Wee post-teaching adventure.

This evening after my stint at teaching stone carving to the lovely folks at Broomhill,  Greenock, I am off on a wee trip North but staying West.
Had a lovely journey up to Inbhir Aora (Inveraray) with a few stops along the way.

Loch Lomond

also Loch Lomond

again... Loch Lomond

Week 6 at Broomhill

We have a new student today!      Really pleased.

This week the stone splitting did happen, surprises all round as to the small tools that effect such a change in something usually thought of as solid and uneasily broken.

A quick drilling of 4 holes and then the feathers and wedge inserted. The length is just over 10cm and the rubber band just holds everything in place although other varieties don't have that.

Feathers and wedge

And introducing my new student, Sharon.

The ladies

Last week the guys were here and this week all ladies and no guys.
Alice's owl is now having a wee rest on the sandbags and the other side is coming into play. The red of the original paint from the flats is showing and she is keeping as much of that as possible. A tree is now being formed on this side.

Oak tree

Next week is building up to being a full house... bring it on!

Going Slow

The last few days have been a little stressful, not due to anything in particular,  but more because I've been feeling overwhelmed. The list of things needing doing has become more than a little long.

Until, I decided to cycle into town, pop into my favourite bar and hang out with some friends. It was certainly a great buzz on the way in. Passing under the Tay Road Bridge, the sun still out and the water doing it's glittery thing in the sunshine. Very lovely, even more so due to the changes along the river front as the V&A slowly grows up and out into the Tay.

Along past Slessor Gardens with a stop to stroll and view the exhibition of masks on show for Dundee Mental Health Awareness Week.

Check out some of the masks.

The way back though, inspired this post's title.

As I cycled home through the shadows and sunspots, past blossom that I had time to smell, over the rail tracks I spied this... looks old to me and probably part of railway dealings but I had never seen it before. Going slow allows a different perspective on the world and one I'm happy to have.

It's been a good day. 😀

5 Weeks in.

Today I was going to be splitting some stone to provide new pieces to work on, hoping for more students, but the weather decided against that idea - was just wet the whole time - and as there is no electric in the garage, it would have necessitated cables outside.. A definite no no.
So we just got on and chiselled away at that stone.

I'm really loving how all the sculptures are looking.
Today, no photos of the class, the room isn't changing, but plenty of the stone.

The boxer appearing

Eyes this week

Wave forming

Owl wing

More and more, I'm able to let the students just get on with their work and only a little instruction or suggestion here and there, proud of them all.

Owl

Boxer

Head

Wave

Knot

That's all for this week folks, looking forward to the next.

and week 4 has arrived

It was more of the same this week, everyone progressing really well. Fantastic to see how the sculptures are changing. So all I'm going to do is post some images.

concentrating

Jim working

Mike working

Rhia working

Angela working

knotwork

More next week.

Week 3 at Greenock

Hard at work.

The head is coming along and a wave is appearing under the hammer and chisel of Rhia.

Angela

Angela's sculpture is going to be Laurel and Hardy with the bowler hat combing the two faces at opposite ends of the stone. Great idea, looking forward to seeing this progress.

The Wave

There's a knot!

Another great week, everyone works so hard, I'm really impressed.

Roll on next week.