Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Edith Holden and April Watercolor

Hi my dear friends. I hope everyone is having a great start to spring and if you took a spring break, I hope you are home safe and sound.  It's a joy to be sitting at my computer today since the last two days have been spent emptying and cleaning the pool.  Not a fun job!

I'm always a little late (like quite a few years) with what is new.  Through some wonderful blogs that I read, I discovered Edith Holden and her books; The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady and The Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady.


As you may know, Edith's book shown above was written back in 1906.  I remember seeing this book in the book shop at Coughton Court when I visited in 2013.  Too bad I wasn't familiar with what I was looking at.  The inside front page reads:  "Gowan Bank, Olton, Warwickshire, Nature Notes for 1906".  The entire book is a facsimile of the original written in Edith's beautiful handwriting.  I purchased my copy of this book via an online bookstore for less than $5.00.  It's a hardback edition, printed in 1977 in Italy.


After I received the first book, I had to get Edith's second book; The Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady.  Again, I ordered this book online and it's a paperback edition printed and bound in The Netherlands. 


On April 22, 1906, Edith writes:
"Went to Bickleigh Vale, - a deep, narrow combe, running down out of the moor, with steep, wooded slopes on either side, and deep down at the bottom the river Plym winding it's way.  The ground was carpeted with Anemones and Blue-bells and here and there Primroses, and the tall, handsome plants of the Wood Spurge were conspicuous with their red stalks and pale green flowers.  It was the first name I had ever seen this plant......."

Above is my watercolor of Edith's Wood Spurge

Edith was a British artist/naturalist.  She was born in 1871 in Birmingham, England.  She taught school for a few years before marrying a sculptor in 1911.  She drowned in the River Thames in 1920 while trying to collect chestnut buds  from a tree on the riverbank. 

Her book, Nature Notes for 1906 was posthumously published in 1977 under the title of The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady.  Edith originally wrote this book to encourage her pupils in nature.  Many marketing items followed featuring Edith's art work.  Edith's great-niece, Rowena Stott, found Edith's diary in the family home in the mid 1970's.  She took it to a publisher who published this book which fast become a best seller.  For  me, this is such an amazing story to think about; Edith's notebook sat untouched for over 60 years until a member of her family discovered it in the family home. 

Edith was born during the Victorian age.  I am very taken with this era.  Beatrix Potter is a favorite of mine and Edith Holden is from the same era.  Both of these women were very ahead of their time living in such a structured Victorian society. 

As to why I was so late in discovering Edith Holden; Back in 1977 I was living in a small farming town in Eastern Washington.  I grew up in a small town so it wasn't anything different for me.  We had a small library that I visited frequently but otherwise, we were a bit secluded in what was going on. Our little town newspaper didn't have much news albeit potato prices, wheat prices, and local goings on.  Looking back, I have such fond memories of living 22 years in this little place.  It will always hold a dear place in my heart.

I hope I have not bored you with today's post.  It's exciting to discover something new that brings me such joy.

My best to each of you,

Pat

Linking up to the following parties:
The Art of Home Making Mondays...... 
Wordless Wednesday... 
Do Tell Tuesday..... 
Ivy and Elephants,,, 
Share Your Cup Thursday..... 
 Happy Friday...

21 comments:

  1. Hi Pat, I am so glad that you have discovered Edith Holden and your watercolor is simply wonderful! I have both books and also a gardening book published with her paintings - they are so lovely and inspirational. Isn't it so tragic how she died...but doing what she loved to do, I suppose. We are so blessed that her niece discovered her books and shared them with the world. Wishing you a beautiful week ahead. xo K

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    1. Hi Karen, it's always a joy to hear from you. Aren't these books the best? We are having your weather down here. The clouds are gray and I'm loving it. Hopefully, we will get some much needed rain. Enjoy your day. Hugs, Pat

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  2. It's a wonderful book, isn't it. i'm so glad you enjoyed it. Blessings

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    1. So nice to meet you Lesley. Yes, I love these books. They are filled with so much info and I love the history, too. Thanks for stopping by. My best to you :)

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  3. It looks like a wonderful book, hope you enjoy it.
    Meredith

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    1. Hello Meredith, thank you for stopping by and for your comment. I hope your week is going well.

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  4. How nice to be able to read such an old, but wonderful book on Nature. Your watercolor painting is beautiful! Have a nice week!

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    1. Thank you so much. My watercolor painting is far from perfect but it was so much fun to try and recreate the beautiful painting in the book. So nice to hear from you :)

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  5. Your watercolour is lovely!!! and your book looks interesting... I will have to see if our library carries it. Have a great day...

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    1. Greetings Erica. Thank you for your kind words. I think you may enjoy this book if you can find it at your library. Especially, if you like flowers and nature. Many thanks for stopping by today.

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  6. Your watercolour shows such talent! Good for you. I am very often "behind" with what everyone else seems to be discovering, but then I notice that I discover the thing just at the right time for me. Also, I bet your growing up years in that small town taught you a lot of things that you could never learn other ways - including perhaps a love of nature?

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    1. Thank you Christine. I agree, it was the right time to discover these amazing books.....it's opened up a whole new hobby for me. I have always loved flowers and now I have time to pursue this new interest. My best to you :)

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  7. you're so talented, I love the watercolors. My daughter loves to paint and draw, I admire such talent!!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by. My watercolors need more practice but I do enjoy this hobby. My best to you.

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  8. They're beautiful books and I never realized that Edith drowned in the Thames collecting chestnut buds - that's tragic! I love your watercolour - you have a real talent there. Have a great weekend and love to Lilly. xx

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    1. I'm so happy that you stopped by and thank you very much. Yes, these books are really fascinating. I will pass on your hugs to Lilly. She will be so happy. Have a great weekend :)

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  9. I enjoyed this post and your watercolor came out lovely. I also have one of her books and enjoy her artwork tremendously. Thank you for sharing on the Art of Home-Making Mondays this week! :)

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    1. You are welcome and thank you for stopping by and for your kind comment. These books are my favorites as they have so much to learn. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

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  10. I have Edith's Country Diary myself. It was a gift some years ago from a relative. Thanks for sharing and reminding me of that book of treasure paintings

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  11. I am aware of these books. Have one, but must get the other! Love, love your watercolor Pat. You did an amazing job! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  12. Pat, I think your watercolor is great! Did you do this only with the pencils and water and brush? What weight paper are you using? Could you give me the information on the pen you used to outline with? Thanks!

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