peatlight studio

Yurt 2011

2011-08-06T11:49:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again, with the anticipation of warm balmy weather (I hope) and plenty of visitors, I'm holding another exhibition in The Yurt Gallery. Opening times are between 10am till 5pm up until Friday 12th August 2011. I will be closed Tuesday. There will be prints and cards for sale along with some original paintings. The Gallery is at Rydal Hall which is approx 2 miles North of Ambleside on the A591. There is a lovely tea room nearby with home made cakes which I'm trying to resist (for now).

Sketch notes from Rum

2011-06-24T06:35:00.000-07:00

The Cuillin of Rum

The Isle of Rum is a wild landscape with varied geology and abundance of wildlife. I've just returned from a backpacking trip to the island and I must say we where very lucky with the weather, and the least rare of all species THE MIDGE. This enabled a friend Fran and myself to enjoy great camping, fantastic sunsets, sketch without scratching and being driven mad, and experience one of Scotland's finest ridges, the Rum Cuillin.

A couple of images from my sketchbook.

Guirdil Bothy and Bloodstone Hill.

Descent to Harris from Trollabhal.

The name Trollabhal comes from the Norse name Troll Mountain. The name derives from the early settlers who thought the noises of the Manx Shearwaters hidden in their underground burrows where Trolls.

I don't remember ever seeing a sunset like this one with the Isle of Canna in the foreground. Big skies and elusive distant showers.

New Exhibition - four

2011-05-12T04:09:00.000-07:00

Joy GRINDROD David PENN Sally TOMS Pam WILLIAMSON

Four contrasted contempory artists

take inspiration from the physical and human landscapes

in this exhibition of new works.

20 May - 12 June 2011 Wednesdays - Sundays, 11 - 4pm

Mill Yard Studios

Staveley, Kendal LA8 9R . 01539 721836

Work in progress

2011-02-08T02:48:00.000-08:00

I have quite a collection of sketchbooks of which the contents are rarely seen by the public. They are a visual record of my day in the hills along with my camera. The sketchbook is nearly always the main source from which I base my work as they reflect my initial response to the land and elements in front of me. I often work alongside my partner Dave, better know as Cubby Cuthbertson, an inspirational landscape and climbing photographer, and Einich my little sketching buddy. We are undergoing a few changes to our websites over the next few weeks. Limited edition prints and photographs will be available to buy online. We are looking forward to it and will keep you posted.

small2010 - Exhibition coming up!!!

2010-11-16T03:29:00.000-08:00

small2010 - Information of my latest exhibition can be found by clicking on the link: http://www.millyardstudios.co.uk/programme.htm

Weekend of contrasts

2010-10-31T08:54:00.000-07:00

The view on a walk can quickly change from this....

to this....

I just love Autumn!!!

Meall a' Bhuachaille

2010-10-22T02:44:00.000-07:00

I was about to post this blog yesterday but was called out on a rescue to assist a walker with an injured ankle on Copt Howe, Great Langdale. See the Langdale/Ambleside MRT webpage http://www.lamrt.org.uk/ and Facebook profile for more information about the team.

I've recently returned from a short visit to Aviemore where Autumn and the Spey Valley birches are on full display. The weather wasn't looking very promising for the afternoon so I decided to have a quick walk up Meall a' Bhuachaille before the worst of it came in. The winds built up to quite a strength so there wasn't any lingering on the summit. My interest was drawn to what was at my feet on the way back down through the woods. Here are a few piccys:

Between the Stones - Trailer

2010-10-03T06:17:00.000-07:00

The trailer to "Between the Stones" can be viewed on You Tube by clicking on the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7qD2CS7HKg

The DVD can be purchased by sending a cheque for £10 including postage to:
Langdale /Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team
Lowfold
Lake Road
Ambleside
Cumbria
LA22 ODN

Between the Stones

2010-09-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

A major filming project that has dominated my life for the past 3 years is now finished. "Between the Stones" is an insight into the work of a bunch of volunteers, the Langdale/Ambleside mountain Rescue Team. Being a member, my aim was to give an honest, realistic view on how we work as a team. It is now out on DVD and can be purchased from The Climbers Shop in Ambleside, or from the team website http://www.lamrt.org.uk/ all proceeds are donated to the team.

