Day 211

Today's post is brought to you by the word "Sparkle".

I really loved this word even though it was a challenge. I'm light on sparkly stuff at the best of times but especially at the moment given my suitcase dwelling scenario. However, the word a day is supposed to be a challenge. Long story short, I found a potential subject whilst out walking but had to return later in the evening. Sadly it proved a blind alley. I found some lights and took some unfocused, swirly shots of them but wasn't entirely satisfied. As I walked home, I walked past a vibrant chain-pub. The type that's heavy on the alcho-pops and light on decent beer. Not my usual watering-hole. However they were blasting exceptionally loud dance music out the door which made me wander in for a look-see and guess what I found?!

Come on ... what's more sparkly than a mirror-ball?

Day 210

Today's word is "cauldron".

I wanted to try and get some photos of the font in the church down the road from me but it was all locked up. As I walked back, I spotted this jutting out of the wall. Over it read the legend "Water for the Thirsty".

To be honest, I doubt it works anymore (I didn't fancy giving it a go) but it was still a receptacle for liquid - in this case rain. The cauldron has the power to hold life and protect it. As a cup it brings people together and binds them. So too does this water fountain. It holds water, without which, life wouldn't be able to exist.

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Day 209

Today's word was "ballet shoes". This is the best I could manage I'm afraid. I did try throwing them up in the air and all sorts of other things but nothing really worked so I had to stick with a straight photograph of the subject.

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Day 208

This week Mummy G and I are supplying each other with a word a day.

Today she gave me "noise". What else makes a variety of noises?

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Day 207

I'm after a bit of help.

This is not the picture I planned on posting today, but whilst working on some stuff, inspiration struck and I had to create this. I can't really say "drew" as I only scribbled a bit of black oil pastel in it to give some colour but you get the picture (no pun intended).

When I was compelled to create this, I had some very definite thoughts in my head and wanted to recreate a feeling and sensation. So my question is this.

Does this make you think of anything in particular or feel a particular emotion?

There's no right or wrong answer, just a general vibe. This may be a recurring theme within my blog so all help will be gratefully received.

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Day 206

This caught my eye today. It's dirty, grubby and rusty. Very textural.

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Day 205

Wandered down the road for take-away tonight. Well it is Friday after all.

On the way I saw this and just had to make it today's subject.

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Day 204

This brickwork caught my eye.

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Day 203

Yesterday, when I went for a walk, I came across this beautiful cone. I decided to make it tonight's subject.

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Day 202

I went for another stroll this evening before the rain started (again!). I wasn't sure what I was going to snap but this seemed to be the winner. I loved the colour and the pattern within the brickwork. If I do it again, I'd like to focus more on the clock face itself. However, I'm reasonably happy

I promise no towers tomorrow.

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Day 201

I went for a stroll after work.I turned right instead of left and found some very interesting things. For a start here's this wall - full of colour and textures. I particularly loved the shadow cast by the trees, adding depth to the whole thing.

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Day 200

I was out and about in town today and saw this tower. The sky wasn't quite perfect but I'm happy enough with this.

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Day 199

I've spent a large proportion of the day sewing and of course I've left my pins in Bucks so had to buy more in sunny(?) Darlington.

I like the sharpness and the individuality of each pin and the reflection from the tin lid.

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Day 198

Welcome to the North and the rain!

It's not stopped all day (I promise you). I didn't fancy going out and getting too went so I decided to try for this shot. Not entirely happy with it but I think it gives an idea of the puddles.

Alan suggested that I show I add the Reichstag pictures that I couldn't post as part of "365" as a separate entity so if you're curious here they are.

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Day 197

More of my recent work. This is the start of my new project.

Still any ideas?

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Day 196

This was my last day of holiday before going back to work tomorrow so I decided to use it wisely.

I stopped in Chester last night with DQ so I didn't have to travel too late back. It also meant that this morning, I could pop into "Liberty Bell". LB is a shop in Chester which is essentially a "Hottie's Porn shop" - in other words it sells fabric. I was there waiting for the poor woman when she arrived at 10 am to open up, but she was very welcoming and I allowed her to get in, take her coat off and turn the lights on before I went in.

I've been formulating an idea for a piece of work for some time now but it was the trip to Berlin that has finally spurred me on. So I bought all these beautiful pieces of fabric and spent my train ride home cutting them into irregular shaped pieces.

If anyone can guess what the piece may be inspired by I'll give you a gold star.

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Day 195

I knew time would be tricky for this day. We were travelling back from Berlin and I didn't know how tired I'd be when I got to Chester. Also I'd noticed this effect in the wet-room after my first shower in our hotel and thought it may be a good stop-gap.

Gap-stopped.

