A matter of life and death

 If you're a bit squeamish about deceased things, look away now and don't read on.... because this post is all about tragedy with a little bit of hope thrown in ......

Our bird boxes have been well used this Spring and we have families of baby blue tits and robins fledged so far from them. The swallows are incredibly active and I hope they will produce a brood this year. In the hedgerow across the road there are young blackbirds and song thrushes and much activity from a pair of bullfinches so it looks like being a really productive year.... but it's also been the worst year ever for bird deaths by flying into windows.

It started a month ago when I noticed a male chaffinch lying in the hedge outside the conservatory window. Casualty no 1. Next day we found this beautiful woodpecker lying in this pose outside the door to the greenhouse. Casualty no 2. In the past week we've seen casualties no 3 and 4, both blackcaps. One tried to fly through my shed door and the other hit the window today whilst we were having lunch. We've got things on the window and the blinds should stop them but it hasn't worked out that way.

Sad person that I am, I have to take photos of them before a decent burial and then play around with them in Photoshop or use the images in prints. My friends think I am bonkers and that may be true. Believe me when I say I would much, much rather that they lived and thrived.

 .... and now for the bit of hope because we noticed this bat earlier this afternoon clinging to the garage just above the bat box. Now we thought the bat box was unused and I'm not sure what he was doing outside but he looked decidedly static so I rang the Bat Conservation Trust for advice. Due to the height they couldn't send a volunteer to rescue him but asked that we monitor the situation. I've been like an old mother hen running out every five minutes ever since and when I last looked five minutes ago he had come down and was at the mouth of the bat box. I do hope this means he is going inside it, yet it will soon be time for bats to take to the skies so who knows what will happen. With bats protected it is worrying to see one in trouble but I am hopeful and will keep monitoring his movements. It brings it all home to us how fine the line is between life and death for our native wildlife and how little you can do in some circumstances.
 

PS : As an update, the bat disappeared between two of my regular check ups. I can only assume into the safety of the batbox or by flying away into the night. Either is preferable to thinking anything else.

Joyous, Jenerous, Jilly Morris!

 I've just spent the weekend in Stroud on a two day workshop organised as part of the annual textile festival. I loved the sound of 'Textural Play' when I saw the programme but did not know the artist, Jilly Morris. One look at her website and I was hooked and I have now had the joy of working with this generous spirited, giving, artist. She is an amazing woman with a childlike wonder in the beauty of marks. With a group of nine of us she shared her tools, her techniques, her philosophies, her ideas and her enthusiasms. It was one of the most enjoyable workshops I have ever attended and the group mix was perfect too. There was real synergy between us with everyone sharing thoughts and materials.

Although two of the girls had to leave early, Jilly asked the rest of us to work collaboratively after lunch yesterday. So we each started a piece and then passed it on, working quickly and intuitively, with Jilly joining in too. These are the photos of what we pinned on the board afterwards. I think I should have got a bit closer to take them but I hope the show the essence of the pieces. Thanks to Amerjit, Jeannette, Patricia, Liz, Sue, Jilly and Charlie for allowing me to post our work.

I have now got to think through my samples - I have lots of them! There were so many I even went into default mode and made a couple of sample books just to keep them together but the best book of the weekend was  Jilly's sample book. It was the sort of thing you'd like to walk out with and it inspired us all. It made me realise how much more effective a learning tool they are when samples are gathered together. I do know that of course but Jilly's book really brought it home.

We were surrounded by materials Jilly had brought in to stimulate us to play and we all left with papers that she gave us to continue to play with. I realised over the two days that I am a 'serial polisher'. Maybe it comes from wiping printing plates but every opportunity that came to get out the beeswax and polish something, I took it. Shame it doesn't translate to the furniture at home. As ever, I have a head full of ideas, especially about translating marks onto glass or into print. If you ever get the chance to see this lady's work, please do. Her work is stunning and she is a diamond.

Tragedy

News of the fire today that has decimated this iconic building is both shocking and unreal. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) are calling it an 'international tragedy'. It certainly feels that way to me. My heart goes out to the students who have lost four years of work in the flames and anyone who has ever been inspired by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his legacy will be intensely saddened by this day.

Playing catch up!

