Teaching Non-traditional Methods in Pastel (Day 1)
It was a total delight for me to open their eyes to a wider range of possibilities, set them free to make some of my ideas their own, and nurture them through the process.
Polly Castor
I’m in this Renaissance in Pastel National Juried Exhibition
It is always a pleasure to be juried into a national show, especially in this case with a piece as edgy as mine above.
Last House (Book Review)
This book was very different, spanning the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s in America, right on through to the year 2026.
Sail Forth with no Despair (Quote by Clarissa Pinkola Estes)
Sailing on Agitated Waters (acrylic) by Polly Castor “There will always be times in the midst of ‘success right around the corner, but as yet still unseen’ when you feel discouraged. I too have felt despair many times in my life, but I do not keep a chair for it; I will not entertain it. … Read more
Where Sheep May Safely Graze (New Poem by Polly Castor)
What a metaphor they seem to me, of how to trust, how behave, how to allow yourself to be cared for.
Two Honorable Mentions in the Guilford Arts League Show
I was pleased to get two paintings into the Guilford Arts League Show, and delighted to receive honorable mentions for both of them.
Black and White Photographs Taken in England
Here, once again, I am studying value, the range from black to white, and how it emphasizes texture, shape, light, and composition.
Bits and Clips for September 2024
I hope you find something among all this artwork, photography, memes, links, and quotes that spurs you on, inspires, supports, educates, or motivates you.
Visiting Blog Readers in Cambridge and Flying Home
We were also glad to invest in this wonderful budding friendship, as well as some others in London, which like so many things, including the reason for the trip to begin with, was facilitated by our presence online.
Hike and Inn in North Yorkshire
Heading homeward, we spent two nights and a full day in North Yorkshire. I mostly wanted to visit Yorkshire since I have loved the scenery in All Creatures Great and Small, but the place is huge. When booking our trip last January, I wondered where to stay in Yorkshire; it was the last unresolved piece, … Read more
Northumberland Day 2 (Hadrian’s Wall, Vindolanda, and Misc Photos)
Here we explore Northumberland and their history of occupation by the Romans.
Northumberland Day 1 (Lindisfarne Castle and Bamburgh Castle Photos)
On our first full day in Northumberland, we visited two castles, Lindisfarne on Holy Island in the North Sea, which you can only get to at low tide, and Bamburgh, on the beach opposite. Both have long histories, including cultivating Christianity since 635, and their atmosphere was heightened by visiting them on a cold, misty … Read more
A Visit to Unison Colour Pastels in Northumberland
The colors are vibrant and lightfast, and the texture is uniform over all the colors, which is not true of many brands.