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Through a Nature Photographer’s eye
I was drawn to her stunning images the first time I saw Alyson’s photographs. In a way it isn’t surprising as she combines her love of nature with art, so we already have a quite lot in common. Alyson Fennell is a Fine Art Nature Photographer, she is also a keen gardener, […]
Nobles of the Woods
This holly tree has the most beautiful pimpled bark. Clusters of nodules and wrinkles which I think tell of its age. Nature writer Roger Deakin describes the burrs and bumps on trees as being “like pearls in oysters”. They’re fascinating – some looking almost like fruit. Are these from insects, or environmental pollution – […]
Objects of Remembrance
The First World War Centenary One hundred years since the end of the conflict. To be honest I find it difficult to imagine what it must have really been like during those war years. All of us have family stories passed down, told, re-told – generations affected. I suppose it is impossible to […]
Inside Outside – Yorkshire Sculpture Park
The Yorkshire Sculpture Park is always a place I enjoy exploring and spending time, but I haven’t been for ages. Yesterday, in the glorious October sunshine, I made an impromptu brief visit. The parkland looked magnificent, and so did the sculpture. Of course I was bound to be drawn to Sean Scully’s exhibition Inside […]
A Loveliness of Ladybirds
As a result of the clocks going back I discover that the collective name for Ladybirds (Ladybugs, Ladybeetles) is a Loveliness. A Loveliness I’m sure I should have known this, it seems so obvious now! And perfect! I clambered up into the rafters at the workshop to alter the clock hands, back one […]
Walk with me
This is the beautiful invitation on the back of a little book I’ve just read. The book is Path – A short story about reciprocity by Louisa Thomsen Brits. I was introduced to the book by Hole and Corner – a publication celebrating creativity, craftsmanship and heritage, who had it as their book of […]
Wildlife Artists
The Society of Wildlife Artists annual exhibition The Natural Eye opens today at the Mall Galleries, running until Sunday 4th November, 2018. Over 350 works are shown – all created by artists dedicated to and inspired by wildlife. What could be better!? If you like wildlife art that is! There’s a […]
When I’m ready to riffel
When I’m ready to riffel, I go to the riffler jar. Here I keep these rather special little tools – they are narrow and elongated with a curved file surface at each end – used for filing. Riffling is a most enjoyable process (it is a lovely word too – I think comes from […]
In the Workshop today – lettercutting
It is fascinating delving into the history of a property, discovering a building’s past. It can come from a simple find in the loft, or behind a wall covering, tucked under a skirting or floorboard, which sparks further investigation or come from dedicated research into the construction and architectural history. I’ve been working on […]
Seasonal Stone
Stone flushed with Autumn colour. I’m collecting these hips, there are lots. It is a wild rose, it grew from seed (delivered by a bird, by the wind, on animal fur?) on a path leading to my stone store shed, and which makes me stoop and squeeze sideways every time I go past. It […]