Isn't it something! I love the tea "resin" she created too. A pic doesn't do it justice. Happy to have inspired you though and lovely to have you here, Amie!
So many things that I love. Not least the pic of The Terrierist. Lovely dog.
I love the painting and the raku fruit best of all but have a feeling that if I walked into your house, I would go from room to room and be in love with all the personal aesthetic choices.
In this current fierce turmoil, I have found quiet comfort in this post and wondered, if for this week, I could copy the idea as I am so flummoxed by the global progressions, that I'm like a stunned mullet (a classic piece of Aussie slang from the 1950s that refers to a person who is completely and utterly stunned, amazed, dazed or otherwise stonkered.)
Lol Prue you had me at "otherwise stonkered!" And please! Be my guest re: subject matter. I would be honoured! Thanks for this too, very pleased this spoke to you xo
Thanks for this wonderful piece Sue. One of my favourite things is a chipped tea pot and lid less sugar bowl that belonged to my great grandmother. She was killed during the bombing of Birmingham during the Second World War. My mother was left with her most days, as her own mother was working in a factory. My mother was devastated when she was killed, and says she would sneak into the ruins and look for anything that had belonged to her beloved grandmother, and so we have the teapot, a symbol of the love and endurance of my line of women.
Good morning Sue Sutherland-Wood! As much as I liked your previous avatar, showing you holding a house painter’s brush, I’m beyond delighted to learn more about you in this new iteration. I want to congratulate you on your one-year SubStack anniversary. This is my non-writerly opinion: That with your new avatar you realized you had thoughts and experiences that deserved to be shared. And that realization empowered your writing and art considerably. Brava!
Dear Sue .. there are SO MANY things for me to like and comment about here that I will add a more detailed comment in due time. Be it known for now that I truly love this one. As ever, many thanks for your insight , words and wit !💜
I can easily picture Albert Templar painting that beautiful piece of art in the corner of a room with light streaming in the window. What a great “coincidence” to have a piece of his.
And a snow faced dog is always worth sharing.
I loved this, “It is important – for all of us, I think – to stop squandering entire blocks of time fretting about the shadows of things that may not come to be, especially after we’ve done all that we can.”
So pleased to see you here, Stephanie - thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. (Especially about that snow faced dog, known as Stanley - he makes me laugh, daily!)
As promised, here is my more detailed follow-up comment, Sue...
I adore this post and will admit that it's inspired me to get to work on a little essay of my own favorite (sorry, favourite!) things. Thanks to you, I am practicing taking stock and being grateful-- it's not at all cringey and naïve, it's helpful and profound. The quote from Michael J. Fox speaks volumes and is so helpful.
Here in the US of A (what a farce. United???) it is difficult not to succumb every morning to darkness and despair when hearing about the newest outrageous injustice being perpetrated on our citizens by the dictatorial government that has usurped our democracy. I, like others, am terrified of what could come to pass. I have my own thoughts but will not speak them.
OK-- enough of that!! As to your questions, I am IN LOVE with the still life by Albert Templar, and also your story about it! You know I'm a painter, right? I was also a ceramics artist , got my BFA degree in ceramics, made lots of pottery, and did raku firing too, in art school. So I love that beautiful raku vase.
Now I need to get to work on finding some of my Favourite Things to write about.. sending warm hugs from chilly New England.... xox karen
Such a heavenly comment, Karen and so thoughtful too! You've made my day yet again - also, really looking forward to seeing your own Fav Things!! Pleased this resonated and I shall smile for the rest of the day xo
Sue, this is such a wonderful way to bring us back to ourselves and what's within our power. We do have choices, many of them options to bring us toward light and gratitude, if we would only opt in for them. Those Buddhists knew what they were talking about with the whole "right here, right now" approach. Harder to do than it sounds, obviously, but what better way than to just notice and appreciate what's right in front of us. Thank you!
Loved your favourite things Sue. We definitely need some things to anchor us and give us a sense that the most amazing opportunities will pop up suddenly to offer up beauty and solace just before our heads explode. Your challenge to choose a favourite thing was interesting. I found in the search of these things the connection between the object and the people, environment or emotion connected to it that make them stick, give them space to be recalled and conjure up the essence embedded in them. I am now vacuuming up the hair from one of my favourite things as we speak! Thanks for sharing this. Always provocative.
