- 01 DRAWING | Detail 8x8ins from marker ink on paper drawing W14 X H10.5ins (36x27cm)
This image set is from a past project to complete an image a day to a weekly theme over a year in which I sought to record, seek inspiration and impose self-discipline. This undated drawing in vibrant spirit marker drawn on hard computer printer paper was a childhood study by my younger son. Architecture was a theme of interest to him then and later.
- 02 DRAWING | Detail 12x12ins from a chalk drawing on black paper W19 X H15ins (48x38cm)
This undated drawing in blackboard chalks on black sugar paper was completed at an early age by my elder son. His inspiration came as a free interpretation of a house terrace seen from our garden. The creativity in this and his brother’s drawing certainly exceeds mine with a camera.
- 03 DRAWING | Detail 8x8ins - wax resist and marker ink on paper H15.5xW8ins (38x20cm)
Similarly inspired by architecture I made this drawing as one of a series completed for an exhibition in 1987, a long time ago. A candle wax rubbing on heavy watercolour paper over a cut card grid was overworked with spirit markers.
- 04 STILL LIFE | 3 ceramic pieces – plate diameter 12 ins (30cm.)
There are no markings on the bases of these three hand painted ceramics to identify origin and date. They are white glazed over white non-porcelain clay.
- 05 STILL LIFE| 19C cottage clock, 20C earthenware ceramic from Africa and frame corner
This very simple non-striking cottage clock was a holiday buy for £2 a long time ago. Its loud tick and erratic timekeeping was unpopular with family and it still sits on the mantle inactive and silent unless I occasional wind life into it. Its companion is a thinly hand formed and burnished red earthenware bowl of African origin. It came from the Galerie Mirages in Stockbridge, Edinburgh which specialises in all manner of ethnic art worth a visit. Fired by wood or similar, plant infused water was splashed over the pots when very hot to colour, decorate and seal the surface.
- 06 365 STILL LIFE | Unique hand built stoneware ceramics – tallest 16 ins (40cm)
These tall hand built forms were from one of my occasional spells working in ceramic. Formed from rolled stoneware clay wrapped around card cylinders, the rims were pinch flared. The tool cut fluted forms were inspired by the dried stems of dangerous and invasive giant hogweed plants colonising riverbanks. Climbing flowers and stems prompted accretions on the others. Iron oxide was sponge stippled on to glazes made from found tree bonfire ash. The knotted plate is fringed by cotton string tie dyed with drawing inks.
- 07 DRIED LEAVES | Withered hosta leaves
These hosta leaves were left in place until fading colour changes and drying created this variety of tints and folds. They are from a plant in a large garden container set in permanent shade.
- 08 DRIED LEAVES | Black tar spot disease on dried sycamore
I collected and tied these leaves soon after they had fallen and left them to dry. Tar spot fungus disease particularly affects sycamore and maple trees. These brittle, ragged and originally dark green and yellow leaves have lost much of their colour but retained their drying out distortions.
- 09 DRIED LEAVES | Oak spray
I found this spray of oak leaves on the ground during a winter walk. The original greens, yellows and browns had weathered down to these more even and muted tones
- 10 FACE | Small stained glass panel in local church porch
A small stone porch covers the entrance doorway into a local church. One side of it is pierced by a stained glass window from which I framed this detail.
- 11 FACE | Weathered red sandstone memorial carving in a local churchyard
For a long time this headstone was increasingly shadowed by a rogue holly bush depriving it of air and sun to dry out the now eroding porous stone.
- 12 FACE | 1816 stylised angel gravestone relief
This image pair is from a series looking at gravestones carrying carved angelic motifs. This monument’s stylised design in shallow relief contrasts with the deeper carving in the previous image.
- 13 TREE DEBRIS | Fine debris from riverbank flooding
Storm Desmond in 2015 brought a local river flooding to its highest level since 1770. Drifts of floated debris large and small were left high on the banks, with fine stuff like this swirled behind growing trees and hedges.
- 14 TREE DEBRIS | Monkey puzzle branch with weathered and patterned river driftwood
A length of dried monkey puzzle tree contrasts with a piece of stain patterned river debris collected on local walks.
- 15 TREE DEBRIS | Life sized river flood driftwood
Small branch fragments were selected for their related size, texture and colour.
- 16 KNITTED & WOVEN | Life sized detail from knitted jumper
This image lightly echoes the composition, colours and textures of the tree fragments in the previous image.
- 17 KNITTED & WOVEN | Detail of linear squared jumper pattern at slightly below life size
Diagonals, geometry, pattern, texture and colour prompted the choice of image and its composition.
- 18 KNITTED & WOVEN | Detail from a hand woven carpet 8 X 6.5 feet
This detail from a tightly woven, richly coloured and boldly patterned carpet is shown at roughly half scale: the square motifs measure some 4 inches. It’s not a refined example of weaving if one looks at its slightly uneven overall proportions but that’s part of its charm. I can’t remember its national origin which is likely to be in the middle-east. It looks well against the precise geometry of a dark wood parquet floor below.