perhaps a day off!

this is where i need to be right now....

stepping into this pool of delicious water...

instead I am trying to solve computer issues ...all i can say is thank the heavens for the new addition to the family ...my laptop...and the fact that I am scheduled for a workshop at the Apple store today and will be able to go ask all important questions and leave the ailing desk-top at home doing its thing.

I have a week to get organised for the project on the other side of the little globe we call home. No weekends of late...its all been a mad dash to the take off date... so... maybe today I should squeeze in a weekend-type break and come back and see if things can get sorted after I rewire my own crammed brain.

These images are from where I used to live a few years ago... in the NSW coastal city of the Great Ocean Baths...otherwise known as Newcastle.

Nowhere was more restorative than time spent here during every kind of weather, time of day, mood... swimming, musing, walking, reading a book... taking shots from every angle...

even the steps i liked....

from every angle...

all this sensual and poetic material ...  plus a sense of history, people stories over time, the views and moods .... I took it all back to the  studio,

I was so inspired by these baths on the rocks beside the ocean that i painted and drew and took photographs all the time for the 8 years i lived there.

most of my abstract works had elements in them from the ocean or baths.... I miss that immersion in water... the feeling of cleansing and discarding, of letting things wash away.

... pages of journals and endless paintings that went off on all kinds of tangents. These are just some of the ones I've posted on this blog in the past. It was quite interesting trawling back and remembering.

Mmmm...  this small reverie was quite relaxing... 

I hope to get to the other side of my computer glitches soon... in the meantime ...for give me for not visitng... diary is just a tad overloaded at the moment! 

Last week I was busy getting my   spring e-newsletter  finished... and managed to send it out on the weekend... You can click here to read that... it brought home what a ridiculously packed time its been the past few months1 Good times though and wonderful people coming along.

ciao,

S x

the (mysterious) streets of Edinburgh!

This will be old news for some of you but I was charmed when I found it the other day!


Here's an intro that was in the Scotsman ... (note the brown text comment ... commentor's name!)

Dragon flies in as serial paper folder strikes again

Published Date: 
11 July 2011

By David McCann

THE mystery of who has been delivering hand-crafted artworks to the city's cultural hotspots has deepened after an intricate model of a nesting dragon was found in the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

• Antony Buchanan investigates the new arrival.

The dragon, carved from the pages of Ian Rankin's novel Knots and Crosses, is the fourth origami-style sculpture to have been left anonymously in the Capital - all of which have some link to the Rebus author.

Mr Rankin previously said he was mystified by their origin.

A tag found alongside the paper sculpture reads: "A gift in support of libraries, books, words and ideas...", followed by the message: "Once upon a time there was a book, and in the book was a nest, and in the nest was an egg, and in the egg was a dragon, and in the dragon was a story."

A member of staff found the model perched on a windowsill in a room dedicated to Robert Louis Stevenson.

The Evening News reported last month how The Filmhouse Cinema, the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish Poetry Library had all stumbled upon fine mini-artworks fashioned from the pages of books.

Donald Smith, director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, said: "It's a teaser and is beautifully made out of really simple materials. It's basically paper.

"It appeared about ten days ago. People were coming in and saying: 'Have you seen the dragon?' and that was the start of it. The first time we saw it we thought 'Should we be moving that somewhere safer?' because we have so many families and kids that come in and it was so delicate. But we thought, 'No, it's been made to go there'. It fits perfectly, tucked away in a recess as if you are supposed to happen upon it. "

Mr Smith said that as well as the dragon being created from a Rankin novel, there were historical connections between the crime writer and the centre.

"Ian Rankin's first job was collecting folk tales for an archiving project in London," he said. "And he's got a real interest in traditional stories and often drops by here."

The centre director added that staff were now devouring Rankin's Knots and Crosses in a bid to solve the mystery.

However... the blog post where I found this story was here at Central Stn.

PLease note that below I have posted a small number of the images and info found on this posting. Read the full story... well worth your time ... note the author is Chrisdonia!

Mince Pie Abendmahl,

Jesus 13/07/2011 13:07:34

Your dragon this story out are you not?

Next to the 'poetree' sat a paper egg lined with gold and a scatter of words which, when put together, make "A Trace of Wings" by Edwin Morgan.

Nobody knew where it came from, nor was anyone forthcoming with information in person or online, despite a fair amount of local news coverage.

