Wednesday 4 November 2009

The November Clock


THE NIGHT has begun to nibble at the tail ends of the days more and more, so that at 5 o'clock the chickens have retired to their coop and our lanterns must be lit - we are getting through lamp oil faster than ever.
The walk through the woods to the village is auburn now, and beautiful in its shedding.



November is here, and with it comes a new Once Upon O'Clock! This one is for Tess, a dear lady who ruminates inquiringly on a miscellany of spiritual paths and ideas over at her excellent blog Anchors & Masts. Tess asked me to make her a clock to celebrate her stepping into the autumnal phase of her life. She asked for a white haired wise woman in a forest or a cave mouth, and stars and moon, she asked for regenerative ivy, and colours of autumn, with a hint of winter. This crone-clock was a lovely commission, and I hope I have managed to make what Tess hoped for. The white-haired woman opens a round door in the roots to an Underground Place. What magics take place there we can only guess at by the smoking of the chimney. Perhaps it is the root-door to time itself?

(please click to enlarge)

This November Clock is painted on a delicious slice of Yew. Finding interesting pieces of wood for my clocks is a job in itself, and I was lucky to be offered some slices from a well seasoned Yew log in the workshop here. The wood is dense and orangey in its colour, which compliments the autumnal pallet, and the grain positively undulates! The inner area of the tree (another circle of time) is outlined by a natural dark edge which I used for the border of the image.

(please click to enlarge)

A little while ago I wrote to all those on my Once Upon O'Clock order list to say that I was unable to continue making clocks at the rather low price of £150. I found that I was favouring other paid work over fulfilling clock orders as they take over a week to make each and £150 is not really an adequate exchange for my time. So the price has gone up to £250, and this is the first clock I have made at that price. I was delighted that so many folks were so enthusiastic about these Once Upon O'Clocks, and I wanted to make them affordable items for people, but now I am able to look forward to painting the next custom clock and know that I will earn a reasonable little purseful of money from it too.. unfortunately a necessary consideration for us as makes a living by hand this way.



Anyway, the November Clock is on its way to Tess now, and I hope she delights in its ticking away these leaf-rustling, trick-or-treating, apple-and-chestnut days.


76 comments:

Athena's Armoury said...

It's simply gorgeous.

Simple Mama said...

The clock is beautiful. Such lovely detail, emotion, color! I'm sure the new owner will be just thrilled.

Anonymous said...

SHE WILL LOVE IT!
AS FOR THE PRICE IM SURPRISED YOU ONLY CHARGED $150 BEFORE
THATS GIVING THEM AWAY.
YOUR WORK IS WORTH MUCH MORE!
TO BE IN YOUR BRAIN FOR A DAY WOULD BE A GIFT TO SEE THE WORLD THROUGH YOUR EYES AND APPRECIATE IT THE WAY YOU DO
HAVE A GREAT FALL DAY

Alice said...

absolutely beautiful, as always :-)

krisztina maros said...

wonderful clock!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely way to tell time.
Beautiful work. It reminds that fall is a time for shedding off old things and enjoying the warmth of a good fire.

Mafalda Seguro said...

Hello Rima,

I first saw your blog when it was considered a blog of note. Since then I came here to pick your new wonderful clocks and news!

Your work is really amazing, and I really hope one day to be the owner of one of these great clocks. :-)

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Lucky, lucky Tess. Such a beautiful way to enter the autumnal phase of life...through the round door in the forest.

Christine--RHP said...

the clock is magnificent--Tess will be delighted, I'm sure.
As for your pricing--you hit the nail on the head! Princing your work in such a way that YOU feel good about doing the work in the proper frame of mind is the best guideline. win-win.

mermaiden said...

how gratifying to be able to feel and receive the value of your artwork. blessed existence!

Tess Kincaid said...

Your clocks are amazing, Rima.

Mervyn Joseph said...

Amazing work, Rima.
And a splendid addition to
your existing body of work.

Joana Su said...

Amazing work as always!

Dusty Dudley said...

What a wonderful, beautiful clock!

Anonymous said...

I hope you pay taxes on your sales. I have heard about you gypsy folk and your ways.

Heather said...

Tess's clock is just magical. I have been like a child in awe as I looked at it and can't find words worthy to describe it. I know Tess will be thrilled with it, and who wouldn't be? I love the 'Spinning Wheel' clock too and am glad you upped the price for them - £150 was far too low. I hope you get lots more commissions.

Anonymous said...

That's proper lovely!

Anna x

Regina Rozenbaum said...