So that was Berlin. Sorry it was posted in two chunks, as I said my battery died so the second half had to wait until I got back to sunny Darlington. Hopefully normal service shall resume.

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Day 194

Our last full day in Berlin and an amazing chance find.

DQ and I were walking along a street when I spotted this beauty. Almost certain what it was, I had to go for a check and once confirmed I spent some time just stroking this beautiful work of art.

In case you haven't realised, this is piece by Henry Moore. I love his sculpture. It's so incredibly tactile - it just begs to be caressed. Anyone who knows me, knows that there's not much I won't do for an opportunity to touch up Henry. DQ - Goddess love her - gave me some "quality" time with this sculpture while I just emitted little gasps of wonder and awe.

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Day 193

This was taken in the Jewish Museum.

The metal faces represent people affected by the Holocaust and is a remembrance to them. The idea is that visitors can move about them and they make a noise (being a kind of dull metallic resonance). Their voices are still heard.

DQ and I quibbled about photographing these pieces because of the nature of them. The thought of moving amongst (an on top of them) just seemed wrong and disrespectful (maybe we're too British). However I wanted to record the moment and decided that approached with due reverence and understanding, it would be OK. By not remembering these people - be it in art or photography - they would have died in vain. Instead they remind us all of the importance of tolerance and freedom.

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Day 192

This was a waterfall we found quite by chance but it was glorious. It actually measures about 20+ feet high. There is a middle section that's sloped, allowing you to walk up to and stand at the head of this water fall. Ofcourse someone decided to climb onto the edge and hang over it to try and get some water flowing shots but they didn't work quite so well so you're stick with these.

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Day 191

Another day, another building. Ok I know I'm a rubbish tourist but I was far more interested in the building;s architecture and it's art.

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Day 190

Hey Kids!!! Did you miss me?!

I missed you - it's mad - all these semi-real people and yet I've wondered how you've all been. I have limited battery on my laptop (Captain Clever forgot her power cable) and I don't go back to Darlington until tomorrow so I'm kinda trying to post as much as I can before the energy dies (although that may be mine before the laptop!).

So less prattle and more posting!

Berlin was incredible and interesting. I'll post more with my thoughts when I have more power. However it's safe to say it was a shock. In more ways than one. I'm well known for being the woman who doesn't take time off work. (I won't embarrass myself by revealing when I last went abroad suffice to say when I sat and thought about it even I was stunned). I don't quite get the whole idea of holiday. Go somewhere, look at stuff, come back. Anytime you want to do stuff, spend money to do it. I sound really grumpy don't I and actually this holiday was a gift from a very good friend so I should be more appreciative, I just have an odd mind set and I need the holiday practice.

Anyway. The initial landing into Berlin was a shock and my lovely friend, DQ, sensing my disconfort, looked for things I may like whilst I sat soemwhere near the Brandenberg Gate and tried desperately not to dissolve into a mild blob of panic. Knoing my love of art and architecture, DQ kindly led me to a building where she found this inside. It's actually inside a bank! I can't see this in my local branch of the NatWest somehow.

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Day 189

I'm in Chester today so we can set off for Berlin at 5am tomorrow morning. I had a couple of errands to run so took the opportunity to take some shots in town. This was an archway that caught my eye. It's not the greatest shot but I wanted to play with a couple of things so I really like it.

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Day 188

I thought I ought to take some proper pictures of the flowers rather than artistic interpretations. This was the best of a mediocre lot.

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Day 187

More of my art I'm afraid.

When I left Bucks hospital they had a bit of a leaving presentation. I got a fabby new bag with loads of pockets for arty stuff and a beautiful bunch of roses and lilies - which are my favourite flowers. This evening I got home from work and decided to sketch them before they wilt and this was the best of the bunch.

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Day 186

I was walking around, getting the feel of my new surroundings, when I saw this. It's the door handle of a restaurant. It made me think of sweeties and stained glass. It just had to be today's picture.

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Day 185

So now at the other end, I have the joy of unpacking!

Day 184

This was taken yesterday before I went out with all my lovely friends to say good-bye. This is my little room stripped bare. It seems odd to have removed my mark from it (and I do mean that literally - thank heavens for test pot sizes of paint!).

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Day 183

Can you believe half way the year and this is my offering?!

I was asked to take some photos at work for a promotional poster - it only cost them a couple of beers, that should alert them to the quality of my photography. Anyway. I took a couple of "arty" shots first thing to warm up my camera and to get a few ideas. This is one of my favourites from that batch. It uses the same techniques as yesterday's moving shot but in a different environment. I really liked the light trail the robot makes.

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Day 182

I've been wanting to play with the traffic and my shutter speed for ages so thought I'd better get on with it.

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