Monday October 21 was my last day in London. I decided to visit Kensington Garden, which started as an 18th century royal palace garden and became one of the public gems of London. It was a grey day, but still perfectly lovely. I started near Kensington Palace, circled around the lake, past the Albert Hall and Italian garden.
On the way back, I popped out of the tube at St Paul’s Cathedral.
I took a day off on October 19 to rest and work. Thank goodness, because the next day was wonderful and intense!
At 6:15 am I headed out take a bus to Elephant and Castle, tube to King’s Cross, train to King’s Lynn in Norfolk (because it was Sunday and there are ongoing rail improvements, the train took me to Ely where replacement busses were waiting). Hopped off the bus in King’s Lynn and was happy to see a cab, so I grabbed it and off we went for the 20-minute journey to Houghton Hall and Gardens. My drivers in both directions were so lovely and great conversations were had!
Houghon Hall was constructed in the 1720s for Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, and is still inhabited by Walpole’s descendant the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley and his family. The house and gardens are exquisite, and are also home to a large contemporary sculpture collection while hosting rotating special installations.
This year the Hall featured works by Antony Gormley and Magdalene Odundo. I was happy that part of Odundo’s exhibit had been held over. See more about both exhibits here.
Other favourite things about the day were the beautiful walled garden, the cafe, the toy soldier museum and the lovely people I conversed with!
I didn’t get back into London until almost 9 pm! A long day but oh such a wonderful one!
Here are three new jewellery pieces which are now in our online store. This might be the last jewellery for a while as I’m doing a bit of painting again and thinking about making hats and paper flowers. GJ is working on a new sculpture, which is always exciting for me – I love to watch the progress. You can see his new website here.
A stack of new wings in progress, by GJ Pearson.
© Firehorse Designs 2015
© Firehorse Designs 2015
© Firehorse Designs 2015
GJ recently finished a new clock-like piece. I love the way it rings a bell every 6.4 minutes. The video can be seen here.
6:40, kinetic sculpture © GJ Pearson, 2014
6:40, detail © GJ Pearson, 2014
6:40, detail © GJ Pearson, 2014
6:40, detail © GJ Pearson, 2014
I LOVE this little oil lamp my beloved GJ Pearson made many years ago. For some reason we haven’t lit it in a really long time. So, now we are using it every night and it’s delightful!
Bud Light with metal wind-up duck and sad spider plant. © GJ Pearson
Some sights from Victoria mid winter.
Some early cherry blossoms set off by the beautiful Union Club, downtown Victoria BC.
GJ’s Teds displayed on the piano.
Last year’s summer hydrangea weathered and muted by the autumn and winter, but still spectacular.
So many Pea Fowl. Not all the Cocks had their tail feathers fully grown, but they are still so beautiful.
Spent an afternoon recently at Vanity Fair on Fort Street. Cases and cases of extraordinary items to peruse. Hours of fun!
Our first crocus sighting of 2013.
Many shades of grey, Ross Bay.
Very lovely boulevard display of snowdrops and cones in the neighbourhood of Rockland.
I love to watch GJ work. How he translates what he imagines into an exquisite object or painting is astounding and never fails to delight me. Here’s a pic of a work in progress.
We’ve decided to open the studio to visitors one Saturday per month for the next few months. If you live in Victoria, or will be visiting, please drop by!
It’s coming along nicely! Very exciting for me to see the daily progress; to be closer to seeing the final piece – I still can’t quite imagine what it will be!
As it grows and changes, its magnificence increases.
Denisekathleen's Weblog 