The sea is a Temptress -  it seduces you , draws you towards it if not in.

The sea has always been a part of my life living so close to the coast and hearing it on the wind in the dead of night.  A strong feminine connection, a giver of strength, taking you back to the self, welcoming, soft, confident, a keeper of secrets, unruly, full of truth, rhythmic, timeless. 

An experimental piece of painting threw up some challenges. It is different from my usual style.   It began drawing in charcoal, neocolour and pencil, overlaid with paint and pastel, various mediums and colour.  During the process, the thoughts kept coming back to what ' the sea means to me'.  The textures, flat areas, some smooth but some rough and energetic felt very elemental. Capturing all the feelings of that connection I have with the ocean. It felt like a visual poem of thoughts and words.

I recently came across  a lovely anthology 'The poetry of sea swimming'.  Here is one poem form Morvoren.

It really resonated with me. The 'feel ' of swimming all year round in the different seasons. 

'HAIKU OF THE SEASONED SWIMMER'

Spring

Early warmth cloud free, easy to dip deep below steely green surface

Summer

Blissfully floating, bright rays of hope and goodness stay with me and smile

Autumn

Feel the change, slight bite, welcome the vital revival , longer to warm up

Winter

Challenge the darkness, breath sharply taken away, nipples like limpets

                                                                                             Kate Barden