2014 Away with thee - Ireland & Scotland

                      

Travel.
What is a girl to do when good friends say, "come away with us....." I think we know the answer, 

Yes!!!    

So..... Where, when and how? 

How do you decide which places on this gorgeous planet of ours do we explore....

Not too many countries.... Not too few .... 
How much travel in one trip, is just enough? 

   

Then ... 'Let's ask the kids to join us for part of the adventure' ....duties, deadlines, diaries and dear ones - all need to be taken into consideration.
Result...... 
Ireland 
(19 July - August 1st. 12 days using a hire car)
We arrived in Dublin, picked up our hire car and travelled straight to Newgrange. The Neolithic  passage tomb is the most visited archaeological site in Ireland. Over 5000 years old it pre-dates the first phase of Stonehenge by 1000 years and the Egyptian pyramids by 400 years. It is a truly massive structure measuring 76 m in diameter by 12 m in height.

Newgrange archelogical site

 

Then, we drove across to Galway Bay, taking our time to enjoy the scenery. Stayed two nights at Galway Bay Hotel  . . . (beautiful big rooms and nice food) Enjoyed day trips exploring the countryside and then onto Limerick. Roads are narrow and the rock walls which act as fences are close and make seeing anything approaching difficult. Speed is not an option. Stopped for walks and visited a few gardens. Into Dingle - had meal at local pub and watched the boats. Beach at Coumeenoole is spectacular. Stayed in Local Pub on Beach.

Explored Killarney National Park which has some lovely scenery and walks..

Stopped in for lunch and some music. Glass blowing and antique shops . . .

Cameron and Arron loved all the old crumbling castles they could climb over and in . . . 

I liked, being able to see out through the glass roof of our hire car, as we drove through the countryside. Slight drizzle today but manageable.  
Views from Gap of Dunloe are spectacular. We all found Muckross House and gardens interesting, and enjoyed the guided tour. Torc waterfall is lovely. Glen view gardens are worth a visit. . .  then  around the Ring of Kerry  . .  very picturesque.

Through Bantry, round to Kinsale and stayed at the Old Imperial hotel for two nights.  Great meals. Day trips around the Cliffs of Moher and through into quaint villages. Leisurely meals at pubs and walks around Bunratty and Kiladvnet castles and Balleycassey craft and design centre.

Moved on to Limerick. Stayed at the Cliff House Hotel for two nights. Incredible views. Beautiful, peaceful, lots of walks and very enjoyable.

Reluctantly packed up and left to drive to Cork where we walked the narrow roads, visited the old English Markets, Fitzgerald Park, St Fin Barres Cathedral and stayed in The River Lee hotel for two nights while we visited gardens and parks in the area.

Leisurely breakfast and then drove to Waterford. I visited the crystal factory and did the tour while the boys walked around the town and looked at the Castle and Medieval Museum Walked around Mount Congreve house and Gardens, Black friars Pub for lunch and then a tour of Bishops palace..

Stayed overnight in modern hotel on the river . . .Waterford Marina Hotel.

  

Visited Kilkenny for a day visiting the National craft gallery, lunch at Brewery corner and then the Medieval Mile Museum, Kilkenny castle and stayed overnight in New Park hotel. 
Back into Dublin . . Stayed a couple of nights right near the church/St patricks Cathedral . . .great location. Did all the touristy things . . .Hop on Hop off bus, stopping at Castle, Trinity college, Little Museum of Dublin  (which we all loved, due to the eccentric professor who guided our tour - superb!!!!)
Temple Bar, Farmers market, and a wee wander through the streets  . ..

     

Flew from Dublin to Glasgow.

Scotland in August is gorgeous.
(1 - 16th August )
We had sunshine, very little rain, and just enough coolness to make walking pleasant.
Who knew ~ I did not? Scotland is gorgeous.
A fascinating night in loch Awe and a look around loch Lomond and now we are staying at Alvie Estate...Met up with our fiends. Scrumptious night in pub and piped out by beautiful men in skirts.... I may not come home. Last drink before bed...

Alvie Estate - gathering of the Clan !!

Our cottage is big, comfortable, old worldly, and built for the minus 20 weather they experience here in winter. There is a wood fireplace in lounge, and a shed full of wood and coal ... At the moment we have sunshine and warmth during the day .... good company and plenty to see. Life certainly is full of wondrous small joys ..... And I am truly thankfully!

