3 November 2005

Picture perfect

A very brief post after the world’s longest working day (well, maybe not - I’m not a junior doctor, after all) followed by a sojourn in the pub (we didn’t win, but we managed to avoid the crap wine prize - trust me, this is an achievement!).

The college building where I am working in Leicester at the moment is delightful for a number of reasons. One is that it has great views on to Leicester’s Jewry Wall and Museum. Another is that there are regular art exhibitions adorning the walls.

For the past few weeks we’ve had glorious prints of trees. Lone trees. Pairs of poplars. A copse or two. A mighty oak.

Gorgeous.

This week, it’s been all change and to my shame I didn’t even notice straightaway! But when I did, how wonderful and transporting it was.

My office is very close to the front door of the college building. In order to see anyone, get food, visit the library or pop to the loo I have to walk down a small corridor, pass reception (and its very welcoming staff - another joy!) and then continue down a further corridor.

On the end wall of the corridor at the moment is a fantastic, vibrant, colourful painting in acrylics that stops me in my tracks whenever I see it. This is really saying something as I am not only stressed and anxious in my still-new job (how long can I get away with describing it thus?) but I have NO time to stand still. Every second is allocated. At least, that’s how it seems.

The picture that so captures me is a painting of an allotment. As a painting I’m not sure it’s very good. Composition all wrong (or some other such guff!). But it so strongly speaks to the part of me that wants to, sorry, needs to put my hands into the soil again that I have to say I have even thought about buying it (I can’t think of anywhere in the house it would go…). I can see courgette plants and climbing beans, carrots, lettuce, potatoes. The person tending the plants is indistinct enough that you can’t tell if they are male or female, but formed enough to suggest practicality, strength, patience.

The picture transports me away from the stresses and demands of my lovely-terrible job. I love it. But I’ve not even managed to take in the name of the artist.

Not such a brief post after all.

Filed under: Enthusings — Clare @ 12:06 am