Study for Late August On The Coast
July 23rd, 2010 Doug
Late August On The Coast - After the poem by Kenneth White
The Ship Of Fools - new blog page to be launched September 2010
July 21st, 2010 Doug
Das Narrenschyff _ Original woodcut from 1509 translation
Over the last year or so, I have been developing and planning a series of images based on Sebastian Brandt’s “Ship of Fools”, originally published in 1494. The book has fascinated me for a long time; strangely, I came across it through my interest in gaelic poems such as Tanaig Long ar Loch Raithneach (A Ship Has Come on Loch Rannoch), which is believed to show signs of being influence by Brandt’s poem.
Starting in September I will be producing a series of fifty two images, based on the translated text and original book plates from the 1509 version of the book, by Scottish writer Alexander Barclay. Some of woodcuts in the original publication were created by the master printmaker, Albrecht Durer.
I’ll be posting an image every week, interspersed with notes, sketches and excerpts from the book. As well as creating and interesting new section on the website, the work will form the basis for a new exhibition of work to be shown in 2011/12.
As part of my research for this project, I am deeply indebted and grateful to Sally Evans and Ian King of King’s Bookshop in Callander, who very kindly provided me with a beautifully bound copy of the 1873 reprint of Alexander Barclay’s translation. The book was invaluable to me as it filled in many missing areas of text and images.
Annotated title page from Volume 1 of the 1873 edition of the book
Click on this link, or follow the button on the home page of my website to The Ship Of Fools page, and watch out for regular posts from the end of August.
For more details about King’s Bookshop, with Ian’s superb bookbinding and Sally’s poetry, click on this link and find out more information about the shop and how to get there.
The artist’s studio reawakens!
July 20th, 2010 Doug
Where do I start!
After a lay-off that seems much longer than six weeks, I’m finally getting back into the studio and kick-starting my work (and the blog!).
Over the next few weeks I’ll be trying to catch up on work that was in progress, and developing a few new ideas which will be exhibited at the next show, at the Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham, in September.
I sure that I’m not the only artist or maker that finds that their work and output goes into a period of ‘hibernation’ after producing a major show or collection. Recharging the batteries and stocking up on new ideas is a vital part of making sure that this phase is only a temporary ‘catching your breath’.
So, it’s back into the studio, and rekindle the passion for making art. I’m working on a series of assemblages and drawings based on some fantastic poetry, and I feel privileged to be using the words of writers including Christine De Luca, Robert Alan Jamieson, Norman Bissell, Peter Urpeth, Andrew Philip and Kenneth White, to inspire and evoke new works.
I’ll be posting images of new assemblages and drawings as the work develops, and news of new projects, exhibitions and collaborations which I am currently involved in creating.
Brandan’s Last Voyage - After the poem by Kenneth White
Art & Photography - Blipfoto Journal
June 6th, 2010 Doug
Recently, after much deliberating, I purchased a digital SLR camera. I’ve often used photographs as part of my collecting and researching, but until now have never taken it very serious, preferring to sketch instead.
As well as recording and collecting for my art work, I’ve found myself enjoying taking photographs of a variety of subjects, and I’ve been looking for a way to use them. I’ve always enjoyed photography (my original college training, what seems a very long time ago!) and often find myself seeing good photo opportunities.
After a recent discussion about the merits of a disciplined approach to taking pictures with artist and photographer Alastair Cook, I’ve set up an online journal with Blipfoto. The website allows you to upload one photograph per day which will, hopefully, encourage me to keep looking for interesting subjects to record.
Click on the photograph below to link to my Net Mender Studio Journal. I’ll be posting new images on a regular basis, and will use my Facebook and Twitter pages to promote them. Hope you enjoy the pictures!
By the way, for anyone who is interested, the camera is a Nikon D90.
The Net Mender - Day Two Of The SPL Residency
June 3rd, 2010 Doug
Back on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh again for day two of the Scottish Poetry Library residency. One of the great aspects of doing this has been the opportunity to meet and talk with artists, poets and musicians who’s work I admire.
Two of early visitors were photographer, filmmaker and architect Alastair Cook, and musician, photographer and creator of the award winning People and Songs of the Sea, Shona McMillan.
Alastair has recently been artist-in-residence at Timespan in Helmsdale, and has produced some stunning images of the north-east coastline. He has also been collaborating with Italian composer and cellist Luca Nasciuti on several films. Follow this link to view more of Alastair’s superb work on his website.
Every now and then you meet a real kindred spirit, and Shona McMillan fits that description. Her passion for all things concerning the coast and its fishing communities is infectious and refreshing. Her enthusiasm and dedication was rewarded recently with an award for her People and Songs of the Sea CD, which has also received much acclaim in America and Canada. I’m looking forward to collaborating with Shona on a future exhibition project concerning the fisher folk and coastal communities of Scotland, and the diaspora.
