Following her trip to Amsterdam, Rose has very kindly sent me Van Gogh's Vase with Cornflowers and Poppies (1887) for us all to enjoy, so my thanks to her for brightening this dreary day with some summer colour.
Related to this, do read Rose's comment (here) about Van Gogh and his wool, and click here and scroll down to see the box and contents.
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Speaking of paintings, yesterday I took coffee under the gaze of Dame Muriel, while the flowery Mr. Byrne - her neighbour on the wall - also looked down on the douce Edinburgh ladies there assembled.
When you are next at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, watch Helen McCook recreate the embroidery on some of the portraits. She is not there every day, but it is fascinating to see and ask questions. She is RSN trained, and is a gifted stitcher. She has also studied the history of the subjects of the portraits. Her next session is Friday 21st February, in the morning.
Posted by: Jane-Beth | 19 February 2014 at 03:39 PM
How interesting about Van Gogh's wool technique, I had not heard of that before.
We certainly do need the beauty of flowers to brighten the days, even when they are not dreary! Flowers as much as possible I say!
Posted by: Kathleen. | 19 February 2014 at 05:36 PM
I must be alone in that I never rated Van Gogh, especially what I consider his ugly sunflowers, but I love this painting!
Posted by: Margaret Powling | 19 February 2014 at 06:46 PM
Thank you so much for that, Jane-Beth. If I can't go tomorrow I shall look our for future sessions as I'd love to see Helen work.
Posted by: Cornflower | 20 February 2014 at 02:14 PM
Yes!
Posted by: Cornflower | 20 February 2014 at 02:14 PM
It is lovely, and I wouldn't have guessed it was one of VG's.
Posted by: Cornflower | 20 February 2014 at 02:14 PM
I really enjoyed these links - thank you. I had never heard about Vincent's idea for using wool to try out colours. Seeing the box almost felt like an intrusion; it seemed such a personal thing.
Posted by: Ann | 27 February 2014 at 06:53 AM