Monthly Archives: January 2012

Howdy

29 Sunday Jan 2012

Posted by in England, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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As much as Americans love hearing a British accent, there were a few special moments as we travelled across the United States when the tables were turned for My Beloved Brit. He got to hear some of those classic American phrases that he had grown up hearing only in the movies or on television.

I had gotten fairly comfortable with his British accent in the first year we were together (although the first 6 months I think I nodded my head a lot, not having a clue what he was saying). We drove to Rehoboth Beach Delaware for a beach weekend.  On the way, we stopped at a McDonald’s on the edge of a small rural town in Maryland.  As he ordered his not nearly healthy enough lunch, the girl behind the counter got a big grin on her face and burst out with the phrase I have since grown very familiar with, “I just love your accent!!!” After a polite thank you, hoping his french fries would come quickly, we got the rest of our order placed, and sat down.

Years later, travelling on one of our many road trips, we passed through Houston Texas, and stopped at the Houston Space Center.  Crossing the parking lot towards the building, a man passed by and politely said “Howdy” as we passed by.

Texas looked as well as sounded different. photo by me

MBB had that same look of glee on his face as the girl behind the MickyD counter.  He turned to me with a great look of enjoyment and discovery on his face.  “They actually do say ‘howdy” here!”

Driving out of Texas, and driving, and driving...photo by me

A year later, traveling cross-country, we had to have a flat tire changed in Palm Springs California. At the garage, a young woman, also waiting for her car, asked MBB where he was from (preceded, of course, by “I just love your accent!”)  When he said “London”, she turned with that familiar look like she had just found gold, turned to him, and said, with a big smile, “groovy”.  He was paid in full for sharing his accent!  He was thrilled.  He was in California and someone actually said “groovy”.

Near Palm Springs California in winter. Groovy. Photo by me

I find it fascinating that these random small regional catch phrases that we are so comfortable with, when shared with someone from a totally different locale bring such recognition and sense of joy of placement. It is some sort of confirmation that what we had heard from far away was true.  There was some sense to the world.

It reminds me of the first time I, a born and bred New Yorker, was in the south (Virginia–hardly the deep south). I was a college freshman, and someone said “y’all” to me.  I thought that was said only in the movies and they were joking. When I realized it was just normal speech for them, I was overjoyed!

 

 

To see the light

23 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in Art, Grasmere, Lake District, paintings, Uncategorized

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One of the biggest challenges and most satisfying subjects in art is trying to capture the light on 3-dimensional objects on a two dimensional canvas.

Case in point.  One of my favorite walks in the Lake District is near Grasmere.  Very early one morning I decided to go out for a walk and see if I could capture the early light.

Grasmere, the village by the lake. photo by Mick Knapton, creative Commons

It was a truly gorgeous morning in summer, and My Beloved Brit happily decided to join me.

The village of Grasmere, Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0

 

We wound through the village and took off across the lakeside path.  Shortly we saw the early light coming through the trees exactly what I was looking for.

"Silken", painting by me

It was gorgeous.  You could breath in the damp warmth of the early dew.  Everything was golden and the air was still stretching and moving as it woke up to the morning light.

The two little paintings I did were only 16 x 12 but I still think of that morning in Grasmere every time I look at them.

The Enclosure, oil painting by me

The art of making art

21 Saturday Jan 2012

Posted by in Art, England, paintings, Uncategorized

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I spent the week in my studio trying to explore a new direction in my painting, and it was a struggle. But finally I felt I had some success, and was happy with the new results.

The studio, my photo, my painting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the questions I’m often asked is “Where do you get your inspiration? How do you decide what to paint?”

I can’t really explain it.  I know I have a particular stroke and rhythm to my painting, and it seems to work well with the distinct rhythms of the natural world. I am always trying to interpret that flow and change of nature in my work. And I also love color.

But it can also come from a group of people engaged in conversation or an interaction of many individuals. I like to tell a story, or create a memory as I play with color and texture. Sometimes I’ll be out and a scene or visual will intrigue me and I want to explore it in art. I honestly am never quite sure where it will come from, and often I am thunderstruck.

Inspiration on my studio wall. Photos by me

I took a photo of this birds nest showing the wear of time outside my studio. I think there is art here somewhere.

But sometimes when I am trying to work out a new technique or direction, I look to other artists. Throughout the history of art, if you look at photos of artists’ studios, you will very often see images of other art on the wall, or laying on a table.  Think of Van Gogh with Japanese prints. Or Degas with the Rembrandt etchings.

So I thought it might be interesting to look at what was open on my studio table as I struggled with this new painting.

From an art magazine, and an architectural page.