Annie, your comments always bring such intellectual heft here, especially to a post featuring a Cat Clock, lol. And thank you so much for sharing such insight whilst vacuuming! You are amazing. Thank you! xo
Thank you for taking us on a little tour of your curations, Sue! ❤️ It's a simple, but delightful idea. And who doesn't love a good backstory? The still life painting is probably tied to my favorite with the tea cups. I love paintings of fish, even though he's dinner. And the tea cups have humor, of which I'm a fan. xo
The fruit is luscious and at first glance, I thought they were wooden! They're beautifully colored, almost velvety. I would love to paint them. The bowl that cradles them is beautiful, too. I also think one can never have enough vessels, especially bowls. Love them.
Congratulations on the one-year anniversary!! I loved seeing your art…my favorite was an easy choice, the tilting teacups sculpture! SO unique and inventive!!!
I’m looking forward to taking a look at the two very intriguing Substacks you recommended…I’m already one of Prue’s never-miss-a-post readers! Thank you for another wonderful read 😊
I noticed that my breathing slowed and I let out a sigh while reading your post this morning. Thank you! I needed this moment of calm and quiet in the chaos. A live edge wooden bowl, a beautiful hand thrown coffee mug, a seascape of the Maine coast all bring me comfort this snowy day.
Wonderful! How incredible regarding the Albert Templar painting! Meant to be. A really lovely piece. Thanks for sharing these special things with us. Such a pleasure.
I’m awestruck by the tea cup sculpture. I inherited my mum’s extensive tea cup collection and you’re giving me ideas!
Isn't it something! I love the tea "resin" she created too. A pic doesn't do it justice. Happy to have inspired you though and lovely to have you here, Amie!
I love your Albert Templar story and the library connection. Thank you Sue.
Thanks so much Catherine xo
So many things that I love. Not least the pic of The Terrierist. Lovely dog.
I love the painting and the raku fruit best of all but have a feeling that if I walked into your house, I would go from room to room and be in love with all the personal aesthetic choices.
In this current fierce turmoil, I have found quiet comfort in this post and wondered, if for this week, I could copy the idea as I am so flummoxed by the global progressions, that I'm like a stunned mullet (a classic piece of Aussie slang from the 1950s that refers to a person who is completely and utterly stunned, amazed, dazed or otherwise stonkered.)
Lol Prue you had me at "otherwise stonkered!" And please! Be my guest re: subject matter. I would be honoured! Thanks for this too, very pleased this spoke to you xo
Me too, lol!
AND I neglected to thank you for the recommendation. That's really kind.
My pleasure, Prue!
“Stunned mullet” = “stonkered”!!! Loved more of your “Aussie-isms” 😊
Brace yourself...
Thanks for this wonderful piece Sue. One of my favourite things is a chipped tea pot and lid less sugar bowl that belonged to my great grandmother. She was killed during the bombing of Birmingham during the Second World War. My mother was left with her most days, as her own mother was working in a factory. My mother was devastated when she was killed, and says she would sneak into the ruins and look for anything that had belonged to her beloved grandmother, and so we have the teapot, a symbol of the love and endurance of my line of women.
Oh, such a sweet, heartfelt memory - thank you for sharing this, Helen. Tea and endurance so often seem to be linked, don't they? xo
Good morning Sue Sutherland-Wood! As much as I liked your previous avatar, showing you holding a house painter’s brush, I’m beyond delighted to learn more about you in this new iteration. I want to congratulate you on your one-year SubStack anniversary. This is my non-writerly opinion: That with your new avatar you realized you had thoughts and experiences that deserved to be shared. And that realization empowered your writing and art considerably. Brava!
Thank you, Gary!
Hear hear!
Dear Sue .. there are SO MANY things for me to like and comment about here that I will add a more detailed comment in due time. Be it known for now that I truly love this one. As ever, many thanks for your insight , words and wit !💜
So pleased that you "get this" as I hoped you would! Cheers Karen, you're the best!
I can easily picture Albert Templar painting that beautiful piece of art in the corner of a room with light streaming in the window. What a great “coincidence” to have a piece of his.
And a snow faced dog is always worth sharing.
