studio evening May 8 2020

My place of work on the evening of May 8 2020. I had finished the day's drawing, and laid down my spectacles. Our gentle tabby, Silas, joined me and, as you can see, wanted to take part in the proceedings. After a day of heat and brilliant sunshine, the air drifting through the open window was cool and refreshing, the light softened. Both the cat and I sat peacefully, myself enjoying the sound of the birds singing their goodnight songs in the gardens.  Although reasonably pleased with the day's work, I was aware that the drawings completed over the last few days did not have the spark of something that fully satisfied my eye. Back to the drawing board.....

studio May 7 evening

My work place on a calm, warm evening, blackbirds fluting in the garden beyond the open window. This evening's finished drawing lies on the notebook from which it has just been removed. Work proceeded calmly today, I took pleasure in colouring in each small square, to the accompaniement of the cries of birds and the delicate occasional chiming of the wind chime suspended in our immediate neighbours' garden.

 Dusk is my favourite time of day. I remember winter dusks at the lodge, the red stain of the setting sun on the horizon, the crackle of the fire in the grate within. Now living in a semi detached house, with other houses surrounding, our situation is very different, but I take comfort in hearing the sounds of our neighbours going about the end of day business, and the plentiful birdsong in our urban gardens.