:: IV: farmer's market fare ::

being the end of April and rather Autumny here in NZ, verging on Wintry some days, it feels rather wonderful to still have ratatouille on our menu at home

 these beauties, are of course, grown under glass to be still this vital-looking at this time of year. I'll happily keep enjoying them - and not just for the eating.

nature really does create some colour that pops, doesn't it?

:: III: microlandscape ::

 I've remembered again, today. In fact, I woke up thinking about moss and concrete!

At first glance - that is if noticing something like this is even on the radar for many busy humans - there's just a bit of inconvenient weedy-looking stuff happening in the driveway/path, RIGHT? (I think that's what most humans might conclude of the above growth).

Looking closer wonderment takes over upon the discovery of a miniature landscape - fully operational - the Earth is literally installing a nature strip in the middle of the driveway - tiny blade of grass by tiny blade of grass. Just look at that miraculous little thread of sap green-coloured moss bordering the concrete.

Like an island of green in a sea of grey...two of my favourite colours, by the way. And what is an island actively doing? Why making humus, or soil - enough so to grow some grass.

Such hope can be perceived in the stalwart strength of the organism that strikes out and colonises...CONCRETE! 

what these images represent is inspiring for me today - how about you?

:: II: watercolour morning ::

This image belies the fact that it was actually about 7.30am, not some simmering sunrise, no fear - this morning I didn't blink my eyes open until a much more earthly hour!

We have been having the privilege of looking after someone else's BEAUTIFUL home and crazy little kitten for a few days...and this is what we've been awakening to.

As I did this morning, I wondered with my first thoughts around how much this scene looked like a watercolour and then I suddenly changed my perception to "No, watercolour painting looks like this!" True, isn't it?

:: I: street art in christchurch ::

This is slightly cheating, already, I know! I actually FORGOT to post an inspiring picture yesterday - the very first day...speaks volumes to me and I'm listening.

AM took this picture a few weeks ago - it is on High St, near C1 cafe. The artist is Michaela Cox, of Christchurch and it is part of her "Faux Arcadia" series - 10 works all hung in the city.

There is much art on the many, shall we say, bald? or naked? surfaces left by the surreal change in landscape here in Christchurch, due to the devastating effect of the earthquakes.  We felt shocked to look at the extent of the damage when we first arrived here - it could be described as a sort of apocalyptic scene.  So many desolate sites where previously life thrived.

I find the street art in such a place to have a powerful effect - it contrasts so sharply with the broken/empty/raw/disordered feel that is evident where EVER one turns. The art reaches out and invites the viewer to rest eyes on something beautiful.  I feel it speaks of hope and possibility...inspiring perhaps.

:: inspiration ::

 Today we received some much-longed for good news, which goes a long way toward feeling settled in our new home - the city of Christchurch, NZ.

 We can say with a high level of certainty that we will have our own home again in a few weeks. YES!

For months the search for the new abode has consumed my thoughts and this evening I felt the massive surge of relief - I am cancerian, you know - it matters A LOT for me this having my own nest stuff.

Almost the same instant I realised I suddenly have the space for art again - wonderful.

oh - and to blog again a little bit...!

 So, along with the news of the home, I have a challenge for myself, in order to get my inspiration juices flowing again - to find one image each day to post that is inspiring to me.

what is inspiring for you?

 

:: Geometric Art ::

As well as Spring heralding all kinds of wonderful outdoor activities, I have been working away at an assignment for my Course in Rudolf Steiner Education.  

12-petalled flower

This is how mathematics for classes 5/6 in a Steiner (or Waldorf) school is learnt - using art to access the learning.

nest of polygons

Each piece required an extremely high degree of accuracy and precision in order to create the result.

12-pointed star

I thoroughly enjoyed all the challenges we were presented and loved using colour to bring the maths to life.  Colouring each piece became meditative and quite soothing - in contrast to the exacting nature of the process of calculating and creating the shapes.

cascading squares

I don't remember my maths classes being anything like this...do you?

:: the small things - a good place to begin ::

On our way home from milking a neighbour's beautiful Dexter cow, Lady,  in our very pre-loved farm vehicle (old truck!), chattering excitedly, making plans for the rest of the day, we rumble along the gravel road past this ditch (or culvert is the correct term, I think), running gently alongside, shaded by tall, bare poplars...just quietly, serenely doing its own thing.

There was occasion to stop beside it last week and I could observe for a few moments.

For me, it is enchantingly special and soooo inspiring...the bands of colour harmoniously sitting side by side; the texture of the mosses and tiny grasses, stones, twigs, leaves earth, pondweed; the glassy-smooth plane of the slip of visible water reflecting harshly in just that minute window/mirror the world outside of this mini-cosmos.

A little inspiration to help me along the way.

What things are inspiring to you?