Doors and balconies revisited

Balconies are now an integral part of Maltese architecture, though this hasn't always been the case. Enclosed balconies only became fashionable in the 18C. Coming in all shapes, sizes and colours, most seem to be like a sort of conservatory tagged onto the outside of houses. 

On my first trip to Malta I was struck by the vibrant and often crumbling balconies and doors and painted a series of works using them as inspiration. I am now revisiting photos of my artworks done a few years ago and find that I am again being drawn into the wabi sabi ness of the architecture.

I have stacks of driftwood found on local beaches and will utilize this in my painting.

The Mill Room Gallery is hosting another weekend showcasing local artists and craft makers on 11th - 13th July. I will be there so come along, there will be lots to do and see. Check their facebook page for reminders and times,

The boxed in balconies offer a bird's eye view of the street below.

Some works I did a few years ago after my first trip to Malta. Some are on wood and some are large mixed media paintings incorporating newsprint and tissue to give texture.

A corner in Marsaxlokk,

Out and about

My visit to the UK was a real mix of emotions. The excitement and joy of seeing my daughter’s degree show, followed one of the saddest weeks of my life. A very dear friend lost his fight in a terrifyingly short battle with a very invasive cancer. As always, a confrontation with death like that is a sobering reminder of how fragile life is.

AMB Jewellery is in it’s infancy , but I have great hopes for Alice’s ability to capture one’s imagination with her striking designs and use of contemporary materials. She is coming out to Gozo for the Summer, possibly longer, to gather inspiration and maybe find an outlet for her jewellery. You can read her Blog here and view some of her work.

James was a very talented photographer and his work can be seen here. His personal work was always very much a diary of his life and that of his family. He will be greatly missed but lives on through his photographs and the work he did for charity. He has produced a book -amongst others- for the Neonatal unit at Colchester Hospital you can buy it here. He lived his life through Buddhist principals and as such this poem is a nice reminder that all of life ....and death... only happens in this moment.

Breathe and you know you are alive.
Breathe and you know that all is helping you.
Breathe and you know that you are the world.
Breathe and you know that the flower is breathing too.
Breathe for yourself and you breathe for the world.
Breathe in compassion and breathe out joy.

Breathe and be one with the air that you breathe.
Breathe and be one with the river that flows.
Breathe and be one with the earth that you tread.
Breathe and be one with the fire that glows.
Breathe and you break the thought of birth and death.
Breathe and you see that impermanence is life.

Breathe for your joy to be steady and calm.
Breathe for your sorrow to flow away.
Breathe to renew every cell in your blood.
Breathe to renew the depths of consciousness.
Breathe and you dwell in the here and now.
Breathe and all you touch is new and real.

— Thich Nhat Hanh

It is wonderful to back in Gozo.  The scenery has changed yet again while I have been away and we are now fully into Summer weather.  I went out for an early morning walk to San Lawrenz with Raffi today, just as the sun was rising and casting a wonderful light over the Giordan Lighthouse. If I had been a better photographer I may have done it justice. It was beautifully cool at 6am, it’s much too hot later for Raffi to dash about as he likes to do.

I’ve had a lovely morning in the gallery, some interesting and generous people have been in. Not many folk venture down the cobbled back streets of Victoria. Most day tourists over from Malta don’t have the time to explore and tend to stick to the well known routes. It’s a shame because they miss so much of the old city with its many hidden secrets. Artisan workshops and interesting craft makers lie beyond the tourist market in the main square and really a whole day (at least !) should be devoted to exploring. Sadly many don’t bother.

Back to Blighty

I'm back to the Uk for a short while. Partly to see #1 child's degree show and partly to sort belongings and visit reli's. Before I do, I managed to fit in a couple of driftwood paintings.

Raffi is a great help.

A few finishing touches on this one , then into the gallery.

Raffi has found a new place to view the goings on in the bay. He will be in good hands while I am away, it's a shame it's such a palava to move animals around Europe.

If you are in Victoria this weekend, try and visit the new Mill Room Gallery, lots of art and crafts going on. Click on the link for info.

Qala to Hondoq

The sun and moon are travellers in eternity. Even the years are wanderers. For those whose life is on the waters or leading a horse through the years each day is a journey and the journey itself is home.

Matsuo Basho

Raffi has decided to stay !  A trip to the vet for the once over and all is ok. It seems no one has come to claim him and he has settled in very well, as if he has always been with me. I am a great believer that people/animals come into your life for a reason...in the same way they leave for a reason. When people no longer are part of your story they leave. Think before you chase after them. 

The negative people are in your life for a reason too.They are usually there to teach you what you do not want to become, treat you how you don't want to be treated, and show you what you don't deserve. Embrace them, let them teach you, then let them go. 