It looked like this was a one-off, a beautiful and delicate piece of art created by a fan of the Poetry Library. Until, in late June, the National Library of Scotland found themselves the recipient of a similar piece.

A gramophone and a coffin, sculpted from a copy of Ian Rankin's Exit Music, and again deposited anonymously. The tag in this case read:

For @natlibscot - A gift in support of libraries, books, words, ideas..... (& against their exit)

UPDATE 24/08/11: Two more appeared today at the Edinburgh International Book Festival!

One, addressed to @edbookfest (the Book Festival), was left on one of the signing tables in the Bookshop.

The tag on this reads:

To @edbookfest 'A gift' This is for you in support of libraries, books, words, ideas...... & festivals xx

It includes a teabag filled with cut out letters, on the tag of which are the words "by leaves we live". The cup on the top has a swirl of words which read " Nothing beats a nice cup of tea (or coffee) and a really good BOOK", and on the 'tray' next to the cupcake it says "except maybe a cake as well".

The other, addressed to @edincityoflit (UNESCO Edinburgh City of Literature), was secreted about their stand in the entrance tent.

To @edincityoflit 'A gift' LOST (albeit in a good book) This is for you in support of libraries, books, words, ideas.... "No infant has the power of deciding..... by what circumstances (they) shall be surrounded.. Robert Owen

Intriguingly, this is crafted from a copy of The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinnerby James Hogg.

The tag reads:

This book is not only a favourite of the City of Literature team but is also known to have been an influence on Ian Rankin's work. So far quite a few of these sculptures have overt links to Mr Rankin, suggesting this is no coincidence. As Ian was due on site later in the day and had not yet met any of these creations face to face, the @EdinCityofLit team introduced him to their new baby.

This detailed posting was put together by chrisdonia....  at the Central Stn network. It looks like an excellent online community / noticeboard and such.

About Central Station

Central Station is a creative social network.

If you make work, Central Station is a community where you can talk to peers and showcase yourself. It's also a place where you can find opportunities. If you're interested in creative talent, you can use Central Station to spot people you might want to commission or just keep track of. And regardless of who you are, it's a space where you can browse and be entertained by a huge and ever-growing pool of creative work.

Members are part of an online community. You can get involved and post your own events and opportunities. Discover hidden gems in the collections part of the site and build your own gallery of work you like. If you make work, you have your own portfolio area including unique web address.

We've made Central Station for creative people who are looking for a place to talk to peers, share work and resources, access information and profile themselves. It's also for people who are interested in the arts, film and design generally - a new way to engage with a broad cross-section of creative work and debate.

We're aiming to broaden, deepen and widen engagement with contemporary art, film and design. We're encouraging creative people to use online technology and share their work with each other and new audiences.

Hopefully Central Station encourages cross-discipline, collaborative practice. We're giving you the space to discuss process, share resources and, if relevant, profile what you're making in a safe and easy-to-use environment.

Central Station is made by digital studio ISO and is funded by Creative Scotland.

I'd love the see something similar to this happening where I live!

Love a good mystery!

cant wait to go shopping for ink...

I do love ink ... always enjoy spotting something I've not come across before. I've spent an hour or more going through UK art suppliers online... drooling all the way!

I love Sennelier inks but found these other ones very appealing I must say!
Looking at the current exchange rate it looks better to buy some supplies whilst there than lug things across when I take off later this month!


What art supplies do you take travelling... whose got some good tips?

Abraxas Inks

Made in Switzerland. Enviromentally friendly inks, made to the highest standard from natural ingredients. Handcrafted using traditional methods, each bottle is filled individually, corked and labelled with a hand coloured label. Information on the different ingredients used available on request.

Small Bottles | (19)Campeche Brown, (20)Walnut Brown, (23)Olive Brown, (24)Nettle Green, (18)Indigo Green, (22)Blue Black, (25)Rose Pink, (11)Carmine, (15)Carmine Purple, (16)Campeche Violet, (2)Black I, (3)Black II, (9)Lemon Yellow

Large Bottles | (2)Black I

Abraxas Metallic Ink | (79)Silver, (71)Imperial Gold, (80)Copper

So...

Haxink

Permanent ink made from natural ingredients (iron gall) to an ancient recipe.

Glass Phial

Stone bottle | Stopper sealed with wax

Cornellison French Sepia Ink

Waterproof. Traditional shellac based ink with a transparent satin finish. Apply with brush or drawing pen.

