Sunday 22 March 2009

Tales of third eyes, injector pipes, duck eggs, childrens' drawings, and some other lovely things...


THIS IS A SNIPPET OF A JUST BEGUN PAINTING of a white-haired owl-riding lady pointing at a place on her forehead where some believe we have a third eye for seeing Other Things. She has been taking shape in between a rather patchworky few days, and is the sixth painting in the chakra series. I don't know if third eyes are meant to foresee things, but if they are, I wonder if her third eye foresaw that we would be hobbling along the road with a leaking injector pipe just the day after having escaped from our two week sojourn in the garage. We have spent rather a scary amount of hundreds on the recent works that have been administered underneath our house... and had just enough left to afford diesel for a trip to Ikea to stock up on frames for the next weekend selling... and we drove along the road yippeeing to each other that we were free of the industrial estate and actually driving along again.

The joy was short-lived however as on the journey home there followed stalling and horrendous smoking of exhaust and juddering aplenty. We somehow managed to hobble back to our forest spot, Tui expertly manoeuvring our house down the narrow dark country lanes without letting his foot off the accelerator as it would stall if he did. A late night look under the engine hood revealed an engine covered in leaked diesel from a tiny crack in the injector pipe... this had probably been egged on by the recent fossickings under there, and is hopefully not actually such a major disaster as we had thought, we'll just need to get a new pipe made.. and these woods are the most best of all places to be stranded! We'll have a perfect excuse should the council decide to come down and point out the no overnight parking sign to us.

In recent days we have enjoyed a lovely lunch with my family who visited and brought post that had been accumulating on their doormat for me. A house that moves has no address obviously and so for certain things I have been using mum and dad's whist we are about. We also use the Poste Restante service offered (not always smilingly) at post offices. Anyhow, I had parcels from lovely blog readers across the ocean.. and I was delighted first of all by these wonderful drawings of a driving house (with rather apt exhaust cloud!) and one of Baba Yaga's house by the talented children of Anthromama to whom I send big thanks for posting me these delightful works. Also parceled up beautifully was a box of "Rotating Fez Magical Harissa Spice Mix" and a wooden figurine along with kind and interesting words from Joseph Yarrow whose wonderful medieval-slavic-hermetic-norse tale The Goose Grail I urge you to investigate. I was also excited to receive a recently ordered book A Year At My Back Door by my blog friend Ciara, whose beautiful photographs of her view of the Sugar Loaf mountain in Wicklow Ireland through the changing year have been put together in a very lovely little book indeed.


Tui, in between stoically chopping wood for the fire, has been quietly preparing for April when his much awaited and very beautiful second Orla Wren album will be offered to the world. We excitedly peeped in WHSmiths at the latest copy of The Wire magazine where there is this month a fine looking and enticing advert for The One Two Bird And The Half Horse with spidery drawings by me. Soon I shall be telling you more about this wonderful work and showing you animations and films...



Right now, we are parked in this lovely wood where owls hoot by night and woodpeckers peck by day. We have had such happy days amongst the trees and it almost doesn't matter that we chugged here. People have been so friendly, and we have even been brought freshly laid duck eggs (thank you Sue!) which we had on toast and which were of the delicateist duck egg blue you've ever seen. And today, Sunday, the busiest day here, we decided after being asked if we wanted to sell a painting by a friendly visitor, to set up a gallery-in-the-woods on the side of our truck. It attracted interested browsers and two much appreciated sales...

So there you have it.. our patchwork of news for these last few days. Some days are wonderful, some days are stressful... much like anyone else's life really. But we are happily living the life we've chosen. Many people tell us we are brave, but we are not really. We have the same fears and dreams that all folk have.. and sometimes we fly and sometimes we sink. The important thing for me I think is that I am not imagining some other time when I might do this thing I dream of. I'm doing it now, and for all its hooting owls and cracked injector pipes, it is beautiful.
We plan to stay in the woods for a while and then providing there are no more mechanical disasters we will begin to head up to East Anglia where I will be taking part in an exhibition, and where our patchwork journey will continue....

43 comments:

Morgan said...

It sounds like a beautiful journey! When I first found your blog, I sat down and read the whole thing within 2 days. It must be so nice to fulfill a dream which you thought about for so long!

Anonymous said...

Every time I come to your blog there is always something that really fascinates me. What a journey and an adventure! All the best with the maintenance of that amazing house of yours.

Kitty

Unknown said...

Rima,

No Thank you for living your life the way you want. Expressing your thoughts and art in such a wonderful way. I always get excited to get your blog email.Feels like I am a kid again waiting on only mail from pen pals in far away lands. Take piece in knowing people find strength in your and Tui wanderings.

Blessings and safety with both of you.

Smiles,

Sonia ;)

Anonymous said...

too lovely for words,how I'd love to live in the woods with the owls.You have inspired me to keep my little dream of owning a big barn/loft one day.I was just interpreting the dream of someone who had dreamt he had a third eye the other day,definately something to research deeper.