Two Dogs

2010-09-04T10:27:00.000-07:00

Well done Nick Fayers and newly graded Search Dog Sam, proudly showing off the well earned green tag. I'm sure they will both look forward to many a foul night on the back of Crinkle Crags searching for missing folk. Meanwhile, success for myself and Einich is still a very small light at the end of a very long tunnel. Here she is enjoying the beautiful heather on Holme Fell
Happy Days!

The Yurt Gallery 2010

2010-08-05T04:42:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures to illustrate the unusual venue for my last exhibition. It was held last week in The Yurt Gallery in the grounds of Rydal Hall estate. Despite the mixed weather (mainly dreech), I had quite a few folks passing through. The wood burning stove (below) made from a gas cylinder kept me going on the damper days. Thanks to Diane Standen, who owns the yurt. Diane runs her textile and workshop business for here.

Ross-shire

2010-07-22T13:01:00.000-07:00

Mellon Udrigle sketch

The last week has been total hardship -Relaxing, painting, sketching, coastal walks, wonderful dawns and sunsets. We have been house and dogsitting in the land of big skies and fantastic light. Even the wet windy days have come up with some little gems as the rain clears to make way for new inspiration.

She must be getting better

2010-06-14T02:38:00.000-07:00

For anyone who is following the progress of Einich the trainee search dog. I'm pleased to announce that we are now working through assessments. We still have a quite a way to go, at least 7 full days, it can go pear shaped at any time. Mick our training officer said "joy, just don't count them". Don't worry, I wont. Our assessment day on Saturday wasn't an easy one for Einich, or myself. It was quite a warm day with no becks in the area for her to cool down. I carried water and a collapsable dog bowl around with me. Despite the heat she still indicated reliably when she found everybody. I made a big mistake of not wearing the right boots on the hill, causing me to hobble in pain round the latter part of my last area. I really should have known better!!

My next assessment, all being well is in July.

Spring Backpack

2010-06-02T03:39:00.000-07:00

Beinn Dearg Mor from Achneigie

Spring seems to have arrived all at once, it's only a month late! I left the Lakes in a heat wave to start a planned backpack in the Fisherfield area with a couple of two, and four legged friends with the hope of sketching and spending some time in the wilderness. Unfortunately planned trips never seem to work out for getting good weather. A few showers can bring special light to the landscape, especially with the fresh spring colours, however, these particular forecasted showers seemed to merge into one leaving no gaps to temporarily dry out. I'm afraid to say we walked out early. Karen volunteered to hitch back to the car while Pete and I stood in the damp with the dogs slowly getting midged! What wimps! Not all was lost though! after a night in the dry and a nice hot shower we were rejuvenated and ready for another day in the hills.

We did cheat a bit! This wonderful bothy (Location - I'm not telling) was too inviting so we took the opportunity to dry out.

The forecast was improving all the time so we had a day in the Fannichs. It was here we came across two very fit runners who where clearly enjoying the day. After a brief chat we found out one of them, Stephen Pyke was attempting to summit all the Munro's in 40 days to raise money for the John Muir Trust. This was day 36 and he was on target. With spring arriving late, he must have started out with quite a bit of snow on the tops. Progress of his amazing journey can be followed on his blog http://munros2010.blogspot.com, and the John Muir Trust website is www.jmt.org/home.asp

Stephen Pyke (Left)

A day in the office

2010-04-06T05:29:00.000-07:00

I spent a few days with my sister Kathy who works as an Avalanche observer in North Cairngorm. There is still an amazing amount of snow, even for this time of year! Her job is to collect data by digging a pit in the snow and gather information, based on snow crystal type, snow temperatures, hardness etc, and use it to give an avalanche prediction for the area. This is done every day during the winter in all weathers, even on the windiest days. You can see here the depth of snow which is still around, in this snow pit she found about 7 different layers of snow type. For further information about the Scottish Avalanche Information Service go the the website: http://www.sais.gov.uk/

Training update

2010-03-15T10:05:00.000-07:00

Dram and Einich

This weekend was spent training Einich under Striding Edge and the surrounding hillside. We made quite a bit of progress working larger areas to extend the length of time she works before locating a hidden person. Red Tarn proved to be quite a challenge, there where quite a number of onlookers, some unknowingly stood right next to the hidden person who was sheltering in a bivvybag (protection against the weather). I think they must have got a bit of a surprise when, what they thought was a rock started to move as Einich approached and stood barking next to it. A big thankyou goes out to all our very willing volunteers who give up their spare time to sit out on a fellside in all weathers.

