spring boot camp!

Today I took a little trip out of the city to see some snowdrops and other signs of spring at Rode Hall, a lovely and rather nicely dilapidated big house deep in the Cheshire countryside.

I took my camera as I needed some photographs for the first assignation in the Pikaland Artists Bootcamp which began this week... I have been feeling for a while that I need a good kick up the backside to help me get going with making some art this year, and when I read the course description, this sounded like just the thing to get me motivated. It's a six-week course and we are starting by deconstructing what makes a good work of art. I'm loving it already.

Of course, snowdrops don't have to try too hard to look pretty...

Surrounded by lovely fat buds and fragrant spring flowering shrubs...

On your return you are greeted by the heady scent of gorgeous purple hyacinths and little pots of snowdrops 'in the green' to buy in the courtyard shop...

Just what I needed to blow away the cobwebs of winter on this lovely sunny day. Now the light is finally fading and the clear sky means a chilly night: time to bring in some kindling and logs and get cosy for an evening of deconstruction...

13 comments:

Gretel said...

Isn't it lovely to have snowdrops at last! Good luck with your boot camp, I hope you find it motivates you to go on creating through the year.

Acornmoon said...

I wish I had known, you could have called round for a cuppa!

It is a lovely house and a family home too. Walter Crane used to be a house guest and painted the lake and the family pets. The house owners have a wonderful collection of ceramics, lots of Arts and Crafts pieces including Walter Crane. The previous owner introduced him to the nearby ceramics manufacturers in the Potteries, maybe without that connection he would not have been known as a ceramic designer?

Good luck with your course, it is always more motivating to do things in a group.

Gigibird said...

I am currently deconstructing a pile of dirty washing….yours seems much more fun.
I’m pleased that you’re having nice weather as it feels like Siberia down here.

A time to dance said...

What lovely pictures... I am having a well earned whisky after a full and mad rehearsal and I will be constructing my knitted jacket. Love to all.... Helen

Gina said...

The bootcamp course sounds fascinating. It's sounds like something I would like to try but I just know I don't have the time at the moment. I hope you enjoy it and get lots out of it.

Claire said...

Hey Sue, lovely pics and the mention of kindling and logs has got me in the mood for Winter, bring it on.

Claire :}

Gilly said...

Love the idea of a Boot Camp! Did you buy any snowdrops? Hope to go there on Saturday and include the Farmers' Market. I could do with deconstructing a nice pile of that black Kale!

JP said...

I love the snowdrops at Rode Heath - did you go in the cafe too!

ljw said...

The photos are lovely. I love the emergence of spring growth from the drabness of winter. I loved your last post too. It warmed me up on a particularly drab February day

Jackie said...

What great idea.
Your photographs are works of art..I've never seen a purple hyacinth. How beautiful

Frances said...

Like the other folks who've already commented, I send you best wishes for that book camp. Good to have our familiar thinking/responding patterns shaken up a bit.

I love the colors in those photos, sumptuous greens, purples, browns with some silver, ivory highlights.

xo

rossichka said...

I envy you for seeing the signs of Spring! Beautiful photos... Here the degrees are still under zero, the snow cannot melt and we are sick and tired of it!:(
It's so nice that you'll attend an art course! You'll provoke each other, learn new things and I believe that this will be the impulse you need for your new art creations. Good luck, Sue!x

hmstrjam said...

Hi Sue!
Love the snowdrops and beginnings of Spring in the English countryside! Where's Keats when you need him?