Weekly Photochallenge …. boundaries
From within the bounds of Sciatica I had a great plan to write something deep and meaningful about the need for some boundaries the absolution of others I found myself in a heavy political diatribe … but seriously thinking I just what to be free of pain and enjoying watching this weed creep from its confines.
Monday with Sciatica …
So sad; four days into severe back ache it seems I am unable to sit and write a post. For over four years I have found ways to communicate through some difficult times. However, it seems after a weekend of ‘connecting’ with out-of-hours doctors and even going to a clinic and being given a varied collection of advice and prescriptions … there is no let up!
So this come with love and hope that some relief will come and I will enjoy my holiday!
Happy Monday …
Silent Sunday …
Its Saturday …
Its Saturday! There is good news and some not so good. First I have my regular open access printing session. I have made some drawings and begun a series of reduction linocuts at home; this morning I am hoping to attempt some drypoint with the same images.
The bells hang in my dining room all the year round; they have, I feel, a festive feel and might lend themselves to a Christmas card.
The bad news is a mean attack of sciatica; for the last 24 hours I have moaned and groaned and the out-of-hours doctors have been helpful. While there has been little improvement, we have a management plan to control the pain and they also recommend high levels of activity (not strenuous) so the art class is on … Have a good day.
Friday’s Library Snapshot …
I am in between tasks at Special Collections; soon I begin work reclassifing the Cole Collection. It is at present only on a card catalogue. Nice, but can only be used onsite. But until then I remember a collection I worked on and get organised …
One of my favourite collections of books here at the library is the Gibbings Collection.
Robert Gibbings (1889-1959) was a wood engraver, artist and author. He founded the Society of Wood Engravers in 1919 and took over the Golden Cockerel Press at Waltham St. Lawrence, Berkshire from 1924-1933.
In 1936 he became a senior lecturer in the Typography Department at the University of Reading.
The collection comprises of 300 books written and/or illustrated by Robert Gibbings. There are some books printed at the Golden Cockerel Press and others at the University of Reading, School of Fine Art.
In 1939 Robert built a little boat and sailed down the River Thames. On the way he stopped at nearby public houses; talking and engraving as he went.
This book, documenting his journey, was very popular in the 1940s among people who wanted to escape the harsh reality of England at the time…
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Alphabe Thursday T is for Tenho amor … I love
Tenho amor a minha terra
Quando eu estou longe dela
Fico triste que de noite
Eu durmo e sonho com ela
Felicidade completa
Só tenho encontrada nela
I love my land
When I’m away from it
If am sad at night
I sleep and dream about her
And find complete happiness
I agree with the poet; I love my homeland and enjoy going home, when I have been away. My daughter lives in Brazil and smiles at the adage ‘you can take the girl out ‘England’ but you cannot take England out of the girl’ I expect this applies to everyone who leaves their home whatever the reason.
She looks forward to parcels from home as much for the smells of home as the gifts.
Wednesday’s woman of art …
I love the colours of these linocuts by Lyubov Popova (1889-1924). They are untitled from the portfolio Six Prints (c1917-19) which have watercolour and gouache additions. I would love to see them and discover how this works.
Popova was among the Russian avant-garde’s most important figures. Inspired equally by French Cubism, Kazimir Malevich’s abstract Suprematism, Vladimir Tatlin’s theories of Constructivism, and Russian folk art, Popova produced distinctive architectonic compositions in a range of mediums, from painting and works on paper to theatre design and textiles. It would seem that her use of relief techniques in Six Prints may have been influenced by her experience with textiles which at the time were often printed by woodblock.
Weekly photo challenge … [small] Change.
My son-in-law is a beachcomber all he trawls the beaches of Rio de Janeiro at dawn with his metal detector looking for treasures. He has found some jewels and even found a particular gem when someone mislaid his wedding ring. However, it is mostly worthless trinkets, beer bottle tops and small change that he brings home.
At the end of the month he uses the cash to supplement his household requirements or mostly it is given to the homeless he sees on the way home as the sun comes up.
It would seem that also his hobby has attracted the interest of the local authorities and finds will be used in an exhibition to raise awareness in the issue of litter and the pollution of the beaches.
Monday … a bit of bricolage
For the past few weeks I have been working on some items for a book to be shown at an exhibition. I have only recently ‘enjoyed’ the title ‘artist’ and it still sits clumsily; especially when required to ‘produce’ a piece of art. My best pieces are those that have have come from a place of quiet or even noisy spontaneity and on the back of an envelope.
So when I began these, there was a mixed feeling of hope and despair. On one hand the vital planning required for reduction prints and multi colour plates and on the other a diminishing sense of play.
However, not wishing to give up hope I carried on and the linocuts seemed to have a mind of their own.
As a result I have about a 10 works each with one redeeming feature, none of which were intended.
So I have entitled them … as a collection ‘ a bit of bricolage’
Silent Sunday …
Coat Hanger Doll's House 