If there was ever a TV programme called "Simply Avoid Dancing" there's a possibility that my husband and I might be invited to take part... Nifty little movers we are not!! But with the help of some fancy digital jiggerypokery, even we can cut a caper!

We might be serious about our Art, but we try not to take ourselves too seriously! 

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The Best Compliment Possible.

Yesterday I had a phone call from one of my oldest customers. He and his wife first visited the gallery when we had only just started up in Elsdon in 2000, when they bought some of the very first paintings I created there. These were vibrant still lifes on canvas of ceramics and flowers and very  different to the landscapes for which I'm now known. Because they were newly retired and love Northumberland so much, they often used to holiday in the area and always made a point of visiting me to see what new work I had on show. Occasionally they bought a new piece, but more often we simply shared a coffee and a chat.  But this year when I was writing their customary Christmas card, I realised that  haven't seen them now for at least a year so I mentioned this in the card.  My lovely customer phoned to tell me that he's bedridden now and can't visit Northumberland any more, but that my paintings continue to give him so much joy.

I feel incredibly privileged to receive such a beautiful message. I don't think I could ever have a better, more genuine or more touching compliment. It's very humbling..

Back by Popular Request- Dr Johnson's Favourite-Mulled Wine

It's that time of year when customers begin to ask for the recipe of the complimentary mulled wine that I serve to my customers every weekend during December. So by popular request,  here's a reprise of the blog entry I made LAST year. Enjoy!

Once Upon a Time many years ago, we discovered this old recipe for mulled wine called "Dr Johnson's Favourite". (The Dr Johnson in question being Samuel Johnson, the English author, poet and critic whose most memorable contribution to British culture was probably his Dictionary of The English Language published in 1755.)

I thought it had been in an ancient recipe book, given to me by an aged aunt on the occasion of my 14th birthday.... but hunting through my now dilapidated copy I found that this wasn't the case. My husband @pottedhistory AKA Graham Taylor, thought it came out of a long discarded South African magazine. We simply don't know.... But what we DO know is that we've been enjoying this warming, spicy concoction every Christmas for decades and that every time we serve it, people ask for the recipe, which we are always happy to share. By popular demand it was even printed in The Northumberland Gazette one year.

I don't imagine that there's an historian anywhere who could confirm that this truly was Dr Johnson's Favourite, but I can say for absolute certain that it's OURS. Give it a try, it might just become a favourite of yours too!

Dr Johnson's Favourite-

1 Bottle red wine

2 Medium orange sliced

1 Sliced lemon

3 Tablespoons of sugar (or to taste)

4 Cloves

1 Mug boiling water

1 Good measure brandy or orange liqueur

Put wine, orange, lemon, sugar and cloves into a stainless or enamelled pan over a low heat. Bruise the fruit with a wooden spoon to burst the juice cells, cover and heat till steaming but DO NOT BOIL. Remove from the heat, add boiling water and brandy/liqueur, sieve into a jug, add more sugar if necessary and serve in heat proof glasses.

It is best taken in congenial company, beside a warm log fire.

More Gorgeous Glass

On the principle that you just can't have too much of a good thing, here are some more pictures of  gorgeous glass and a sneak preview of some of the Christmas gift wrapping I've already done for a customer! 

Copperfoiled glass mistletoe 

 This artist made, copperfoiled glass mistletoe- created right here in Rothbury, will give you plenty of kissing opportunities for years to come. It won't fade or drop its berries- so pucker up!! 

Fused Glass Snowflakes- made in Cumbria

Presents ready to go under the Christmas tree!

My Winter Wonderland Christmas Window Display

Last year my Christmas window display was very traditional, with a vintage sledge piled up with wrapped presents whooshing across the whole window. This year I've gone for more stylish and sophisticated look with a mistletoe motif and a white and green colour combination. 

For me Christmas is all about love and family, so what could be better than mistletoe to give you the perfect excuse to kiss the ones you love!? 

The complete window display in daylight

You'll also find some gorgeous artist made work, that's perfect to indulge the most discerning  of your loved ones!

Mistletoe mobile centrepiece. 

