Montacute House in Somerset, England

On the morning of March 24th, 2013, I set out from Hollowell Cottage in Crewkerne, Somerset. I had a lovely stay and would love to devote an entire blog post to the experience alone, but the following images of Montacute House were captured shortly after I had finished my scrumptious full English breakfast (complete with free range eggs) and perfectly pleasant conversations.Here's my review for now:  "Three months after my visit and I am still reminiscing about my holiday at Hollowell Cottage. Nestled in the picturesque country side of Somerset, the thatched roof cottage was the quintessential English abode. After a long day of travelling, Heather even had a tray of coffee and a slice of carrot cake waiting for me. All the accommodations were top notch. The bedroom was equipped with a DVD player and the hallway was fully stocked with a library of DVD’s and reading material. The proper English breakfast was the definition of delicious, complete with locally produced bacon and eggs. I’m hard pressed to believe there is another B&B in all of England that could compare in terms of quality comfort and hospitality. It was an absolute delight!"  

The plan at the beginning of my trip had to be altered due to the treacherous rain in the region of Devon. I had initially wanted to visit Flete House in Devon which serves as Mrs. Jennings' Estate in Ang Lee's Sense and Sensibility, but my inexperience with driving on the left side of the road prompted me to explore a smaller area. I believe the hostess of Hollowell Cottage, Heather, suggested that Montacute was nearby and worth seeing. To my wonder, it was also featured in Sense and Sensibility as well as the 2005 drama, Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

 Here, Marianne is about to pass through the gate to the gardens, insisting that the ominous clouds that threaten rain are actually impostors.

 This is the "wibbly-wobbly" shrub according to the tour guide that can be detected in Ang Lee's film. I didn't realize it at the moment, but this was one of those English mornings that I wish I could relive now that I am Stateside.

 I remember being freezing, but I wouldn't have wanted to experience this location any other way. Of course, I didn't attempt to walk to Combe Magna to recite a Shakespearean Sonnet from the hilltop, but I was definitely able to stroll through the gardens and reflect about life.

 Here's a scene from the movie. I regret not stopping my car at the gate for another picture of Montacute from the road, but there didn't seem to be a place to pull over. The roads in England are rather peculiar in that way. I seriously regret not having the opportunity to get out of my car in Castle Combe especially!

I really hope that I will be able to paint this soon.

I actually think this would make a darling composition.

 I wanted to capture Elinor's worried view. I'm not quite sure if this is it. I took a backup, just in case.

 Or maybe this was her view...

"Wakeful dreamers"

I am not sure if Notting Hill was the first time I heard of Chagall. The film represents Anna Scott and William Thacker as having the same artistic taste. She even gives him an original Chagall painting of La Mariée as a peace offering. I don't know if this is where it began, but making the connection with Marc Chagall and Notting Hill makes me love Chagall's work even more.

As with many artists, there is vast symbolism with Chagall's paintings.

I used Chagall's "I And The Village"(above) to inspire the choices in my painting below.

Early sketch (above). For the actual painting I used black paper and mixed medium which I was really pleased with. I also happen to love these colours and had a pleasant time painting this. Hours always fly by when I paint.

"And everybody says 'you can't-you can't-you can't-don't try'. Still everybody says 'If they had the chance they'd fly'...like we dooooo--oo-oo."

To view more paintings by Chagall whilst listening to a song called "Painting by Chagall," please enjoy this video featuring the musical stylings of The Weepies.

Also, if you ever find yourself in Reims, France in the near future, you could be fortunate enough to see this in person in the Reims Cathedral:

Image by Peter Lucas- Design of windows by Marc Chagall

John Hancock

Yesterday I was watching Notting Hill as I worked on a project.  I always get a kick out of the scene when Anna Scott walks into William Thacker's Travel Book Shop and considers purchasing a book about India that is signed by the author. Here you can watch it if you want.

Or I'll just summarize it for you:

Anna says, "Ooh! Signed by the author I see."

And William replies, "Couldn't stop him. If you can find an unsigned one, it's worth a fortune."

Then some hoodlum who was trying to shoplift has the gall to ask Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) for her autograph. She signs:

"Dear Rufus, You belong in jail. "

That made me think about how odd it is to ask someone for their autograph. I have several items autographed, although I haven't personally asked for all of them. Is it really as weird as it's portrayed in Notting Hill for the person who is signing? It's weird asking. What purpose do these scribbles serve? How famous does one need to be in order for their John Hancock to be worth something? Is there even a market for autographs? It's all rather odd.

For example: My Sondre Lerche t-shirt.  I loved this shirt before the autograph. I should have had him sign the album. I've been trying to wash this out ever since because when I wear it, it looks like I had him sign my chest. Take my word, I wasn't wearing it when he signed it.
In his defense, he was so charming and actually conversational.  It was one of the best memories and his concert has spoiled all other concert experiences for me.

Here's a shirt that I feel I wasted my money on. I only wore it once...That's one time too many. I won tickets from the local radio station which included an opportunity to meet DC and his band backstage. We were all ushered into a room. I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb because I wasn't trying to seduce the band members. I just wanted to meet them and possibly gain some advice. While under the watchful eyes of their sultry groupies, DC told me to continue to write and not be afraid to play a gig even if it might not be a paying one. All the band members cordially signed their smudges on the dark shirt although I can't even tell you which one belongs to the Season 7- American Idol Winner.

Ah! Here's a great autograph! I cherish this one.  Margaret O' Brien was a famous child actor of the Golden Era. She played the morbid, imaginative Tootie Smith in my favourite Judy Garland film, Meet Me In St. Louis. She danced the cake walk and sang "Under the Bamboo Tree" with the incomparable Ms. Garland. She's the little one that Judy held while she originally sang "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".  I'll give you a second to think about that. Her little ears were among the first in the world to hear that song.  I met her at the Judy Garland Festival and she signed this for me. True Story.

Here's an autograph from one of the wee boys who represented the Lollipop Guild. 66 years later and he was still young at heart.

This was signed by Bryan Adams' lead guitarist, Keith Scott after a BA concert. This is a REALLY big deal for me.

This one, not so much.

I got this for Christmas 2 years ago. Isn't it grand? I really need to frame it! Sigh.

I can't find the actual autograph, but here is proof that my dad saw Steven Curtis Chapman back in the day. That little blond boy is Jim Bob ("Uh, Jena, Get a life."). I don't know where I was. I think I would have liked to have been there. SCC was really genuine so I'm told.

I love this one too! SO I have a friend who worked at this little hole-in-the-wall joint that tourists and celebrities frequent in Nashvegas. She waited on the one and only Keith Urban and knew I was a big fan and asked him for his autograph for me. So sweet! And one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever given me.

Here's another one that someone requested for me. (Drawn by my dad of iceboxcards.com!)

I started listening to Lesley's 45's when I was still in diapers. 'Tis true! She sang the first songs I ever learned. He gave me this card when I was unable to make the concert.

Yeah, this Lesley.

Here's my Sean Bean autograph...

I mean...where he would have signed. I had the book, I had the Sharpie, I had the celeb...I just didn't have the nerve. I mean, why wreck a great memory?

Does the autograph just prove that I saw him? How's this for proof?

Here's an album I could have had signed. I worked with one of these guys for a while, but that would have been a risk to ask him to sign it. That may have been humiliating for both of us.  I used to be star struck every time I worked with him knowing that he more than likely had met the members of *NSYNC and BSB. My thirteen year-old-self couldn't handle knowing that. He proved to be a personable and unassuming co-worker over time.

Alright reader, so whose signature do you have? Do you have any weird stories? Do tell. ;)