Joan Mitchell is a constant companion in my studio. The freedom of movement in her strokes has always inspired me.

One of my favorite artists, for his layering and interesting use of color, is Peter Doig. Sometimes I'll take color inspiration from another painting or source, but this was just a happy accident.

This particular painting started in a totally different direction and although I thought I knew where I wanted to go with it, it just wasn’t working.  So I kept layering and changing and at times I thought it was trash.  But somehow it morphed into something I loved, and now I have a whole series in my head to work on.

This started in a very different way.

This is fairly normal for me. The rich color underneath is hidden in layers of strokes.

A lot of the original color disappeared under new layers.

And then some of it went back in. This can go on for days. With much angst.

And then finally a breakthrough. Somehow I got so frustrated with the earlier direction, I painted these large bands of blue over it. Then I started adding strokes over it. The rhythm of the woods came in clear view.

Again, when I look around my studio as I get stuck, there are things that just jog something in my brain and I go back to work.

On my wall, a favorite David Hockney tear sheet from an art magazine.

A couple of postcards on my wall, a reminder of my visit to the Cy Twombly exhibit at the Tate Modern in London.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But somehow, it all goes in and gets mixed around, and in the end I hope it is something that is very personal and truly original.

Hail Britannia!

19 Thursday Jan 2012

Posted by in England, Sailing, The Royal Family, Uncategorized

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In the paper the other day, I read that education minister Michael Gove was one of several individuals who had the brilliant idea to present Queen Elizabeth II with a new yacht for her Diamond Jubilee. It would finally replace the Royal Yacht Britannia, which was decommissioned in 1997.  Unfortunately, the prime minister, David Cameron, thought the hefty 60 to 80 million pound ($92 – $123 million) price tag might stretch the taxpayers generosity in these hard financial times, but welcomed supporting private efforts to raise the money for the project.

The Queen had a spectacular yacht before it was retired, The Britannia.

The Royal Yacht Britannia in Portsmouth. Photo by Steve Daniels, Geograph project

It has a rich history, and occasionally was seen out around the seas of the UK and abroad after it was first launched in 1953 by HM Queen Elizabeth II.

1994, The Royal Yacht on the Thames, photo by Creative Commons, Christine Matthews

My Beloved Brit remembers seeing it occasionally when out yacht racing, especially in the summer at the Cowes Week Regatta on the southern shore of England. He always recalls it with great fondness. It is a beautiful yacht.

Final entry in to Portsmouth, 11-22-97, escorted by HMS Southampton. British Crown copyright/MOD

The last time we were in Edinburgh, Scotland, we were able to board and tour the yacht, now a tourist attraction on the Leith dock right outside the city.  It was incredible.  It is absolutely one of the most beautiful yachts I have ever been on, and believe it or not, with all its attention to detail and exquisite furnishings, it seemed rather cozy.

The Royal Family aboard the yacht, The British Monarchy, all rights reserved

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still, I could imagine the  honeymooners, Charles and Diana (see video), on her decks in 1981 after flying to Gibraltar to meet Britannia.  Or Princess Margaret lighting a long cigarette as she entertained some lucky famous guests. You could just picture the Queen settling in to her private suite, or contemplating the future of her country while strolling its decks.

Doesn't this look cozy.

MBB, of course, loved the technical side of the great yacht, and we were able to go through the crews’ quarters, the control rooms, the bridge and even see the massive engines. (click here to see video on layout of Britannia)

The controls of Britannia, photo by Alan Pennington, creative commons.

Education minister Gove recently wrote about his wish to see a new royal yacht commissioned for the Diamond Jubilee:

“In spite, and perhaps because of the austere times, the celebration should go beyond those of previous jubilees and mark the greater achievement that the diamond anniversary represents.”

He said that the queen’s “highly significant contribution” to Britain and the Commonwealth, which groups 54 nations, mostly former British colonies, should be recognised with something more permanent than street parties.

Sounds like a very interesting discussion, indeed. I know MBB would welcome seeing a new Royal Yacht on the high seas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A room with a pub…and a view

09 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in Cornwall, Cornwall, England, Travel, Uncategorized

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This time of year I get notices from some of our favorite haunts in England advertising their winter specials.  It doesn’t tempt My Beloved Brit at all to go over in winter, but I always imagine tea & scones by a cozy fire and walks on quiet lanes dusted with snow. That of course is after several tours of the art galleries of London.

Winter lane St. Tinney Farm, photo by Phil Windley, wikipedia commons

St. Austel Brewery just sent us their newsletter with a gorgeous array of January deals in 15 of their wonderful small Hotels or Inns, most of which are in Cornwall.  We have stayed at their historic Charlestown inn, The Rashleigh Arms, which is within sight of the Tall Ships of Charlestown Harbour.