Hello Rima
I'm from Brazil. It was a delicious surprise to find your blog...Your work and thoughts is really amazing. What a beautiful way to tell time.
Kisses in your soul :)
Regina
www.toforatodentro.blogspot.com

Lydia said...

Lucky Tess gave you a great idea for the commission and now you both reap the harvest of what came. It has beauty and it has soul, as all your clocks do. I decided to allow my hair to go gray in the last year so this particular clock is meaningful for me to see. Long may Tess tick to enjoy the clock's tock!

Anonymous said...

I find myself drawn to see the tick tockings of your world on a daily basis...to be able to craft such beautiful pieces in such a short time must truly be a treasured gift you have. You must wake up each morning with a smile on your face eager for the day ahead and with each adventure unfolding before you...We'll all be right there by your side as you let us through that magical door that you travel through each day!!

ShiftingFire said...

amazing work wish i had that much of a talent

Snippety Giblets said...

I think this is my favourite ever picture of yours - at least it's vying with "A mountain song". I love it !! It reminds me of Mrs Underhill in "Little Big" (my favourite novel). I hope I grow up to be just such an old lady :0)

Tres Crow said...

Thanks for sharing this amazing clock with us all. It is really incredible work.

Rebecca S. said...

My girls and I just watched The Fish and the Doll. It reminds me of our National Film Board films over here in Canada. Lovely and filled with silence.

Love the clock.

Daisy B. said...

I'm another person who found you through Blogs of Note. The clock is beautiful, and all your work is so lovely. I generally only follow blogs of people I know in real life but didn't want to lose your name because I hope to own some of your art one day.

Genevieve said...

It is so beautiful, I do hope one day I will have one of my own.

Barry said...

The clock design was inspired and it turned out beautifully.

Alina said...

The clock is amazing just like everything else in your Blog!

Clare Wassermann said...

A wonderful clock and worth every penny - it's hard I know but do value yourself adequately...

Chelle said...

I found your blog a few months ago through a friend. He really loved your work which made me curious.

It's all so gorgeous. You inspire me to do so much more.

Thank you
Chelle

Treegirl said...

Hello Rima,
I've been following your blog for some time now, and I must say that the November Clock is the absolutely brilliant! So far it is my favorite among the ones you'se shown us.
Keep up the marvolous work!

/Treegirl.

Tanith said...

You magical and enchanting blog has been a favourite of mine for such a long time. It feels like a place to come to lighten and refresh the soul a little... very special indeed :)

The clock is beautiful, your imagery is always so wondrous. Your art has so much tenderness in it :)
Best Wishes
Tanith x

laoi gaul~williams said...

a very beautiful work~i am sure the owner will cherish it forever.

hope you find a good source of lamp oil :)

VC said...

Hey Rima. Your blog is AMAZING!!! One of the best blogs I've seen.
The clocks are gorgeous. Good luck!

Yarrow said...

This is a wonderful clock, Rima. You are so very talented and I'm sure the clocks new owner will be so delighted.

I so love visiting here, it's like a break from the stressful world. Thank you for sharing :)

Jane Le Galloudec said...

I have been hovering at the opening of that door in the tree for a couple of years now... once I fell in but managed to just hold on to the door jamb with my fingertips. I think, at last, I may be ready to go in. Your clock has helped me make up my mind. Here I go!

Stacy Shpak said...

I hope one day I'll by your clock! I adore you))) really))) Take care and Good luck!

meldevespas said...

I'm in love with yous masterpieces!
It's all so beautiful. And i love your blog also. Here we can get sush a peacefull feeling.
Congrats
Kisses from Portugal

Anonymous said...

What a lovely clock. I know you are probably working flat out, but anytime you can fit in the Summer Crow would be fine with me.

Leslie said...

I found you thru Blogs of Interest and they weren't wrong, lovely, lovely images. Thank you.

John said...

I feel like I've stepped back in time. Beautiful work!

Anonymous said...

fantastic clock! and your route to the village looks very inviting :)

Anita said...

Your link was given to me by a friend, and I am so glad... beautiful blog, and this clock is stunning!

Anonymous said...

Your art has such an enchanting quality about it. If I hadn't checked out your parents' website, I'd assume you were a daughter of the Elves of Lothlorien. I hope they don't pop up one day to take you home!

christina said...

Oh...OHHH...there's really not much more I can say...it's perfect! Must start saving for one of my own, though I suppose I'd better check that our ferocious customs will allow something painted on wood into the country first!

wombat10 said...

I would love to hang a clock like yours in any room in my house. Beautiful works of art.

Hafija said...

Breathtaking!

Jess said...

