Apron Strings

Apron strings…such an emotive phrase that I wanted to share a little bit about what it means to me.

When my son was young we were given a book called “The Children’s Year” by Stephanie Cooper, Christine Fynes-Clinton and Marye Rowling.  On the copyright page there is a quote from Rudolf Steiner where he talks about the importance of art and beauty, in the pictures of life that the child is exposed to. This view of childhood and family is idyllic and nostalgic.

In contrast to this, I am drawn to the images of childhood produced by Joan Eardley. There is one with the title Pat and Anne Samson, which I am totally fascinated by. You can sense the future women in these two children; there is such a strong sense of kinship…all that vitality and the thwarting.

And as I put on my artists’ apron to paint, all of my feelings are left in a tangle.

Postscript. After writing this I set about some research and it was not hard to find a story about Pat and Anne, the children in the Eardley painting. I love that Joan fed them treacle and cheese sandwiches.

Hydrangea Flower

 

I have been trying hard to keep my indoor hydrangea thriving. It is a very thirsty plant which apparently symbolises abundance, honest emotions and the development of a deeper understanding between two people. The desire to capture all that in paint is strong.

Absolutely loved the Gertrude Jekyll quote in the church garden at Caldecote…it was worth the muddy boots to wander out over the fields there.

“The first purpose of a garden is to be a place of quiet beauty such as will give delight to the eye and refreshment to the mind.”