It has been 2 months since I updated this half of my blog. A lot has been happening to distract me though. I have a new job, which because, it was new has taken up a lot of time. Now I am more settled I am hoping to spend more time in my studio. Just as it starts to get cold.
I have managed to work on the ivybroomrape prints and they only need a few little tweeks now.
Since my visit to the rainforest in North Wales (temperate of course), I have been really interested in lichens. Well, to be fair, I have been interested in them a long time, but I saw a few different sorts and for the first time, lichens with little cups. Non-flowering plants are also fascinating I find. There are over 1,800 species in the British Isles. I'm always amazed when I start researching my interests. 1,800!!!
From the British Lichen Society, which is based at the NHM:
What is a Lichen?
A lichen is not a single organism; it is a stable symbiotic association between a fungus and algae and/or cyanobacteria.
Like all fungi, lichen fungi require carbon as a food source; this is provided by their symbiotic algae and/or cyanobacteria, that are photosynthetic.
The lichen symbiosis is thought to be a mutualism, since both the fungi and the photosynthetic partners, called photobionts, benefit.
Anyway, I have started noodling in my sketchbook. Colourful watercolours, trying to get a feel and find out about these fascinating organisms. It's been fun and I need to do many more. I have also started a couple of monoprints. It's early days and I have much work to do.
In other news, we have a Christmas Fair coming up at the arthouse. December 10th. I will be making and selling Christmas cards.
As you can see it is still a work in progress. I will be sharing more information over the next couple of weeks.
These prints would be superb transfered onto clay forms-another excuse for a visit to Norfolk
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