Early this morning
sparrows so dominated the seed feeder that
one of their own needed to wait its turn while perched in the winter flowering cherry.
A long tailed tit joined
blue tits tucking into the suet balls.
Soon after 11 we left Aaron to his work in the garden and drove to The First Gallery in Bitterne where Margery and Paul were hosting their 45th Christmas Show.
Margery herself exhibited a number of paintings including this Barn Bird II, its dynamic composition perhaps suggestive of Piet Mondrian.
Here is Billiard Players by one of her favourites, Eric Meadus;
and Cockerel by Joanna Williams.
Crafts of various natures share space with the paintings.
Ingenious automata,
welded ironwork, like the impressively elegant ‘The Violinist’,
and inviting handmade knitwear are specific examples.
Here Jackie takes delight in discovering
the watercolour ‘In Jackie’s Garden’ by John Jones who has produced a fine composition from various elements depicted during his sessions in our garden. Naturally we bought it – at a generous discount.
This evening we dined on medium rare fillet steaks; duchess potatoes; sautéed chestnut mushrooms and red peppers; and al dente green beans, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Merlot.
It looks like a fun show with a delightful find–and well-documented Derrick. I hope you both enjoy your purchase.
Thank you very much, Merril. The show has become an institution – in their own home. Margery is in her mid nineties and still going strong.
Oh, how wonderful!
I was delighted by Jackie’s delight.
🙂 Thanks a lot, Pauline.
How lovely having an original piece of art based on your fabulous garden.
It is – a lovely surprise, Sheree. Thanks very much.
Great post Derrick, nice to see all the crafts and art and Jackie too.
Thanks very much, Agnes.
I enjoyed the feeder scenes, and the Christmas show, Derrick and Jackie. It is that time of year again.
It is, indeed. Lavinia. Thanks very much.
Loved this. Made me smile.
I’m pleased. Many thanks, Gary.
When Jackie’s happy…I’m happy. The birds are eating well!
Lovely comment, Jill. Many thanks.
I agree with you on the likeness to Mondrian, having done a computerised art version many times with the children at school, I cannot miss the similarities.
You must be very proud of the garden painting. .
Thanks very much, Sue. Jackie is particularly proud of John’s painting. This post is a bit long, but I think you might like it: https://derrickjknight.com/2012/08/12/an-unknown-masterpiece/
Thank you, I shall take a look.
Just a beautiful post!
Thanks very much, Leslie
How nice to have a painting of one’s garden. For some reason the sparrows that cover our garden in the summer disappear when it gets cold. I can hear them twittering in neighbours’ gardens. I am very envious of the long tailed tit as they are lovely little birds.
They come down south that’s where your sparrows are! eating all my birdseed!
(and I love it.)
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal. We have at least two sparrows’ nests each year. A long gabion wall of Lymington Hospital is a complete colony of these birds.
Great purchase. I love the Violinist.
Thanks very much, Peggy. That would look good in an elegant music room.
it sure would. Pity we don’t have that room!
Hope you have a wonderful week
Thanks a lot, Mrs W. I hope yours is better than some recent ones.
Thank you
How wonderful to find your garden in the art show! I love the photo of Jackie discovering it! I also like that little carving at the back of one of the tables of the man disappearing through a door.
Thanks very much, Clare. That carving was the reason I took that picture.
🙂
Lovely! And that sparrows enjoying a good meal ??
Thanks very much, Ribana
Sadly, I was unable to find Nugget in John’s beautiful painting. (Although if i remember correctly–which I may not–his work was pre-Nugget.) Quite a lot of talented artists’ work on display.
Thanks a lot, Oglach. I think that was produced pre-Nugget, but he is coming back with two more painters next year.
How wonderful that you were able to purchase a painting called “In Jackie’s Garden”! I enjoyed the birds at the feeders. I’d say that the suet balls have proven to be quite popular.
Thanks very much, Liz. The tits really stab at the balls.
I could see that! Belies the old saw “eats like a bird” to describe the dainty picker, doesn’t it?
