What is There Beyond Knowing?

What Is There Beyond Knowing?

What is there beyond knowing that keeps
calling to me? I can't

turn in any direction
but it's there. I don't mean

the leaves' grip and shine or even the thrush's
silk song, but the far-off

fires, for example,
of the stars, heaven's slowly turning

theater of light, or the wind
playful with its breath;

or time that's always rushing forward,
or standing still

in the same -- what shall I say --
moment.

What I know
I could put into a pack

as if it were bread and cheese, and carry it
on one shoulder,

important and honorable, but so small!
While everything else continues, unexplained

and unexplainable. How wonderful it is
to follow a thought quietly

to its logical end.
I have done this a few times.

But mostly I just stand in the dark field,
in the middle of the world, breathing

in and out. Life so far doesn't have any other name
but breath and light, wind and rain.

If there's a temple, I haven't found it yet.
I simply go on drifting, in the heaven of the grass
and the weeds.

~ Mary Oliver ~

Hampton Pools Illustration

I recently worked on this private commission to create an image inspired by Hampton Pools, a lovely lido in South-West London....

Website Updated

There are a few new things on www.alicestevenson.com. Do have a look.

Saffron Walden

Some other things we saw on our rainy day trip...

Ravillious in Essex

On Saturday Caitlin and I went on a very rainy pilgrimage to the Fry Gallery at Saffron Walden to see Ravillious in Essex, an exhibition of Eric Ravillious's watercolours. His lovely, haunting depictions of the local landscape were well worth getting caught in the rain for, as well as the other delights on display in the Gallery. The exhibition runs until the 14th of August.

Doodles from Bologna

When I was in Bologna I sat on Milena's lovely terrace and drew a lot of lines.

London Loves

Whilst researching posters on the London Transport Museum archives I discovered these lovely pieces of inspiration. Enjoy.

Pictures at Frank!

I'm thrilled to announce that I'm now selling my screen prints, etchings and paintings at one of my favourite British galleries: Frank in Whitstable which is a space devoted to artwork, crafts and books by contemporary British designers. They also sell cushions in my St Jude's Treehouse fabric and my Art Angel's giftwraps. If you are lucky to find yourself down at Whitstable any time soon make sure you drop in.

Wigtown Festival 2011

I was thrilled to be commissioned by Bremner Design to illustrate this year's Wigtown Book Festival. I created an illustration featuring three literary goldfinches, continuing the theme of birds native to the Dumfries and Galloway region of Scotland (where the festival is held). You can see the illustration I did for last year's brochure here

Wedding Invitation

I recently created hand drawn lettering and decoration for these screen printed wedding invitations.

Some More Garden Drawings

The big Issue: Psychopathology

I illustrated an article about Simon Baron-Cohen's new book about psychopathology for the Big Issue. It's out today!

RIP Leonora Carrington

I fell in love with Leonora Carrington at the Surreal Friends Exhibition at the Pallant House Gallery last summer. She died this week aged 94. Read about her incredible work and inspiring life here

For Carrie May

Les Sports

Hardly my favourite thing in the world but this lovely book by Alain Grie, given to me by the talented Caitlin Hinshelwood, is so fantastic I could be converted to a sporty type. Particularly fond of the wrestlers....

Paddle

I recently illustrated the cover of Paddle by Jasper Wynn which is published by Sort Of Books. The book itself just arrived in the post!

La Vie En May

I spent last weekend with the most talented Carrie May at Harmony Cottage in Gloucestershire. We wandered in the fields and drew flowers in the garden.

What was lost

I recently worked with designer Gavin Morris to create a cover for "What Was Lost" By Catherine O' Flynn, a fantastic book published by Tindal Street.

spaces between petals and thoughts

I volunteer on thursday mornings at the Botanical Painting class at Core Arts in Hackney. These are some recent paintings I've done there.

Smart Investor

I was recently commissioned by Barclay's Smart Investor Magazine to create an illustration for their cover about international investing!