..Woke this morning to birds whistling, cows mooing and scenery out the bedroom window to blow your mind.... I am loving this place. The weather is similar to August days in Brisbane - cool, crisp and bright.

Another eventful day looking at how the other half live. I may not be into castles, but I do adore the gardens, the furnishings, and the art works. Visited Ballindalloch, Duff, Stirling and ? .....yep! typical me, forgot the names - but we enjoyed gorgeous walks, and even a maize or two.                                                                                                          

Imagine . . .   

upstairs down stairs or Downton Abbey . . .only older !!!  Found the most amazing little antique shop set up in an old church. An entire room of old furs, mostly from Russia. The internal silk linings were decorated with the most intricate embroidery. ... Coats, muffs and hats. Tried to imagine wearing a set to the Movies in Brisbane. . . .mmmm! 

Then we found an entire room of old embroidered linen - which I could not resist, and silver. Yes! I bought some serving spoons and odd bits to add to all the other 'bits' I don't use ... Yes! I can just see Margaret Ollie's rooms, and hear you all groan.  More StuFF!!! 
The boys said I spent 2 hours ferreting around, but I am sure it was only 30 minutes.

We spent a day at Cairngorm mountain where the views are spectacular.

  

 That evening we rounded off with a lovely meal at Rowan Tree restaurant - to celebrate my good friends daughters engagement ... Which was just asked, and accepted, that day ... on bent knee on a bridge .... Oh! So romantic ... Brings back a flood of memories. Wishing them every happiness!!!
Today visited a Whisky distillery and had a tour of the Loch Ness . . . and enjoyed another gorgeous meal.

  

Today off to Blair house, Briar Shop and to see some more antiques. 
Fair is fair . . .Boys Castles . . .Girl - Bling!

     

Tonight is our last night, here in Alvie Estate with our friends. We will all gather at Ann and Peters cottage to hear a Bag Piper play, and tell stories concerning Scottish History, while eating freshly caught trout, smoked by the boys themselves . . . and be grateful for such a stupendous week, and sad that it is over.


We travelled across to visit Inverness, Loch ness, and Poolewe  . . . enjoying some heavenly seafood, and landscapes.   












Battle of Culloden. The boys were delighted to see a full re-enactment. 
Cannons at full blaze!

 
 Drove through mountains of Corrieaballoch, 



We all delighted in our visit to  Inverewe gardens. Lovely accommodation, gardens and ocean views. This was a highlight for us all.

   

  

Then we drove through to the . .Isle of sky. This drive is picturesque and extremely enjoyable. 

We discovered another series of incredible antique stores. One had all of their pottery outside in an open area, open to the elements .. . stuff we would have behind lock and key. 

 

I bought a set of these fine cups, certain that they may not survive the trip . . . but I had to buy them as they have a transparent image of a geisha in the base of each cup and saucer . . . lovely . . .they survived!!

       
Could not resist two small  cloisonné ware vases with dragons on them . . . and a small egg, beautifully made. 
We saw  Mason, Paragon, ridgway, Rockingham, Rosenthal,  Royal crown Derby, Spode, Villeroy and Boch, and Satsuma ware . . .just to mention a few. Also some incredible pieces of  jewellery . . . . I bought enough items to fill 5 boxes, which we posted while staying in Hellensvale . . . Beautiful pieces!!!!!!  I would have loved to have bought some more larger platters, vases and bowls . . .but his nibs said NO! . . .
managed to buy one . . . or two!!!!
            


            

and then through Fort Goerge,and into Hellensvale . .. another gorgeous series of incredible landscapes and quaint villages . . .and Yes! more Castles for the boys to explore and gardens for us to wander through . . .. Beautiful. 

We do love Scotland.

    

Stayed at a variety of beautiful B and B's and very old, 'Grand Houses'



Everywhere we went, that had orchards, the boys were pinching the fruit, and devouring it. . . I was expecting them to complain of insecticide poisoning . . . or for some gardener to complain that they were stealing . . .But, No! the gardeners we encountered were very enthusiastic, and pleased that their fruit was being enjoyed.