"It Must Be Love" automata by Keith Newstead

Felt brooch kits in tins

Butterfly brooches by Melanie Tomlinson

Sculptural Glass hares by Rachel Elliot

Mouthblown Glass by Tyneside Artist, Jane Charles

My own ceramic robins on festive ribbons

Anodised aluminium jewellery by Miranda Peckitt

As well as all these pieces of gorgeous glass, jewellery and other treasures, I also have a fine selection of my own prints and original paintings of Northumberland. 

The window display in the dark complete with twinkling lights.

I hope you'll come and see my Winter Wonderland window for yourself- as the afternoons get darker, the twinkling lights look better and better. 

Please remember that Crown Studio Gallery is OPEN seven days a week during December. 

I offer a free gift wrapping service on all purchases, so you can select your items, go and have a quiet lunch or afternoon tea in one of Rothbury's excellent establishments and return to find your presents all ready to go under the Christmas tree.

Paintings of The Northumberland National Park

The final five 

At the beginning of October I was approached by The Northumberland National Park to see if I would provide them with five of my small, oak framed original paintings to be used as awards in their annual Award Ceremony in November. It was an easy enough decision to make- I was thrilled to be asked! The National Park includes so many of my favourite places, that I was confident that I already had a fair selection of pieces for them to choose from. But I also felt that I needed a few more paintings of Redesdale and The Hadrian's Wall area to give a broader selection. So I got very busy with the paintbrushes to create a few more works of key places.

Barrowburn in The Coquet Valley and Redesdale Bluebells

By the time The Park's Communications Officer, Frances Whitehead and her colleague arrived there were nearly thirty different landscapes to compare. I have my own personal favourites, but the chosen works had to represent the widely differing types of landscapes found throughout the whole of The Northumberland National Park.

Redesdale Sheep in the Heather and Outer Golden Pot in The Cheviot Hills

 It was a difficult enough process to whittle them down to the final ten, but to get the last five was almost impossible. At one point I feared it was going to be like X Factor- going into "Deadlock" and having to rely "the public vote". But eventually the choice was made. I'm still sorry that my "Lordenshaws" didn't make it, but never mind- it means that I can enjoy it myself for a little bit longer. 

Simonside Hills from Rothbury's Hillside Road

Normally I frame these small paintings myself, here in my studio using the solid oak frames made to my specifications by my Newcastle framer. But as the Park's logo and Award label needed to be included in the pictures' window-mounts, I sent the whole lot down to the framer to be finished. I'm not used to having to wait to see the final results, so it's been a strange anticipatory experience for me. Yesterday the five completed paintings arrived back here, needing only the final labels on the backs and a final signature, before they can be collected by one of the Park Rangers ready for Thursday's ceremony

Close up showing the Northumberland National Park logo inset into the window mount

. 

I so hope that the lucky recipients like them!   

Applying the title sheets to the back of the finished paintings

Lordenshaws

I still have the lovely, Lordenshaws with cairn looking along the heather covered Simonside Hills!

A Stylishly Spooky Autumnal Window Display

I love autumn- especially if it's sunny and bright like the past few precious days. The warm russet colours of the turning leaves seem to zing with energy against the cool, clear azure sky. The holly tree that overlooks my studio window is laden with scarlet fruit that attracts a noisy, boisterous chorus of hungry birds, determined to gobble up every single berry long before I can use them as Christmas decoration. It certainly is a time of "mellow fruitfulness". 

Beautiful barn owl.

I always like my gallery window to reflect the changes of season and to be topical- so this year I've gone for an owl theme, with a stylishly spooky mood. I've selected delectable silk scarves printed with "punk owls" by Age of Reason and juxtaposed these with an actual stuffed barn owl. (He's on loan from my taxidermist neighbour who is licensed to deal in protected species that have met an accidental and untimely end.)

Barn Owl with Age of Reason Long Grey Owl Scarf

I've added exquisite mouth-blown studio glass by local glassmaker, Jane Charles, in rich berry and heather hues. In the autumn light these pieces seem to glow with an intoxicating warmth. I've got new designs of prints, etchings and cards by printmaker extraordinaire Ali Read- including some delightful owlets. Plus I've extended my own range of ceramic hanging birds to include some cheeky little owls hung on ribbons printed with autumnal leaves. 

Glass by Jane Charles

Prints by Ali Read

My new ceramic hanging owls

And of course, I've included some pumpkins!

I think it all adds up to a mysterious brew of autumnal magic.... but  come and judge for yourself!!