This picture for me , tells many a story ...
Treasure isn’t always something to have and to hold , but very often memories, that can be sustaining, nurturing and encouraging. This picture contains a lot of that for me. A rural Scottish cottage I have always loved and chose over city life. We had a fine dwelling house in Edinburgh’s fashionable new town, which we decided to sell and head to the country to paint and create and live more simply. The inspiration to do this was largely this old cottage you see in the background, namely Dalbuie. In the Gaelic, meaning ‘An agreeable place’, and so it is. Another meaning is ‘Yellow field’ which I suppose back then (more than 250 years ago) would mean favourable pasture. This old treasure has been George’s family holiday home for 50 years this coming February. In many ways it has been a constant for many of us. Other homes have come and gone for different reasons . But Dalbuie was always there. It is now time for it to pass to the care of another, for new treasured memories to be made. And we wish whoever that may be as much happiness as we have known . Hydrangeas, I have known all of my life. My Grandparents' garden, parents' garden, never in mine because I found them too blowsy, and the most dreadful show offs. But the years have softened me, and probably mostly entering the flower world, where my eyes were opened to see beauty in a new way. Constance Spry always encouraged it. They are now a best flower friend and provide both Summer and Winter floral inspiration. These lace caps are a little less showy, and very lovely. Lots of cuttings being taken. And lots of the blowsy girls too! What a wonderful weekend it was ... my first and last wedding of the year ... and I could not have had a lovelier bride to work with. From the first time Amy and I spoke, I knew instantly that we were perfectly suited to create and style her beautiful wedding together. Like so many couples this year, Amy and James had their disappointments with their wedding being cancelled in May. So, it was all the more special that this day be perfect for them, and it was; absolutely perfect. Here is a little snippet of the flowers being created in our studio gallery. I had designed meadow boxes for the church windows , and here they are being created. My dear friend Carole took this dreamy picture. Not only is she a fabulous cook and stylist, but pretty nifty with a camera too. Carole has always loved photography, but she has taken her craft to a higher level. I so appreciate her discipline and dedication to perfecting her photography, through lots of practice and some tuition. I love what she is doing now. Carole came on board for this wedding to help. We had the best of fun playing with flowers and styling to our hearts content . It was very important to me to make this wedding as beautiful as I could for Amy and James, and I am happy to say they were delighted. I felt my vision was realised, and both these things have made me very happy; but mostly Amy and James' delight ... and not forgetting Amy’s beautiful Mummy . One of the most stylish ladies I have met and a sheer delight.
Sometimes a simple little jug is enough to start the day with... Hope you all enjoy this beautiful sunny day...a time to be still.
by GILL STEWART
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AuthorsGill and George Stewart, artists, are Love Dove Cottage and Dove Cottage Studio respectively. Together we are Love Dove Studio. Kinda cute, huh? Archives
October 2020
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