Shell said...

I do enjoy reading about your journeys. Yes, the third eye is all about intuition, able to see peer into the future and see the mysteries of life. It's awesome you are living your dreams now. I hope others will be inspired by your example. Take care.

pRiyA said...

The way you write Rima, you have a knack of making the most everyday stuff of your life so interesting.

The pictures look terrific on the side of the van. I wish I was there to stare at them in person!

Anonymous said...

Rima,
Thank you for visiting my blog. I am enjoying getting to know you through your blog. Sorry to hear of the vehicle problems, thats always hard, especially when it is your home. I love how you are able to display your artwork on the side of your home. I am glad you and Tui get to be in a lovely spot for a little while.
I look forward to seeing more of that painting, because I am trying to open my third eye, and owls are my new animal spirit guides, so I was amazed to read you are working on a painting with both of those in it!
Its so wonderful that you are living your dream. When we live our dream it doesnt mean there will be no challenges that come our way, that will always be an aspect of life. But by following your destiny you live a magical life. There is not the regret and dis-ease in the daily process.
Keep Doing What You Love!!

Acornmoon said...

Motor vehicles can be such a pain and such a drain on finances. I hope that your problem is soon fixed and that good times are ahead.I am sure you will be enjoying the increased daylight. Take care!

Bagman and Butler said...

Will you post the whole painting when it is done? The face is haunting...maybe mystical is better...Thank you for keeping us all in touch with your very interesting life.

Anna-Mari said...

I am so thrilled every time I see there is a new post from you, I wait them so anxiously all the time! Your journey is so magical and inspiring, I wish I could have the courage to do that! Yes, to me you are brave! It would be absolutely enjoyable and exciting to stay in different places, and go where your nose and intuition tells you to go...

I hope your vechile problems end soon, it must be hard to experience yet another problem after another. But your current location sounds enchanting, what a beautiful spot, and what a cool art exhibition you have there! I wish I could see them... Stay safe, and enjoy your life!

Anonymous said...

I want to send you a travelling mechanic to check in every few days and magic the engine of your home, but sadly I don't know any such!

The third eye is compelling - hope you let us see the rest of the painting when it's finished.

So off I go now to investigate The Goose Grail.

Suze said...

The snippet of your drawing is so tantalising...as always, so beautiful.

I'm sorry to hear you've had another issue with your home's motor. I hope it gets fixed soon and you can continue your life's wonderful journey.

And now you'll have me trekking every lane in East Anglia to find you!

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

Hi Both

Mel sends her love ,we are in Dingwall so signal is really good so getting as much done as poss before heading back into the hills.

Tui my friend you are getting to really know the lovely old truck inside and out

Hope to talk soon

Andy & Mel xx

ps we have got a mic now all we need is a signal ha ha

Ruthie Redden said...

The story you tell of your days, is always so enchanting Rima. you are indeed brave, brave in the sense that you are living your dream, how many folk are too afraid to trust their inner selves & go with their instint, really live * experience life to the fullest. you are both an inspiration indeed. wishing you well with you mendings & sellings & travellings *ruthie*

beadbabe49 said...

Lovely woods to park in and I like the idea of the truck gallery...hope the sales help with the repairs!

Ciara Brehony said...

Delighted to hear you got your book Rima! And that you like it!

As always you are perky even in the face of catastrophe! I do hope this is the end of mechanical problems for a good long while.

Happy Forest Dwelling in the meantime. C x

Alice said...

How I hope you are stranded long enough to enjoy the beautiful woods, but not too long of course :-)

I absolutely know what you mean in your last paragraph "I am not imagining some other time when I might do this thing I dream of. I'm doing it now ..." This is exactly how we feel and in those low moments, this is what we remind ourselves of.

Where we are staying now we have so many eggs from ducks, geese, chickens and turkeys that we have TOO many! Wish we could send them to you to enjoy, but think that will not make the post office happy at all :-) :-)

The Odd Bird said...

Hi Rima, I'm always so happy to see a new post of yours. I enter that beautiful world of yours and imagine I'm there. I'm so sorry you are such mechanical problems. Things happen for a reason so maybe you can look at it that way. Til your next post....

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Your rolling abode looks to be the prefect place to showcase paintings. I am happy for the sales. And, the owls. Good luck omens that they are.

Wondering....will you head to Scotland when it is warmer?

Edward and I send our best!

Joel Stewart said...

Ooh, I stumbled over your advert and drawing in The Wire, before I saw it here. Well done both!

Mokihana Calizar said...

Like everyone I am always delighted by your posts, and shaken awake to the ups and downs of living a dream. Our wee home is still in the creation, and your stories today help me to remember ... it is not a race but a journey.

Owl woman is grand, pointing as she is to the spot beyond now, and always. And what a beautiful wall your vardo makes for selling :)

Barry said...

