During the late 19th century the herring fishing industry on the Orkney Islands became large-scale. During the six weeks of summer between 300 and 400 boats descended upon Stromness Harbour.The population would rise by 4-5000 people.
Women and girls who followed the herring shoals around the British coast worked at the many curing stations on the stone piers along the harbour.They gutted and packed the fish for export to Germany and Russia.It is said they could gut up to sixty herring per minute.
By 1908 as the herring shoals moved away,the industry declined.
'The Yole Boats'
20 x 60cm
mixed media on canvas
One thought I had at the New Year was to get back to blogging…so at the end of February I have finally made it.It wasn't an easy start to 2015 with a number of rejections,some expected some unexpected and appalling health.Art took a backseat while just getting on with family life took priority as usual.While I wasn't physically working in the studio my subconscious continued to work -with an ongoing project that is just in it's early stages.
The Orkney islands and our trip there last summer continue to inspire and with the ice, snow and coldness of the winter upon us I can feel the warmth of the breeze across the islands and the smell of the sea…..
The Ring of Brodgar built around 2600 BC is the third largest stone circle in Britain after Avebury and Stonehenge.Theories and speculations about why it was built are common.Perhaps it was an astronomical observatory or according to myth, a ring of dancing giants turned to stone in the glittering sunrise…..
A magical place.
Ring of Brodgar
The Ring
20 x 60 cm
mixed media on canvas