 Whilst trying to catch up with my blog reading it becomes ever more apparent that the gap between my own posts is getting ever wider. So, this is a whistle stop recap of the past month or so and then I hope to get back into the rhythm of recording things, as much for my own benefit as anyone kind enough to be reading this. As I get older I can remember where I was in 1966 when England won the World Cup but I'm hard pushed to remember where I was the day before yesterday! I know I am not alone in that but some days it feels like it, therefore I need my blog as a visual diary.

So, as we enjoy the start of some warmth with the weather, I'm happy to say we are with bees again.We've got two colonies from two sources and they are so different. One hive is made up of quite small bees who are very docile and gentle. The other hive has larger bees who are a bit more active and more assertive , so we are hoping they will accumulate and thrive this summer. Early signs are looking good.

 On the creative front I have continued to explore glass, taking advantage of an advanced evening class type arrangement with Chris, my glass guru. The others all made large panels but I spent all my time making marks and painting on the glass. I have a ton of pieces ready to make into small collage panels and there is a glass book nearing completion. I am rather in love with the way it reveals images between the pages but will wait to photograph it properly when all the soldering is done.

I'm still planning and running book and print workshops and need to sort out the plans for the cyanotype day next month. I also travelled to Cheltenham this week to try out kitchen litho printing with my friend Sue. As far as I'm concerned it was a disaster. She had one success but we could not replicate it. She's written about it here if you want to know more. As for me, I am mentally parking that process forever, but will definitely try another she introduced me to. All printmakers please take a look at her post for transferring with acetone onto metal with photocopies prior to etching. Surely I can make that work?

Life is busier because I've also started a job on three days of the week. It lasts until the end of July and I'm leading a small project at the museum in Tenby researching all the men (over 500 of them) who volunteered for the Great War. It is both fascinating, heart breaking and humbling to read about these men . The museum has access to great archive letters which tug at your heart strings and when I come across photographs of serious looking, but very, very young men, I have to take a moment to gather my thoughts. As things develop I'll share some of the stories. Some will inspire and others will make you want to weep but I am finding the whole process all encompassing so no surprise that I am absent from this blog so much!

In trying to maintain some sense of routine we've got back into the cycle of moth trapping too. I loaned the trap out for a month and think I may have got someone else hooked on these beautiful creatures. As its return yesterday coincided with a hike in temperature we had to have a go last night. These are just a sample of the haul. I think there were about 70 moths which a bit low for this time of year. Let's hope they gather momentum as the weather improves.

 So, there's lots happening and I hope to get back in the groove soon. Keep well everyone and enjoy everything as Spring moves into Summer.

Read all about it!

 

To my huge surprise the June edition of Period Living was in store when I did my weekly shop yesterday. I've been waiting for it, knowing it was going to feature an article on my chum, Sue. I was so excited that I phoned her as soon as I got home, even before I read the whole thing! When I did, my first reaction was that it is very accurate, detailed and intelligently put together. It gives a great insight into how Sue works on her enamel ideas and I hope it generates interest in her printmaking courses as this girl has taught me all I know and become a good friend in the process. Even on the phone yesterday we were talking techniques and ideas. We have a day planned in the above shed next month to experiment with kitchen lithography. I am looking forward to it already as time spent with Sue always motivates me into action!

As I had not read the article when I phoned I didn't clock that it was written by Rachel Crow. Given that Sue loves all things 'corvid' that seems quite apt and a good omen!

Tunnel vision

 Well, the final workshop of this term has happened and we had another great day exploring taking the book into 3D. We briefly looked at star tunnels/carousels but 'parked' that structure for another day and another workshop, concentrating on making tunnel books and playing with the idea of making a book with a variety of images. As ever, the range of ideas and materials is what makes these days so interesting. I never fail to learn something or take away an idea that might be tried later.

Peter (above) brought a catalogue of an exhibition called 'Divine Goddesses and pulled  his images together in a very thoughtful way.Although he didn't get to the final construction it will be all the better when he does because he took his time to work out the choice and placement of his imagery. When completed and extended there will be a very clear theme and taking the time to work it through will pay dividends.

