November news- Connections

This months newsletter is a bit late, which tells you that I’ve been busy!
What’s been happening?
#Inktober was a first for me, though it’s a global movement which has been going on for quite a few years. Each day we were offered a subject which had to be captured in ink – pens, markers, brushes – which was definitely out of my comfort zone. Often I could add my own interpretation of each subject and what it meant for me .It really made me consider unlikely subjects and how to draw them , and I thought that you might enjoy what I drew for the “binoculars “ day.
“Todays effort feels very poignant . Today is my late Mums birthday and these are her binoculars.. growing up , the view from our living room was Cook Strait and Mum was often to be found with these , looking out across the strait. I remember the distinctive click of the catch on the beautifully crafted leather case as she opened it to check out something interesting! I drew them with one of my Dads pencils, last touched by him 60 years ago, sketched with his pens and my late sisters inks. A few tears were shed thinking how I love and miss them”
I can’t say that drawing with ink is my favourite thing, but I’m glad that I did it for a whole month!
My 2025 calendars have been flying off all over the world, you’re not too late to order so please get in touch if you’d like one.
I also have unframed A4 prints of my native bird paintings, which make a great postable present. At the moment I have Pukeko, Tui, Tomtit, Kaka, Kea , Korimako and Piwakaka available The prints come in a mat ready to frame, are $45 each and postage is : NZ $4.90,
Australia $5.60.
Rest of world $7.20 . Just let me know if you’d like to have a look at one and I’ll send you a photo (I hate bombarding people with images!)
On Sunday 24th November I’ll be taking part in the Wairau Valley Christmas fair between 11am – 3pm. Fun in the sun for the whole family, at the Wairau Golf Club.
An extra special thing in October was watching the beautiful Aurora Australis over the lake. We’d never seen it before and it was just magic to sit peacefully down by the jetty watching the rays of pink and purple and green wash across the sky.Did you spot it where you were ?
Apart from that I’ve been flat out trying to keep track of my garden which has finally woken up after a long winter. Planting lovely new flag irises and doing battle with cutworms who are devouring lots of my precious homegrown veg seedlings – the war is on! Helpful hints anyone? And battling rabbits, 100s of them and wild pigs! At least the deer just nibble my broadleaves delicately on the way through 🙂
Enjoy the rest of this spring month,
Jan