Roberson Penman Inks - Natural Historical

By using ancient recipes and modern technology, these inks offer a genuine colour range from a bygone era. Made using natural tannins and pigments from a botanically sustained source. The Natural Historical range are transparent, Ph neutral, water-soluble, fast drying and intermixable. Suitable for use with a brush, quill, dip, reed, ruling and automatic pen. Available in 30ml bottles.

Colours: 025 Mulberry Yellow, 026 Tawny Brown, 027 Brazil Nut Brown, 030 Blackberry Leaf Green, 031 Bay Leaf Green, 032 Cochineal Red, 033 Elderberry Purple

Sennelier Black Indian Ink

Deep black ink that is indelible & lightfast, when diluted with water it becomes less indelible

30ml

4.50

125ml

9.95

Higgins Waterproof Drawing Ink 'Black Magic'

Intense semi-flat black finish produces most opacity available	29ml	6.75

Chinese Ink

Glass Bottle -

Abraxas Ink - Suitable for Fountain Pen

Made in Switzerland. Inks made to the highest standard from natural ingredients. Each bottle is handcrafted using traditional methods, corked , labelled with a handcoloured label and sealed.

Small Bottle | (33)Turkish Blue, (36)Abraxas Aubergine, (10)Saffron Yellow

Large Bottle | (31)Royal Blue, (47)Brown, (42)Love Red, (31)Royal Red, (10)Saffron Yellow, (33)Turkish Blue, (22)Blue Black, (37)Fir Green

Diamine Inks

Diamine fountain pen ink is a water based ink, perfect for any brand of fountain pen. Available colours: Jet Black, Blue Black, Saddle Brown, Royal Blue, Aqua Blue, Violet, Crimson & Scarlet.

Higgins Fountain Pen India Ink

Deep black, free-flowing non-waterproof formula for sketching, lettering, calligraphy and italic writing.

Higgins Eternal Black Ink

Permanent Black ink. Permanent carbon writing for all office and reproduction work. Use in fountain and calligraphy pens.

Higgins Sepia Calligraphy Ink

Non-waterproof brown ink. Rich antique-looking brown ink for use in all fountain and calligraphic pens. Free flowing for formula.

pen nibs and holders

And now a journal to go with this...




R.Baldwin & Co. Travel Sketchbook

30 pages of 150gms cartridge paper. Acid free.
With turquoise cloth cover, button fastener & pencil loop.
Ideal for sketching & light wash.

Green & Stone - Arches Watercolour Book

300gsm, 30 sheets. NOT surface, 1 or 2 deckle edges. Hand bound with sea green cloth cover. Paper deckled on 2 edges.

Claire Fontaine Voyage Books

180gsm, 60 sheets. Not surface drawing paper suitable for pencil, ink pastel, sanguine, charcoal or watercolour. Acid free, stitched short edge, hardback black or light grey canvas cover with black canvas spine. (no longer available with blue cover)

R. Baldwin & Co. Ingres Paper Drawing Book

100gsm, 32 sheets. White & cream ingres paper, charcoal grey cloth cover with pencil holding loops, bound on short edge.

Fabriano Venezia Books

200gsm, 48 sheets. 100% woodfree, surface sized, acid free. Casebound, stitched, page marker. Covered with red and off white patterned paper with a deep red spine

Fabriano Bouquet

Assortment of 7 notebooks each containing a different paper quality and bound with bright coloured covers. 40 sheets per book. Papers include: Felt marked, Embossed, Parchment, Vellum, Laid

85gsm

Gesso Panels

We usually keep a selection of gesso panels in stock but because they are handmade please contact us to confirm availability. Larger sizes are available special order, please contact for a quote or if you require any other unlisted size.

Gesso panels

Mixing/grinding equipment

I found all this at  Green & Stone


Green & Stone, supplier of specialist Art Materials and Picture Framing was first established in Chelsea in 1927, and is one of the longest running shops on the popular Kings Road.

The shop was originally based within the Chenil Gallery, whose directors were Augustus John and Bernard Shaw.

Green and Stone moved to its current site at 259 Kings Road in 1934, where Mr Alfred Green and his sons Alfie & Peter continued to run the shop primarily as a picture framing business, with what was then, only a small Art Materials section. 259 Kings Road was previously run as a shop for the Womens Suffragette Movement. 

Who has any tips for London they wish to share... art related and not... I'm curious!


have a good weekend everyone!
S x