Margaret started out with a disparate group of cards and images and did not think she would get going. Once she had that front image of the path leading into the garden or meadow it seemed to click and I think she made a fabulous book. I really hope she continues and creates a hard cover for it, something no-one had time for yesterday. I think it will repay the time to do so as it was such a clever use of what she had to hand.

 Eileen's book was a tiny gem and is not served well by the onset of camera shake by yours truly. Sorry Eileen! This was a great idea and needs to be seen in the flesh to appreciate the depth achieved. Eileen brought along a tunnel book she'd already made based on the Commedia d'ell Arte and it was fabulous. Along with Peter she also brought in other books yesterday, made since previous workshops. That people are enthused to take ideas away and work on them, increasing their skills and enjoying the process of making is the biggest thrill for me. I am hoping they will submit them for a small exhibition the Community Learning Centre want to  organise for Adult Learners Week in a couple of months time. So much better so see them and handle them, rather than look at them via my dodgy camera work!

 Here's Maggie's book, semi assembled. She had limited materials so much of the time was spent working out how to use it wisely. I think that made the finished idea much clearer. She brought a heavy card box with an acetate inset in the cover and her book sits perfectly inside it. This will be its home when finished. I know she will complete this and it will be beautiful. She brought her artist's eye to the project and made everything work for her.

 We were all delighted to see Sheila as she has been plagued with a bad back recently, but she stuck with it all day ,with the occasional lie down, and used one of her favourite vintage images. There were a few frowns of concentration to be seen whilst these were cut as they were small and very intricate. Getting to this stage when you don't feel so great was a real 'win' situation for Sheila and I shall look forward to seeing it with a cover on at a later date. Eileen kindly provided Sheila with some bookcloth in the perfect shade to complement it, so it has to happen! No escape, Sheila. I shall be checking back........

 Lilian had a sample book from a magazine and chose these lovely birds from what I think was a wallpaper design. I told her they reminded me of those Busby Berkeley films where the dancing girls wearing big fanned headresses come down the steps and waltz off in different directions. Placing them in descending order and descending scale just makes it work so well.

Halina came in with two hefty books, determined not to be lost for ideas! Picking a colour palette and working with the theme of white flowers she made a charming book. My photos do not do it justice as it had layers of printing and text that all just worked so well together. Everyone fell in love with the idea and this might be one a few of us make our own version of.

 

Finally, here is Cynthia's book. It's one of four garden inspired books on the day, all completely different. At one point we had a visit from the centre administrator to have a look at what was being made and Cynthia likened her book to being back in nursery, cutting up coloured paper. I think it's a bit cleverer than that! It was a joyous little book and I loved it.

I hope that some of whom I've come to call 'the usual suspects' will join up again in September and carry on exploring the book in all its forms because we've only scratched the surface. Whilst there are plenty more structures to learn I want to explore getting content into things. Yesterday proved how gratifying it is to produce something from a germ of an idea. I'm thinking of trying to run an altered books class too. I shall have to find out if that would be of interest.

In the meantime, I have only committed to some children's workshops in the summer so I am planning a few months away from the book making bench, pursuing a few new ideas and getting back to the printing press and sketchbook. Mind you, I agreed to do a cyanotype workshop in June yesterday so I foresee praying for sun and playing with blueprints again. I read somewhere that it is going to be a scorching summer. Great stuff. Bring it on!

A bit of nifty scissor work

 I am busy with lots of things at present but ever mindful of preparing well in advance of the book workshops. Over the years I've made so many books that have gone to new homes that I often have to make new ones to illustrate the structures. I'm surrounded by tunnel and star tunnel dummy versions this weekend and have just finished this full version which has turned out to be great fun to make.

A 50p charity shop children's encyclopaedia has provided rich pickings in recent months. I laminated the header pages from each section onto card a few weeks ago and cut them out, more for fun than anything else. Then it dawned on me yesterday that they could fit into a star tunnel format so I made my three layers using other pages from the encyclopaedia for the second layer you can just see into, and finished the final layer with some black card to hand. All in all, something good from a germ of an idea... and perfect to illustrate next week's workshop. These things are so interesting to make. I've had a great time thinking this one out and putting it together. I shall, as ever, share the results of the group on Friday. I think it could be a fascinating day when I see what the others come up with!