Brush up your Shakespeare...Poetry Corner

Here's the latest offering from the poetry corner - it's a poem by Shakespeare and one I like for it's final lines which are very uplifting.

Sonnet XXIX

When in dispute with fortune and mens eyes,

I all alone beweep my outcaste state,

And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,

And look upon myself and curse my faith,

Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,

Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,

Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,

With what I most enjoy contented least,

Yet in this state myself almost despising,

Haply I think on thee, and then my state,

Like to the Lark at break of day arising,

From sullen earth sings hymns at heavens gate,

For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings,

That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)

There is a lot in this poem, the lines following on each other in a natural rhythm, speaking of things that we all experience. The metaphor of the lark arising from the sullen earth makes us feel like flying up into a bright blue sky on a sunny morning. Each word is so precise and conveys so much that it seems impossible that any other could take it's place. Shakespeare isn't known as one of the best writers ever for nothing...

Swans and Cygnets - Not so recent work!

As I am so busy outside of work with house projects at the moment I thought it might be the time to show some work I did a long time ago. The above is a painting that is hanging in my house. I don't think I could part with this painting easily. It was one of my first attempts to create a really professional level painting. At that time, early 1990s I felt I was really starting to improve beyond the level I had been at previously. Now I realise how far there really is to go, and how far imagination and creativity can be stretched. Still, feel free to post comments about this work...I enjoy the feedback, good or bad.

Reference Photos - gathering painting ideas.

This is a photo I have been given by a friend as a possible reference for painting. The lighthouse is in Northern Ireland I believe, if I remember what they said. I have to ask again. It's an interesting enough scene - so might add it to the list of possible candidates for a painting. If I had been there I would probably have tried to take a photo with more expanse of water in it. Having said that, it's a great photo and well taken. I think I'm getting too critical!