All but completed

 

The traditional fishing boat being built by volunteers in partnership with the Strathnaver Museum is all but complete - see above. Fiona and I visited the building workshop (poly tunnel - Borgie) twelve months ago when it was in its early stages. The floor, painting and or making were in progress this morning. The volunteers are aiming to launch the boat on 28 September; and Fiona and I plan to be at the launching event.

The boat is based on the traditional shape, building techniques and structure of the boat displayed in the SNM Annex.

The boat is painted white as you can see from the photo below; but the poly tunnel cladding makes it look pale green.

The shape of the boat is gorgeous as you can see from the photos in this blog.

A few other progress-production photos follow.

This has been a truly amazing feat by the volunteers; and what a gorgeous gift to the community and the story of the local fishing industry.

Watercolour progress

 

Though Fiona and I planned to set aside Thursday morning for doing watercolour work we have found that other things can take priority like: setting up an exhibition or installing a new kitchen; but we try to make it up on other days. Over the last couple of weeks Tuesday have become the new Thursday!!!! The opening photos show where I have got to.

I took the sketches below and started the process of building up the watercolour images you can see in the following images.

I'm really enjoying being able to create in the cottage; and also gather more images of ruins for future paintings.

Just loving the light and lines.

There are sunny days that are delightful; but there are days that a full of mist, cloud and mystery that are also special. 

In this post I simply share a few images from a few of those grey, haar and misty days. The images are in a bit of a random order.

I would like to paint some of those skies; but that is more difficult tan one might think.

A master class

 

During the week Fiona and I were fortunate to do a private master class with a renowned local silversmith. We wanted to learn the skill of bezel setting stones. 

Several months ago we had been gifted some polished opal stones. I thought it would be nice if I was able to learn the skills required to turn a couple of the stones into pendants - I thought the first one could be gifted back to the woman who gave us the stones.

You can see the outcome of this class in the opening photo. 

Process-progress images follow - starting with the original stone - about 18mm long.

Calculating the length of the flat soft silver ribbon that would encircle the stone.

Soldering the ribbon of metal to form a circle; ensuring the edges are flat; and testing it over the stone.

Cutting a piece of flat silver plate for the base - photo of Fiona cutting flat silver plate; and soldering the circle of metal to the base plate.

Trimming and then grinding and polishing the dish form that hold the stone when the edges were folded onto the stone.

Obviously there were many more process-progress steps but one forgets to get photos; and of course the professional looking outcome was achieved because of input by the teacher including soldering the ring to the top.  I'm sure Fiona will blog on her work - a ring.

Net drying posts and other cove fragments

 

We never tire of the lines and layers of the net drying poles on the cove headland. These posts are likely to be one of a very very few such installations in northern Scotland. I would like to do a series of watercolour painting of the posts. The image above and the first one below tend to give a sense of the size of the space occupied by the posts; whereas in the other photos I have stepped the focus inwards to capture detail of one of the many pulleys and ropes.

The following images simply celebrate rust and small fragments near the posts.

Though the image below makes one wonder about the size off the anchor buried in the field if that whale tail is any indication of size.

The light and weather on our morning walks always offers us something new even if we have seen the same objects many times. 

How gorgeous, what an achievement!!!!!

 

Following are but a few images of the setting up and opening of Fiona's solo exhibition Hame. The photo above shows the set up after we had finished but without lighting - a soft image. Fiona's works appear quiet and yet they hold so much content; and tell stories of both hardship and beauty.

Following are a few images of the process of setting up - starting with a blank room and wall. The setting up included installing the signage brought across from Australia; and putting the display table together.

And a few of the evening of the official opening - a strong local crowd, including some of our village neighbours, to hear Fiona share then background to her work and the meaning and making of the pieces.

It was a grand night - so good that the work is there to be shared and enjoyed for September.  I'm sure Fiona will say more and share more images on her blog.