I loved this, “It is important – for all of us, I think – to stop squandering entire blocks of time fretting about the shadows of things that may not come to be, especially after we’ve done all that we can.”
So perfectly said.
So pleased to see you here, Stephanie - thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. (Especially about that snow faced dog, known as Stanley - he makes me laugh, daily!)
As promised, here is my more detailed follow-up comment, Sue...
I adore this post and will admit that it's inspired me to get to work on a little essay of my own favorite (sorry, favourite!) things. Thanks to you, I am practicing taking stock and being grateful-- it's not at all cringey and naïve, it's helpful and profound. The quote from Michael J. Fox speaks volumes and is so helpful.
Here in the US of A (what a farce. United???) it is difficult not to succumb every morning to darkness and despair when hearing about the newest outrageous injustice being perpetrated on our citizens by the dictatorial government that has usurped our democracy. I, like others, am terrified of what could come to pass. I have my own thoughts but will not speak them.
OK-- enough of that!! As to your questions, I am IN LOVE with the still life by Albert Templar, and also your story about it! You know I'm a painter, right? I was also a ceramics artist , got my BFA degree in ceramics, made lots of pottery, and did raku firing too, in art school. So I love that beautiful raku vase.
Now I need to get to work on finding some of my Favourite Things to write about.. sending warm hugs from chilly New England.... xox karen
Such a heavenly comment, Karen and so thoughtful too! You've made my day yet again - also, really looking forward to seeing your own Fav Things!! Pleased this resonated and I shall smile for the rest of the day xo
I like all your pictures, but you won’t be surprised to hear that I (who share my life with a border terrier) loved best your terrier in the snow.
Sue, this is such a wonderful way to bring us back to ourselves and what's within our power. We do have choices, many of them options to bring us toward light and gratitude, if we would only opt in for them. Those Buddhists knew what they were talking about with the whole "right here, right now" approach. Harder to do than it sounds, obviously, but what better way than to just notice and appreciate what's right in front of us. Thank you!
Loved your favourite things Sue. We definitely need some things to anchor us and give us a sense that the most amazing opportunities will pop up suddenly to offer up beauty and solace just before our heads explode. Your challenge to choose a favourite thing was interesting. I found in the search of these things the connection between the object and the people, environment or emotion connected to it that make them stick, give them space to be recalled and conjure up the essence embedded in them. I am now vacuuming up the hair from one of my favourite things as we speak! Thanks for sharing this. Always provocative.
Annie, your comments always bring such intellectual heft here, especially to a post featuring a Cat Clock, lol. And thank you so much for sharing such insight whilst vacuuming! You are amazing. Thank you! xo
Thank you for taking us on a little tour of your curations, Sue! ❤️ It's a simple, but delightful idea. And who doesn't love a good backstory? The still life painting is probably tied to my favorite with the tea cups. I love paintings of fish, even though he's dinner. And the tea cups have humor, of which I'm a fan. xo
Thanks Lani! And you're so right - without humour (and a spot of whimsy)we're basically done!
The fruit is luscious and at first glance, I thought they were wooden! They're beautifully colored, almost velvety. I would love to paint them. The bowl that cradles them is beautiful, too. I also think one can never have enough vessels, especially bowls. Love them.
Thank you so much, Mary B! I love them also.
Congratulations on the one-year anniversary!! I loved seeing your art…my favorite was an easy choice, the tilting teacups sculpture! SO unique and inventive!!!
I’m looking forward to taking a look at the two very intriguing Substacks you recommended…I’m already one of Prue’s never-miss-a-post readers! Thank you for another wonderful read 😊
I noticed that my breathing slowed and I let out a sigh while reading your post this morning. Thank you! I needed this moment of calm and quiet in the chaos. A live edge wooden bowl, a beautiful hand thrown coffee mug, a seascape of the Maine coast all bring me comfort this snowy day.
No one is more pleased than me to hear all this - thank you so much xo
Wonderful! How incredible regarding the Albert Templar painting! Meant to be. A really lovely piece. Thanks for sharing these special things with us. Such a pleasure.
Thank you for your comment Beth T, it is most appreciated as always!
Also, even though things are 'just things', I do think that sometimes they find their way to the right person :) Cheers!