Here Arron is waiting to see what Cameron decides . . 
Is it good? .mmmm!  . . . it was!          

      
  Gardens were a highlight throughout our travels - through  both Ireland and Scotland .

    

 Another door - more delights!    

Then we drove into Edinburgh . . .for the The Edinburgh Tattoo . .  We were surprise just how much we enjoyed the evening . .  . was impressive!

Walking home afterward at 11pm, slurping on gelato, while catching the people enjoying the fringe festival events ...trying to avoid being dragged into alleys so very like Harry Potter, you find yourself keeping your eye open for Professor Moody ... And often thinking you have  found him, until you focus and see it is but a wee lad who has enjoyed his Whisky a little      too much. . .  and there were a lot of them.

    
Throughout our time in Edinburgh, the streets were interspersed with buskers, and businesses staying open to the wee hours, in the hope of nabbing the last minute deal. I think being the week of the Fringe festival and the Writers Festival added to the bustle. Loved listening to the buskers reading poetry, the comedy in every pub

More Cathedrals and Castles and the Hop on Hop off bus. . . . Edinburgh Castle, Hollywood Palace, Merchant House, and the Gorgeous Pastries from Patisserie Valerie . . . 

 and drinks at the Local Pubs. . . .   what is there not to like?

                             

 

 
 

and then it was time to catch the afternoon train on to London.

Connections Renewed - All sold out!

Oooops! How quickly life can speed by while we forget to maintain the everyday -

We (Linda, Lyn, Lily and myself) thoroughly enjoyed the entire process of our exhibition.

The setting up . . . 

Linda Back ceramics

Lily Karmatz

Lyn Derrick - sculpture

My supportive family

The setting up does not just happen - and once again I would like to thank my family for their help and support.

The OPENING. We were thrilled to see over two hundred people attending -  
a big Thank you to you all for being there . . . .

Opening at Gallery Nona

Stephen Newton with us after opening

Sales on night were very good. . . . .  Always nice!!!

Sharon Lee Paintings, Linda Back ceramics

A BIG Thank you to Stephen for his opening speech. We appreciated the time he spent viewing our work and the time he took to write and deliver this speech.

Stephen Newton - Opening speech

Stephen Newton        http://www.visualartist.info/stephennewton

Stephen Newton is an Australian sculptor working in wood and stone

Timeless connections to place through the sense of touch

". . . . Thank you very much Linda, Lyn, Lily and Sharon for this wonderful invitation and May I congratulate you all on a fabulous exhibition.

Welcome everybody to Connections renewed -  a fitting title for such a cohesive exhibition.  I had the exhibition to myself yesterday which gave me time to get immersed in the work, and during that time I felt myself repeatedly drawn into and out on a gentle ebb and flow of visual and sensual delights, and I left  the exhibition ‘soul nourished.’ I put this feeling down to having just experienced a wonderfully designed, and curated exhibition of deeply resonant forms and images, inspired by the natural environment. The word interwoven – used in this exhibition to describe the artists’ careers and life journeys also comes to mind as a fitting title for this exhibition.

I think Connections Renewed is a better title, because it implies the passage of time and the changing nature of things – of connections – between people and people, between people and place. And while all the artists offer us a deeply personal account of their relationship to nature, it is not so personal as to stop all of us, the audience, bringing something of ourselves to the work, because the work invites us in.

And that’s what I’d like to share briefly with you today, some of my thoughts and feelings that surfaced when I was ‘invited in’. Like any observation or reading, the response usually implicates the nature and bias of the reader. I guess that means that I have approached the exhibition as an artist and educator  . . .  .

Linda back - ceramics

Linda Backs ceramic installations show us an extremely confident and sonsistent handling of the medium. The concept ‘vessel’ – such an iconic canon in the seramic world, is conceptually – though not physically – deconstructed into a rigorously arranged multi-object installation. The framing of the forms into beautifully crafted red cedar wall units lends a kind of surreal-domestic atmosphere, familiarly engaging with a slight whimsical twist. I’m also reminded of the textural tonality of the elegant still life arrangements of the painter Giorgio Morandi, delivered to us as robust organic sculptural form and sublime cabinetry. Linda’s tubular works are also vessels of a sort, though I felt them to be reminiscent of  mangrove nodules or tree roots, slowly and surely finding a way out of the earth and ocean into the life and light of the world.

