The Book Of Vanishing Species

We’ve a windowful of wonderful engravings from Beatrice Forshall for June and July. Many were used to illustrate her new book, a glorious celebration of life on Earth and a poignant reminder of the life we’ve extinguished. Continue reading “The Book Of Vanishing Species”

Frames of reference

Hollington’s Florilegium

Hollington’s Florilegium, paintings by David Hollington, a botanical alphabet, part 2: N to Z, in the window of the Rowley Gallery through January and February. They are accompanied by a selection of David’s miniature paintings, and a few words of introduction here below.   Continue reading “Hollington’s Florilegium”

Frames of reference

The Book Of Vanishing Species

A short film to introduce Beatrice Forshall’s beautiful new book of stories and engravings of species presently threatened with extinction. It also helps explain why we’ve not seen Bea for the past three years – out of reach, head down, focused. She makes small edition, fugitive prints that briefly capture the disappearing life around her. Tender images of the passing world.

Filmed by Temujin Doran of Studio Canoe for Bloomsbury Publishing.

Beatrice Forshall / The Rowley Gallery

Frames of reference

Walking Wallington

We’d just walked up the hill out of the village and were about to turn off the main road to follow the Icknield Way. I’m pointing at the fingerpost, map in hand, but with such a weird posture, as if I don’t really know which way to go at all. This was the summer I discovered sciatica and every footstep was a conscious effort. But walking was so much better than sitting. Continue reading “Walking Wallington”

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Flowers From A London Garden

There’s a new exhibition in The Rowley Gallery window – eighteen freshly picked watercolours from Fanny Shorter’s garden. She dressed the window with her Mill Oak fabric and Margo wallpaper and arranged her flowers in what is now The Rowley Gallery garden. And she also wrote a blogpost… Continue reading “Flowers From A London Garden”

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The Panshanger Oak

I think I first knew of the Panshanger Oak after we’d walked a circuit from Tewin, Sunday 16th February 2019 BC (Before Covid). A No Entry sign on a path that had previously been open had sparked my curiosity. I later found references to an ancient oak tree, a hugely significant specimen, the oldest, widest, tallest oak in the land. The website for The Chilterns AONB declares it to be “the largest maiden, or clear-stemmed oak, in the country and is believed to have been planted by Queen Elizabeth I” but access is by appointment only. I called the recommended phone number repeatedly but got no reply. I also looked on the Ancient Tree Inventory website but they say it is Private – not visible from public access. Continue reading “The Panshanger Oak”

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Mantras & Yantras

This little book arrived just in time for Christmas. Page after page of joyful loveliness. It’s a collection of oil paintings and watercolours by Jon Groom, from December 2020 to September 2021. Colourful rhythms and rhymes to brighten our winter’s gloom. I had no choice but to take photographs and share them all here. It’s a feast for the eyes. Continue reading “Mantras & Yantras”

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The Story Of The Skids

There was an exhibition of the illustrations for this book at Fire Station Creative in Dunfermline, Fife. Tomorrow night there’s a book launch at Vout-O-Reenee’s in Bethnal Green, London. There are some words below from Jonny Hannah, but at the time of writing, alas, no pictures just yet. Maybe we’ll see some later. Continue reading “The Story Of The Skids”

Frames of reference

Hollington’s Florilegium

Hollington’s Florilegium, paintings by David Hollington, a botanical alphabet, part 1: A to M, in the window of the Rowley Gallery throughout October. They are accompanied by a selection of David’s miniature paintings, and a few words of introduction here below.   Continue reading “Hollington’s Florilegium”

Frames of reference