#10 A small plot of land.

A small plot of land

Reality

ART
David Bowie is the featured artist this week. Yes I mean drawing not singing or acting. Now his art is a Marmite type of art, by that I mean you either love it or hate it. You may think that because I'm a Bowie fan (his eyes are in one of my paintings) I will love everything he does. Now Bowie is a man who is constantly re inventing himself, there will be some music of his you like and some not, I don't think you could possibly like everything he has done. His art to me is not what I would buy. To me it's like a darkside of Picasso. However the two prints featured I do like and would hang. If you delve into to his art website you will find some chest piece sculptures which I liked too. Art is a subjective thing, heck he may think the same about my art.But I like that the guy whom I respect does his thing and not what people expect him to do.
Check out the 'Whatever it takes' website and find out who else has contributed art wise. The link hopefully takes you to David Bowie's contribution. Is there a celebrity you know of that paints? Please let us all know in the comments section.

BEER
On tonight’s try list is Van Steen Berge – Gulden Draak 10%
This Golden Dragon is far from fiery or golden. It's a Barley wine. Hey Barley wine – some recipes suggest you put this type of beer into your Christmas pudding.
On the sniff it's slightly sweet. Creamy Caramelised Toffee taste, I thought there was a nice sour taste at the back. Please tell me what this taste is (I am learning). Good balance of the hop and the malt, and your mouth is then cleansed. This is a very nice beer and could be drank too quick. But, I've learnt the higher the percentage the slower I should go – it's not pop! They say this beer goes well with a Chocolate dessert and wait for it.. In an Irish coffee replace the whisky for the beer. Well in my book and beer that mentions Chocolate Pudding in the same sentence as the beer  is a keeper. I like this beer, will be one in my stock pile. Click here to learn more about The Golden Dragon. I love the glass they serve it in - not the one pictured!
It's TryJanuary so what beer have you tried and hated or loved. Let me know in the comments, maybe it's another for me to try.

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Bear Pit Garden, Wentworth Garden Centre, South Yorkshire July 2011

COVERED IN WEEDS
Well I think I'm getting my fill of gardening programmes this month. The Big Allotment Challenge (come on JoJo, Lena and Rob). The Great British Garden Revival and Britain's Best Back Gardens have all been on inspiring us to go create something amazing in the space you have. Except all I did was take notes (mentally) of everything I saw and liked, created an amazing garden worthy of some sort of award and then I looked outside, my grand design garden won't fit in a four metres square area. Back to the drawing board then, but I still want :- a pond, a wild flower patch for the bees and butterflies, a veg plot, a full size Monkey Puzzle Tree, a Summerhouse with Whistera over it, a greenhouse, a Bug Hotel, a few bird feeders, a lawn, a few Rose bushes, some Peonies and Dahlias, Rhubarb, I could be here all day. My Man would be happy with a veg patch, his shed, a cuppa tea and a Garibauldi. Well I'm off to go and count some birds for an hour for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. Think there is still time to sign up.

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MUSINGS
In last weeks Musings blog I was debating whether to have a go at Lino cutting. After a long ponder I decided better of it after the silly disastrous week I'd had. This week has pretty much been the same when it ended on Wednesday with a soaking on a freezing day. So, Lino Cutting won't be commencing this week either.
However I joined an Art club on Monday as at home there are too many distractions and as I'm not a professional or getting paid there is no urgency to finish something I started in December 2013. But, I want it finished I have another in my head that is itching to get out. Thought joining an Art club would be a good start to a finished painting. In the two hours of the club I pretty much finished the pencil drawing. The plan is to finish the pencil part this weekend so I can start painting or colouring it in as I call it at the club. It is so nice doing it in a group, they may all be retired folk but they are very welcoming of new blood, really friendly and there is Tea and Biscuits at half time. The only thing that could make it better is CAKE!!
Lots to do this weekend my man bought me a vintage sideboard to put all my craft bits in so that its at my fingertips which means no excuses for not starting things any more. Ten pounds very well spent on My Man's part – peace and quiet for him as I sit colour coding everything in a neat pile.

This weeks listen is a chilled out one, not heard it for years. Ottis Redding put your feet up close your eyes and soak in the rolling waves, feel a sea breeze on your face whilst the Seagull flies overhead. Here's another , oh bugger it lets have a Wonderful World too.
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Have a great week everyone. See you this time next week.

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