Without Pendragon to prod me into getting up early enough, I nearly faltered in my ambition to leave the toadstool by 45 minutes after seven this morning. He was working overnight in Metropolis, and so I set two alarms to ensure I heard at least one of them. I did hear them. Both went off within two minutes of each other,but needless to say,I waited at least another fifteen before I rose at 6.15. I got everything done,but speedily towards the end,and breakfast was a little makeshift in the form of a rasberry and blackcurrant oatmeal roll. Not very healthy or edifying,but I knew I could grab a latte and muesli at Asterbar when I left the Steam Engine.
In Asterbar,I wasted no time in furnishing myself with the ingredients to set me up for the day and read through the Metropolis Times as well.
Daedalus was packing the elven motor carriage when I reached the studio. He was in breezy mood,and so was I,so we chatted about everything from partners to Art.
At ten, we left to pick up the other course members,and headed towards the Metropolis World of Art,to catch their latest exhibition. Daedalus steered us round those paintings which he wanted us to note,as they showed particularly interesting methods which he wanted us to learn and use.
It was a pretty stunning exhibition,and there was muuch to absorb.
We concluded our visit,grabbed a mid-morning refresher and headed for our painting site for the day. The Steam Engine Station !
I know it well,but it is not the easiest structure to paint.
Steel roof,steel overhanging rods and wires. Large metal structures, mountains of steam,and not a flower in sight. I always feel more confident before I begin to paint,if there are some petals and stamens around.
None.There were absolutely none. And little light to boot.
We all looked a little surprised and deflated as we set up our painting stations. What were we going to observe ? That was the burning question on everyone's lips. No one seemed to be in their artistic comfort zone here,but we had to try. There were a few rumblings in the ranks,but despite a rankle upsetting our usual happy atmosphere,we all made a start.
i always begin the same way. By putting on my old checked,paint stained,massively supersized shirt.
I rdon't want to return to my pristine toadstool with oil stains ear-to-ear,so it is necessary to be pragmatic in the vestment department. I dress like a tinker to be honest- old pants, blousons not fit for being seen in good company,and a sweater from the old sweater drawer,especially saved for household chores or aartistic jaunts. So I looked like a shrunken dwarf in a barrel shaped top,so big was it on me. I even had a jumper on underneath my shirt. Sad to say,as the day went on,I still managed to get blue and green patches on my navy trousers. By Friday,if there is enough paint on them I'll join up the patches to make multi-coloured drawers.

I caught the light and shade of a sunny yellow archway on canvas in the morning,and in the afternoon I struggled to reproduce the dark tunnel and its surrounding environment. Not the easiest task,as it called for vigorous and continual colour mixing,and detailing was made harder by being slightly too far away. But I finished the day with two pieces of canvas much improved by yesterday's standards,and two pieces which I like and feel genuinely proud.
Tomorrow we are visiting Dr. Opal's Garden,which is sure to raise our spirits,and engage our enterprise. I have promised myself that I will paint a larger canvas tomorrow,some big,bold flowers,with depth and detail-something to touch the senses.

The elven ladies in my group are very amaiable,and one or two of them are becoming special friends. Mirassima is fairly young and a teacher of small sprites,and we just seem to have gelled.Dorabora is elderly ,but full of good humour,and has great painting skill. She has an "eye" for a well placed image,and tidy skills. Lenya is Continental,has limited elven tongue,but has a natural ability to chose a subject and makes soft muted colours like a master.
We always en dup together at coffee times,and have the same elven twinkle in our silver/blue eyes.

Pendragon is home.I hear his key turn in the front door lock. Tonight he is cooking so I am in for a treat.
Take care my elven working friends.Don't lose your way in the streams of employees who wend their way from the Steam Engine each morning. Off to their respective tasks and glories in rooms full of tension and erstwhile endeavour. Make your conquests,climb your industrial mountains,but remember to leave this aside at least once a day in order to cultivate a smile. And remember to send it out to someone whose day it will transform.
From Amarantha Willow,steeped in light and form this week,from her little blue room in the fifth toadstool from the left. Your very own Rainbow Faery.