Jura No More

At last the landscape has gone, never to be ventured upon again! 

Am quite pleased with alternative effort, a seascape with my favourite subject; a moon, too large and slightly otherworldly.  We'll see what the reaction is.  Already a new version is in my head, reverse the image and paint in an other island and moon and get a stunning reflection pic, perhaps next year!  I thought there was too much sky and sea hence painted on boarder, off-setting the picture changes the viewing dynamic, whatever that means! 

This is called 'Jura No More' because it's Jura, no more, obvious really

Tayvallich Artist - Sue Hillman

A new artist exhibiting their work in the Barn this year is Tayvallich artist Sue Hillman whose colourful cityscapes are worked in oils.

Sue also has a range of knitted hats, waistcoats and headbands for sale in the Gallery.

Talented rug maker and fabric designer - Lucy Griffiths

We are delighted to be hosting the craft work of fabric designer Lucy Griffiths this year. With the imminent arrival of her first baby, opening her studio has taken a back seat to the rather more pressing needs of organising the nursery.  From her charming horse and rider pieces to her naively embroidered hearts and cushions, all of Lucy's work is immaculately and painstakingly detailed and finished.

The Apotheosis of a Meercat

Whilst driving through our local industrial estate I chanced upon the sad sight of a squashed Meercat, screeshing to a halt I nipped out and retrieved some.
"The Apotheosis of a Meercat" was the work that sprang to mind, I only had to do it, so I did.

"The Apotheosis of a Meercat" by Alexander Hamilton

a·poth·e·o·sis

The elevation of someone to divine status; deification.

Lambs on the Hill

We have a small herd of pure bred Herdwick sheep up here on the hill which visitors to the gallery are welcome to see.  I often use their fleece in my felt pictures, for example in this picture of Hector that I made for dads birthday last October.

The greenery around his head is 'mill waste' wool batt. Wool Batt is washed but uncombed fibre.  In this instance waste wool from a tweed mill, dyed in these wonderful soft green heathery colours.  I used a wet felting method and then needle felted the details on to the dry felt afterwards.

Last year there were no lambs so it has come as rather a surprise to find some of the ewes dropping lambs all over the farm as it were!  Since Sunday three singletons and a pair of twins have arrived, and there are still four potential mums-to-be.  So I've a supply of fleece 'on the hoof' for a good few years to come!
I use the fleece 'raw' ie straight off the sheep, well once it has been shorn, but it is unwashed & uncombed.  It is full of lanolin, twigs, grass seed (and dead bugs but we won't go there!) knots and tangles and has the most fantastic sheepy smell (if you're a wannabe shepherdess like me!) The clumps of wool often help to create the shape of a piece of landscape or sky or I tease it out slightly.
We had a herd of Jacob sheep before the Herdwicks came along and I use their fleece too in pictures like this one I did recently.  Titled 'Tide's out', it uses the browns and creamy white of the natural Jacob fleece.

And in these two imagined Dalraida landscapes Jacob fleece made a great boiling, stormy sky enriched by needling red merino wool in from the reverse.

I don't have any photographs yet of this years lambs but here are a couple of the sheep.

The original Herdwick girls - Harriet, Hermione and Henrietta

Mum with the first of the Jacob lambs several years ago 

Jacobs under the beech tree

And the from the last lot of lambs two years ago, mum with her shadow Rosie. 

Rosie had to be hand reared and still comes when you call her.  She thinks she is a dog rather than a sheep, and isn't being a very maternal to her new tup lamb born this afternoon.

Recent work

Beginning to gear up to the new season with new artwork for display.
This piece entitled 'Urhino' is by Alexander Hamilton.

It was exhibited with its accompanying poem in the 'Lyric' exhibition at An Tobar, Mull at the end of last year.

Safari

On the great green grassy African plain

Dotted hither and yon with thorn trees

An angle of Giraffes moves from tree to tree

Prehensile tongues stripping leaves.

Is it Acacia? I know we’ve been told

Every time the rains fail, or the rains fall

That nice man from the BBC, he knows.

In between the trees, an estate of Termite castles

Millions of tiny minds with but a single thought

Thank God they’re not bigger.

A slink of Lions watches a deer

Anticipation writ large.

A sneak of Jackals watches the Lions

Anticipation writ large.

A crossing of Zebras graze unconcerned.

A raucous of vultures fights over road kill

The sprint of Cheetahs left behind.

Safari buses queue to view the remains

A troop of Guides alert for danger

Peers anxiously into the brush haze.

20,000 Americans a year need home comforts

The widow from Arkansas wont squat.

The accountant from Salt Lake City

Has issues with privacy and his mother.

Canvas siding hides the performers,

From the bush curious beasts watch intently.

Small bright eyes slowly blink, small ears twitch

Massive nostrils quiver at alien smells,

Territory is being encroached upon.

The blunder of Rhinos shifts restlessly

Enough is enough, they charge

Ripping through the encampment

The Widow has no problem squatting

The accountant finds public performance no hindrance

The Rhinos, triumphant, depart, trailing tatters.

©Alexander Hamilton October 2010

Studio Barn at Arduaine Gardens

Earlier this month Studio Barn went on tour to Arduaine Gardens (Pronounced Ardooanne or Ardoonie depending on whom you’re talking to). A National Trust for Scotland owned garden in Argyll http://www.arduaine-garden.org.uk/. It has fabulous views across the sea it is a beautiful garden to wander around at all times of the year. Last year the NTS threatened to close it and there is now a Support Group hoping to raise the £1.5 million it needs to remain open. As part of their plan to raise awareness of the gardens they have been having themed days during the summer. We were asked if we would like to take part in the Craft Festival they had planned. We were delighted to do so. As a family we have known and loved Arduaine for many years. There used to be a campsite just half a mile or so along the road where we would camp and then explore the shore.

Polly demonstrated chair caning. A traditional craft she has been doing for many years. There is a waiting list for chair seats to be re-caned but if you are interested in learning more about having a chair re-caned then please do contact Polly via the Studio Barn website http://www.studiobarnargyll.co.uk/

Kate sat in the sun and demonstrated needle felting and chatted to anyone who showed an interest. This now completed ‘Daisy’ cushion is for sale in the Barn and will be added to the website shortly.

Alex manned the stall with its eclectic but interesting and wide ranging assortment of crafts, paintings and drawings, cake and jams, and made lots of sales all the whilst telling people about the new Gallery/Studio.

Other demonstrations of traditional crafts included Kathy Potter-Irwin from Ardfern making very sturdy & absolutely gorgeous baskets.  She’s making a traditional Irish potato basket here.

Louise Oppenheimer weaves on a very simple frame ‘loom’ using her fingers rather than shuttle and heddles.

It was a great afternoon, folk music in the background and visitors wandering around the beautiful gardens in the sunshine.