new: Orkney landscape inspired wool

I'm delighted (and slightly nervous!) to announce my latest creative venture: hand-dyed yarn inspired by the Orkney landscape.

Each skein is individually hand-dyed with acid dyes, resulting in one of a kind colour blends which reflect the Orkney landscape. So far I have dyed on 100% Shetland 2ply wool, although I plan to start dyeing on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) wool soon.

It's fair to say I grew up surrounded by wool. Between my Mum being a tapestry weaver and my maternal Granny knitting colourful socks and stunning Fair Isle patterned gloves, it was hard to avoid! I've always had an appreciation for wool, however since becoming a keen knitter in the last few years my interest has definitely heightened. Towards the end of last year it led me down the exciting rabbit hole of hand-dyeing.

My hand-dyes very much feel like a natural extension to my artwork as I treat the wool like a blank canvas: blending tones and colours in exactly the same way as I would when drawing or painting. Each hank becomes a little landscape reflecting the light, colours and character of Orkney. Every label is then personalised with an inspiration reference.

I have chosen to work with acid dyes for their vibrancy, colour range and mixing ability. Contrary to what the name implies, the dyes themselves are concentrated pigment/powder and the only acid involved is citric acid for the setting the dyes. Nothing harmful or dangerous :)

At present I have skeined the wool into 25g and 100g hanks. Although I am aware people are keen to have yardage amounts stated on labels I'm afraid I cannot give an accurate amount as I do not own the necessary equipment to calculate it. What I can say however is that 100g of 2ply Shetland wool is approximately 400m in length before dyeing and that you'll need to allow for a small amount of shrinkage during the dye process.

In terms of care instructions I recommend a cool, gentle hand-wash only, as with any pure wool. Due to the nature of hand-dyed wool please be aware that colours may bleed slightly after the first wash.

I really hope you like this creative development as much as I do. My wool will be available to purchase at the gallery this year. We open for the season on April 1st (this Sunday) so I'm currently busy getting all my wool and artwork organised for display. Not long now!

January storm, Newark, Deerness

January storm, Newark, Deerness

size: 48cm square (68.5 cm square inc. frame)
oil monotype and chalk on paper

*sold*

thinking...

Sand O' Wright beach in Hoxa, 07/02/18, on a biting cold afternoon.

Last week I was invited to be a guest judge for the Orkney Camera Club. I've judged for them before a few years ago and yet again I found it really interesting to see how differently everybody interpreted the brief. Judging forced me to activate the analytical, art critic part of my brain, an area which feels out of practice since leaving art school (a somewhat shocking) 8 years ago this year. 

Whilst looking at all their images I realised that I hardly take photographs anymore, certainly not with a creative slant. Mostly I use photography to assist my memory and sketches in order to create art work. I rarely take photographs just for the sake of taking them. Consequently this means I've largely forgotten how to use my camera beyond the basic Auto settings and my manual cameras haven't been touched for a couple of years. 

I'd like to change this. A little shake up is good for creativity and if nothing else it will be fun.

It's also good to take some time out to doodle with no purpose or expectations. I always find pebbles lend themselves beautifully to fun, little studies or experimentations in mark making. Something may develop from it, but it's ok if it doesn't. It's just good to draw.

mirror in the sand

"mirror in the sand" 
 Sand O' Wright beach, Hoxa

size: 30.5cm square (34 cm square inc. box frame)

oil on canvas

*sold*

(detail)

lonely cloud

"lonely cloud"

size: 41.8 x 14.8cm (61.5 x 34.5cm inc. frame)

oil on card
 *sold*

(detail)

yesnaby contours

"Yesnaby contours"

size: 47.5cm square (69cm square inc. frame)

black india ink and chalk pastel on paper

hoxa shore

"Hoxa shore"

size: approx 60 x 80cm framed (I can't remember exactly, sorry!)

acrylic ink and chalk pastel on paper
*sold*

Here's a large drawing I produced back in June. I see I completely forgot to upload it here during the summer.

Apologies for the radio silence. It has been a difficult year, for a variety of personal reasons, and although I kept day to day things running at the gallery throughout the summer, producing new artwork eventually fell by the wayside. There are only so many things one can keep on top of without completely burning out. 

Now that the gallery has closed for the winter season and I've had a small rest, I'm back in the studio working away on new things. My space has been reorganised (always necessary for a fresh start) and I already have three new pieces nearly ready to share. I also have a new (and hopefully exciting!) creative development in the pipeline which I shall share in due course.