Hello and welcome to another microseason!
Read to the end for a picture of our latest dog friend, Polo, who we are dog sitting this week.
It is officially summer as far as the school calendar is concerned, which is not to say that it feels much like it. It’s been a slightly chilly, slightly rainy microseason in Edinburgh, though I’m enjoying a bit of time off this week before my summer work starts up next week.
On the latest microseason walk, I peered through the fence of our local allotments to spot the first signs of raspberries amongst the brambles.
Raspberries are my favourite fruit, I think, partially because it is a fruit that has quite a bit of family significance. Raspberry cuttings have been passed between family members and have relocated with my parents across several different moves, still providing plenty for crop for my dad’s raspberry & black raspberry jams.
I’ve been playing around with an idea for a story inspired by some family history, retold through the notes tucked into an old heirloom bible. In this, I have this image of great great grandparents tucking raspberry cuttings in their bags on their way to America, like they used to do with grape vines.
So, when I think of raspberry bushes, I do think a bit of home. They are resilient adaptable plants, which produce such lovely, delicate fruits. They seem to be arriving at the same time here and in New York, too!
Sketchbook Notes:
This is something I started on location in my Yuzu Flex, then finished up at my art desk with lots of green pencils - a process time lapse is up on my Instagram.
And, as promised, here is a picture of Polo, who has been great company over the break.
