More from Fes - Morocco.

I am sorry that I have been somewhat slow in posting but here we go with 

some more photos of our visit to Fes.

Amazing curtain cords - looked wonderful.

We went one afternoon to a beautiful park full of cactus, orange trees,

fountains and many very large trees.

When passing one very knurled one I noticed the beautiful

scene pictured below.

This very pretty contented mother cat had found the best place possible to be with
her little kitten.
If you look very carefully to the left of the two photographs you will see her baby
curled up happily next to its mum.
I could have looked at the two of them for some time but didn't want to spoil their peace.

In the medina everywhere there are people, mainly men, making the most beautiful things.
There are areas that are specific to a particular craft.
Here a plate is being decorated in the metal souk.

An example here below of one of the pierced brass lanterns and a beautiful painted ceiling.

Cactus growing happily in the gardens.

The distinctive green glazed roof tiles of a mosque.

One of the many handmade carpets for sale.

In many of the buildings that are being renovated the traditional

skills are being used - this plaster work was in a riad that had been designed inside by a 

young Belgian couple.

In the newly renovated riad the couple had gone for a simpler, more modern approach
to the decor but still keeping the essential elements of the crafts of the area.
These simple brushes are beautifully made craft pieces but are used in everyday life
in a country were so little is churned out by machines.

A first look at Morocco.

About 3 weeks ago we went to Fes in Morocco.
After so many health problems it was just what was needed.

A beautiful hand painted door.

After a flight of about two and a half hours from Nantes we arrived in a totally different world.
One that fascinated us and delighted us from the start .

The first week was spent in a beautiful old colonial house with a wonderful French lady called
Cecile. ( more of this house in later posts )

This was breakfast laid out for us each morning . We sat out looking at the garden whilst above
us storks flew overhead - amazing.


Then of course it was off to the medina.
Another world awaited.
One to get lost in, one to explore and one to completely fall in love with.

Back to the house and Ginge would be there looking elegantl on one of the beautiful
carpets. Cecile is a lady with style !

The cockerel below was obviously the "boss" at one of the eating places - he strutted
around in all his glory while his relations roasted on the spit - ironic.

Everywhere in the medina there are beautiful things all made by hand.

The skills of the people there is just amazing.

Of course there are many cats. They have a hard life but the maternal instinct fights on.
We saw this cat suckling her kitten whilst protecting it - very moving with all the hustle
and bustle.

So there will be quite a few more posts showing you about Fez .

The art of Raku.

It is some while since I posted but getting over more surgery takes time.

Gradually I am feeling better and the coming of Spring

helps enormously.

Each year in a gallery near where I live there 

are exhibitions in July and August.

Last year it was my job to find new work to exhibit 

this year I have the pleasure of doing so again.

So the search has begun.

I have been delighted to find that just twenty minutes away from where we live is a French woman
who makes great pieces using the raku method.

A few weeks ago when I was able to start to drive again I went to meet her.
I thought it would be good to share some images of her work here on my blog.

After a couple of meetings she has agreed  to have an exhibition at the gallery in July.
Her name is Karine Denis.

My search continues ……...

New creations and new hopes.

 I have been making some bags recently which are to be worn
across the body to hang down by the hip.

I am forever looking for my glasses and sometimes my phone etc.
I now wear a bag like this whenever I go out.

No more do I have to search for my reading glasses, no more worrying about having to carry
my handbag when I go into a shop or am searching for treasures at a brocante.

All I need is in my little hip bag, all is safe and I don't have to go back, as I have in the past,
to ask in shops if someone has found my glasses.
All is with me and I can have both hands free to look at all I want to.

I really like these little bags and have found other friends who find them invaluable too.
All are made by hand and each one is different.

What do you think - do you like the idea ?

Tomorrow I go into hospital again for surgery so I won't be in touch for about a week.
There is no internet access but I'll really look forward to catching up with everyone
when I'm feeling better and am back home again.
Let's hope that this will be the last for me in hospital for a long time.

Creative ways on St Valentine's day.

I know its St Valentine's day.

I was thinking about some of the hearts I 

 have used in some of my pieces of art.

So here's a selection for you all.

I have to go out later into the storm that is raging around us here to get the shopping.

I think I'll treat myself to some flowers to brighten the day.

                            Happy St Valentine's day to all of you.

A new pot to add to the collection.

I have always loved pots and my collection has grown 

greatly over the years.

Some pots just speak to me.

Their form, colour and size just hits my heart

and they have to come home with me.

Yesterday I went to  a troc et puces at Pontivy and there was a pot just waiting for me.
I love it.
I love the shape, form and colour.
I loved also the price of 13€ !!

It has some errors of glaze but they just add to its charm.
Things that happen in firing can be magic and for me these marks are just that.

We've actually had sunshine today and so I was able to go outside to take the photographs.
Tortue decided she would come and sit with the pot so who am I to deny her.

In other news I have to go back into hospital again for abdominal surgery.
You will remember in my last post I wasn't feeling well.
After consultation with my surgeon it has been found I have yet another hernia.
So on the 18th February I have to go and be operated on.
I soon will look like a patchwork quilt !!

More photographic memories of 2013.

Today at Kerjacob the sun is shining and as yet it hasn't rained which is wonderful.
Yesterday we had the sun too so hopefully things will begin to dry out a bit.

Last night I looked through more photographs to share with you all.
There is no particular order to them except that they follow the course of the year.

Metal sign outside bar in the Marais, Paris.

Wonderful mosaic on old brick chapel, near Cannes.

Joan Miro stained glass at Maeght foundation.

Cockerel in all his glory.

Cat looking beautiful.

Just look at those eyes - incredible.

Nepalese horse sculpture.

Art work by Bob Verschuren.

Art work by Bob Verschuren.

Bob Verschuren.

Bob Verschulen

The last few photographs are the work of an amazing artist called Bob Verschuren.
I had never heard of them until I came to live here.
His work is in a similar genre to that of Andy Goldsworthy who I love.