Bone stories

©2019 Barry Smith - Sawn bone on the rusty type-writer at the studio-shed

We have been rather busy over the weekend on watch and alert for ember attack from the bushfire that at times has raged in the valley below. Fortunately this fire has, in the main, been brought under control for the moment - but many spot fire outbreaks still occur - so don't stand down and don't put the firefighting gear away just yet.

This morning I decided to do a small bit of creative work that fits with my fishing boat prototype from Friday. Continuing a bit of the story of the fishing industry in northern Scotland in the period after the highland clearances.

When we were at the cottage I used a bit of bone to make a piece that reflected the bog plant Sundew. Today I used some of the bone I had left home to make a small piece that reflected filleted skeletons of herring.

©2019 Barry Smith - Using a fine twist blade to saw the rather thick bone

©2019 Barry Smith - One skeleton makes an appearance

©2019 Barry Smith - Second under way - important to wear a face mask for this work.

©2019 Barry Smith - Completed piece (35-40mm wide and 70-80mm long) on the rust table

©2019 Barry Smith - Another photos so one can enjoy the rust

It was a good contained little creative task. I see working with bone as a good way of linking what I do here and what I do there at the cottage - creating part of the story of the two places.