It’s been twelve months since a Long House musing popped up on your screens…so sorry if you’ve missed me but, as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Or not. Anyway, here I am for, at least, one reflection before we all shuffle our way into the new year.
What has prompted me, of course, is Christmas. And our annual Christmas card. This year we’ve rung the changes, ditched a photograph and instead featured an oil painting by a yet-to-be-discovered landscape painter. A local artist, what’s more. And female. But before revealing her identity it occurs to me how few female painters get recognised but I suppose that’s patriarchy for you. Some of those that have are Hildegard von Bingen, Harriet Gouldsmith, Sarah Cole, Vanessa Bell and Winifred Nicholson…hardly names to trip off the tongue like Constable, Monet, van Gogh, Turner and Ravilious but that rather proves my point. Here’s the work of a few ladies that have managed it over the years:
Our mystery artist, her work featured on our card, has a varied portfolio: portraits, people, places and landscapes. She’s exhibited and sold her paintings and, being a generous soul, has even given some away. If you’ve not spotted her artwork yet, this is what you’ve missed:
And here she is beavering away over the years:
You’ve guessed of course: it’s Rosie.
And after that build-up, here’s this year’s card especially for everyone we’ve been too parsimonious to send it to, with our very best wishes for a relaxing Christmas and for a healthy and happy 2026.