No, I'm sorry to disagree with you, but you are brave.

I love vicariously partaking in your courage and your adventure.

Its great fun.

I wish you well.

Artsnark said...

Always a pleasure reading about your journey. Hope your latest repairs & exhibit both go well.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about more engine trouble. After staying so long on concrete I'm sure you would've got out and pushed it down the wooded track just to get somewhere peaceful.

Chilrden's pictures are wonderful. Ahh Baba Yaga and the chicken legged house. :-)

I hope you get the new part in plenty of time for you to enjoy the trip to East Anglia.

Unknown said...

I was so glad to read that you were finally leaving the garage only to hear that you now have a pipe problem. I hope it gets fixed soon, but I am glad you're back at the friendly forest spot where you have been so welcomed.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you received our little packet! Funny how that driving car looks so familiar... :-)

Those duck eggs were indeed the delicatest blue. Did you keep any?? They are so nice and springy to see today when we are watching the snow melt and not seeing much else of spring.

Yoli said...

Always a delight to hear from you! I am intrigued by your little crone who points wisely to her forehead. You and Tui are such a loving couple. You obviously complement each other. You are doing these cards so, you said once you were a Virgo, what is Tui?

Sarah said...

Hi Rima,
I only found your blog recently and have enjoyed each of my visits. Today my visit has taken me away from my life in a flat listening to my washing machine whirring, and straight into the woods to hear the birds and the wind in the trees. Thanks!
Sarah :)

Heather said...

What an interesting post - I am keeping everything crossed that your van will be repaired without too much cost, and take you to East Anglia without any problems. Good luck with the exhibition and album, and I loved the idea of the gallery in the woods. Glad you had some customers. I'm just off to take a look at the Goose Grail.

Nao said...

Love coming here Rima. Your adventures read like a story book tale. Your "Forest Gallery" is an inspiration.
How can anyone resist stopping by for peak at your and a cuppa tea.

Spring Blessings to you and Tui~

Chrisy said...

Oh my what a feast ur blog is! Wonderful art...tales about your life...just a fabulous magical place!

Unknown said...

Have you thought of taking to to the water? I could see you on a narrowboat cruising around enjoying the canals...no worries about where to stay or where to find water...no descrimination about being on a journey...we have one and its magic. Love your blog.

Half-heard in the Stillness said...

Morning Rima! Thank goodness you moved out from the garage.. in spite of the hiccups you are back amongst the trees... soon the weather will pick up and more people will be wandering by and buying... buying and you will no longer be strapped for a bit of cash!
People want more Art not less in a recession so 'WoooHooo!'

Big hugs,
Jane

Anonymous said...

I just found you via Etsy, quite by chance. Your drawings are amazing and your blog fascinating and inspiring. I'll get a lot of pleasure out of reading all your tales over the next days !
So glad I found you :)

Renee said...

What a lovely dream Rima.

You, your art, your words, your love and your hopes are a dream. A wonderful beautiful real dream.

xoxo

Renee

Anonymous said...

The important thing for me I think is that I am not imagining some other time when I might do this thing I dream of. I'm doing it now, and for all its hooting owls and cracked injector pipes, it is beautiful.

that sums it up, really, doesn't it?

Monika Kaiser said...

Hi :)))
I love your blog,
your art is beautifullllll just perfect :))))

mama p said...

The site of your side-truck gallery makes me smile so!! As if it were just waiting for that all along. :) Disasters and kindness and duck-egg blue...thanks for writing it all down!!

DrBobUK said...

Oh my!

I thought ... "What a weirdly wonderful face" when I saw 'Ajna' the sixth chakra. It gripped me like some kind of magnet before I did a double take and realised just what I was looking at. Thank you in advance for such a wonderful looking work. As ever, no rush to complete - her siblings/family/comrades are eternally patient.
I was thinking about your adventures and silhouetted trees only yesterday when I bumped into Noggin the Nog. Thanks too, for your consistently beautiful blog. May your weekend be sunny, productive and happy.
Bob
(p.s. I have the beginnings of an idea for another commission after Sahasrara .. if your clockmaking leaves some time.)

Janine said...

You are an amazing artist! My jaw is hanging in awe!

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

Gallery in woods, very nice :~) Have a great exhibition.

Rusted Wings said...

i'm drawn to your lovely sketches in orla wren, and congrats to tui and you and look forward to it's coming available....let us know how we can get a copy!
i love dropping in to your enchanted, earthy world!!
blessssings, abigail

Carrie said...

Hello Rima,
I've only just discovered your work, blog and website so will have many happy hours of looking back through your posts to look forward to! I love your work, all of it, really love it!
I've just watched your animation 'In the woods', utterly spellbinding, it's so dark, beautiful, and very 'Grimm' if you know what I mean!
I hope you fix your home without too much trouble - such a wonderful way of life, I have such respect for you...
Sorry for rambling!
Carrie...