It certainly does. Nugget is also a stabber
I could see that, yes!
I love ‘Jackie’s Garden’ – the sunshine in the picture will be a lovely reminder of summer’s gifts during the winter months.
Thanks very much, Susan.
What a great thing to have – a painting of the garden. If only Jackie knew someone with artistic skills she could probably have a few more…
The long-tailed tit is a great shot – I really struggle with them.
Thanks very much, Quercus. I’m pleased.
🙂
Images of the birds pecking at the feeder vie with the artwork below, all in Jackie’s Garden.
Nice comment, Uma. Thanks very much.
Isn’t it nice to find art you like? And to have it be the garden of your house! I like the billiard players, too. The whole show, with its mix of arts and crafts looks wonderful.
Thanks very much, Lisa. It is, indeed.
You make me want to purchase a bird feeder…lol
Thanks very much, msw.
A delight to see your enjoyment of Arts and Crafts Derrick, it is always pleasure to find a special piece that attracts your eye, a piece that stirs your emotions, cheers.
Many thanks, Ian
OH! John’s painting is so beautiful! I can feel Jackie’s delight! 🙂 John deserves a BIG (HUG)! 🙂
A day surrounded by art is a wonderful day!
We love visiting art shows, galleries, museums, art fairs, etc. I, also, enjoy getting caught up looking at the art in people’s homes, in medical offices, in hotels, in restaurants, etc! 🙂
I love seeing the birds all a’flutter, a’twitter, and eating well! (People who are addicted to Twitter ought to spend more time watching birds!)
So nice that Aaron is such a great helper!
HUGS to all and to all a “good-night”*! 🙂 (I got Santa Claus on my brain! 😉 and the *’Twas the Night Before Christmas poem. 🙂 )
Thanks very much, Carolyn. The First gallery is in fact Margery and Paul’s home – and a small one at that.
‘The Violinist’ is really lovely, but as soon as I saw it, I could hear my mother in my mind’s ear, saying “What have you bought that for? Are you going to dust it? because I’m not…” (etc)
🙂 🙂 Thanks a lot, John
How wonderful that now you will always “In Jackie’s Garden” for your own! Many items there I would have taken too.
Thanks very much, GP. I only photographed a selection. The turnout has apparently been very good.
What a thrill to have one’s garden painted! And Jackie’s garden definitely begs to be painted. What a beauty. Now you have your very own picture of this beautiful place created, if I remember correctly, from rubble and trash.
Thank you very much, Laurie. You do remember rightly 🙂
The violin player caught my attention, and the Head Gardeners delight is a delight. 🙂
🙂 Tanks very much, Widders.
Makes me want a bird feeder for winter. The hummingbird feeder has a short-lived season! I love those bird pictures…. the Cockerel by Joanna Williams … and the violinist. That’s a grand collection! I wish we were there to share that Merlot with you! <3
That would have been good, Jan. Thanks very much.
With all due respect to your avian visitors, I truly appreciate your photo-tour of the exhibition, Derrick. “Jackie’s Garden” truly expresses the enchantment and gaiety of Jackie’s Garden.
Thanks very much, Dolly, The artist will appreciate that.
That is a treasure then isn’t it !! A watercolour of your own garden is a dandy treat. Jackie looks quite smitten, as she should. I wish I could paint well with watercolours, I always love them the very most at any show. It seems to me, most galleries tend to under represent the medium, siding with oils and such. Do you find that to be true there? Congratulations for the charming addition to your home xK
Thanks very much, Kelly. I think you are right about watercolours in general, although not in this gallery. X
How lovely!
Thanks very much, Lindsey
Did you know you would find one of your garden paintings in the gallery? Either way, it would have been so much fun to spot it hanging. My favourite was Cockerel, naturally.
Thanks very much, Crystal. Cockerel, naturally. 🙂 I knew there was one of John’s pictures in the gallery, but this was one he had completed after his last visit, so I didn’t know which it would be.
It’s a particularly good painting, and I don’t blame you for wanting it. A lovely surprise.
Thanks again.