KaleidoScope: Our own gallery for members' art work, crafts and photographs.

Colin123

I am abut to get back into drawing - I need to get in the mood then I am ok...Great portrait !

Pandapaws

@Les525 I’m so sorry that your wife has long Covid. Must be very hard for the both of you 

Les525

Colin123 said:

I am abut to get back into drawing - I need to get in the mood then I am ok...Great portrait !

Hello Colin, I have to be in the mood as well. I have started a drawing of two of my grandchildren. It is a work in progress, but I will only go to it when it feels right to do so. I have also started to write a novel, that is a different process, enjoyable, but I can only look at it when it feels right. you will find your moment. Stay positive.   

Les525

Pandapaws said:

@Les525 I’m so sorry that your wife has long Covid. Must be very hard for the both of you 

Thank you Panda paws. I have found it to be quite lonely sometimes as Jane does not get up until much before 2.30 to 4pm most days. I do my best, but all my hopes for doing things together seem to have gone. Like I said to Colin, I try to be positive. x

Grinchy

@Les525, thats a lovely portrait, sorry to hear about your wife, i hope her symptons ease, take care

Les525

Thank you Grinchy. I hope so too. 

Colin123

Wish I could write a novel, my neighbour says I should do so as she says I have an interesting life from youth … Hope things are well with your wife and hope to get to read your novel too. 

Les525

Hello Colin, Thank you for your wishes. 
It is said that every one has a book to be written inside them. My attempt is based on an experience I had many years ago; the experience was as weird as they come, but it was as real as I am. 
My wife said that no one would believe me, but it would make a good novel. For many months I have been writing for my grandchildren a history of my life. As I knew little about my parents I wanted to leave them something about my life.

That would be a great place to begin, the reason being you know the story, trust me the memories will come flooding back as you write.  

So, with the afore mentioned attempt at a novel I started to write as though I was telling my grandchildren the story and I put myself in there as narrator but expressing how I felt. it is a cathartic experience. sometimes I leave it for weeks, then go back to it when i have something to add. I read and re-read it and make changes, but I do not berate myself for the grammar or how it looks. it is my story. I am enjoying the experience of writing it. 
You go for it my friend, set up your page on your computer and start by telling people who you are and how you feature in the pages going forward, it will come to you, but don't make it a chore; it is not homework, make it a pleasure. 

I will put my written experience on here for you or anyone interested to read. Let me know what you think.  

Les525

This may seem far fetched, but it really happened. 

Paddington Station  

It was late on a day in October or maybe November, the exact day or month I cannot recall I had just finished an evening of study at The Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education in Maida Vale where I was studying Transpersonal Counselling.  It had been an intense evening.  I was tired and a little stressed mulling over what seemed like mountainous events going on in my life.  It was a dark cold and wet evening, the well but strangely lit platform had an air of sadness and despondency as people were waiting for the train that would pass through Teddington where I would change to get the train to Sunbury on Thames where I had a small flat.

As I was half taking in the metallic noises of trains arriving and departing the still busy station and watching people go past with their faces drawn and tired, a guy, possibly in his forties, quite thin, dishevelled with untidy greying hair, carrying a can of what looked like lager came wobbling along the platform.  I was drawn to this person because although he was not steady on his feet, he walked with some purpose.  

As he approached where I was standing, I stepped back to avoid him possibly knocking into me, I remember clutching a little tighter my ring binder type briefcase as though I might drop it if I didn’t, then to my utter surprise he stopped right in front of me turned to me and said in a very clear and lucid voice ‘Everything will be alright Les’.  With that he turned away and wobbled off.  I stood there watching him totter down the platform my mouth open looking for some immediate answer to what had just happened.  I wanted to go after him, but my feet would not move, I remember looking at my feet on the dampened ground my mind so confused I could not take it in.  The next thing I knew was my train coming into the station it seemed to make more noise than usual, so loud, I looked at the train with a somewhat startled expression that must have looked like a rabbit in headlights, when I looked back for the dishevelled man he was nowhere to be seen.  He was not on the train as it had not stopped yet.  Although there were a few people on the platform edging towards the slowing carriages there were not enough to make him blend into the background.  I boarded the train and contemplated walking through the doors adjoining the carriages to try to find him, but I convinced myself that he was not on this train as I was feverishly looking for him right up until everybody but three or four people were left to board.  I found a seat in the crowded carriage and sat there with my brief case on my lap, staring blankly at the people around me.  I looked out of the window but saw little apart from the lights from buildings and cars piercing the darkness and the rain as we trundled along.  The reflection of the woman sitting opposite me momentarily broke my vacant concentration and I continued to look around and people watch as one does on a train or bus.

The rest of my journey to Teddington was a mixed blur of confusion and wonder.  As we were approaching the station, I suddenly thought he may live near me and know me from someone in my street, I tried to rush off the train as it pulled into the platform, but the doors would not open until the train had come to full stop.  If I could catch a glimpse of the dishevelled thin man with his can of lager changing trains that would make sense, maybe I could ask him what he meant or where he knew me from, but nothing, he was nowhere to be seen.  After a few minutes with me standing again on a platform staring again into space my train to Sunbury pulled in with ridiculous normality.  I sat in a seat and pondered why this man had such an effect on me, why did it matter so much, I could avail no answer.  To this day I do not know who the thin man was, how on earth he knew my name and how he knew I was going through a stressful time in my life.  He will always remain a mystery to me.  He had a profound affect on my evening and I’m guessing on my life as its eighteen years since.  

As I write this memory, I wonder how many people have experienced something simple that has stayed with them for so many years and made a difference to their lives in even the smallest way.  This all sounds like a stolen tale of mystery; however, this is a true event and yes, still a real mystery.

I know this experience along with the others is something I will never forget.

Colin123

Well Les was a great read and you know how to write...enjoyed this while sitting in a hospital waiting room and this can be daunting but reading this was a nice change... Thanks Les for sharing a moment in your life.

Les525

You are welcome, Glad you enjoyed it. 

Colin123

When I can get in the mood

Les525

that is beautiful. you obviously have talent. keep drawing mate.   

WeeNana

My Daughters artwork for Children's Hospital ?

Colin123

Wow, That's Lovely , you have an artist on your hands, tell her to keep it up 

Les525

That is amazing. Your daughter has talent, try to get her whatever she needs to carry on with this hobby. 

Grinchy

thats really well done, i hope she does more!

Les525

I have been attempting to draw my two great grandchildren. it is a work in progress. I'm having a little trouble with the shading and the eyes need work...

Colin123

Hi
They look great, when I shade I faintly use my pencil then I have flat artist paintbrush to spread it in the direction it needs to go, try that on  piece of paper , practise makes better lol I have other things but that is my favourite and gives me what I want. Let us know what you think ?

marybottomley

The drawings are fantastic