Kirkcudbright art & Crafts trail . . .

In the nearby town of  Kirkcudbright  from Friday 29th July - Monday1st August
there is to be held the 8th annual Art & Crafts Trail. 

Started by two very dedicated ladies Pauline Saul and Vivien Dania 

 it is an event to show the works of many  local artists & makers.
( My "Carrick Mermaid" was chosen to grace the trails map. ) 

I am exited to say that this time next week both Mom & I

shall be sat amidst our paintings, prints, cards & crafty things

in the lovely space we have been allocated on the trail. . .

in the newly re-furbished, light & airy basement of

"Rhubarb",  run by Daughter & Mum, Carolynne & Brenda 

situated at 1a Castle Street, opposite McLellans castle.

*         *         * 

Do come along, it would be lovely to meet friends old & new alike. 

See here for trail info & here to see a sample of Moms paintings.

and finally, as promised, some of my inspiration from my travels in Turkey 

A glimpse inside my sketchbook, at my fondness for pattern & symmetry 

Above are the final designs, now printed up as cards.

I found so much more information for my work at this amazing site

"Turkish Cultural Foundation", 

Well, really i have far to much to be doing to be sitting here lol

so i shall off until next time, but before i disappear i must just tell you

a couple of weeks ago I took another big step on this my creative journey

I gave up my day job completely & am now a fully fledged, full time, self-employed artist!

folklore feature, film & museum

 Vogue has done a spot in its July issue on

British folklore,

with quirky photography by Tim Walker

using real folksies for the shoot

read more here . . .

(image by Tim Walker) 

A wonderful film due for release next year

Ruadhan the Bard

the first of a series 

filmed just around the corner

in Whithorn is bringing

Scottish folklore to the big screen.
Cast members include
Margaret Bennet, regarded as Scotlands best folklorist,
&  Sheila Stewart, acclaimed storyteller and ballad singer. 

(Image from the Ruadhan the Bard site) 

and for another taste of the same

visit the ever growing

"Museum of British Folklore"

setup by set & costume designer

Simon Costin.

A fascinating & much needed project.

entranced & distracted . . .

 I have been entranced & distracted

by such visions still dancing in my head!

For i have whiled away days in a quiet corner of Turkey 

with my dearest mom, lovely sister & little nephew, 

discovering such days of rest, stillness & quiet.

The smell of sweet scented pines & the sound of chirping crickets  

the vibrant colours of the flowers & the warmth of the local folk.

So many lasting memories, so many extraordinary sights we saw.  

 The ghost town of Kayakoy left me wanting to know so much more,  

with its elegant, crumbling church & ruins of homes  

a reminder of the saddest of times not so long past.
( i read "birds without wings" soon after,
alternately laughing & weeping through this tragic tale)

At the ruins of Kaunos we walked the steps of ancient Romans,
and gazed on mighty rock-hewn tombs far above our heads . 

 The hours ticked so much more slowly, or so it seemed to us,

time to re-discover old favorites & unearth new ones.

 Slowing down & catching up. 

the biggest thank you to my precious sister for so many cherished moments, 

 for the wonderful time away that then allowed me to remember afresh 

why i love coming home to these greenest of Scottish hills 

x x x 

the results of these distractions i shall share very soon  . . .

gothic splendor, times past & present. . .

On travels to see my lovely eldest lass in Bristol

there was time to visit awe inspiring Gothic splendor

St Mary Redcliffe church, Bristol

with its intricate lace like patterns, carved in stone so long ago

We found glowing stained glass, the sun streaming through

throwing jewel colours onto stone floors, worn by many feet.

How many generations past have gazed at these windows
trying to conjure the ancient tales they may tell?

Green men & gargoyles were tucked away

waiting, silently, to be found again.

Unrecognisable beasts curled ever in waiting

guarding the entrance against long forgotten evils.

Tortured souls gazing sightlessly from their broken columns
for how many moons have they looked down upon the throngs?

and waiting to inspire; bright, medieval colours & patterns

in painted panels, vaulted ceilings & mosaic floors.
I pondered the lives of the folk who created these so long ago.

Inspired i was indeed, by the intricacy, the brightness, the detail.

Inspired enough to finish, at last, my stained glass inspired foxy painting.
Thinking on the passing of time, as i dipped my brush in deepest blues.
Remembering those treasures folk have left behind, shrouded in mystery.
As i added golden stars to my midnight skies, i gave thanks.
Thanks that we have these treasures still,  linking back to the past,
to our ancestors, their skills, their imagination, their patience.
* * *

I am fleeing away far overseas, for a wee while to visit my precious niece,

Taking time out, my sister & I,  to holiday together with our lovely Mom,

The last time we all were together like this i would have been 16/17?!
How time does fly!!
When i return my foxes shall be sitting in my shop.
Wishing you all happiness & peace x x

away & back again & a hare here & there . . .

I have been away forever, for we have been a-settling into our newest wee home!    

 One  with wide open spaces & views, space to breathe & breathtaking big skies.   
Such a feeling of peace & quiet we have discovered here  away from it all.
The loveliness of it all still hasn't quite sunk in yet 

Surrounded by forest & the Galloway hills, the sea just a stones throw away,

 we have been watching the weather rolling in across the distant hills,
have been discovering faeries hidden in the woods, can you see above
 (whoever lived here before loved these wee folk too, they are dotted about).

 Deer greet us as we drive up the lane & a woodpecker feeds in the garden,

So many butterflies & bees already & a huge big hare who lives in the field .

Several new hares have entered into our home too
 i want to share the work of 2 artists whom i greatly admire.

My wooden hare (below) was made by the lovely Karen Davies,
who's work I 1st discovered in my early blogging days.

Her magical blog "Moonlight & Hares"
is filled with lovely images,  paintings & such soothing music.

A while ago, whilst looking for treasures for faerietale blog,   
I came across the amazing work of the "Hairy Growler". 
Lez lovingly fashions treasures from old silver coins & spoons, 
  it is re-cycling at its very best & so much to choose from!   

After much deciding I bought my Hare necklace (see above)  

 I love the added personal touches Lez includes,
 like Mr O & my initials engraved on the back of the hare.

There is so much more  I have to share, like . . .
all the new & exciting arty happenings but i shall save that till next time,
I leave you with this photo, Mom has a hare that visits here beautiful garden often

and now tucked away there, "almost" out of sight is this tiny leverette.
So lovely to be back x
(ps: I was finally brave enough to upgrade to new blogger
& now you can click on the images to view them larger)