What an inspiring piece of wood! The grain! The colour! You've certainly done it justice with your wonderful painting Rima, Tess will surely be over the moon.xx

Tina said...

WOW it is really incredible!=)
you are true "clock-master" (=,Rima! I'm painter, too, and I think your works are so original and pretty!!=)

Kenya said...

yay for november, the month i was born :-) i love chesnuts. and your artwork. amazing

kenya

Tess said...

IT'S HERE!!!!! Just delivered.

I've employed extraordinary self-control not looking (as you warned me) at this post so that the package would be a surprise.

As I stripped away the layers of wrapping I became more and more excited, like a little girl at Christmas, until finally our clock was free.

Rima, I love it. I have tears in my eyes typing this. It's everything I'd hoped for and more, I'll treasure it forever. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Julia Guthrie said...

That clock is just beautiful Rima, & worth every penny!

I dream of having one of your clocks actually... with dragonflies on :)
One day... & I will be glad to pay what it's worth.
xxx

Gillian Lee said...

Your blog is a feast for the eyes!

Triin said...

I’m first time here! You have a spectacular blog!

Kat_RN said...

How lovely. I like the idea of using a clock to celebrate passages of time. Yours is magical of course.
Kat

Cathy said...

What a beautiful work of art. I know the new owner will be truly blessed to have this piece.

Unknown said...

Wonderful! Your work reminds me of the work of Konstantin Kalynovych...maybe you know him...if not, then please take a look here: http://www.kalynovych.com/
Best wishes
Mette

Sue said...

I love living empty handed but oh, when it comes to things like this, I find I am completely and utterly coveting my blog friend Tess's beautiful and wonderful and amazing new clock :)

How much for postage to Australia? ;)

Gill - That British Woman said...

that is such a lovely clock and well worth the money, as they are a work of art.

Gill in Canada

Morgan said...

Beautiful, beautiful clock! It's gorgeous.

Martin said...

Occasionally, I stumble upon a truly beautiful blog. The Hermitage is one such.

Wonderful stuff. You have another regular.

Tejasplants said...

Extraordinary work! I found your blog through Blogs of Note also, and it's the most beautiful and marvelous blog I've seen. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and talents with those who would otherwise never get to know you!

Unknown said...

The clock tells time AND a story...lovely, lovely work!

Amanda said...

Rima, your art is gorgeous as ever. I had the children make shadow puppets at our library's storytime this week and it made me think of you. Hope the lengthening nights find you burrowing into a cozy spot.

Janine said...

So beautiful.

Steve Chasey said...

Wow! I stumbled onto this blog by random chance and it's one of the more unique ones I've ever seen. Reminds me of living on Hornby Island of the coast of British Columbia. Thanks for sharing!

Lauren said...

your work is ever so beautiful! thank you for sharing the images, and thanks also for answering my query via etsy. --lauren

Deirdre Bunny said...

Your site and your work are an intense display of sumptuous beauty! Each time I return, I am overwhelmed with the textures, colors and moments of a life I've never really had, of a world I've never really been to. It exists somewhere between waking life and sleep, between youth and the troubled road of adulthood. It's elusive, but I am fortunate enough to grasp it from time to time, in the burning glory of Autumn or peering out of my window on dark, Winter days... and now through your art.

Thank you.

Yoli said...

Each clock is more beautiful than the last.

Carolee said...

Absolutely breathtaking, as always - and I'm so happy to read you've adjusted the price a bit. The work you put into these makes them worth every bit of that and more! :)

~ Carolee

Anonymous said...

Yes yes yes, I am so happy that I have found your superb blog. Your photos are extraordinary and I love them!

My I borrow some photos to my blog if I refer to your blog?

Peace & Love

Agneta & Sweden

SilkandBone said...

I discovered your blog and website not long ago- your work is so beautiful.
I love your clocks, especially- and this one is no exception- gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

hey rima, i think your clocks are amazing... so eerily beautiful.
I would love to send you a card of real greetings; i love snail mail, though they are almost unnecessary in any social interaction... is it possible for me to send you something of note?

Chico said...

Glad to find this blog! It´s fantastic! I will visit often...

Alettesiriane said...

She will love her clock!Your price is good.Glad you feel better when making the clocks.I will love to get mine when the time comes.It comes when it comes.Enjoy the autumn/winter!

BT said...

Rima, that is a gorgeous, beautiful, inspired clock and I'm sure Tess will adore it. The price is just right now, far too cheap before. Have I moved up the list??? lol. A lovely post and I hope you are both keeping warm and dry. We are surrounded by water here in Ireland. Floods and more floods.