Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy - Happy New Year! First Open Mic. 2019

Happy New Year!

First Open Mic. this year - Thanks to the Roper Hall and Host of the event (photo credits).

This is how I like my coffee With cream/milk #Fashion

#Volunteer

Host Professor Craig

c. S. Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2019

Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy - Environment Report

Magnificent Trees 

It is with sadness that I make this post.  However, something that I feel I need to speak up about.

I had heard that the massive trees, just a few of them, on a roundabout in Preston (Lancashire, UK) were going to be cut down.  I had hoped that it wasn't true.  

Whilst out and about on Christmas Eve doing elfin errands (see my blog here for more: https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2018/12/sophie-cox-oshaughnessy-christmas-eve.html) I got a last glimpse of the magnificent trees, on camera.  

Positioning my bicycle basket with my fairy lights in 

{yes, just me, being elfish, again, and having fun - you can even see these on my photos of me at my impromptu open mic. appearance as I incorporated them into my performance by having them on the mic stand - yes, this is me, I come complete with props} 

gives some sense of the proportion - of how huge the trees are.  I also like to think that the spirit of the trees is alive - the fairies are not happy about the possible impending doom and are having a meeting about it.  

By sharing these photos of these very old trees, before, hopefully it will bring some comfort to others who I know were also upset about the prospect of them being cut down.

I cannot understand how the Council/the buyers can lack such imagination.

They could easily have been incorporated in to new plans, for, to me, they somehow have some kind of Hobbit feel to them and surely the University being the buyer behind it, correct me if I am incorrect about this, but this is what I also heard, (or the Council, even) could have presented a Harry Potter feel to it or enchanted (mini) wood theme and this would have increased interest for the area.

 At least, this is the atmosphere it has always presented to me from my experiences of walking through and near it.  I will always have that.

I feel my fairy lights in my basket with the trees pictures capture some sort of magic that signify the trees' spirit.  This will never be lost.  No matter how much the bigwigs will try to modernise and eradicate character by bringing in more surface concrete.

It truly distressed me today seeing the after effects of really quite unnecessary destruction.  

Therefore, I dressed the trees.  

After all, when I wiped them clear they look healthy.

06/01/2019

24/12/2018

(all photographs unedited - Panasonic DMC-S1)

c. S. Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2019

Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy Art Photography - Nature (Swans/Cygnet)

As the new year approaches I thought I would post some of my photography/artwork from this year.  

However, beauty is timeless.

Summer 2018

River Kent, Kendal, UK

'As You Are'

(Panasonic DMC-S1 - All photos unedited and all shots of subject included.  See above.)

c. S. Cox-O'Shaughnessy Photography 2018

Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy - Christmas Eve Impromtu Open Mic.

Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy appearing as Sophie blue ninja elfin (this is my social media, facebook nickname, though apt enough) #JustForFun

So, whilst elfin about on Christmas Eve doing elvish errands, like giving out some vouchers that I had picked up, to the homeless, (where they can get a freebie and/or discounted food) from a newly opened bakery for example, you could say I got 'roped' into performing at the Open Mic. Night.  However, you'd be incorrect, coz I offered to.  

Thank you to host Professor Craig for lending me his guitar complete with a purrfect guitar strap. 

Anyway, here are some photies of me performing some of my original songs on the theme of, as what Christmas is widely renowned for as, love. 

(Aside) to Professor Craig: Beg to differ there were only five photos, not six, as you stated, although, every one (with some of my tweaks, of course) brilliantly useful.  

#Volunteer

Thank you to Professor Craig at the Roper Hall (Preston, Lancashire, UK) for assisting with photography.

c. S. Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2018

Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy - Christmas and new year 2018

Wishing you a very 

Happy Christmas and New Year!

from

Santa's little helper

Sophie

aka a Dancer

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉

c. S. Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2018

Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy - Blogtastic

Feeling Blogtastic!

Some social media constantly ask what's on your mind and you can post things like I am feeling (whatever you are feeling) etc., however, not everybody 'Likes' to feel as though they are being forced to say how they feel, I think

Anyhow, Happy Winter Solstice!  I am feeling blogtastic.  This is because today is the winter solstice and it just so corresponds that this week I have also been doing my work placement as a Groom/Stable Hand today.  It has been a long day, as it is a very early start to the day, the work is hard work (although I do enjoy the work) and as well as this public transport home was running just over half an hour late, therefore, 

although, there are a range of 'feelings' that I could say that I am feeling today,

as my two most recent blogs seem to have fused together in today's activities so to speak 

I can quite obviously say that I am feeling blogtastic!

Related articles:

https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2018/12/sophie-cox-oshaughnessy-just-horsin.html

https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2018/12/sophie-cox-oshaughnessy-artwork-update.html (read Comments, also)

On another note, thank you to family and friends for having a listening ear and being full of good cheer today.

c. S. Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2018

Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy - Just Horsin' Around

Actually, I am not just horsing around as alongside being an artist/musician/singing and dance teacher, as mentioned in prior blogs, I am pursuing becoming a Stable Hand/Groom.

I have recently been awarded funding from the Duchy of Lancaster Bursary.  Coupled with the Myerscough College Bursary I am able to attend a City and Guilds Level 2. course in Equine Care. 

Securing funding has been stressful with my job seekers allowance benefit (as I have been doing less than 16 hrs work per week) being stopped until I didn't know when and my first experience of a foodbank, for example.  

However, as I am studying part-time I can continue to be available for work and this I have proven and won my job seekers allowance back again.  I am fortunate to also receive funding from the College for my travel.

I am very grateful for this funding, have completed term 1. and am looking forward to enjoying the rest of the course.

It is very hard work, but I am determined to do my best.

Here are what I think are the best of some snapshots, the best that I could manage with a basic digital camera and some limited lighting:

Midgeland Riding School (Myerscough Riding Club)

Riding Club

Riding Club

Riding Club

Myerscough College sculpture

Student trip to Hoys - Horse of the Year Show - Lots on and lots to see - Got to see events in the arena including vaulting:-

My work placement is at Penny Farm - the World Horse Welfare:-

On my work placement and fundraising at the Christmas fair at Penny Farm (World Horse Welfare) - Cannot get away from my artistic roots and I wouldn't want to:-

I would like to express a special thanks to Myerscough College, the Queen (the Duchy of Lancaster), no less, World Horse Welfare, Penny Farm and Midgeland Riding School.

c. S. Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2018