August break: Our Cornish farm stay

During our time in Cornwall we stayed in a cottage on a farm. The cottage was converted from an ancient barn and was definitely a bit musty and stuffy, but the VIEW...

This was the view from our front door...

There were lots of walks to go on, and animals to visit.

And one of our favorite things was heading out to pick the wild blackberries that grew all around in thickets.

Then eating the whole tub on the walk down the lane back to the cottage.

August break: St. Ives

We've spent the past week exploring Cornwall, a peninsula that is as far south and west a you can go in England. The landscape there was breath taking at every turn, from the little towns to the country lanes to the spectacular coast. Every day of our time there was full of magic. We felt lost in time and completely transported.

Here is a peak at St. Ives, a glorious hilly town by the sea...

Where we played on the beach...

and visited St. Michael's Mount, a castle turned monastery on an island.

[Painting of the Week] Cascade

Cascade, mixed media on canvas

This piece is about how I feel when I'm full to brimming with emotion, with energy, with ideas...all buzzing around in my heart and in my head creating an overflow,

a Cascade.
We have spent the past week exploring beautiful Cornwall, the south west peninsula of England, where we stayed in a cottage on a farm. It has been breath-taking and overwhelming for the senses, just fantastic.
I can't wait to share photos of all that beauty here. I think I'll have a moment to sit in quiet tonight at my brother's house and process it all. 
More England... coming soon.

August break: Stonehenge

Ever since I can remember learning about it I have wanted to visit the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge. I am intrigued by the mysteries about the circle, the fact that it survives from a pre-historic culture now lost to us. The monument was built between 5 and 3 thousand years ago, by different peoples over a very long period of time, the site evolved and its exact purpose remains a mystery. It is aligned with the midsummer sunrise and the midwinter sunset. For me it is a source of inspiration and fascination.

The weather was very dramatic when we visited the site, out in the middle of a huge open hilly plain.

The place has a solemn air to it, it feels like a place for worship and for celebration.

As we walked around the large circle the weather quickly turned, the clouds moved in and we ran for cover as rain began to pour down.

a fitting drama for such a grand spot.

My work and shop just received a wonderful review over at the style blog Does Mommy Love It? They are hosting a give-away of my print Awakening, you can head over here to read the review and enter the give-away!

August break: Blenheim Palace

Magnificent sights at every turn...

the world's second largest hedge maze...

and a quiet moment to dance in a hallway by the garden...

Gorgeous!

[Painting of the Week] Inflorescence

Inflorescence, 4 by 5 feet, oil and mixed media on canvas

Here is another of my all time favorite pieces, this is one of my larger works that I made in a series all of this same size, about 10 years ago...time flies!

I wanted to share this painting with you during our time in England, while we are visiting gardens and manor homes, as there is a lush overgrown garden feeling to this one, and the black stenciled vine reminds me of the wrought iron fences and gates that I have seen so often here. I wanted this painting to feel like something broken down, old and faded but still quite beautiful. 

Right at the center of the piece there is a swarm of dragonflies making their way through the flowers, I imagine them darting to and fro.

Before we moved into our house in Brooklyn with a backyard, after years of apartment living, I often felt that I directed my yearning to garden into my paintings, which this one really bears evidence of. The huge garden in my mind, wild and free!

*My work was just featured in this gorgeous Etsy treasury, each piece is very feminine with a slightly moody, nostalgic edge.

August break: Shopping in London

We took the train into London, to Oxford Circus, where the flagship Topshop store is located.

While the boys went to the Natural History Museum, the girls shopped. I discovered the Topshop store last time I was in London, it is serious shopping nirvana, about 4 floors of it, and a must see for anyone who loves fashion. It is basically a department store that has been edited down to only include the most interesting, fashion forward and modern looks for every style with all of the Topshop collections.

Everything for fall was in, and I fell in love.... I'm sure that my 3 year long search for the perfect boot, and fall jacket, is over.

August break: Windsor Castle

We had a cloudy day, and some occasionally cheeky babies...

but the beauty and mystery of the castle soothed us all.