Lyn Derrick - sculpture

Lyn Derrick’s sculptures for me exist as elegantly refined and ecologically renewed modernist forms. The modernist sensibility of ‘truth to material’ is played out through a meticulously crafted architectonic aesthetic. However the ‘truth’ found in Lyn’s material carries the urgency of real environmental concerns about the future of Tasmania’s old growth forests. The poignancy and humanity of our nature/culture condition, reveals itself to us through delicate and precarious balance of wood and steel. Lyns sculptures are not small; there is a sense of the scale-less sensation in each piece, drawing us into the intimate relationship with the work, physically and emotionally.

Lily Karmatz - installation

I viewed Lily karmatz’s work in the exhibition as work in progress, and this is by no means a detracting statement. As Lily herself says in her artist statement, “I am not concerned with creating the object.” How then does one respond? As simply as one responds to leaves falling, wind blowing and water flowing. Of course all art practice is a process, but not all art practice needs to end in a product. Lily’s works on canvas and wood, combined with organic materials such as leaves, twigs and vines are a highly refined moment in time, a time we know will surely pass. I have long known Lily’s passion for Ikebana, and I a also reminded of the Japanese Wabi-sabi aesthetic , which is accepting of change and embraces a natural beauty that is imperfect, impermanent and incomplete. Lily’s artwork is ‘in process’, but that does not mean it is unfinished. It offers us the rare opportunity to experience the visual art equivalent of what my Lyenga yoga teacher calls a ‘soft exhalation’.

Sharon Lee -  smaller collage works.

Sharon Lee’s pictorially layered collages and paintings remind me in some, of an almost Max Ernst-like landscape. Ernst himself said ‘an artist must have one eye on the outer world, while the other eye looks towards the inner world’. Sharon’s imagery holds nothing of the melancholy of Ernst, her images are always a joyful experience, allowing our eye to drift through a kaleidoscope of layers and colours, allowing us to connect the fragments of our own memories. As Sharon says in her statement – “The individual brings their own emotional history to the viewing, creating their own unique narrative”.

In this exhibition – Connections Renewed – Each artists work is a natural salve for the senses, a balm for the soul.

Connections Renewed is a heartfelt honouring of nature, and a gentle reminder to us that we are all a part – sometimes an ungrateful part – of nature.

To quote Sharon’s words, we all have an emotional history, it’s a history connected with each other and it’s a history deeply connected with nature.

This wonderful exhibition invites us to renew our own personal connections with nature and in turn, with each other.

Thank you . . . . "

Out Celebrating - after the exhibition was complete . . . 

Thank you to everyone involved. Those who exhibited with me, and those who were supportive throughout the entire process. The reporters for writing the articles in the news papers, the gallery staff, those who attended or spoke at the opening, and to the people who bought our work, we hope it brings you enjoyment for many years. . . .  
Cheers Sharon 

Artists' statements

Exhibition Connections renewed

Connections Renewed

Opening Saturday October 5th at 4pm

Brisbane Institute of Art

41 Grafton Street Windsor

The bond between these four women commenced when they all attended Art classes at the Brisbane Institute of Art, which was established almost forty years ago.

“Connections Renewed”, a joint exhibition by 4 exciting Brisbane artists whose careers have interwoven over the past 15 years, opens on 5 October at Brisbane Institute of Art.
The exhibit features works of sculpture, paintings and ceramics inspired by the natural environment and will be opened by well know Brisbane sculptor and educator Stephen Newton.

The four female artists, Linda Back, Lyn Derrick, Lily Karmatz, and Sharon Lee met through their early fine art studies at Brisbane Institute of Art where they were all tutored by Stephen Newton or attended his Moreton Island workshops. Since meeting all four have maintained individual art practices and their lives have converged and diverged over the years.
The four have recently reconnected after recognising that nature was the source of inspiration for all of their work. Linda Back says, “our works are all inspired by nature and we are environmental conservationists by heart. This has allowed us to reconnect on a professional basis and to deliver a cohesive exhibition.”

