We’ve been away, yet again – we hardly seem to have been
home this Summer, however, we are not proposing to go away again for ages, so I am intending to me much more productive. We shall see!
What have I been doing since my
last post – which seems like months ago?
Well, Friday Felters started their new term and, on our first get
together, led by Stella, we all tried out a new technique.
We made frilly neck pieces which are really unusual and very pretty - see photograph. Mine is made from merino wool with some silk decoration. I was so enthusiastic that I couldn’t wait
to try it out at home – however, as I had other commitments, I’ve had to wait
until today to have a go. I made two more neckpieces – I prefer to call them
scarves – and they are at the moment drying out – I’ll have photos of them for
next time.
Our last little get-away was to
Glasgow with some friends for 4 nights.
I’ve been a fan of Charlels Rennie Mackintosh and his wife for a long
time and was looking forward to seeing lots of their work. Our hotel was just outside the city and we
were able to take the train (about 10 minutes walk away) one stop into Glasgow Central so we didn’t
have to battle with traffic and parking.
Glasgow is full of beautiful
buildings and we were all very impressed.
On our first day there, we enjoyed an open topped bus tour to get
ourselves orientated and then visited the Gallery of Modern Art and the
Lighthouse. The Gallery of Modern Art
was a total disappointment – I didn’t find one exhibit which appealed to me –
it was certainly modern but not my idea of ‘art’. The Lighthouse – the former Glasgow Herald
building (Mackintosh’s first public commission), has been transformed into a
centre for Design and Architecture. We
climbed the spiral staircase right to the top for panoramic views of the city –
it was well worth the effort. There was
plenty of information and photos but
disappointingly few actual examples of Mackintosh’s work.
The following day, we decided to
spend the morning at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, a very imposing building. How naïve! – it took the whole day and then,
I bet, we didn’t see everything – there were natural history exhibits as well
as paintings, sculpture, militaria, ancient culture, and even a Spitfire. There were also some Mackintosh and Glasgow
Style exhibits so there was more than enough to keep us interested.
On our final day we decided, as
it was close by, to visit the Burrell Collection – another full day – what a
wonderful collection – and housed in a modern building set in beautiful
woodland. We had a conducted tour
round some of the highlights of the collection
and then wandered on our own.
After lunch, the same guide, Wilma who was excellent, guided us round
the current exhibition of impressionist paintings. My favourite was an evening snow scene, which I'd not seen before, by Henri
le Sidoner.
Suddenly, we were on our way home
again – not having seen as much Mackintosh as I’d hoped. So, the good news is,
we’ll have to go back again – perhaps next year.
Saturday saw us at at Lark Lane again https://www.facebook.com/CalidadEventsArtandCraftFairs - a couple of new faces – some beautiful
jewellery and lots of old friends.
When it was over and we’d packed up, Liz and I went to see an exhibiton by
Tina Leahey www.tinaleaheytextileartist.co.uk at Arts Hub 47 http://www.artshub47.co.uk It was so
good, I particularly liked the Liverpool skyline denim picture and some of the
framed textile pieces. I hope it has
been a howling success, it certainly deserves to be.
On Sunday, the highlight of the
week – Liz and I went to Skipton to ‘Yarndale Wool Festival’. It was brilliant, everything from alpacas and
angora rabbits to felt, spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, even some
ceramics. It was truly inspiring and I
came away with my head buzzing with colours and inspiration. I also came away with a bag full of ‘stuff’
which, of course, is essential!
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