Bloomsbury Blooms

I have always been inspired by the softly colourful Art and gardens of the Bloomsbury group.

You might trace my love of decoration and multi dimensional creative interests to the way these Artists lived and worked.

Duncan Grant (1885-1978)Still-Life with Dahlias in a Glass For further reading click on this link.

What was the Bloomsbury group? | National Trust

Many paintings combined a Post-Impressionist approach to light and expressive brushwork, a sense of emotional weight influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Artists and a painterly palette reminiscent of early Renaissance art. Like their gardens, painted furniture, walls and canvases mismatched harmoniously with soft chalky hues of dusty colours.

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Art, conversation and tea in the Garden and Charleston Farmhouse

Our gardens over the last year have become so precious, if we are lucky to own a tiny bit of earth to plant in, even a window box , to see new life emerging has given us hope and a sense of not having to control all outcomes with clinical new life skills . Pops of colour and brilliant shades of green prove that the world is still turning and nature still knows what its doing.

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Flowers 💐 in nature resonate with memories of childhood and summer. The Bloomsbury Artists sought to capture this naive charm in their paintings and bent many established art rules. Think summers in the garden stretching into to early hours, barefoot , or swathed in linen and silk, a hotbed of discussion and ideas and more as the sun went down, and the conversation was accompanied by something cold and delicious.

Gardens can now once again become our sanctuaries where we share our lockdown accomplishments or simply sit with friends, blinking, slightly disbelieving that it is allowed. Did all that really happen this year?

To pay homage to creating art in gardens everywhere, I bring you a few of our friends patches of paradise, and some of the artwork they do. After 18 months of online sharing first daily and then weekly, our little art group managed a foray into our own Bloomsbury set . It was heaven. Allan’s beautiful garden was the perfect setting and the sun played ball too. !

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We even managed some drawing between all the catching up ! Kath, Allan Cherry and my trees and shrubs….

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And our little 🌟 Heather. The prize for achieving almost every art task all year despite personal sadness. Your art has come on brilliantly . Your stoic Meconopsis is a survivor just like you .🥰

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A marvellous use of topiary equipment… Sadly , this is not my garden..

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A few of our flowers at Skye blue house . I admit to still being better at instinctive gardening rather than knowing every name! Rather like playing with art materials or cooking- getting a feel for how things go together can sometimes be exciting. Especially when you’ve more intellectual pursuits to be getting on with like this lot..

Charleston Farmhouse

Here you can immerse yourself in the Bloomsbury site . Click the button. If travelling is not an option you can at least purchase some rather nice tea-towels online..

And if that isn’t an option either, then gather your attic essentials and an attitude of languid creative calm…

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A little pinch of Bloomsbury magic and a few vital ingredients. Drag out your Grannie’s watercolours, a big floppy hat, a kimono and a cocktail… Voila! ….

Who needs an art movement.. You got this already..

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Yvonne’s patch of splendour in her garden near in Spain

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Gilda’s Lovely Kent Cottage Garden

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Stella’s glorious poppies

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Jason’s New Hampshire garden

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The Stepping Out Healing Garden

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And my Mum’s verdant garden in Sussex !

A rare drawing time outside with no wind!

Wherever you are, I hope you are cramming in some much needed sunshine and visual joy exploring hedgerows, fields and your own backyards. And take a moment to wonder at all it’s haphazard, wild, colour clashing glory.

Whilst wearing your best kimono of course !

A little late but happy Summer Solstice

It’s already raining today, all the more reason to enjoy natures paint box while we can. Cheers! xxx

With Love Liz at the beach hut x