the weaver of grass

since coming to Newburgh i've hardly been able to tear myself away from the river

but i went to Perth for a day

to see an exhibition at the Perth Museum and Gallery

'the weaver of grass'

the work of Angus McPhee

whose sad history can be read here

the works speak for themselves

 

there was a "touchable" sample at the exhibition

made by Joanne B Kaar

whose own work is also fascinating

i'd also like to add a virtual bouquet for the kind gentleman on the desk at the museum who, when i tottered in and inquired about the exhibition practically took me by the hand to lead me thither. what a sweetie.

riverwandering

i love tidal rivers

they have a magic all their own

things are hidden and revealed

muddied one day, squeaky clean the next

in + by the river

what is lost can be found

the whole become broken

+ the broken whole

troubles + sorrows washed away

messages entrusted to the mud + tides

faith replenished + spirits lifted

while the river mumbles + murmurs by

rising + falling

going in + drifting out

and just as it is with life

you can never step into the same river twice

paper colour

now on day two of class two

working on the wayfarer's windfall book

Denmark, Belgium and Germany have left us

Sweden, Italy, Scotland, England and California have stayed on

and we have been joined by Switzerland

and even some folk from this area!

the colours are [dare i say it]

are even more delightful on paper

than they were on cloth

bio-regional colour in Newburgh

it seemed we were just getting in to the swing of things at

the wayfarer's wandercloth class [in the Textile Centre, Newburgh]

when suddenly our three days were up.

 + + +

 wonderful food

provided by our thoughtful hosts

gave extra energy to the work of heart and hands

+ + +

all the colours were derived from plants gathered within walking distance

of the studio

plus a few onion skins that had been saved in local kitchens

but

the students came from farther afield

 Denmark : Sweden : California : France : Belgium : Italy : Scotland : England : Germany

here are some of the results

a parcel full of the sea from over the sea

today i received a parcel

which was so pretty

it was hard to cut open

the butterflies are part of the sticky tape

the contents are magical

two glasses

wrapped in tissue paper

and tied up with seablue waxed bookbinding thread

they are sea-coloured

and

the big one has bubbles

like an incoming wave.

they have been made by Norwegian artist Kari Mølstad

when i offered to trade a cashmere shawl

for a handmade gin glass that looked as if it came from the sea

and Kari kindly agreed

i never dreamed that she would send me two of them!

+ + +

it's one of the things about being a student at Haystack

you find yourself in a class surrounded by remarkable company

and sometimes

you make friendly connections.

here's a link to her website