Ooh It’s SO good to be back on the island! I was more than happy to leave the relentless rain and gloomy grey skies of London far behind when I took off from Heathrow in the very early hours of … Continue reading
Sorry folks – I didn’t mean to be silent for so long…but then I never intended to fall flat on my face (twice!) either – and knock my 5th vertebrae out of alignment in the process!. Yes, I’ve been in … Continue reading
It was Mark Twain who said: “In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours.” Well, that’s certainly true of this year ! I have never known such changeable … Continue reading
Aah, the beautiful Lily………. ‘The modest Rose puts forth a thorn, The humble sheep a threat’ning horn: While the Lily white shall in love delight, Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright.’ (William Blake 1757 – 1827) … Continue reading
This week the painting courses resumed, beginning with Mary Dillon’s popular water colour master classes. Mary, Gill and Lida Under Mary’s watchful eye and her expert guidance, we learned how to employ her unique and very expressive style. Encouraged to … Continue reading
I’ve spent the best part of the last couple of days standing in the olive grove trying to capture the strong spring sunlight – not an easy task as the shadows move every few minutes! I’ve also had to tie the canvas to the easel as sudden, strong gusts of wind kept blowing it off! Anyway I thought I’d post these tonight even though there’s stll a long way to go as far as getting the colours and tonal balance just right…..but if you’re yearning for the first signs of spring……well, I just thought you might like to see the progress so far….
No painting for me today. The sun was shining gloriously and I just couldn’t stay indoors. What a hive of activity in the garden! My day began at first light when I was rudely awoken by hundreds of screeching seagulls circling overhead.
The flocks were ducking and diving in no particular pattern; erratic, angry, like a mass disorganised rally - in the sky. I’ve no idea what was upsetting them but while the sun was shining on land, the sea was in turmoil and blanketed in a thick fog. Perhaps that was the reason. Eventually the skies cleared and I ventured, camera in hand, in search of signs of spring – and there were plenty.
The bees were busily buzzing…..
Buds were bursting forth
And blossoms…..
were blooming…
well…
everywhere!
I got through the most frustrating moments of the building project by retreating into the art studio to lose myself in painting. I had to complete 2 canvasses before I left, for the forthcoming Art Exhibition which (weather permitting!) will be held on the Bourtzi on (Greek) Easter Saturday; April 26th. The theme is ‘On the Wing’ and more than 20 local artists are donating their paintings of birds. Here are my contributions:
‘Peacock at Evangelistra’
‘Guinea Fowl’
There will also be a wonderful display of decorative eggs (including several beautiful antique ones) and many of the islanders and their children have been busily decorating eggs to sell on the day. There will be an introductory talk of the significance of the egg and its history in this, the most important date in the Greek Orthodox calendar. All proceeds this year will go to charity for local children with special needs. I was delighted to be invited onto the Art Committee that was set up to organize the event and along with all the usual wonderful traditional Easter festivities, that draw so many visitors to the island each year, all in all it promises to be a wonderful occasion. I’m only sorry to be missing the celebrations myself this year.
SKIATHOS TV
One of the highlights of this trip was when I was invited to appear on Skiathos TV again – this time to give a demonstration on FLOWER PAINTING, as a guest of my friend, fellow artist Despina Mtselou. With my command of the Greek language still being so poor (but improving all the time!!), she kindly translated for me as I showed various techniques using acrylics and water colour. During the 45 minute programme, I painted several spring flowers including poppies, tulips and pansies that are abundant all over the island at this time of year. As soon as I can figure out how to do it, I will add a short clip from the DVD.
This was the final and largest painting, in acrylics on canvas, of irises. It now hangs in the foyer of the TV studio!
Arriving in Skiathos in mid February, I felt I’d caught the tail end of winter. Although apparently, it been a relatively mild one with only one or two really fierce wind and rain storms (and none of the heavy snows that Skiathos can experience) there was still a distinct chill in the air, the days were short and the nights were bitterly cold. The air, still thick with the pungent smell of woodsmoke, the island was completely still and incredibly peaceful. But It wasn’t long before I felt Spring was on its way. I awoke one morning to find that suddenly the island had sprung to life. 
The dormant meadows and olive groves had suddenly become carpeteted in spring flowers; seas of delicate lilac anemones everywhere! These were soon followed by banks of tall graceful asphodels, marguerites and wild and flag irises and still later, when the fields of bright red poppies appeared, and the swifts began their arial ballets , darting in and out of the koukounaries pines and twittering their bird-song in the Koumara bushes, I knew that Spring had indeed arrived. 
Up in the hills, the mists were receding to reveal the mauve Judas trees and lime-green euphorbias bursting into bloom. 
I think It really is my favourite time of year on the island. Not only because of the breath-taking beauty that is all around but that first rush of excitement, after the long sleep of winter, before the island really springs into action to make ready for the first influx of tourists, at Easter, is truly a wonder to behold.
The air suddenly becomes filled with the other sounds of Spring; countless strimmers and chain-saws buzzing in the valleys, cement mixers churning away in the distance, over-size lorries begin dashing all over the place, maneuvering up mule tracks to deliver their loads of sand and cement. Hammering and banging as yet more construction and renovation begins.
Skiathos town sheds its sleepy village winter persona and, seemingly overnight turns into a busy hive of activity as shop-keepers, returning from the mainland, open-up their stores, and set to sprucing-up, re-stocking their wares and make ready for a new season. Huge ferries begin to arrive in the port and empty their holds, depositing vast trucks and countless cars, laden with everything from supermarket supplies to building materials, onto the crowded quay-sides. Cafe’s open and soon fill up, brighly-coloured awnings appear, taverna chairs & tables are set out and the empty old port begins to fill up with the fishing caiques again, all brightly and newly painted after spending their winter shored-up in the boatyards.
Yes, a new season has definitely arrived and the annual circus begins…..