Unfortunately I didn't take my camera so I have included a photo from last months training in the Cairngorms.

Still snowing in Cairngorm

2010-03-01T05:21:00.000-08:00

Einich at work

February has been a month of travelling between the Lakes, Glencoe and the Cairngorms. We have been blessed with fantastic snow conditions and great weather. This last week I have been in the Cairngorms with SARDA (Lakes) training Einich to locate people buried in Avalanches. We had a group of hard working volunteers who didn't mind being buried in snowholes several feet below the surface and wait for the dogs to come and find them. The dogs located them by picking up an air born scent which filtered up from the snow, they then dig and bark to locate the source. It's great to see how quickly a dog can pick up a scent and home in on it. All the dogs did really well. By midweek a fresh snowfall arrived which was enough to closed the ski area for a couple of days. We seem to have been digging all week.

'Peat Light' Exhibition opening!

2010-01-28T12:32:00.000-08:00

I'd just like to say a big thankyou to everyone that came along to view my exhibition opening last Saturday. It was a great success and very enjoyable chatting to you all! If anyone would like to go along to see my work, it will be on show in the Severn Studio, Brantwood, East of The Lake, Coniston, until 7th March 2010.

New Exhibition at Brantwood Coniston

2010-01-18T08:58:00.000-08:00

This Saturday is the start of my latest exhibition "Peat Light", held in the Severn Studio at Brantwood, Coniston. There will be new work showing, many are of local scenes and some Scottish landscapes. It will be showing until 7th March 2010. For further details go the Brantwood's website www.brantwood.org.uk

Sketching in big gloves!!

2010-01-09T12:16:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year. An Teallach from Opinan.

Dave, Einich and I spent the New Year in the Far North before returning back to Glencoe. The weather was a mix of blizzards and beautiful sunshine, but always well below freezing with a biting wind, bringing the temperatures down even further. Despite the extreme cold, Dave managed to stand for hours in the pursuit of the perfect photograph, and I managed to sketch in big gloves stuffed with handwarmers. Conditions underfoot was quite hard going, the soft deep snow meant we had to break trail most of the time. Luckily I managed to borrow some snow shoes which made walking a little easier, although it does help if you remember to bring your walking poles.! (I'd forgotton mine).

Einich in survival mode!

it's amazing how dogs can suddenly spring into action when a sandwich appears.

Winter Wonderful!

2009-12-22T07:02:00.000-08:00

The view this morning........I love it!!!

It's been snowing on and off since Saturday, and no chance of driving out anywhere to get supplies. It came as a bit of a relief to see the snowplough (Tractor) coming up the road.

Just some of the massive piles of snow that have been shovelled out of the way.

Wetherlam this morning.

2009-12-17T03:05:00.000-08:00

I was up with the larks this morning in the anticipation of snow showers and beautiful light. As I walked up onto Holme Fell I was not disappointed! The views that met me chilled the toes but warmed the soul.

It's official - Santa has sacked Rudolf!!!!

2009-12-14T07:18:00.000-08:00

Here are a few photo's to sum up the weekends activities. Due to the lack of snow Santa decided that a different mode of transport was necessary.

Frost in Buttermere!

The sun never reached the valley bottom, it remained icy and cold all weekend. The poor folks stood at the bottom watching Einich and I searching the fell side remained in the shade all day. My thanks go to out to them and also to the "Dogs Bodies" who volunteered to sit out all day and hide for me.