Raffi is certainly giving me a reason to walk and on a lovely day for a walk from Qala down to Hondoq we went to collect some more seed pods and material to use in my eco dyeing. A view of Mgarr harbour over newly harvested hay fields.

Looking over to Comino.

The wind was really whipping up the waves in the channel. Hondoq is a lovely spot with it;s tiny beach and blue, blue water.

Raphael the nomad

A small dog on an adventure all of his own landed up tired and more than a little stressed in Xlendi bay last weekend. He had followed a couple of walkers from Dwerja to Xlendi...a walk that probably took the best part of an hour and a half on a very hot day. He had already been spotted by someone the day before , anxiously searching cars for his owner but hadn’t been able to find him.  It seems that tragically he had been dumped....sadly not an unusual occurrence on these islands. He was hungry and thirsty and very disorientated. Luckily for him he was spotted by a friend of mine who was concerned,  already having four dogs of her own, she couln’t take him home. I was nearby and she asked if I would just look after him while the SPCA tried to locate the owner.  It turns out that he was not chipped and no one has registered him missing.

My Boy was over with me for a week and it didn’t take long for us to both to be under the spell of small dog.  An afternoon of name picking took place and when he finally looked interested in ‘Raphael’ and perked up his little black ears the Boy finalised that Raffi suited him very well. The 14c painter Raphael led a nomadic life and so the name seemed apt for this little wandering dog.  Suspected part Tal Cacca and part Pointer, Raffi is an interesting mix of small black and white spots and large black patches, a typical looking Maltese hunting dog. He has the sweetest nature and is very loving, quiet and seemingly house trained. Although he arrived with a host of biting fleas, a dose of Frontline and a bath with anti flea shampoo very quickly got rid of them. He looks about a year old but a necessary trip to the vet soon will confirm that. He’s healthy enough but it’s always as well to check. The SPCA pay for neutering of all stray animals, so that will be done too.  So for the meantime I am fostering Raffi until it is certain he does not have an owner who is looking for him. He is enjoying all the lovely walks I do here, sits quietly with me in the gallery and is generally settling in very well considering his ordeal....he’s a poppet ! 

Raffi and Boy loved the walk up the hill opposite Ta' Pinu Basilica. The views from the top offer a panoramic view of the whole island...stunning.

Raffi not yet convinced swimming in the chilly 19c sea is a good idea.

Mgarr to Hondoq

I came across this koan the other day:

The teacher calls out, “Master!”
And answers, “Yes!”
“Are you awake?”
“Yes!”
“Don’t be fooled by others!”
“No! No!”

I wasn't sure how it fitted with my life at the moment...so I just held onto it and carried it around with me.  John Tarrant writes very well on the subject of koans and remembering he had written an article on this particular koan, I looked it up.


'.....So far it all comes down to this. It’s the joke of life, a funny joke, not a bitter one. I have stepped off an edge and am falling, happily towards an outcome, like Alice down the rabbit hole. I can take marmalade jars off the shelves and look at the pictures as they go by but no decisions are needed. The universe is managing things and I imagine that I’ll emerge in a place that’s different from anything I might expect. I don’t have to listen for the call. The call comes and the response just appears, “Yes.” Unexpectedness is itself a kind of freedom. '

Suddenly on my walk today it all made sense...Who knows what will happen. Actually it doesn't matter. Just take the next step and live right now. Enjoy !

What a beautiful walk on a beautiful day. From Mgarr harbour to Hondoq and back again. The sea looks inviting but the wind is still a little chill. Planning on the wet suit, snorkel and fins next week ;0)

What's The Story Morning Glory

Some disappointing and some surprising results. The Palm bark had little or no effect except as a resist but the Castor oil plant leaves gave a really nice impression.

This morning's foraging was a little trickier than usual as the wild flowers on the cliffs are now few and far between. With the exception of St John's Wort , which has a penchant for growing precariously close to the edge, the only plants still looking healthy are the grasses. Beautiful as they are swaying in the wind, they give off very little in the way of dye.  A few morning glory and some cultivated flowers, I'm not sure of the name of, were added to the basket today.

Yesterday I tried some Palm bark which despite having a lovely rich colour, produces no dye. Th ever profuse Eucalypts are still in the mix, not only for the wonderful shades but their strong shape. The leaves of the Castor Oil plant give a surprising and lovely effect.

A glorious start to the day, with fine weather forecast for the rest of the week, I'm feeling it may almost be time to don the wetsuit and get into the water. 

A bay full of brightly coloured jellyfish.

Happy days. There isn't anywhere I would rather be, or need to be right now.

Where the St John's Wort lurks !

Island life is good today and every day.