Tuesday 17 March 2009

The Avocado Tree Clock

ONCE UPON O'CLOCK
whilst tending to their flock

two shepherd girls came upon a tree.

Its fruits were blackish green

with a crocodileish sheen

and their baskets were as empty as can be.
So with shepherdess bravado

they picked an avocado
that was growing just behind the number three,

then in the yellow air

this fruit collecting pair

ate twenty avocados for their tea.



And with this silly rhyme, I present Once Upon O'Clock number seven. There has been a too-long gap between the previous one and this, but, well, what with moving into a house on wheels and one thing and another, the months have passed clockless. The waiting list is ticking away there, at the back of my mind .. and I long to have more hours in the days. This particular creation is for a second cousin of mine who lives in New Zealand. She placed an order way back in the beginning of my clockmaking days for three clocks, and has been exceedingly patient about the wait!
This one is a gift from her to her friend and ex-husband who grows avocados in Kenya.


It is a yellowish brownish greenish creation, with two women gathering the fruit in baskets. I don't really know what avocado trees look like, but mine had to be round for the clock face and I think I was slightly inspired by the colours in a lovely film we saw recently called Lemon Tree. It told the tale of a Palestinian widow trying to protect her lemon grove from the Israeli defense minister who wanted the trees cut down. Actually looking now at the website.. I see a similar tree motif there, which I had not seen when painting this clock!
Anyhow, it is nice to continue my clockmaking. I feel so busy with lots of lovely little jobs and lovely big jobs to fit in around the ever growing clock list...
And I shall not moan on about the fact that we are still living outside the blimmin' garage. I shall keep painting, and cross fingers for being gone from here in a day or two. Meanwhile perhaps I will eat an avocado, cut in half with a little lemon juice and a tiny pinch of salt....

41 comments:

buzylizy said...

oh its lovely rima so beautiful and mediteranean makes me think of visits a while back to the hills of spain. Hoping your wheels are turning again real soon it must be so frustrating for both you and tui, hugs and happiness busylizy x

tut-tut said...

I love the little gatherer on the right. And the drifty 8!

Basht said...

You make beautiful clocks my dear. We all have those things that we love and long and have to do.Just know that they will happen just when the time and space for them arrives. we really can't rish creativity

Unknown said...

I love this one. Your colour choices seem to get bolder and it really affects your work in a positive way. stay warm.

Mokihana Calizar said...

Beautiful is your art, and lucky are your dears ones who will see the avocado shaped clock. We love avocados ... and when in the Islands we ate them until we were as round as your clock.

Blessing on your repair wheelin' friends. Aloha, Mokihana

Karen said...

I love the colours on this one! It has such a warm glow.

Umm.. you've tickled my taste buds for an advocado now! Haven't had one for ages :)

Hope your on the move again soon.
x

Vicki's Bit-o-earth said...

Rima, I love your art, and your lifestyle. Wonderful. Living the way your dream is the most important thing, and your home on wheels looks like you are living your dreams. (:

Tristan Robin said...

beautiful - just enchanting

Stacy Shpak said...

it's lovely!

Ciara Brehony said...

Yum!

This one has a definite delicious-ness about it Rima. I can see the influence of the returning daylight creeping in!

Alice said...

Oh that's just beautiful. I've not seen anything quite like it! You are so truly talented. I'm sure you will be back on the open road in no time! I can't wait to get back on the road myself :-) Enjoy your avocado!

buzylizy said...

yippee your on twitter too xx

Koldo Barroso said...

I wonder what happens at 8.20 pm...
Maybe a spell will cast and the young avocado picker will turn the old one into a a crocodile?

Jess said...

The roundness of the tree really suits the shape of the wood. I love it that you've created your own shape for an avocado tree, rather than slavishly try to copy a real one. It makes it so much more special and unique, it's lovely. The yellow looks like gold in the photo. :)x

tracy said...

