Wanderlust 2024 - weeks twenty-five to thirty-two - Printmaking

I was looking forward to this theme of the Wanderlust 2024 course and I have enjoyed it. The first week included some rust dyeing which I had not done before, so that was an interesting start.  We incorporated the images into the page.  There was also making a printing block using crumpled packing tape and doing some gel printing.  The focal image was a print from a polystyrene tile which we incised.  I was pleased with how the page came together. 

Week twenty-six was all about carving our own stamps set and we had to create three squares which would be printed over each other.  The next thing was to print a repeat pattern which I found a bit of a challenge and I didn't get it quite right on the finished page, but I still like the end result and enjoyed carving the three stamps.  

I went full on grunge with my next page, using household objects to print on a gel plate.  I used a few lids and a plastic cover from a plug, as well as some bubble wrap.

Creating fern prints was the focus of the next week, using the fern leaves on a gel plate as well as using the leaf as a stamp too. We then had to cut the prints into strips and weave them. 

Making our own foam stamps was the next focus and I liked adding the bright neons to this page which is one of the most vibrant I have made this year.

Making transfer prints from photos and magazines was the technique here.  The photo which I transferred onto a book page (on the left) shows three of my great uncles, around the time of the First World War.

We had to find a photo of a person which appealed to us for the next week. I chose this girl as I like her attitude.  Once she was cut out of the background, we had to fill it in with descriptions of ourselves - Chris provided the words for mine.  We could then add colour to the image and other details as we wanted to. I really enjoyed this page and using old photographs.

For the 'artful musings' week, I chose to create a grid showing some of the techniques I have been using during the course this year.

Our next theme is 'Drawing' so it will be interesting to see what is featured and how I get on.

Doddington Hall visit - Gardens

 As we were wandering around the gardens at Doddington Hall, I couldn't resist taking a few photos of plants and trees which interested me.  

The walled kitchen garden had a good display of fruit and vegetables.

It also has a pond which is hidden in this photo.  The apple trees through which I was peering are mainly heritage varieties.

Another view towards the pond area.

The waving grasses caught my eye here...

...as did this block of Gaura Lindheimeri.  If you look closely, there are three 'sculptures' made from reinforcing bar and filled with branches and logs.  I thought this was a great idea and could be adapted for a smaller space.  They could be filled with all kinds of materials to make insect habitats for winter.

Hopefully you can make them out in this closer view.  I would love to do something like this in my garden (when I can find a space!).

I do like views like this where something tempts you to explore and see what is round the corner.

The trees were beautiful and ancient.

This summer/autumn planting caught my eye in the formal garden. I like the wispy effect of the grasses too.  The 'everlasting flowers' (helichrysum) look great with the rudbeckia. 

They have repeated this particular rose along this border.  The shades of pink and apricot together caught my eye here.

Finally, for ancient trees, you can't get much better than the sweet chestnut trees they have, which are at least 450 years old.  

They have grown such gnarly trunks and branches...

...and have developed their own personalities.

Just imagine what they have seen through their lifetimes since around 1574.  Incredible!

It was a really good few hours we spent at Doddington and we enjoyed the visit very much.

Doddington Hall visit - Sculpture (part two)

For the second instalment of sculptures which caught my eye at Doddington Hall, let's start with this chilled out polar bear called 'Adrift' by Jonathan Loxley.  I particularly liked the contrast of the smooth finished marble of the bear and the rougher ice floe, which reminded me of some of Rodin's sculptures.

I would have happily taken this piece home, 'Pink and White circles' by Ellie Drake-Lee, as I do like a circle and this would look wonderful with alliums, or phloxes, as it was placed here. 

This leaf was another of my favourites 'Fall into Autumn' by Paul Burton.  I think this would fit well in most gardens. 

'Singing Lily Water sculpture' by Ian Gill gave a wonderful gentle sound as we walked round the more formal garden area.  

Another of my favourites was 'Earthlight Moon-Gazing Hare' , by Paul Burton because it featured a hare and circles.  I was really tempted by this one!

The colour of 'The Dream Keeper' by Jeremy Moulsdale caught my eye.

No-one could miss these orange glass 'flowers', but actually called 'Colour Catchers' by Neil Wilkin, which reminded me of Dale Chihuly's work.  They looked really impressive grouped together...

...but this smaller sculpture called 'Promise'  intrigued me more with the reflections.

I also liked the 'Lotus' water feature by Ian Gill which reminded me of the Magnolia fountain at Trewithen in Cornwall.  

'Wren celebration 2024' by Joel Walker also caught my eye.  Another one I would have happily taken home, but probably would have put inside the house, not in the garden.

Joel Walker's 'Swift Party' looked perfectly at home...

...'Swallow Bright - Birdbath' also by Joel Walker, was another sculpture that I would have happily taken home. 

'Come to Herald the Sun-time - House Martin Sundial', again by Joel Walker, looked very much at home. 

'Circle of Life' by Shaun Gagg appealed to me - circles and spheres.  

Finally, 'Slinky Fox' by John Cox, which looked very natural and was slinking towards the woodland area.  There were also four dog sculptures by Tanya Russell placed around the orchard and one, 'Running Working Spaniel', made me smile with the sheer joy it showed as it was bounding along.  Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo of it although I thought I had done!  However, you can see it on her website here.  

There was a lot to take in and to enjoy.  There was also a very good selection of art works to appeal to everyone. Creativity in all its forms needs to be celebrated and this was a wonderful way to do that.

Doddington Hall visit - Sculpture (part one)

 Last Wednesday, we headed out to Doddington Hall, which is hosting a sculpture exhibition over the summer.  I took many photos, so will split them up into several posts.  If I can find or remember the number, I will add the name of the sculpture and the artist.  All of the sculptures were for sale but the prices reflected the creativity, the time they took to make and the costs of materials, as they should. However, I could dream and in my head, I spent a lot of money!

I do like hares, so this first one, 'Large Leaping Boxing Hares' by Martin Duffy was right up my street.

'Rain man' by Shaun Gagg was made out of nuts.

'Smoke - Life size whippet' and the 'Sitting greyhound' by Stuart Anderson were ones I would have happily taken home.  I do like the elegance of these dogs.

This bronze pangolin by David Cooke caused lots of interest as we went round.  

This horse, 'Stanley's Shoes', by Paul Pibworth, is made of of stainless steel plates which have letters stamped out of them.  

I really liked this idea.

These three large panels, 'Make a Wish' by Ian Gill warranted a closer look...

...the artist has bent the cut out pieces back, rather than removing them, to give a three dimensional effect.

More blue stained glass by Joe Szabo...

...and again.  It's the blue panes which captured my interest.

The bronze and steel 'Stag Head' by Nadine Collinson looked very much at home in the tree filled setting.

I would have loved to have taken the 'Corten Fern' by Ian Gill home with me too, but it was a little out of my price range.

It is a beautiful thing.

More photos to come...