Saturday 5 October 2013

Lakes Collective - Poets and Artists collaborative.


Recently I took part in an exciting challenge organised through the Wordsworth Trust. Following a recent visit to St Oswalds Church an Grasmere, a number of artists and designers from the Lakes Collective, together with local Poets, collaborated to produce a lovely exhibit of art inspired by poetry.

My chosen poem, 'A Silent Poetry' by Sarah Hymas.

What the relic is to the original,
this church is to its God;
a word contains its thought.

To question demands more,
like arch on arch offering more light
than plaster. Faith is speechless.

Only air distinguishes between
the layering of rushes
and feathers on a wing.

The same air turns yews to music
to shade to silence
to the brimming of this breath

so everything before and beyond
is lost, so deeply here,
like the towering river, the bells -

water and rope, running
through our fingers, cannot
be held or stopped

to be named or sung
except by the blackbird
pulling worms from the grass

too busy to look up. It takes flight
as brother, sister,
a shadow overhead, underfoot.


I found it quite difficult to choose a poem, simply because they all speak to me in many ways, but the common thread is the historical element within layers of history which linger in the space of the church.
The Silent Poetry. Lead me to question, what is language, what is being? Dealing with the concept of time, what makes that moment what it is?

I interpret "A Silent Poetry" as a relationship between elements and environment. One needs the other to evolve, silent and un noticed, yet produce some of the most stunning micro worlds, landscapes. Unwritten poetry.
As a landscape artist, Im influenced by the texture and colour that is provided in nature.
I was drawn to the lichens on the grave stones which have silently evolved, largely un noticed over the years, growing a millimetre a year. A visual passage of time in nature, a reaction between element and environment.

"Only air distinguishes between
the layering of rushes
and feathers on a wing.

The same air turns yews to music
to shade to silence
to the brimming of this breath

so everything before and beyond
is lost, so deeply here,". Sarah Hymas

The micro existence of lichens possess a language of their own, unwritten, beautiful, "A Silent Poetry".

I created a small handmade book, a study of the gravestone lichens.

The exhibit can be seen at St Oswalds Church until 8th October 2013


Saturday 28 September 2013

'Holy Detritus' a creative adventure into St. Oswalds Church.


It's been a privilege to be part of this event which, hopefully will be repeated next year. I'll post again soon with more detail about my exhibit.

‘Holy Detritus’
a creative adventure into 
St. Oswald’s Church

A three way collaboration between
Lakes Collective of Artists
and Designer Makers,
The Wordsworth Trust,
St. Oswald’s Church, Grasmere

13 completely new poems written by poets chosen by the Wordsworth Trust and inspired by St. Oswald’s Church shown in situ at the church alongside works of art inspired by those poems made by 20 local artists and designer makers.

Sat Sept 28th – Tues Oct 8th
Open to view 9am – 5pm Free Entry
St. Oswald’s Church, central Grasmere LA22 9SW
Refreshments available 10am – 4pm

HYPERLINK "http://lakescollective.blogspot.co.uk/" lakescollective.blogspot.co.uk wordsworth.org.uk

Sunday 21 April 2013

Once again I will be exhibiting for a short period in The Yurt Gallery at Rydal Hall from Tues 22nd - Sat 27th April 2013. Opening hours between 10am - 5pm. I hope we manage to get some lovely weather like the Easter period where I managed to get out and about to complete a few sketches on my ipad. If you are not sure how to find me, details of Rydal Hall can be found on their website  www.rydalhall.org 

Looking forward to having a few visitors.



Friday 22 March 2013

Exhibition to kick start the season.


To kick start the season I am holding an Exhibition in the Yurt Gallery at Rydal Hall, from 2-6th April. I'll be displaying paintings and prints, cards and bookmarks. Its a lovely stop off near a great tearoom (can't resist the cakes) along the popular walking route between Ambleside and Grasmere.
Details of Rydal Hall can be found on their website:http://www.rydalhall.org/

Crinkle Crags - Langdale

Friday 1 March 2013

Scotland's North coast

It's not very often I get the chance to visit this part of Scotland but the chance came when I went to visit Dave. His work would be based there until March. He mentioned on his days off that he has discovered some lovely little harbours, and bays with beaches. He is always on the lookout for photographic potential. It was well worth a visit for sketching. The sea stacks a Duncansby Head is a place that we have earmarked for future inspirations. The stacks change shape, developing into interesting profiles from every angle, taking on different moods with its own unique weather patterns.

Monday 7 January 2013

New Year trip North and a new sketching tool.

Melin Udrigle - Rosshire.

First of all I'd just like to wish you all a happy new year. Dave and I headed to the far north west for the new year celebrations. Although the weather was far from perfect we still managed to venture out into the elements and sample the bracing southerly winds. Above, I've introduced a sketch using my new christmas pressy, a mini ipad. It takes a bit of time to get used to the techniques and work out what I actually want to achieve with it, but I didn't think it was too bad for a first attempt. I can't see me venturing out without my sketchbook, but the idea of the ipad as an extra tool is definitely growing on me. 

Here are a couple of Glencoe shots which Dave took on his phone.   

The Lost Valley