Wave forms, old growth forests, the weather, and organic matter provided inspiration for some of the diverse works on display. Lyn Derrick’s architectural timber and steel sculptures are concerned with the conservation of Tasmanian old growth forests and her work includes a 1.5m Huon pine back- sawn flitch salvaged from the Gordon River. Lily Karmatz’s 3-D mixed-media works are deeply influenced by ikebana and feature leaves, leaf forms, found wood, and vibrant colour. Linda Back’s ceramic vessel collection, inspired by flotsam and jetsam and wave action, includes bowls, ikebana vessels and curvaceous tubular forms mounted on red cedar wall units. Sharon Lee ‘s multi-layered paintings on canvas are visual narratives of the weather and environment and embody the movement, energy and colour of nature.
Collectively the four have previously exhibited in Australia and Japan, been recipients of residencies in USA and China and regularly exhibit in national international art competitions.
Linda Back commenced studies in 1985,


Sharon Lee in 1992,



with Lyn Tidey (Derrick),




and Lily Karmatz undertaking their Certificates and Diplomas from 1997.




Love to see you at the opening, Cheers Sharon

Time . . .

Anyone who knows me well, will have heard my constant lament 'where has this year gone' . . .and this year is no exception. I have neglected to blog as life has been too hectic, but now almost ready for my next exhibition, I can leave a few words and pictures here to prove I have not been completely lazy. . . .though not as busy as some.

Workshops

Kieth Lo Bue workshop at Studio West End, Brisbane

Kieth is an American born Found object Jeweler and Sculptor, living in Sydney Australia. He calls himself a 'Stuffsmith' and when you see his work made from Stuff into Objects of Artwork . . . stuff acquires a whole new meaning.

I adored the man and I enjoyed the workshop - conducted at Studio West End here in Brisbane.

If you are interested Kieth has many web sites and Blogs. Well worth a look.

http://www.keithlobue.com/

Art in the Olives. Fantastic weekend of creativity and mmmmmmmmmmmm gluttony.

 

Myself and a few friends attended the festival to do some Basketry with Therese Flynn Clarke (Winner of the 2012 Caldera Art Award.) We sat on the side of the river, and trying not to be distracted by the scenery, sound of live bands playing music and the smell of food, we used random weave techniques to create sculptural vessels from numerous fibres and cane.

  

 

 Therese Flynn Clarke  Winner of the 2012 Caldera Art Award

The Arts in the Olives is a festival celebrating the creative arts. The festival is a collaboration between the residents of the Lost Worlds Valley and BADCAP - Beaudesert and District Community Art Projects and offers a variety of workshops.

Plenty of great accommodation on offer.

Wide selection of luscious food and operators - cheeses, wine, olives, pickles, sausages, honey and gorgeous baked delights . . . .

Huge selection of workshops. We all agreed we will do Blacksmithing next year.

Fingal Workshop

How glorious to share a week with friends at the beach. . . .being creative.

My latest work - printed, grounds and painted on 100% rag

   

  Sometimes, it is hard to remember we are here to do work! 

Could not resist doing a series of photographs with this huge jelly fish. 

Rusty Roo workshops

I have enjoyed weekends at the Roo with friends in my NEW STUDIO space. . .. (not as many as I would like as we have been busy building the new studio space and bathroom and the pottery studio . . .  .) look forward to the ones organized for later in the year. 

  

 Studio has windows on three walls and double set of doors - great light

Cameron with the help of my Father and Son hauled the mammoth press upstairs into the light filled space with it's wide veranda, with great views. (Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!! )

Cameron and I installed a new bathroom upstairs so that we do not need to go down and out when we need . . .. to go. It is Fantastic.  

Lily - Sculptural art in the Landscape                            Linda Wheel throwing on one of our two new pottery wheels.



Linda firing her pots in Rusty Roo pit. 

Opening the pit after a long slow burn over the week.

Example of results from Pit firing.

Lily creating Ikebana magic throughout the property. Example of my photography which was conducted into the wee hours of the night with the help of torches, wine and lots of laughter. . .

 Something to admire while drinking our wine and watching the sun set.

Flying Arts workshop

Gelatin plate workshop with Flying arts. Great workshop held at the state Library Brisbane

 

Something unrelated

Cameron and I recently attended a costume party . . . (We passed a group of small children on the way and it took all our considerable will power not to jump out of the car and scare them. . . . .  Then Mr Plod said NO!)

Beautiful pair ain't we . . . .NO?