Happy Poisson d’avril!
After sketching this on the iPad ( with the inevitable inclusion of Gypsy, (and I don’t know why they’re dancing the syrtaki Greek dance, I should have portrayed them dancing the Ukrainian hopak…. that’s for next year’s! )
Anyway, I became curious as to whether other countries celebrate the 1st of April in the way Britain and France do. As well as jokes and tricks, here in France they cut out and colour paper fish to stick them to any unknowing person’s back when they can, children love this pastime of course! And for dessert we make or buy a frangipane pastry fashioned in the shape of a fish.
According to Wikipedia many other countries have their traditions, but because of these unsettled times, I was most interested to read that the city of Odessa celebrates it in a particularly special way, they call it in Ukrainian Гуморина (Humorina).
There they celebrate it in earnest as a festival with parades, free concerts, street fairs and street performances, there are some wonderful images on Wikipedia. Sadly, I doubt that celebration will happen today, so I’ve incorporated Ukrainian colours into my greetings, and hope fervently that next year they will be rid of war and tyrannical barbarism and free to lead normal lives, the right of everyone on this planet. There’s so much more I’d like to say on that subject but I won’t for now…….
Here also are this week’s portraits from the Monday morning’s 1 hour session @drawingisfree #drawingisfree. It’s a great way to start the week, with only 3 or 4 minutes to sketch there was paint, water, brushes and pencils flying all over the place, hence some of the sitters are looking rather fierce…..! Then I got a pleasant surprise from one of the artist sitters (Simon Fell) who requested to use my sketch for his Instagram profile, I’m really chuffed!!
Here’s the one of Simon, it’s not in the least bit flattering, however he seems to like it:
…and a few colour sketches I’ve done in the last few weeks. I’m currently working on an online abstraction course with Liz Hough at St Ives School of Painting. I’m really enjoying it, these aren’t from the course, I’m saving that work for a separate post:
And lastly some images of spring. Last night we had a frost and I’m hoping it hasn’t ruined the wisteria or the fruit trees like it did last year, there were no tresses of wisteria, and no cherries or plums for the first time ever….and while I write I just glanced out the window and it’s snowing!!
lizkingsangster 
Such a variety of creative endeavor! All of it interesting—much if it breathtaking!
Thanks Anita, I very nearly didn’t see your comment as I didn’t get a WordPress notification, so apologies for not replying right away!
Hello Liz, I love the Poisson d’Avril!!; I hope you did not suffer any! The portraits are very good, I always thought you were so good at them, ie those big paintings of mum etc. I can see why Simon liked his, there is something gentle about the eyes. Horrible freezing wind at the moment which belies the lovely sunny view from the window and the Spring colours. , lots love sue xxx
Thanks Sue, yes isn’t it cold, and we had snow yesterday! No, I didn’t get a poisson, but did manage to give one to G! xL
hello Lizzie, another lovely post, so many things to treasure; we had pesce d’aprile here in Turin, paper fishes etc, and April has brought showers for the first time in over 3 months, and first proper snow on the Alps, thank goodness. Your garden is looking so pretty, must get organised for our summer trip! lots of love to you xxx
Hi Ellen, that’s interesting you have the same tradition in Italy, it probably has a religious basis? Yes its pretty dry here too but very cold, looking forward to the summer and seeing you. Much love Lxxx