The Rashleigh Arms in Historic Charlestown, Cornwall. Photo from their website

Looking down the list of specials, I can find many that I would love to try. At the Rashleigh, we found the rooms were cozy, and the large English breakfast in the pub downstairs unbeatable. At the very least, it’s wonderful to sit by my own fire and dream…

From the 14th century The Masons Arms website, another St. Austell Brewery property. Doesn't this look cozy?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for the St. Austell Brewery January deals newsletter, and dream a little dream of your own.

New Forest, new art

06 Friday Jan 2012

Posted by in Art, England, paintings, The New Forest, Travel, Uncategorized

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Planning new trips always makes me review past trips to make sure we don’t forget old favorite destinations.  One of my most memorable adventures was a very special trip to England with My Beloved Brit.

After weeks of meeting MBB’s friends and family on our first trip across the pond together, I was thrilled but also a bit overwhelmed.  Having experienced the same in my home country, MBB was understanding and decided what we needed was a very special few nights in a quiet part of England. He’d fix it. His brilliant idea was a visit for the two of us to The New Forest, the perfect retreat.

photo from New Forest Official Visitors Site

This is a very special area south of London in south-west Hampshire that is filled with quaint, quintessential English villages, expansive views of heather and woods, and wild ponies and donkeys which often come over to say hello.

New Forest Ponies (wikimedia commons)

We stayed in a unique place, called Master Builder’s, located next to the historic English village called Buckler’s Hard on the Beaulieu River. This tiny row of 18th century Georgian cottages brings you back through time. The Inn itself was almost modern by comparison.

Buckler's Hard (image copyright is owned by Peter Barr, Wikimedia Creative Commons)

After a wonderful night in this enchanting place, we got up early for breakfast (only spoiled by the smell of kippers being enjoyed by a guest at the next table) and went out to explore the forest surrounds and villages.

Nearby is the town of Beaulieu which is famous for its motor car museum ( which will feature a James Bond Car exhibit in 2012 that I am told we will most likely see).  But it also has a charming village center, and we went by the inn for lunch.  On our way out we noticed an unexpected guest.  Reservation for one?

My photo

I fell in love with New Forest. We return whenever we can, and on one of these visits I took a long walkabout and found such diverse scenes. I followed a path along the river and found some areas pruned to perfection…

my photo of the most perfect entry

and some areas where nature had taken over and gone wild.

my photo of apples along the path that follows the River

I loved both, but wanted an image that expressed the wild, untamed nature of the area. It was so unique, but I didn’t quite find it on my walk.

Then, driving across the vast landscape after dinner with My Beloved Brit I saw it.  But there was absolutely no place to park.  He let me off at the side of the road and drove about a quarter mile to a parking area and waited patiently while I explored every angle of a lone tree against a moody sky.  It was dramatic. You could see the wind in it’s branches.

I signaled MBB to turn around and come back to pick me up.  He is always so patient with these art adventures.  I love him for that.

And I loved this little painting.  It was everything I remembered of that day.

The New Forest. private collection

I always like to share my paintings.  If you want to see more visit my website at www.patwhitehead.com.

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Out with the old. Thinking about the new.

02 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in England, London, Sailing, Travel, Uncategorized

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We lost no time after the start of the New Year taking down the holiday decorations and getting on with things.  I love the holidays, but i think I like it even more when they are over.  It’s refreshing to start anew and think of what you want to do with all that fresh time laying out before you.

The "porch tree" came down. The holidays are over.

This always seems to be the time of year we start planning our travels, and top on the list this year is England.  The phone has already started ringing with calls from My Beloved Brit’s mates (admittedly most often from a pub where a group of them are in deep discussion on the year’s sailing strategy) trying to talk him in to joining this boat or that on a very important race coming up in 2012.  Of course he’d love to do them all, but he also has family and my art sojourns to consider. If all problems were this easy!

MBB in a past season planning the day's race over coffee with his mates on the Burnham River. photo by me

So we start making our lists of all the things we want to see and do.  This is a part of my life that I am so thankful for every day. I love to travel, and England is special.

Always on the list, Ashford in the Water. photo by me.

So we have the joy of spending hours over the next few months pouring over maps and brochures and internet sites, deciding on the itinerary.

Let the planning begin. photo by me

We want to see bits of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration, and old favorite sites as well as new discoveries. He wants to sail.  I want to tromp through the woods on the bank of a tiny lake. He wants fish ‘n’ chips and cornish ice cream.  I want to see the exhibit of the year at the Tate Modern and have lunch at Fortnum & Mason. Oh, the joy of planning a holiday in England!