Yggdrasil

Tomorrow sees the opening of my first solo exhibition at the  Mustard Gallery,Langholm. Entitled 'Yggdrasil',the body of work is inspired by my trip to the Orkney Islands and Norse mythology.
The latest piece that I completed is called 'A Time to Keep'-named after a book by George Mackay Brown,the Islands best known author and poet.

This is a detail of the scrolls -using paper,mod-roc,thread,acrylic ink and paint on a background of mod-roc,hessian and handmade paper……

On the right-hand side is my artistic interpretation of a Norse calendar stick. It's based on a long brown stick spotted in Skaill House-adjacent to Skara Brae .It was carved with runes and symbols indicating the annual festivals.

The background is again mod-roc with fragments of burnt paper symbolic of the rise of Christianity and the demise of the old beliefs in the 11th century.

'A Time to Keep'

Boxwork

36 x 36cm

Mixed media

Tomorrow I'll be at the gallery from 10am to discuss and demonstrate my work-something I'm really looking forward to.

Righto,off to finish packing my bags…..

Cut the Mustard Gallery

52 High St

Langholm

DG13 0JH

mustardgallery@gmail.com

013873 81180

Back in the studio….

Fingers crossed we're all back to good health,antibiotics finished, children  back to school,back into routine and finally  back into the studio.

My first solo exhibition at the Mustard Gallery ,Langholm opens on Saturday 18th January until 25th February.I'm therefore in the process of recording images ,dimensions,materials and carefully wrapping work to take over on Tuesday.I'll be at the gallery on Saturday  to demonstrate my work-something I'm really looking forward to.

I've also been completing some new works which have established themselves over a period of time.I'm pleased with the outcome-especially as they are a new venture for me.

I haven't put a title to them yet.They are a series of three box- works with materials including Egyptian paste ,shell,slate,burnt paper, hessian,handmade paper,watercolour,acrylic ink,silver leaf,sand and mod-roc.

Each frame measures approximately 18cm x 18cm.They have the depth which allows the layers of materials to be built up.

The photographs don't really do justice to the colours,layers and textures.

I'm also completing a larger piece that includes the small scrolls I made earlier -crumbs,July 2013!That however,will be my next blog…….x

A new year

 The end of a year and start  of a new one is always time for reflection -on what has passed and what the new year will hold.It has been another roller coaster year for us and the start of 2014 is going to be difficult as we deal with impending loss.We are fortunate to have so many family and good friends who have stood with us through the good times and bad.

I don't really make any resolutions  but I'll endeavour to have more of the following ….

And instead of thinking about things for the year ahead,I think this is more apt ...

We have a number of positive things to look forward to both from a personal point of view and in my creative world.Sometimes though ,it's just the simple things that bring me the most pleasure…today was a walk and the sun came out……

may it shine brightly through your new year too……

Peace,health and happiness to you all….x