This is not a proper blog

Lady of Copper Watercolours and metal foil. Based on photo by marketanovakphoto. The title refers to my attempt at using colours of copper compounds including the azurite and malachites of the background and shades (yeah, I might have been reading bit too much about copper corrosion at that time).

Zielona Kamienica (Green Tenement) Acrylics. There is something beautiful about buildings like this. Quietly tucked behind the grand masonry of representational arteries, back at the shaded streets, where the real life takes place. Somewhat forgotten, yet holding themselves with quiet dignity.

Gauche, Rice fields Mu Cang Chai, Vietnam. Image after: Digital Camera Polska Nr2/22, Getty images.

Dolmen de Keriaval. Watercolour. This neolithic is located at Mané-Keriaval, near Carnac, in department of Morbihan, France. It was originally covered with a coat of earthwork forming a tumulus. During the excavation works (which I believe were carried somewhere between mid XIXc to mid XXc) artefacts such as two clay spindle whorls, callaïs beads, Kerugou pottery and flint blade were recovered. This set of findings may suggest the dolmen being a resting place of women (due to the association with spinning tools and jewellery), and people of all genders in general. Image after CarthusianBiology, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolmen#/media/File:Dolmen-Keriaval.jpg

The deliquescence of Coprinus Comatus Gauche on paper. One day on a walk in mid October 2022, I noticed this curious growth, that looked as if it was melting. Obviously I had to learn what it was and paint it. So Shaggy Mane/Czernidłak kołpakowaty is an edible mushroom that just happens to melts itself as it ages, which starts within days after it appearing above the ground. The young mushroom must be quite tasty, as Polish Wikipedia gives a nice list of potential preparation methods. I suppose that could be due to it being a part of the Agaricaceae family (pieczarkowate), but then again Amanitas are also in this relation, so what do I know... Point is, it looks very interesting and very different on each day of observation.

Autumn Birch/ Jesienna Brzoza Pastel on tone (black) paper. A result of a long migraine day.

Lonely Tree in the Woods/ Samotne Drzewo w Lesie Pastel on tone (black) paper. A result of a long migraine day.

Amanita muscaria. Gouache on paper. Muchomor czerwony/ Fly agaric. Another of the September mushrooms. Amanita might be the mushroom one visualises, when having to imagine a mushroom, cause of course. It is common, beautiful and has aura of dramatic, being considered poisonous but also hallucinogenic, with wide history of ritualistic uses and rich symbolical meanings. Funny enough the Polish names literally means fly death, as apparently it was common in Europe to use it as a flykiller. Photo reference by Paweł Kozioł, 2008, Wszechświat, Tom 109 Nr 7-9.

Tylopilus felleus. Gouache on paper. Goryczak żółciowy/bitter bolete/bitter tylopilus. Photo reference by Paweł Kozioł, 2008, Wszechświat, Tom 109 Nr 7-9.

One of few experiments with gouache. Boletus edulis. Borowik szlachetny/porcino. Photo reference by Paweł Kozioł, 2008, Wszechświat, Tom 109 Nr 7-9.