Last week we ran away, it was quite unplanned and not that far, for Jackie Morris came to play. We had the most wonderful, creative few days together, walking, talking, sharing tales by the fire and listening to the stags bellow as the leaf colour changed.
We stayed at a favourite place, Northmoor House, where the scullery became a dark room for playing with cyanotype, the piano a backdrop for a short film for this year's Help Musician's Christmas card, which is now in the editing stages.
Northmoor has the most wonderful atmosphere, I love its long corridors, the collection of colourful carpet runners that invite you to explore, each time we visit another secret reveals itself. The textured paintwork and eclectic collection of ornaments and paintings make it feel loved & lived in. The house invites you to feel relaxed about how you use the space, it's not overly precious or crudely and unsympathetically modernised with wet rooms and hot tubs - its deep Victorian bathtubs are heaven. It is a space that inspires creativity, and I know that we are not alone as many artists and writers stay each year.
A recent visitor to Seven Fables kindly gifted Christopher the chemicals to make Cyanotype - Northmoor provided the perfect space and room to play. Jan Jan went off in search of a key, and found a beauty that belonged to the log store, which in turn inspired Davina to play with keys and cats, while Jackie created paper cut outs of her distinctive doves...
We took some wonderful walks along Danes Brook and to Burridge Woods leaving a labyrinth or two for others to find...
Others too had been playing with stones...
Amid the play we also we also did a little filming, but then we try to make life and work, a mixture of tales, art, play...
The film for Where the White Bears Dance will be released shortly so do look out for it this coming winter.
We look forward to returning to Northmoor House next summer with the Wild Folk family.
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