Sunday - an easier day!!

or maybe not....
We had a practice session with the RAF winching dogs and handlers into the aircraft. Unfortunately, but, to the amusement of onlookers, I ended up wearing Einich on my head like a hat! I've got the claw marks on my helmet as a reminder of the day.

Who looks the happiest!!

these.....

or these....

Sketching is what you make it.

2009-12-11T12:38:00.000-08:00

Glen FeshieI produced this sketch a while back on a piece of photocopy paper. Sometimes I find the less precious the paper is, the more I tend to relax and sketch freely. It's only paper after all!
Some of the greatest architecture was produced from ideas first created on a piece of scrap paper.

Ben Alder Landscape

2009-12-01T01:48:00.000-08:00

Ben Alder Stone - Helen Howe

A fellow dog handler and friend sent me this photo of a miniature landscape while she was on a backpacking trip near Ben Alder. She admitted there was only so much you can carry and drew the line at carrying a rock around in her sack for several days. Instead, she took this photograph!

I think it's fantastic....Anybody else have any of these little gems?

A Gift

2009-11-10T02:02:00.001-08:00

Isn't nature wonderful. Even on the darkest damp days, nature can come up with some little gems..........a landscape within a landscape.
I was out walking with a friend of mine, she spotted this and gave it to me. A little treasure on a late autumn day.

Langdale /Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team

2009-10-24T07:01:00.000-07:00

One of my interests outside the world of art is being a member of Langdale/Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team. Alongside this, I'm training my young Border Collie Einich to be a Search Dog. Not only does that keep me busy, I also decided to take on the role of making a promotional film for the team to use on open nights during the summer months.

Today was one of those less than perfect days for filming, wet with the forecast to become windy later!!!! (Not good, if the camera isn't designed for underwater film making). We spent the morning in the National Trust car park at the New Dungeon Ghyll in Langdale. The team felt it was important to encourage safety awareness after a spate of serious accidents last winter due to lack of experience and the right equipment. The idea was to encourage the less experienced hill goers to be prepared for poor conditions in the hills. Having the right equipment and knowing how to use it is a clear message that will hopefully save lives this winter.

BBC North West and Border TV where also out filming. I managed to avoid being on camera.

Einich

For more information about the search dogs go to the website http://www.sardalakes.org.uk/

and the team http://www.lamrt.org.uk/

P.s The camera survived.

Autumn Outings

2009-10-19T12:33:00.000-07:00

Early autumn in Abernethy - The Cairngorms

The Autumn colours are now starting to look quite promising. I travelled North to Glencoe to meet up with my boyfriend Dave who is always on the lookout for that perfect photograph. I took the opportunity to collect plenty of sketches and photographs ready to develop into paintings once I returned to the Lakes. The weather in the West didn't seem to want to let up, I know I like a bit of bad weather but sometimes it can get a bit much, so we travelled East to the Cairngorm to seek a bit of sunshine.

Returning to the Lakes, I found the Autumn colours developing quite nicely. The Duddon valley is one of my favorite haunts at this time of year.

Keep an eye on the News page for information on my forthcoming Exhibition early next year.

Dave seems to enjoy the prospect of getting his feet wet in order to search for that perfect shot. Einich looks on!!!! She's not quite so keen.

The Fringe Festival - Edinburgh

2009-08-27T04:31:00.000-07:00

My work can be seen on stand 21 which is situated next to the Royal Academy near Princes Street. It's a busy square with the Fringe and Tattoo stalls in front of us. Although the weather has been mixed, the atmosphere is lively with plenty of street artists and live music to keep us entertained.If you fancy a visit, the stall is the first one you come to once you have left Princes Street. The picture will give an idea of our location. We will the there until Bank Holiday Monday.

Welcome

2009-08-26T14:10:00.000-07:00

I'd just like to start by welcoming you to the Peatlight Studio Blog. My aim is to update you with news on sketching trips, as well as exhibitions and events.
August has been a busy month, starting with a nine day exhibition, held in quite an unusual venue, The Yurt Gallery in the grounds of Rydal Hall. I must say it has been a wonderful place to exhibit, with a relaxing atmosphere, I even managed to work on some paintings while I was there. Thanks to all who came along to have a look.