watercolours by rachel blog
129 FOLLOWERS
My web page shows some of my original watercolour paintings, card sets and prints which are for sale. My name is Rachel Toll and I am a watercolour artist based in Devon, England. I love painting and gain much inspiration from the landscapes, wildlife and coasts of Devon and Cornwall.
watercolours by rachel blog
6d ago
Today on World poetry day and yesterday was International day of happiness. I though I would share some of my poetry and my happiness in pairing it to my work with all of you
I am also taking sanctuary in my studio, reflecting on my paintings, musing over what I have done and how it came about....
Me, in my rather messy studio, surrounded by the stuff that makes me happy.
Wow, I had no idea, that some fun times at the beach and my lack of body confidence would resonate with so many of you . A few of years ago I began painting my swimming ladies, just for fun and for a change ..read more
watercolours by rachel blog
1w ago
Hi , I am sitting in my little studio in my garden at the back of my house. The weather for the past couple of days has been dreary and light levels have been low, it doesn't really help to lift your mood. However we must do what we can.
For me my most valuable asset is my location, I can get straight out into the countryside, I see that glimmer of light, those glorious sunsets , it is a pleasure to walk up my lane. Soak up the views and see the colours. This photo was taken earlier this week, it was a real treat to watch the sun go down over the hedgerows.
I love hellebores, they are so unas ..read more
watercolours by rachel blog
3w ago
Today I am sharing with you all the blog I wrote a couple of years ago, but it is very apt for today. My village changes little, and yet I find something new in it everyday , I think we are all looking at the small changes we see everyday and rejoicing in them. It is right to acknowledge how tough things are just now, everyone has their own experience and each one is different and valid. I take a lot from my daily walk , which treads the same path everyday and yet somehow manages to offer something different.
So for all I have lost I have gained the joy of really looking, and seeing, an ..read more
watercolours by rachel blog
3w ago
So today is a day we don't see, very often a day we wait 4 years for.
I read these words from the amazing poet Donna Ashworth this morning and they resonated.
Leap…
Without this extra day once every four years, we would eventually lose our seasons as we know them. This day exists solely to keep us in track with the sun and I love that thought. Chasing light to stay right. Whatever you do today, look for the light. And whilst we are doing that perhaps we can take a little leap in the direction of the sun too. Reach for something shiny you’ve been afraid to feel deserving of. It’s all abo ..read more
watercolours by rachel blog
1M ago
As it rains again, so the ground is that's already wet gets wetter, I am sitting in my studio contemplating my next painting
We walked by the river yesterday in full flow
we also saw the beauty of nature, some amazing fungi
little daffodils, poking up through the soil , bravely showing us brighter days are ahead.
I thought about what to put in my blog this week and, I thought I would start a small series of blogs about some very simple techniques. They took me a while to work out but made life much simpler for me as a watercolorist. I must admit most things seem complicated ..read more
watercolours by rachel blog
1M ago
Anyone else fed up of this dreary weather, it's warm here for February but still very grey and wet . I try to get out when I can, here the river was in full flow
My cat isn't too impressed and is spending very unproductive days in her favorite spot
We have just had Valentines Day, so many people excited and happy to share a day with a loved one, others sad as they remember love they have lost. Supermarkets selling red roses and heart shaped chocolates, I was fascinated to hear St. Valentine was also a saint of bee keepers , so obviously he was a good man
I spent most of yesterday in ..read more
watercolours by rachel blog
1M ago
Busy days here at Watercolours by Rachel,
I have been trying to get my head around work that needs doing and new challenges that need facing, I need to get back into my painting let my work flow from the brushes and I can often do this by painting things that I love. Things that usually ( I stress usually ) work well. So although it is mid winter I couldn't resist a bee, and that got me thinking how my bees have evolved.
My first bees appeared in 2015, as you can see they were small and not as detailed , the wings were just a dry brush stroke of Cerulean blue, but I like my little b ..read more
watercolours by rachel blog
2M ago
Phew, I can't quite believe that we've made it to the end of January, but here we are at the beginning of February. And I thought I might start the month with some bright colours.
Outside my studio, the sun is shining. It's cold, but the blue sky always cheers me up. My snowdrops are booming
And some cyclamen are doing their thing
I even saw some primroses yesterday, real sign that Spring is on its way. Here in Devon we are famous for our hedgerows and at this time of year, they begin to fill up with wild flowers. If you look back through some of my blogs, you'll be able to see ..read more
watercolours by rachel blog
2M ago
Hello again, so we have got through another week. I hope you survived this week's storms , not really what we needed on top of everything else around at the moment.
Still trying to enjoy things day to day , been walking and watching the birds in the feeder , the other day the long tailed tits were having a right old feast...
Then after a dreary day the world can still surprise you with a lovely sky just before sunset. I just think we need to take whatever we can just now that makes us happy.
I must admit I sometimes can't think what to show you in my blog, I don't want to bore you ..read more
watercolours by rachel blog
2M ago
Hi , I am sitting in my warm studio, log fire burning, looking out on a cold frozen January scene. I know I should be admiring winter's cold beauty , the bare beautiful trees and the glistening frost,
but today I am wishing for warmer days, and summer sunshine,..
I am trying to get out, wrapped up against the cold, enjoying watching robins hop around my bird feeders.
I have really enjoyed the return of winter watch on BBC TV, seeing the creatures battle against the elements . the amazing barn owl hunt silently for it's prey .
I have been on my winter walks
However I am ..read more