Daily ”Somethings” and a (Sad but Sweet) Hedgehog Tale

Following up from the daily walks I am trying to get something visual done each day. Like all artists I need to practise, to explore and refine ideas and techniques but I don’t know what to call these daily exercises because words such as “sketch”, “drawing” or “painting” are loaded with different meanings and expectations.

So perhaps “Daily Visual Notes” will have to do. What are these DVNs for? They are for working out ideas, recording things, they are technical exercises and experiments so might seem to be nothing more than a muddle of lines and marks, but they will mean a lot to me.

So should I post them on the blog? I am indecisive. Somehow posting things on the blog indicates that I am happy with them. But my feelings about these things are neutral. They are like practising your scales on the piano. But I do want them to become a good and regular habit, and in the past blogging has certainly helped my resolve ( I am so easily distracted!! ) and does keep a chronological record of work which is interesting to look back on.

But I don’t want them to be the point of the day. Hmm I’ll just have to see how this develops but here is Number 1.

Number 1 DVN:  Ruts and Puddles

This morning I didn’t take the camera on my walk but did have my sketchbook. Up on shady Damson Path a deep water filled rut was reflecting the sky so I made these notes,
10 mins under trees dripping with last nights rain.  I like puddles there is a mysterious other life about them. The notes say;

RW extension, 28th Aug 7.50 am. ruts and puddles: the thin strip of light at the edge is really important, 10 mins sketch water drips from trees above, 2 patches of sun appear as I am standing.”

image

The Hedgehog Tale

On Saturday while out cycling we saw 2 dead hedgehogs. This made us very sad and we hoped that neither of them was our garden hedgehog.

One little thing was curled up on the grass by the Church. It looked asleep but was sadly very dead.
I resolved to return later (rather hoping for an intervening hedgehog resurrection miracle) to bring it home and give our little spiny friend a fitting and honourable burial.

Next morning it was still there but overnight either fairies or kind children had bedecked the tiny body with leaves, small pebbles and pretty flowers and what looked like a large sweet.
A little hedgehog shrine. It seemed such a kind and compassionate act that it gives me hope for humanity.

Would that we all have such a sweet send off.

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7 Comments

  1. Amen to that. Wonderful photo – generous hearts.

  2. I hope you do continue to post your notes, perhaps you will inspire some of your readers.

    I would like just such a funeral, with freshly gathered wildflowers.

    ct

  3. A beautifully sweet sendoff for a poor hedgehog. I miss seeing them in my garden. I came across one when I was a child, and it hadn't survived winter. It was curled up in the plants below my rabbit hutch. I really thought it was sleeping too. They're such sweet little animals.

  4. Thanks you all for the comments. I have been so tied up with (non art) stuff these past few weeks that I have neglected my faithful readers!
    The hedgehog was so very sad but this little tribute seemed fitting. He stayed there for a few more days..and then the mower man came.. Hmmm…
    Thankfully "our" hedgehog is still about…phew…

  5. I can't believe I have not visited your blog in months!

    Lovely story and sweet little burial indeed. We do get lots of different little critters in our garden but I am yet to see a hedgehog in it…they do look like sweet little fellas, don't they?

    Your blog always makes me smile, so thank you for that!

  6. Thank YOU getsoiled, for commenting and for the smile! Hedgehogs are such curious things.We worry about ours because so many are killed on the road. We dont see it that often but do put food out every night. They are in serious decline in the UK so we just try to do our bit.

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