edinburgh

I've just had an unexpected few days in Edinburgh. What a city it is, I never cease to be amazed by it. Arthur's seat, seeing the sea from the Bridges, the Castle Mound, that long view over the Waverley and Princes Street Gardens. I feel so much more affection for Edinburgh than I do for Dublin, my home town.  Not so pleased about the proliferation of tartan tat shops. Were they there when I was a student? I don't remember so many.

We went to the Dovecote and saw the Wendy Ramshaw show. I appreciate her rigour and liked the early jewellery and large scale work but the Room of Dreams didn't transport me - it was good to see in any case.  Unfortunately it was after 3pm so we weren't able to go to the viewing gallery and see the weavers working. (Open noon till 3pm).  Another day we popped into the City Art Centre where we saw the Derek Williams collection, the highlight for me being  an Ivon Hitchens ( Arched Trees) and a little Lowry - can't remember the title - of a boat with an island behind it. Dark and flat and empty. I don't think I've ever seen a Lowry in the flesh before.

Of course no visit to Edinburgh could possibly be contemplated without a visit to the Kalpna - so we did - twice!

happy christmas

and all the best in 2013.

Weaving the Century

 

                                              Untitled - August 2012


Anyone with the chance to go to Edinburgh should try and see the Dovecote's centenary exhibition "Weaving the Century: Tapestry from Dovecote Studios 1912 - 2012" 13th July - 7th October 2012. Go here for more details.

Promenade

Here's the finished piece. I've entered it for the R.D.S. crafts competition though was sad to see that they no longer have a tapestry category - it's just 'weaving' now.  Tells you something doesn't it...

The following is the blurbette I submitted with it.

"My work is currently inspired by walking the lanes near my home - observing the changes the seasons bring, reflecting on those who have walked the same paths, enjoying the meditative process of putting one foot in front of the other."

Until 24th May this piece is on show along with work by other Montsalesian artists at the tower.

w.i.p. at last

It's been a long time coming I know. There is a street in Villefranche called Impasse des Tisserands which translates as Weaver's Dead End and that's pretty much where I have been for too long now. More soon...

Fancy a holiday here? My brother and sister-in-law are offering b&b at their lovely farm near Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland. More pictures and info here.

How Calm The Wild Water

Fiona Hutchison, who exhibited in 'Vive la Tapisserie' at the Tour this Summer, currently has a one woman show, "How Calm The Wild Water", at An Tobar, The Tobermory Arts Centre on the Isle of Mull. 4th November - 31st December. You can see some pictures here. Inspired by the sea, this exhibition explores the sculptural qualities of tapestry, paper and stitch. This new body of work was developed with a personal development grant from Creative Scotland