wild snail eating

whilst doing my MA in printmaking at  the University of the West of England, I came across the amazing book the sound of a wild snail eating by Elisabeth Tove Bailey (click here for information about the author and the book)

I did not finish the book at the time because of so much to do in my final year, but came back to it today. Re- reading the markers I  placed in the book, I found a reference to a film which I intended to look at but somehow didn't get round to : It mentions the sensuous scene of two Burgandy snails courting in a French Meadow in the film Microcosmos,(click here to watch film) 1996, directed by the scientists Claude Nuridsany and Marie Perennou. 

I don't know how it has never come to my attention before as it shows the tiny (- in some ways, big in other ways - ) details of our natural world such as a rain drop falling on to a blade of grass and the impact of this on the surrounding inhabitants. The movements and drama of wild life in a day in the meadow are brought to life with Bruno Coulais' original music composition L'amour des escargots. I almost felt like a voyour in a passionate moment in the love life of the snails. 
I love this film which shows both the beauty,humorous moments, and at the same time the reality of the wild life of our world which surrounds us everyday. 

BIRD SONG

I found Bird Song by Hamish Fulton:a book of walks made on the british Isles 1970-1990, in the University of the West of England's Artist Book Collection in the Library at Bower Ashton.


      

                                 











Each walk has a theme which is described by photographs and sparse wording. The naming of things has always been important to me (even down to particular items of clothing as a child). 
The Type face, its colour, and size make the words into something very visual as well as been descriptive in a literary sense.
Looking at Hamish Fulton's book of walks inspires me, and makes me want to do what he has done : to become more acquainted with our natural world, to go out and spend time alone with the elements walking, sleeping, and listening. 

A Walnut

I recently went to the Holburne Museum in Bath
(click here for museum information)  
There were a number of draws which you could open up to reveal some small hidden exhibits. I liked the ritual and self involvement in this, and the excitement of what I would find next........In one draw, I came across a walnut - this always gives me a pang as walnuts hold a special place in my heart *, and I have worked with them extensively in making prints, laser cuts, books and light box pieces. This walnut had a figure intricately carved around its surface. It was incredible to see the detail worked into such a tiny item. 

Thinking of walnuts and close to the heart has made me think of a walnut i found recently which on opening surprised me 

Stripy Cake

                                                   

It was our street party a few days  ago, and my daughter Rosie and friend Abby decided to make a cake. It was made out of six Victoria sponge cakes and was a lot of work in the making. In fact a whole Friday night was spent in the kitchen.....and then Sunday before the Street party spent icing and piping :

                                    It was time for the street party and time to cut the cake:

what a lovely rainbow surprise inside !
each layer had a different flavour - red = strawberries, orange = orange, yellow = lemon,
light green = whole mint leaves, dark greeny-bluey = blueberries, purple = garden blackberries

and it must have been very tasty as it was gone quick as a wink  ;)