Spring is on the way promise

Just thought I would give you a sneaky look at the new decals winging their way to me as we speak.

Hopefully in time for the wedding exhibition at the Heart Gallery. I am crossing everything that they arrive in time!

A walk in the park

Well its been a while since I visited my first major brick project and this weekend we went to see it in the snow. It is on the site of an old brick and tile factory behind Towneley Hall in Burnley. Made from Ravenhead red brick which was mixed from clay dug at Huncoat part of the old Redac brick quarry. Which leads me on to my new brick sculpture which hopefully being installed this week fingers crossed.

The piece was created with three primary schools in Burnley in 2005/6 and was up for a Brick award from the National Brick Association. I still love it and has now got mosses and lichen growning on it so returning back to nature so to speak. It is on the Wayside Arts Trail leading up to the Singing Ringing Tree at Crown Point.

The light and colours were stunning in the snow and I think the last time I visited the windswept tree was the at the opening I must go more often.

Saturday ended with the opening of 'A Pendle Investigation' by the painter Joe Hesketh at a gallery in Colne the start of a touring exhibition by Joe on the trails and walk talken by the accused women involved in the witch trails four hundred years ago this year.


http://joejoehesketh.blogspot.com/2012/01/1st-new-show.html

giant carrots and butterflies

Well it feels like ages since I last wrote but I have been very busy with lots of things so more news to come on that score. I have got a table full of childrens work which all needs to go back to schools in the next week or two but these make me smile every day! I though I would share with you some Counting Carrots and some symmetrical Butterflies from St Marys RC Primary School in Chipping aren't they fab!

 

Huncoat, Clitheroe and the witches

Today was a funny old day starting with a snow storm and an accident on the M65 luckily not me. It made me late but someone was having a worse day so no complaining here. I have been commissioned to create a giant brick from Redac bricks for the gateway to the town of Huncoat the home of the Red Accrington Brick which isn't a Nori Brick. Complicated stuff but it will be built in the next few weeks so pics to follow to explain further. I had a meeting on site to show me the areas that can not be trodden on without an irate landowner shooing us off with a shot gun under his arm so hopefully he will be ok with my bricklayers we shall see!

My second and drier meeting was at the lovely Platform Gallery in Clitheroe with Sue and Pete Flowers from Green Close Studios and a number of artists who have been invited to create work to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Pendle Witch trials. I will be working with community groups basing it on the journey of the accused from Pendle to Lancaster. I am still in the research stage but there will be more info to follow. With fellow artist Kate Eggleston-Wirtz we went to explore Clitheroe and the Castle Museum it was an interesting trip.

Interesting finds in the Castle Museum.

Griffin from the Duchy of Lancaster Coat of Arms

And everyone laughed when I rescued a shed door from the skip it may come in handy one day I am sure about that! This beauty was in the museum a little bit more important than mine but hey mines still lovely.

Then a trip to the local hardware store proved to be a treasure trove of shiny things which were laid out like a sweet shop!

a lovely day out

Oh what a lovely weekend I have had, despite the weather, with good food, good company and today chasing a bit of blue sky at Bolton Abbey. It looked at one point to be a wash out as driving toward Skipton the blue was just out of reach but there was some as we explored the Abbey grounds.

Inspiring a little bit of drawing which is what I need to gather my thoughts for the new year.

Thinking I need to get back to work with a new vigour and get on top of work before launching a new line. My aim is by the beginning of Feb so watch this space. The good news is that I have been selected to exhibit at Potfest in the Park again so I am very pleased about that always a nervy time of year to find out if selected.

http://www.potfest.co.uk/potfestpark.htm