bluebells . . .

Bluebell Wood
original watercolour by Teresa Newham

It's bluebell season once again! we've visited our local bluebell wood several times this year because it is truly spectacular.  There seem to be more bluebells than ever, and their subtle perfume is glorious.  It's ancient woodland and the atmosphere is very special.

I took loads of photos of bluebells and white campion
© Teresa Newham

The bluebells have been blooming alongside white campion and yellow archangel, and at the edge of the woods we've see signs of a badger sett.  My husband spotted a shrew; we've heard a pheasant screech and the call of a green woodpecker.  It's no surprise, then, that I've made another bluebell painting . . .

getting to grips with Bluebell Wood
© Teresa Newham

As I started to put my impressions down on paper, something took over; the painting I ended up producing is not the one I envisaged, but somehow it does convey the way I felt during those walks. That woodland must have made an even deeper impression on me than I thought.  I'm pretty sure there's more to say, though.  Somehow with bluebells there always is!

the finished painting - still more to be said?
© Teresa Newham

Noli Me Tangere

Noli Me Tangere
linocut by Teresa Newham

For this year's Easter card I've turned again to John's Gospel (Ch 20 vv 1 - 18) and the image of Mary Magdalene encountering the risen Christ outside the tomb.   In her grief and distress at finding the tomb empty she mistakes Him for the gardener and begs Him desperately to tell her where the missing body is.  He replies "Mary" - calling her by name, as He does each one of us.

The moment when she recognises Him is pure joy; "Rabboni!" she cries ("Teacher!"), and reaches out  to embrace Him, as any of us would if a loved one had come back to life when we thought they were dead.  Many translations of the Bible render His reply  - the Latin  "Noli Me Tangere!" - as  "Don't touch me!" which seems strange, if not downright unfeeling.

A better translation from the original Greek, however, is "Don't cling on to (your old idea of) me", for having been resurrected, He is in his glorified body and has not yet ascended to the Father.  He is not the same as he was - indeed, nothing will ever be the same again.

Easter Blessings to you all!