2024 sketchbook

This year I am trying to sketch more, as I really do very little drawing ....I don't want it to become onerous, so I am being very loose in what media I use to 'sketch', when I do it and how often! I'm making pages, from different materials and will combine them later into a book. I have decided I will make a signature for each of the three consecutive months - so this should reflect the seasons ...and combine into a single sketchbook at the end of the year. So, just to get going a few pieces so far...

I loved  the reeds at Leighton Moss especially when wrapped with Bindweed...photo and sketch.

A textile piece based on the reeds.....which I didn't like so it ended up getting over printed several times and embroidered ...which still didn't work - below.

I still didn't like the result ...until I turned it over ....below....

...and I quite liked this ...maybe a way forward to something else ....at a later date! 

...and a page of shells ....

Water Rails

 With the water levels being so high, at Leighton Moss, the Water Rails were forced onto the path edges ...wow!

Leighton Moss floods

A super day out at Leighton Moss - glad we took the wellies! 

Cormorant with a diving otter in the background.

Time to watch otters! 

Ring Necked Duck (left).

Mute Swan.

Moorhen.

The main causeway with a Water Rail bottom left....

Water Rail - the water level was so high the Water Rails were forced onto the causeway...rather than skulking somewhere in the reeds! 

Snipe.

Marsh Harrier. 

 

Rheged: Great Print Exhibition Nine

After what seems like a long period of not doing any 'significant' artwork, it was good to go to Rheged to see this exhibition and to try and get some inspiration to fire me up! 

I had my camera with me and just took snaps - it's always intereting to seek common themes or ideas from the photos you take - I'm not sure what they are though! ...but on reflection and there's no suprise - they link to places I like and techniques I enjoy! 

A piece by Rachel Thornton - she uses drypoint and lino prints onto silk. 

The black and white prints didn't really attract me - but this one, by Sally Spens, did - I think I like the contrast of the plain black and white with the grey and white detail.

I really relate to this work by Geraldine Walkington. She mixes etching and monotype and this is based on one of my favourite reserves - Whitbarrow Scar in South Cumbria, with its fabulous limestone pavement ...this one talks to me ...and below...

A mono type from her glacier series ....

I like the painterly effect of this mono type by Hannah Forsyth.

A multi block wood cut by Ian Phillips - total admiration for the skill involved!

It was nice ot see some of Deborah Campbell's work - mixing print and textile. This was collagraph and gelli print.

It was no suprise that Hester Cox's upland haymeadow piece was sold - an exquisitley mounted set of mini collagraphs. 

..and finally, the piece I would have taken home if I could! Mark Pearce's Mergansers on Wastwater - a reduction lino cut. 

Penrith Waxwings revisited

Being as we were in Penrith ....

Talkin Tarn

A New Year's visit to Talkin Tarn - with the hoards.

Acroos the tarn. 

 Goosander.

 A bit of argy-bargy among the Coot.

Coot.

Tufted Duck. 

..and lots of blue-green algae - alarming given the number of dogs being walked and the lack of warning signs. 

Tree Creeper in the carpark - nice. 

 

Last walk of the year...

The last walk of 2023 ... from Mawbray towards Allonby - with both dogs (kept on the lead when necessary to avoid disturbance to the birds). The light was fabulous!

The light was remeniscent of a February day at Saligo, Islay. 

Curlew, Oystercatcher and Knot.

Curlew and Bar-tailed Godwits....and below.

Knot flight with Dunlin and Curlew....and a Sanderling.

Oystercatchers and below.