Atmospheric evening and the week's bits

 

I continue to be fascinated by the changing scene out the top western window of the cottage. Not only do we get to see the montbrecias and sheep grazing on the croft above - see photos below; but also the changing light at dusk-twilight such as the very dark sky last night - see opening photos.

And sheep in the crofts this morning

I continue to play with settings on the iPhone to capture the essence of some blossoms - see below.

We are fortunate to be here in the heather season which at the moment improves daily.

Of course there are other fragments to delight one.

May fragments of beauty remind us of hope.

A successful couple of days

 

It is hard to believe that the two days of the Pop Up Art Show in the Armadale Village Hall on Saturday and Sunday have come and gone. The opening photo shows the village hall and one of our bright coloured signs - we had a couple more down on the main road as well.

We enjoyed having over 60 visitors - some older friends, some new acquaintances and some folks just passing by. Lots of yarns about Fiona's and my work were had; exchanges of ideas about art; and quite a lot of our work went to new homes.

Whilst we are visitors to the area it is grand that our art and ourselves are made to feel welcome.

Some random photos of the art show set up follow.

It is always a challenge to set up the work in the big hall space on flodup tables; but it does give folk the chance to walk around and not feel crowded.

Though the art show was only over two days a lot of time and effort went into making the work, promotion, set up and clean up. Still it is a grand feeling that Fiona and I are able to share our art with our highland community.

Beauty of roadside blossoms

 

Every walk we take along the village road that runs from the village turn off to the fishing cove is currently rewarded by a vast array of blossoms. Most are small and therefore invite closer inspection. There can be surprises of insects (above), variations (below) and fully blown blossoms that still offer beautiful seed heads (second below).

I hope you might enjoy a few images of a few of our walk blossoms.

May the little fragments of beauty lift our spirits above the daily grind and sadness in the world.

New workspace at the cottage

 

Fiona and I now her's and his workspaces in the cottage where we can do our art projects and walk away between sessions. They are not big spaces but perfectly adequate given the size of the cottage. The opening photo shows me trying out the workbench for size. It is 1.2m long by .4m wide!!!

Of course the workbench, stool and wire storage cabinet are all Ikea - very much in keeping with everything else in the cottage. Following are some photos of the assembling process.

I have unpacked my art storage box and set the watercolour papers, brushes, pens etc out - in or on the workbench

The following photo shows Fiona and my side by side spaces - Fiona's on the landing and mine in the second bedroom.

I probably won't sit to work in the space until after the pop up art show next weekend.

Then there were five

 

I have been able to spend a couple of sessions in the Micro Workshop aka garden shed making wee timber birds.

As you can see from the opening photo I have now completed 5 birds. The deep red bird is made from red cedar; the striped bird from camphor laurel and the others from jacaranda timber. Following are some photos of the birds on rocks and rust.

A few photos of the making process. The making involves a lot of patient sanding to finesse the shape and finish.

Ending with another photo of the striped bird and its friend on a rock.

Some fragments from the week

 

A few bits and pieces from various walks and in the garden throughout the week. First some blossoms - opening photo and following. The bumble bees love the montbretias.

A few fragments of the sky and the sea.

Grand to be open to the different pops of beauty.