Many of our little illustrations and prints originate from our own garden or surrounding area, but sometimes you need a change of scenery to fire the imagination and inspire the creation of a new design. The weather didn’t help this year as the sun played hard to find, often wet and cold, dampening artistic flow. However, on a trip to the Cornwall and Devon border we managed to catch some golden rays, golden memories, and natures beauty to fire up the imagination.
View of Clovelly Harbour
A visit to Clovelly in Devon was the destination where one of our latest designs was born. It was a wonderful day out in fact it was 2 days out but whose counting. The admittance at the time meant you could go back free within 7 days, so we took advantage of the offer, it also included admittance to the lovely Clovelly Garden which is a real jewel.
The walk down to the harbour is steep and very slippy, the cobbled surface not easy to negotiate, and being the older of our team and the sort who hits the deck at every opportunity, I had to be careful. I wouldn’t want to attempt it on a wet day. The climb back up was something else, but having been there years ago we knew what to expect and puffed our way back to the top without the need for a push. You can if struggling book a Land Rover to take you to and from the harbour area.
Clovelly is a walk through history, where cars can't venture and goods destined for the quaint little houses clinging to the cliff, are transported on sledges. Information and a peek into the history of Clovelly, can be view by watching a small film shown within the visitors centre at the top, and by visiting the Kingsley Museum and Fisherman's cottage as you make your way through the village. https://www.clovelly.co.uk/things-to-do/fishermans-cottage-kingsley-museum/
From the start whilst having a coffee in the visitors centre, we were enchanted by the vista. Clovelly is an artists dream, but our new little design, wasn’t inspired by the gorgeous views, sweet houses, or picturesque cafe garden we visited, but a special little succulent in Clovelly garden. Sheltering under glass with an array of wonderful plants including lemons, our eyes were drawn to something we grow at home, an ancient little plant which due to its hardiness, symbolises resilience and endurance, a great reminder of how we felt about the little village of Clovelly itself. Here our little Houseleek design was born, funny how it took this visit to inspire us to paint something we see daily at home.
Houseleeks and Lemons........... two smaller tiles are from our garden.
You can now find our Sempervivum inspired stationery on our website and why not enjoy 10% off using the code 'changeofscenery' at checkout. Offer ends midnight 31st December 2024. Only available on Sempervivum letter writing set and greeting card. UK customers only.
Clovelly webpage URL: https://www.clovelly.co.uk/
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