Marthe Armitage

A few years ago when I was just starting to learn all I could about the different forms of printmaking I bought a book written about 20 years ago specifically about relief printmaking. In it were photos of Marthe Armitage using her own carved lino blocks to print rolls of handmade wallpaper. This seemed like an amazing feat to me and I tried to find out more about Marthe and this labour intensive process, but without success.

So I was amazed to pick up a copy of 'Gardens Illustrated' magazine this month and find an article on Marthe Armitage and the work she has invested over 40 years of her life to. It details how she cuts two lino blocks and then inks them up and prints them on an old proofing press. I love the crisp detail of the blocks and can only wonder at the investment in time and effort that each roll must take. That she is still doing something so labour intensive, well into her 70's, speaks volumes for her work ethic and passion for what she does.

Marthe Armitage is a member of the Art Workers Guild. She does not only produce botanical subjects although they are undoubtedly my favourites. Have a detailed look at more of her stunning patterns here.

Peace and Tranquillity

Whilst staying with my Mum for the week I decided to take advantage of the beautiful autumn weather and take a trip up to Berkeley in Gloucestershire to visit the 13th century church of St Mary the Virgin. I read about the church recently and couldn't believe that I've visited Berkeley many times but had always missed this gem. It is situated next to the Edward Jenner Museum and Jenner himself, the discoverer of vaccination, is buried inside in his family vault by the altar.

Inside, the walls are covered with paintings. There are lots of patterns and designs, some of them almost contemporary looking. They are very lovely and a feast of inspiration. I should have had my sketchbook with me as well as my camera!

There are heads carved into each of the many pillars. On one are these two ladies' heads close together surmounted by a toad. This is a sermon in stone to teach that gossip is like the poisonous tongue of a toad and the colouring is mediaeval.

I wondered if this one represented a 'scold' or was a lesson in keeping your counsel. Perhaps it is another head cautioning against gossip or 'idle talk'.

Outside in the churchyard there are some wonderful tombstones, the best being a table tomb to Dicky Pearce, the last jester buried in England. He was the Earl of Suffolk's jester, killed in revels at Berkeley Castle in 1728 and his epitaph was written by Jonathan Swift of 'Gulliver's Travels' fame.

The words on the tomb say ' Here lies the Earl of Suffolk's fool. Men called him Dicky Pearce. His folly served to make folks laugh. When wit and mirth were scarce. Poor Dick alas is dead and gone....'

Last chance moths... and things

We're getting towards the end of the main moth trapping period for the year. Although we could have a trap every night if we wanted to we tend to stop in October and start again in the Spring. As it was quite mild yesterday we put it out last night and caught this beautiful Merveilles du Jour. The photo is not great as I'm having trouble using the macro buttons on our new camera but it is a stunning moth and only the second one we have seen all year. The moth below is a Brindled Green which are very common about now. I love the markings and those streaks of greenish gold that shine through. I have spent the morning sketching it and messing about with the photo to see if I can make a good enough photocopy from it for a gum arabic print. I shall call this my 'work in progress' - it can join the pile of other ideas that I flit to and fro from.....

Yesterday I had a lovely card from my friend Lynda who is wonderful textile artist. We always send each other handmade cards and I wanted to send one back straight away but didn't have anything to hand that was right for 'her' so I rummaged around in my garage where I had a bag of scraps waiting to go to the recycling centre. This was because I saw some collaged cards in a shop yesterday morning and the idea must have stuck with me. On Wednesday I had picked up some packs of cards in a supermarket clearance for 25p per pack so, with my cards costing 5p each and using scraps I made these two sets last night. I am the first to admit that I am no good when it comes to dainty work on the sewing machine but they look OK in the flesh and I am really pleased with them - especially as they are 'budget' makes (so what did I have to lose).

It has sparked an idea about printing some of my moth drawings onto calico or other fabrics and doing something similar with the vintage fabrics I have hoarded in my shed....

Talking of sheds, go over to the blog of my friend Sue. She's encouraging us all to put photos of our workspaces onto the Woman's Hour website. Have a read about it here and get posting!

The Staffordshire Hoard

Living in Pembrokeshire, it's not hard to get caught up in the wonder of the Staffordshire Hoard. We are only a stone's throw from some of the most wonderful hill forts, standing stones and dolmen of the Iron and Bronze Ages. It was from here that the Bluestones of Carn Menyn were carried from the Preseli Hills to form the inner ring of Stonehenge and we are lucky to live in such an ancient and inspirational landscape. Small wonder we would be so intrigued by this amazing find which has now been put on Flickr under the Creative Commons attributed to the Staffordshire Hoard website. Have a look at the stunning pieces on view. That they were created as long ago as the 7th and 8th centuries will take your breath away.

Edwina Bridgeman

I popped into Carmarthen today and by chance went along to Oriel Myrddin to see what might be on. I was charmed to find 'Orchard' - an exhibition by Edwina Bridgeman. This is a touring exhibition from Brewery Arts in Cirencester and it is a delight. The work is conceived out of memories of things now lost - like the community orchards we used to have and even the varieties of apples that no longer exist. To Edwina Bridgeman, the names of these varieties could be characters in her own works of fantasy. I particularly fell for Barrington Pippin - he sounds so suave and is no doubt a jolly good chap.

There is an old table in the gallery. It's a space to write your own poems or stories about what memories orchards evoke and as her work has been sold as the exhibition tours, Edwina has then turned some of these true stories into new pieces that join the exhibition. I love that idea a lot. Similarly, I loved the bird box made out of an old book about birds and their nests and this wonderful sheep made from driftwood and rope. The fact that all these works are made from reclaimed and recycled materials adds to the message of the exhibition. It was a real treat to come across 'Orchard' this morning. It has made my day.

Charlotte Cory

I was reading an interview with Lynne Truss today of 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves' and 'Talk to the Hand' fame. One of her prized possessions is a piece of work by Charlotte Cory, a Victorian family photo with the heads changed by superimposing images of stuffed animals on their shoulders. So, I had a look for more pieces and found the camera working spoonbill. Now, this is one of my current 'obsessions' so I had to post it. I chose one more but I'm not sure whether I like them or not. Could be my aversion to all things 'rodent like' athough she uses all sorts of creatures to great effect so I could have chosen many more.There are loads to see over at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery again and there is an exhibition on currently. See what you think.

We have bees!

Last week my husband was offered the chance to buy two hives from a lady in his beekeeping group who is moving away from the area. Initially she wanted to take her bees with her but this is not possible. So, she came yesterday and delivered two hives complete with their occupants. Each hive has about 5000 bees and there is every chance they will increase next Spring and start us off with a third hive. They've already started discovering the garden and are all over this aster that is still flowering its heart out and offering nectar for an autumn treat. My husband is really excited and it is fascinating to learn more about how bees live and work. Lots of honey for next year!