I have just finished a series of eight mini oil paintings. I thought it would be fun to try tiny creatures on tiny paintings. It was! 🙂 Remember, it may look large on your screen but these are very small.
Tom has written delightful short poems – one for each. Enjoy!
Now really, Darling, don’t you see
that when I’m posed beside this berry
my colours bold and wild and free
are so much brighter, fun, and merry?
image (c) 2021 Hilary Farmer
poem (c) 2021 TJ Radcliffe
I painted this one back in November exploring shape and scale, colour and value. My method is a bit different from my acrylic abstracts but there is still lots of layering, shifts between warm and cool colours, and scratching through the surface to “excavate” down to previous layers. I love how this turned out.
Here is Tom’s haiku which interestingly also shifts between scales.
continents adrift
folding candelabra stones
crystals shine anew
image (c) 2021 Hilary Farmer
poem (c) 2021 TJ Radcliffe
In dark times it becomes even more important to celebrate the momentary joy and beauty that life brings… the breeze ruffling a field of flowers, the sun sparkling on the crest of a wave, a single golden leaf spiraling to the earth.
This piece was created with many layers – painted, scraped and scratched. I hope it speaks to others too.
Tom wrote a wonderful poem that captures and enhances my painting. Thank you Tom for the poem and the painting’s title.
Wandering beyond the drying fens
beyond the sunlight-burnished summer fields
a tramp might find a doorway to a gem
of elder darkness, where the Singer wields
her voice like some forgotten hero’s blade
sweeping past the stars to split the sky
reminding men they are for living made,
rising higher, sweeter, as it dies.
The Singer tells all hearers of a time
when for a moment they may breathe in joy
eternal: empty, pure, divine…
until an end no one who lives avoids.
A wanderer might listen at the door
then step in darkness, seeking always more.
image (c) 2021 Hilary Farmer
poem (c) 2021 TJ Radcliffe
I started doing a fun series of birds in December and posted one per day for the “Twelve Days of Christmas” with a short poem from Tom for each. Apparently, I couldn’t quite stop so here is one more.
One day in late December, our yard was visited by dozens of Varied Thrushes. I didn’t grow up with these birds so they are surprising and especially delightful to me. Of course, I needed to paint one to add to my seasonal birds. This piece of paper was a bit bigger than the others so I had even more scope for abstract play in the background.
And here is Tom’s poem!
A variation on a theme of joy
that darts through lambent colours of the wood
beneath the winter sun. A spirit buoyed
by all in life that’s gentle, kind, and good.
image (c) 2020 Hilary Farmer
poem (c) 2021 TJ Radcliffe
I started doing a fun series of birds in December and posted one per day for the “Twelve Days of Christmas” with a short poem from Tom for each. Hope you enjoyed them!
Sharp-eyed I wait among the leaves
of cold December days
remembering the summer sun
and misty autumn haze.
image (c) 2020 Hilary Farmer
poem (c) 2020 TJ Radcliffe
I started doing a fun series of birds in December. I plan to post one per day for the “Twelve Days of Christmas” with a short poem from Tom for each. Hope you enjoy!
Well let me tell you, brother mine,
the things that I have seen!
Some have been coarse, and others fine,
if you know what I mean!
image (c) 2020 Hilary Farmer
poem (c) 2020 TJ Radcliffe
I started doing a fun series of birds in December. I plan to post one per day for the “Twelve Days of Christmas” with a short poem from Tom for each. Hope you enjoy!
Upon a Christmas Day a tree
must a tannenbaum to be
and upon its branch I see
that life is good and I am free!
image (c) 2020 Hilary Farmer
poem (c) 2020 TJ Radcliffe
I started doing a fun series of birds in December. I plan to post one per day for the “Twelve Days of Christmas” with a short poem from Tom for each. Hope you enjoy!
Not so elegant am I
but patiently I wait.
There’s magic in my wings: I fly
the mistress of my fate!
image (c) 2020 Hilary Farmer
poem (c) 2020 TJ Radcliffe
I started doing a fun series of birds in December. I plan to post one per day for the “Twelve Days of Christmas” with a short poem from Tom for each. Hope you enjoy!
This branch will never hold me long
I’ll soon be on my way
For never do I rest in song
Or pause while still it’s day!
image (c) Hilary Farmer
poem (c) TJ Radcliffe
I started doing a fun series of birds in December. I plan to post one per day for the “Twelve Days of Christmas” with a short poem from Tom for each. Hope you enjoy!
Wishing everyone a healthy and joy-filled New Year! May 2021 be good to all.
I’m looking for a whisky-jack
who said he came from here.
His name was Sam and he was grand…
Oh look! He’s winging near!
image (c) 2020 Hilary Farmer
poem (c) 2020 TJ Radcliffe
