Beach Walking

 Yup,

I've been to the beach, Balmedie is the one, near Aberdeen.

Although I did draw a little it was more of a word day.

 

Scrambling over the dunes,

and  a slow step, steep slide

down to the beach.

I walked along following the shell and stone line.

Waves to the right

Calming me

Farther along the shells are broken,

and I hear the crunch of my steps

intermittantly through the sound of the waves.

The tide is going out.

I find a small bag, empty 

and I begin to fill it with rubbish

It makes me feel good.

It fills quickly.

I move to a bigger bag 

and on it goes.

I stop to watch the wee scurry aboot birds (Sanderlings)

eating and cleaning themselves.

Lunch

A dog to pet

A person to greet

Walking back with the sun on my face

This feels good

It brings tears of release

Only a few (maybe more next time)

I walk towards the sun

and shut my eyes

Warm reds and orange - I feel protected by them.

I keep going with the sun as my direction

and the shell line crunch to guide my way.

Pattern Cutting begins again!

So pleased to be back learning with MIN Atelier, aka my friend Tracey, brilliant tutor.

I couldn't remember how much we'd completed when the classes stopped due to lockdown. I thought we were just drawing out the pattern, but to my surprise, I'd already cut out the toile, sewed the two front panels to the back and sewn one sleeve. The two hours went by quickly and it now has two sleeves.

A sense of accomplishment.

New Place, New Times, New Opportunities

 Seems best to start in a positive way, there have been sooooo many changes in the last 2 years that I'm not sure whether I'll write about them or not, probably a few key posts but obviously retrospectively.

News!!

I'm now concentrating solely on my art practice and it is exciting and scary at the same time. Thanks to my amazing partner for supporting me fully in this otherwise I wouldn't be able to manage.

My sculpture has taken a different direction and I've moved away from completely abstract to nature based abstract. And I am Loving it!

Updates to follow....

Carving with 'Ministry of Stone'

I finally made it to Lincoln and the gargoyle carving course, actually a grotesque but who cares.
Working with stone again and learning new skills with new tools, what more can I say.

I was a little worried about it all due to my tendonitis flaring up for the first time in many years...typical timing, but all was good.

Pattern cutting

As the title suggests, I have been learning pattern cutting, my tutor is the wonderful Tracey Stewart (aka MIN atelier)
More and more I've been getting fed up trying to find clothes that I like and that fit me. If something is in a nice fabric, the pattern is horrible or the garment has some silly frilly bit or cut too low or just plain doesn't fit.

This is a very precise science and I love it. Proper measuring and marking out. Really appeals to the engineering side of me.

Too involved to take photos but will try in the future.

Visiting friends in London

Finally got away!
I've been looking forward to this trip for about 2 months now. A friend I haven't seen in too long.

Love train journeys too, so wee picnic in tow and off I go.
It was a very restful journey, well, once I'd found a seat - had booked one - unfortunately I got on the wrong train in Edinburgh. There wa sone leaving at 11, 11.20 and 11.30, all going to London. I hadn't expected so many, was in a rush and just saw London 11. something so went for it. Anyway, not a problem with ticket and I eventually ended up with a great seat in a lovely peaceful carriage.

Such a gorgeous spot, I do love it here, Enfield Docks. Loads of green nearby for walking the dog.

 

Here's a couple of scenes from walks.

      ..............More to follow...........

Things to come

I am so excited!
I've finally booked myself onto a Gargoyle carving course.
Ages to wait as it's not til Oct but so excited!!
I'll be off to Lincoln to carve stone and of course check out the cathedral amongst other sights.

Looking up is something that many people just don't do especially in a town or city but up there are fabulous things.... gargoyles of course, but I've also seen the beautiful architecture, strange items in windows such as large models of Noddy and Big Ears, and once I saw the most beautifully stone carved ship in full rig - such a sight.

"The origins of the word 'gargoyle' are derived from the old French word 'gargouille' meaning throat. In Architectural terms only the creature serving as actual water spout is called a Gargoyle, otherwise is it known as a Grotesque. A grotesque may function solely as decoration."

What is the purpose of Gargoyles? The first is a practical purpose - gargoyles provided a method of drainage which protected the stones and the mortar of churches, cathedrals and castles from erosion. The number of Gargoyles added to buildings were numerous because dividing the flow of water minimized potential water damage.  The second purpose of gargoyles was as 'guardians' of the buildings in the form of abstract symbols designed to represent, and to ward off evil.

http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieval-art/gargoyles.htm

This information means that technically I'll probably be making a grotesque, but I really don't mind. I would love to make a proper gargoyle that is for water, maybe in a bit.

Another interesting fact is that there are no two alike!

These are a few of some I like.

photo by Richard Nilsen

photo by Annette Wagner

 


The last one is a modern take but equally appealling