More experimenting

                                                                                       Waves & birds photo and paint


'Waves & Birds' is an image of some of the St Kilda stacs. This experimental image has been developed out of a much larger painting.  Photographing details in the big paintings and printing them and then working  into the image with more paint has allowed lots more smaller images to emerge.  These small scale paintings, 8"x8",have a vibrancy that might not have been possible if begun on a small canvas. 

The adding of the birds is connecting the image to a place, a habitat, a world that is not occupied by humans.  I am very interested in this concept and exploring its possibilities in other areas such as plants and lichen.

I am back in the Mogg Studio and although the reorganisation is not complete I have enough space to continue working.  Although the Farm Studio space was a delight and I do miss the 'going there' I do feel more grounded here and back home.

The 'Scottish' exhibition is in a state of flux at present but there are some good developments in the pipeline. 

 Continue to watch this space!

Using small photos in large paintings

 

 

 

Hirta - St Kilda detail  acrylic on board  72ins x 28ins

 

 

The above image shows how the checks create a sense of movement and volume.  I have also used small photos of St Kilda in a chequered pattern to enhance the experience of visiting this remarkable place. 

 

The full image can be seen on my website:  www.sheilaghjevons.co.uk 

 

 The website is being upgraded and has introduced a video link.  At the moment the videos are of seeing St Kilda for the first time.

 

 The website will also have a  link to Facebook where Sheilagh will post her latest information and more images of work in progress. 

Finding Basuto

 

 

 

                                                                      
                                                                     'Basuto' a Clyde Puffer - National Waterways Museum

I was thrilled to come across this great, little boat called Basuto at the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port, Cheshire which I visited a few weeks ago. 

A Clyde Puffer is a small steam ship and Basuto was built in 1902 at Port Dundas, Glasgow's canal port, by William Jacks and Co - Iron Merchants.  There was a fleet of 6 built all having African place names.. 

 In 1921 Basuto was sold to Wm Cooper and Sons Ltd in Widnes where she was used to carry equipment and raw materials around the Manchester area.  In 1976 Basuta was reported in the newspaper for going and assisting in stabilising a ship on fire. - " As Basuto appeared in the distance across the basin, puffing out smoke as she got up steam, thoughts of the African Queen were evoked".

I have been looking for a boat image to incorporate into my 'Scottish - Making Waves' Exhibition in September.  Basuto fits the bill perfectly.

I hope to make a simple image of her as part of an installation for this exhibition at
 www.artworkstudios.co.uk - Northwich, Cheshire.

Wave making

St Kilda Painting acrylic on paper 72" x 28"

 

At last I am making some big versions of these powerful images.  I am loving the looseness of the mark making and the dramatic splashing of paint.  Then working into it in a more detailed way....

 

I have had a small Open Studio, by invitation.  The Secret Hills Art Café group came and I was thrilled with their interest and encouragement.  In the afternoon more friends turned up and ditto to the above.  Just what I needed to keep this work going.

 

A bit of a break now for the Season's Festivities but so looking forward to my return to this work.

Sea Voyage work developing

                                                                               St Kilda Stacs and waves with paint & ink interventions



I have been working on these images to make them more robust and wanting the experience of the wave movements to encompass these amazing Stacs which rise up out of the water.  The birds colonize them despite the high winds and thrashing rain!

Also I have had them printed onto canvas, on quite a small scale, to play around with......with the hope that something much bigger will emerge!!!

Back Again!

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                 Drawing and Waves - Work in Progress


The summer has been fantastic.  I have so enjoyed being outside in the sunshine and pondering upon how to make images of my Sea Voyage.
 
Hence the long gap in putting up posts.  But with the days getting cooler and outside tasks completed I can concentrate on this work. 

Whilst on my 'sea voyage' I became fascinated with the waves themselves.  Particularly looking down from my balcony and seeing how the ship created all sorts of movement and patterns as it powered itself through the water. The experience of being carried in the ship on the waves gave me a sense of other worldliness.  The life of the sea, its power and extraordinariness translates perfectly to the amazing lives of the St Kildans who lived on the rocky islands so far from the mainland.

 

                                                                          Drawing and Waves - more work in progress


So off to do some more drawings........

Sea Voyage to St Kilda

Approaching St Kilda 20 May 2013

 

 

St Kilda emerged out of the cloud and misty horizon at about 6 am.  I was on the bridge of the Quest for Adventure and the tears streamed down my cheeks.  To experience these islands appearing from such a huge seascape was utterly extraordinary and unforgettable. 

 

The clouds stayed low as we slowly sailed into Village Bay and anchored off the main island of Hirta.  Although it was windy and chilly we were able to go ashore on the tenders which was such good fortune as it is often too dangerous to land on these islands.

 

I walked up behind the village amongst the hundreds of cleits, stone and turf storage buildings. At the top of the stac, once the edge of a volcano, I had the fantastic panoramic view of the village below.  A sheer drop on the other side as I lay down to peep over the edge and saw nesting birds clinging to their ledges as they kept their eggs warm from the cold blustery wind.

 

The community that inhabited these islands until the 1930's were truly remarkable and having visited this place my admiration for them has multiplied.

 

Watch this space for images inspired by this wonderful visit to a Scottish jewel in the Atlantic.