There’s one week left to view a lifetime of work from surrealist photographer and painter, Dora Maar, at the Tate Modern. A unique artist, overlooked for decades, it’s a definite must see. This painting of her house in Ménerbes stood out for me with the amazing color palette. Many of her more well known collages and commercial work are on display. Some of the images are reminiscent of 1950’s scifi films. Like walking through a time warp. #WomensHistoryMonth
Found in my mother’s garden, a pot of spawning cactus plants. A google search informed me they are hedgehog cactus. I’m not 100% certain that’s correct, but I love the name, so I’m sticking with it! My mother’s garden is full of surprising delights tucked away in nooks and crannies. A slow wander around with a sharp eye is an early morning treat.
Saying goodbye to a friend is a painful experience, but there are moments of beauty within grief. A cloud covered sky, raindrops on Christmas wreaths, hands held tight for support, a silent prayer. Goodbye 이모, you will be remembered.
This year I’m taking a moment to appreciate the beauty each new day brings into my life. Day one is this painting of a prickly pear cactus bush beneath a full moon (created by my talented sister). I love this painting. Here’s to finding something beautiful to love. Cheers!
My super small, eco-friendly, potted Christmas tree surrounded by bookish presents. Hopefully it will be a few inches taller next year! Focusing on the small pleasures in life to balance out the very large and harsh realities in the world. Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season filled with moments of peace.
The sun is shining somewhere in the world, sometime, somewhen, somehow, always. Keep going. It will find you and warm the scars mapped across your lived-in skin. Just wait. Tilt your face up to the gray black clouds. And feel the heat of survival.
The leaves are falling from the trees in West Hampstead, creating an autumnal masterpiece beneath the shadows creeping across them, as the sun rises in the morning sky.
The Royal Festival Hall
The sun came out to play in Cornwall even though the forecast called for misery (aka rain). There’s a canine friend blending into the scenery who had just gone for a swim. #findfido
The Ship of Tolerance, by Emilia and Ilya Kabakov, on the Thames (October 2019).
Mary Lynn Bracht 