Wow you have finished it and it looks beautiful. I will show Troy the finished product when he is awake. Poor love is tired after hard grafting at the weekend and 2 early mornings. We both thought of you both this evening. Hopefully it won't be much longer and you can escape your yard. Puppet sounds good, just right for your collection. See you soon. love and light Tracy and Troy x

Artsnark said...

just lovely!

Anonymous said...

Mmmm, gorgeous. There's no other green quite like avocado (and I'm not counting the travesty that invaded so many bathroom suites in the '70s.)

Shell said...

An enchanting and a sweet clock.

Cat (darklingwoods) said...

Dear Rima, it's lovely! I do hope you are on the move to a more inspiring local soon!

Anonymous said...

I love your artwork, I have just found your blog, and am enjoying exploring it. You are a creative soul! And I love your nomadic lifestyle.

Carol Stocker said...

Rima, such a beautiful clock! The grain of the wood adds motion to the piece and along with the movement of the hands; I can feel the wind brush softly against my cheeks. Delicious! Hugs, Carol

linda said...

Love your clock, hope the truck gets fixed super quick, where to will you go next
Linda

pRiyA said...

Rima, everything that you do is so beautiful. I am in awe of you.
I love how much this clock says through its colours and the simplicity of the drawing.

I mean it when I say that you are my inspiration.

anna wadham said...

really lovely!

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

Of course its beautiful!!! You made it!!! I've never seen one thing of your I did not like.
XXOO Marie Antionette

d. moll, l.ac. said...

It's so beautiful!!!!! Sending wishes for house/truck repair completion.

Anonymous said...

I love it,im going to one sometime very soon.I found this girls blog
http://artpropelled.blogspot.com/this morning which I thought you would love as it has that woodsy and ancient air we all here have.

Anonymous said...

Just beautiful Rima!! Beautiful and lemony and avocadoish...may your wheels take you to more exciting places soon xx

kate smudges said...

Your clock is lovely and the verse beautiful! I just bought a beautifully ripe avocado today...

Carl V. Anderson said...

It is wonderful how personal of a creation it is, seeing that it has its avocado theme and was made for a gentleman who grows them. I'm sure he'll love it. The rhyme is a wonderful addition to the work. I'm happy for you that you've had the opportunity to get back into your clock creations. Sorry your view continues to be less than inspirational, but I'm glad to see that isn't stopping you.

Kim said...

I think this one might be my favourite so far, if it's at all possible to have a favourite!

I hope you are soon trundling along.

Take care

Kim x

Vincent Juanes said...

Really, a beautiful clock!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! Stunning! Wonderful! I love this one!

the dafthermits (Mel n andy and wee clan) said...

wonderful work Rima

hope you get moving soon

Andy x Mel x

ps i awarded your blog a weee award at the bus

Anonymous said...

I love your clocks so much!

Anonymous said...

Rima, just to say a massive THANK YOU for the prints you sent me, Lodka and Lyoobov. I wonder if you can email me some details about these stories or point me to wards where I can find them online.

I get the impression looking at Lodka that she's a mythological protector figure, a sort of Russian pagan female Noah. Nice thought, that.

My address : dashfad@ntlworld.com

love

Sheila (Hamilton)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful rich colours evoking the mellow harvest season. Beautiful Rima I'm sure the new owners are going to be so pleased.

al hayball said...

Love the clock Rima, I know what you mean about the list of paintings in your head waiting to be done!
al

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Oh, I'm so happy you are back to creating these amazing clocks. This one is wonderful. I know the lucky recipient will be thrilled with it!

A.Smith said...

Making pushing noises to help you out the front of that garage and on your way to a new, safe and springlike adventure. The clock is simply stunning, a capsule of magic to be taken by those who want to look at life for the work of art it is. You are, my dear Rima, a perfect alchemist to achieve that. Best as always to you and Tui.

Selena (Fran) said...

Beautiful log.
His paintings are beautiful!
Peace and light