The world of Kinuko Craft is pure delight. Her exquisite work has been collected and loved, commissioned and exhibited for many years all over the world. Kinuko herself is a beautiful lady with natural charm and modesty and I was so thrilled to meet and talk with her, having been such a huge fan of her delicate work for many years. She weaves stories through paintings and transports you into the heart of myth, legends and fairy tales with the mastery of one with great talent and experience born of many years perfecting her craft. Often Kinuko’s work appears to have been painted many years ago and therefore the journey offered, brings with it feelings of stepping back in time. Her web site is www.kycraft.com - this truly is a box of delights.

(photos here) I’d never seen a pheasant up close until we lived in this part of the country and now we have our own special visitor who comes right up to the back door, peering in as though he’s been invited to tea! This is a male pheasant with the most vibrant coloured, iridescent feathers, magnificent tail and more tame qualities than is probably good for him.  In the springtime he brought his harem over from the woods. There were quite a few females, though they are much more shy and stay nearer to the back of the garden and instead of running away squawking like the male does when startled, they sit close to the ground and stay perfectly still – isn’t nature wonderful! The not so good part of living in the countryside though, is that you can hear the shotguns of the people who tragically, consider these stunning birds fair game. We all loathe those days and hope that in our own little way we are a refuge for the precious pheasants, may they flock here always…

Magical Blessings, Be

“Deeper meaning resides in the fairy tales told to me in my childhood than in any truth that is taught in life.” – Johann C. Friedrich Von Schiller