We have had a prolonged rain period which has curtailed outdoor walks. The danger is that it can be a bit depressing - but bringing some beauty inside, such as in the opening and following images, can remind one of joy and better times.
I'm very grateful that we have had a couple of fine days so I was able to walk this morning and be uplifted by the following beauty.
Even the small and most ordinary bits of beauty can be enough to lift one up.
Those who read my blog will are aware that I tend to progress various aspects of my art work in a reasonably structured way each week!!
I attend an art group on Thursday mornings when I can because the group inspires me and Megan is there to provide professional advice. I also tend to work in the workshop a few times a weeks to either make things for my online shop or on exhibition projects such as my recent work on two artists' books for the Narratives exhibition. When I can I work on larger sculptural projects such as the contract to repair a piece of public art. Or I work on my poetry writing at Biblio on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
This blog is about finishing 4 postcard sized watercolours - two to exhibit and two to gift; and starting two more of buildings in the Scottish highlands.
See the opening photo and those following for the finished 4 watercolours.
Below are a couple of photos of the start of the two new watercolours.
I know my art practice sounds quite structured - and in the main it is - though there is flexibility and opportunities to grab other moments in the workshop or home studios. It works for me - a sense of satisfaction in the processes and joy in what is achieved.
My second artists' book for the upcoming Narratives Constellation of Stories exhibition at The Little Red Cottage is titled Leaf Cycle.
The book is in fact an installation of 3 small (10cmx6.5cm) patinated copper booklets. Each has one of the three stanzas my original poem stamped in it.
The opening photo gives a sneak peek of the installation.
The following photos are some process-progress stages - particularly the stamping of the covers, the middle page and initials on the back page (first photo).
The booklets are made from naturally patinated copper plate cut from an antique gifted laundry boiler. After stamping the pages they are riveted down the spine with tiny brass rivets. Once trimmed and grinding sharp edges off the booklets are opened. The leaf form in the opening photo has the title of the poem stamped on it.
As you can see from the last photo the metal cut from the boiler has not been hammered straight - this gives the pages a paper like quality - at least that is what I think.
I'm pleased how Leaf Cycle has come to fruition. Over the next couple of months the stamped ares should become more integrated-softened. I might leave them out in the weather to re-patina!!!
Fiona and I were extremely fortunate to see the eclipse of the moon last night - from start to finish. We saw much of it in a clear sky - at times cloud drifted across - but even that made for some interesting light. The opening photo highlights the full beauty of the stars and eclipsed red moon.
The iPhone is not the best camera for taking moon photos but the images taken do show the progress of the eclipse and hint at the beauty of the red moon at the end. The sequence starts with the rising moon through the trees.
Looking up and out last night reminded us of the beauty that still can surround us even in these crazy war times.
I have had requests for more olive ladles - so over the last couple of days I have spent time in the workshop to make seven ladles - 3 olives, 3 tiny and 1 unique tiny one. The opening photo is of the seven on a black piece of ply on the workshop bench.
I often share some process photos - so some follow. Couple of the marked up metal silver-plated placemat; couple of the formed ladle bowls; and a few odds and ends.
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To round things off there are a few more photos of the finished ladles on the black ply.
The olive and tiny ladles will make there way into the Culinary Metal category in my online shop.
I tend to categorise the above small silver-plated metal books in both my Mindful Metal and Artists' Books online shop categories because they have both function and form.
From a function perspective, because each small book (about 4.5cm high, 3.7cm wide and 2.5cm across page opening) has a word stamped on the centre page, each is meant to encourage contemplation on or holding onto that word of the action it invokes. Each book could be used as part of meditation; or sit beside one's bed or computer to encourage a gentle focus on the word. Because each book is unique and hand made from silver-plate from salvaged placemats I also see then as small 3D artists' books - small sculptural pieces.
A few process photos follow. I usually tape the three book leaves together to hold them firm when I drill and rivet the book leaves together.
A couple more photos of four of the completed books follow.
At least one of each of the books (shine, love, hope and dream) can be found in my online shop.
