with an egg paratha; and I chicken jaljala with special fried rice. We all drank Kingfisher. As always, the food was excellent and the service friendly and welcoming.
What a nice opportunity to paint and draw in such a wonderful garden. Spoiled for choice indeed–and I am glad that you are having some rain.
I have never heard of an egg paratha in my life! What area is this cuisine from? We have had all kinds of paratha at various venues, but this one I have never heard of. Does it have any unusual qualities like sweet or sour or spicy etc.?
Thanks very much, Donnalee. The paratha is plain with an omelette on top – Jackie’s favourite
Very interesting–I’ll ask out our local and see if they know it. Thanks for the reply.
Rain. Can I really believe you, Derrick? Surely imagination. Please send some eastwards to me. Please!
We are doubting ourselves already, Roland. It didn’t last long. Thanks a lot
I love the photos of John creating his masterpiece. He’s quite talented!
Thanks very much, Jill. It is very satisfying
What a joy it must be to have a watercolour artist sitting in your garden creating! And what a joy for him too!
It absolutely is, Pauline. Thanks very much
I love that he wants to come to our garden to paint and draw, it is a lovely feeling knowing that there is an artist in the garden!
Happy dance Jackie! You’re not tempted to swan past bearing a parasol and one of your lovely smiles, just in case he decides to include you in among the garden treasures?
Jackie says “no, I’m not” 🙂
Two artists at work, I think, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Mike
I agree…your photographs of the artist are artistically brilliant.
Many thanks, Jeanne
I have seen John painting at your garden before; I’ll wait for the final pieces. You have painted John in detail with your own tools. Lal Quilla continues to delight your taste buds!
Thanks very much, Uma
Sounds like a wonderful day! Hope we get to see the finished paintings.
I expect we will. Thanks very much, Laurie
We had some rain last night which was enough to leave the roads and pavements dark for a couple of hours, but it’s getting beyond a joke! I love his first colour picture; it’s got so many pale, delicate colours.
Thanks very much, John. I agree with your judgement on the picture
Your garden is an inspiring place to create! It is an artist’s muse!
John’s drawing and watercolour painting are both wonderful! And he has a beautiful smile!
What a magnificent day at your house, Derrick! 🙂 And YAY for rain! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Very many thanks, Carolyn 🙂
Beautiful captures Derrick.
We are expecting very high temperatures, mercury might reach upto 34C today.
Gosh we need rain.
I hope you get your rain, Rupali. Many thanks
It sounds like you had such a wonderful day–filled with starts and stops, like the rain. (I hope you’ll get more soon.) Your garden is so beautiful. I’m not surprised that an artist would want to paint there, and your own photographic artistry captured him well.
Very many thanks, Merril
I love enjoyment and calm in a wonderful garden.
Thanks very much, Sherry. That is how I liked people to think of this one
Great talent! It seems he was spoiled for choice of scenery
Thanks very much, Sylvie
😊
Glad you got a bit of rain. In this heat, it will of course be evaporating but I hope the garden feels it has had a respite from the blazing sun.
And how lovely to have a friend come and paint in your garden!
Many thanks, Helen. Heavy storm overnight; blue skies this morning. Perfect
And maybe more rain on the way? It’s trying to rain here now after claps of thunder….
Being a devotee of the ‘Abstract Incapability’ school of so far post Impressionism as to be beyond redemption as a miserably incapable artist, I am in awe of those that can and love watching artists at work and watching that work evolve. So this was quite a heavenly post for me. But I am then, being a discursive so and so, distracted by the very last paragraph. Egg paratha … what is this magical creation and why have I never come across it. Sometimes I realise that I haven’t lived a life at all!
Thanks very much, Osyth. A plain paratha with an omelette on top.
Yes, having posted my comment I then noticed another reader had asked and you had answered. I will make it my business to seek one out. Purely in interests of research you’ll understand X
🙂
What is this thing you called, ‘rain’? 🙂
We had a proper storm last night. I hope it goes your way. Thanks a lot, Widders
What a lovely place to draw and paint. I bet the artist had a great day at your place 🙂
Thanks very much, Anna. He does love it