I did a walk around the immediate neighbourhood as the sun was sinking - perfect opportunity to capture a few of the flowers that just love soaking up the sun including the gazania above and below.
Hidden away in the magnolia tree out the front of our home is a a stem of the orchids below.
The walk offered other gems including those below.
Even a short afternoon walk can be rewarding and uplifting.
A year seems a very long time in one's art life; and it can be difficult to remember what one might have achieved. As Fiona and I walked this morning I said I didn't think I would have many art achievements for the year. Fiona rattled off a number of things achieved; and scrolling through the year's photos demonstrated that it was a full year. I kicked the year off by completing my It (Patriarchy) Won't Dismantle Itself artist book in early January - see above.
I got into a post sculpture commission in January and finished installing it in early February.
My Daily Words limited edition (25) letterpress poetry book was an ongoing project that got finished in the first half of the year.
This year we managed to visit the cottage in Scotland twice - so art in Scotland features including:
The Cove Post made from timber and objects from the Armadale fishing cove - reflecting the fishing history of the village. The locals do wonder about it!!
The Swordly Mill Post was a way to thank our friends K&B for caring for the cottage when covid prevented travel. The post reflects K's love of sea glass, the beach and ocean. The post is about 2m high. I love how it has settled into its surroundings
For the first time we took some of our smaller art pieces to Scotland and participated in a number of art-craft markets.Fiona checking out the display at the Armadale village hall market.
Before we headed to Scotland in August we delivered our works for the Vessel exhibition - my works reflected the injustice of the clearances and forced fishing life in northern Scotland. I think these are strong and content rich pieces.
When in Scotland I'm drawn to stone so I started to cut and create with stone from the local cove. Simple form in a very very hard stone.
One cannot always do outdoor art in Scotland so I tried my hand at watercolours when I was over there.
I did complete and install another commissioned post in Scotland during the second trip - this one reflected family and farming history.
We finally got the five posts and the reflection bench seat installed into the MNC grief garden
The year was rounded off by completing a large patinated commissioned copper bowl on a post.
So my 2022 art life did have quite a bit of variety and there were quite a few achievements.
I loved the accidental rainbow (below) that resulted in one of my metal meetings to create boat hull forms.
I have completed the last element of the rusted large three leaf sculptural work. The whole work is made up of three large (1.4m to 1.8m) rusted Corten steel leaf forms to be attached to a slat wall and a large hand formed copper bowl on a 20cm square post with routed and inked line.
The opening photo shows the patinated bowl and top section of the routed and inked post; and the last photo shows the whole post and bowl.
Following are some bowl forming photos. To get a smoother finish I used the metal stake as a hammer and hammered onto the anvil from the inside - rocking the bowl back and forth.
I washed the bowl and then applied a patina solution - really a diluted acid. The bowl has been given a light coat of matt varnish to stop the patination process.
A meandering line was routed on to the post and inked with black Japanese ink. Do you like my ink pot - a silver-plated pepper dish in a former life.
The finished piece stands strong.
I think the combination of the rusted leaf forms and patinated bowl will look special.
Wow!! another year has just about raced by. As it says in the title this is my last iPhoneography on Wednesday for 2022.
Just 10 random pics from walks over the last few days.
I really liked how the sun was catching sneakers on the overhead wires in Teak Street so they contrast with the grey sky behind.
More of the random pics I mentioned - including the gorgeous colour of the kingfisher down by the Obi Obi Creek.
May the year end safely for all of us; and may we begin 2023 gently.
