Today I witnessed a bizarre scene in the proximity of some container bins. A discarded doll was apparently being guarded by a feral cat, which hissed at passersby. Whether the cat had claimed the doll as a potential food source or something more sympathetic, I couldn’t tell.
Monthly Archives: February 2015
Levellers This Garden, Banco de Gaia remix
Somehow I got lost along the way. This year will be about rediscovering that old path from which I took untold deviations. A healthier, purer, more natural path.
Winter drags on
While there is a taste of Spring in the air, and the snow melt run-off from the hills is creating new land-borne streams (especially, unfortunately, at the back of my garage), there is still a lot of snow about and last week saw night time temperature below minus 10. I really dislike the period betweenContinue reading “Winter drags on”
Velorex reconstruction
My friend Martin, a whizz at all things mechanical, has just bought an old Czechoslovak three wheeled Velorex to reconstruct. His last project was a vintage tractor. Once the Velorex is rebuilt with a new canvas frame it will look funky, plus massively increase in value, as only 15000 were ever produced. A seriously retroContinue reading “Velorex reconstruction”
Red Deer Hind Herd in Snow
Today was stunning. In the village there is still lots of snow yet there’s a bright blue sky and the temperature was 18 degrees centigrade. The kids threw snowballs with the dog and then we went on a walk on the abandoned road through the hills. There were many animals out, particularly Roe and RedContinue reading “Red Deer Hind Herd in Snow”
History crumbles before my eyes
Since I’ve been living in Slovakia, a little over 16 years now, I’ve seen some major changes. I’ve watched entire historical aspects of living culture vanish in the onslaught of globalisation. I took this photo a year ago. It’s of an uninhabited neighbouring property and shows how the barn on the side of the houseContinue reading “History crumbles before my eyes”
An evening with the Ambassador
Last night saw a change to my usual reclusive lifestyle. I spent the evening in the city of Presov at a reception for the British Ambassador to Slovakia, His Excellency Andrew Garth. The first part of the evening was a small reception for some local business leaders at the historic Prelika distillery. Ironically, I wasContinue reading “An evening with the Ambassador”
Tatra Mountains, Slovakia
My eldest boy has just returned from ski camp. This is a photo he took on the bus as they passed the Tatra Mountains. With the socialist era flat blocks in the foreground, and the thick snow covering anything, it really sums up this country.
Abstract paintings series
As winter continues and daily blizzards pile up the snow, I’m making use of a new-found Muse to explore a type of art novel for me: abstract. Ordinarily, I paint nudes based on silhouette and shade but I felt like trying new grounds. This painting, pictured, is called ‘Dimensions‘. It’s quite large at 110 xContinue reading “Abstract paintings series”
Sun over snow
The early morning sun tries to break through the almost ever-present cloud cover over a Carpathian valley near Lake Domasa. This morning’s drive was so stunning that it was hypnotically beautiful. Every tree was white, their boughs heavy from snow fall