Other welcome visitors to the exhibition were Shetland poet Christine De Luca, and Edinburgh photographer Chris Scott. Christine has recently allowed me to use several of her new poems to create art works, and I hope to be showing the completed works in the next exhibition in September. Her poems have taken my work off into a different direction, focusing on the more abstract and musical aspects of linking art and poetry. It has been exciting and challenging working with her texts, and I hope the images do justice to the excellent poetry and sit well alongside them.
I’m now heading back to the studio to develop more collaborative works inspired by the writing of some of our finest poets. These pieces are probably the most challenging for me, as I feel privileged and honoured to be allowed to use these words to kindle new images and ideas. But, rather than being merely illustrations of the work, I strive to create works that will sit alongside the poems as new interpretations of the themes.
Over the next few months I will be in the company of many fine poems, and hopefully, will be producing work which will do justice to them. I’ll be posting images of these new work as they develop. I would like to send a warm thank you to everyone who took the time to visit the exhibition at the Scottish Poetry Library, and especially to Andrew Philip for his continuing support and friendship.
Many thanks also go to the staff of the SPL for their warm welcome and hospitality, with special thanks going to Julie Johnstone, Peggy Hughes and Robyn Marsack.
Twa Poets - Andrew Philip and Robert Fergusson, outside Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh.
The Net Mender - Day One Of The SPL Residency
June 1st, 2010 Doug
Good first day of the residency at The Scottish Poetry Library, developing and drawing the ideas for the poems of Kenneth White.
The drawings, for texts including Brandan’s Last Voyage, Late August On The Coast, and Scotia Deserta, will be used to illustrate the next issue of Soylesi Uc Aylik Siir Dergisi, the Turkish edition of the Conversation International Poetry Project Journal, along with the photographs of Marie-Claude White.
Working up on the mezzanine floor surrounded by a wealth of poetry was very conducive to producing good sketches. The people of Edinburgh (and the wider community of Scotland) are very fortunate to have such an excellent resource on their doorstep. Combine that with the nearby and equally superb National Library of Scotland, and you have enough to keep any would-be bibliophile very happy!
The day was made all the more enjoyable by visits from sculptors Angela and Brunton Hunter, and poets Rob A. Mackenzie and Andrew Philip.
Looking forward to Day 2, and working on the finished drawings for Brandan’s Last Voyage and Low Tide at Landrellec.
Poems and pencils - Working studio notes and drawings for Scottish Poetry Library exhibition.
May 26th, 2010 Doug
Working study of Minotaur for Nuclear Submarines collaboration
As part of my current studio work, I’m developing collaboration projects with several poets. One of these collaborations,
which will be on show during my residency at the Scottish Poetry Library, is with Edinburgh poet Rob A. Mackenzie.
Working study detail for Nuclear Submarines collaboration, from the poem by Rob A. Mackenzie
Nuclear Submarines
One day they will surely betray me.
For now, they seem content to drowse
resolutely without wit or purpose
like autistic sharks balooning
through seaweed, rock and sand
of fish cities deep in blackout.
While I’m trying to trust, one breaks
the Gareloch’s surface and fixes
its stunned gaze on the mirrored sky.
Things are as they should be -
the clouds, the flotsam, the stranger
peering from the shore with my face.
The second it drops, I no longer exist.
It has no memory, no plans.
The water rises, the sky falls,
and I am as blue is to the fish.\
Many thanks to Rob for permission to post his poem. Rob’s book ‘The Opposite of Cabbage’
is available from www.saltpublishing.com, or from any good bookseller.
Rob A, Mackenzie also writes for Magma Poetry Online
The Net Mender at the Scottish Poetry Library - Two Day Residency 1-2 June 2010
May 16th, 2010 Doug
Postcard image of Bas Baile - Rotal
As part of the Net Mender exhibition at The Scottish Poetry Library, I will be artist-in-residence at Crichton’s Close on the 1st and 2nd of June, creating new art/poetry collaboration works. Poetry (and literature in general) has always been a great source of ideas, images and influence in my art work, and to have the opportunity to exhibit and develop new collaboration pieces at such an important national resource is a great privilege and pleasure.
Currently in the studio, I am working on several assemblages and drawings which will feature in the two days of the residency. Two poems which are being translated into box constructions come from poems by Shetland born, and Edinburgh based poet Robert Alan Jamieson. Also with similar geographical connections, poet Christine De Luca has given me two fantastic poems to work with, ‘Fire - Sang Cycle’ and ‘Breton Circle Dance’. Both poems will feature in Christine’s forthcoming new collection.
Breton Circle Dance
Ouessant, Finistère
An dro
Feet drum doon a aert flör
dancin hit clean
rivlins in rhythm,
side-steppin, saaft sheen.
Airms linkit tagidder
back, fore, up an owre,
lik flail apö flakki,
lik sail at da shore.
Minuet
Da wye da horizon wavvels:
hadds tae her, but tizes farder,
balances apö da aedge.
Even time dips her, salists.
An boats, heeld owre i da ebb,
recline for a artist’s brush.
Da snaar here - a slow dance –
isna sib tae da Manche whaar
tides gallop fast as a horse.
A sea foo o sky. Sun lip-lines
waves as dey hadd der braeth,
glosses dem. Dey tip, smush
inta smoorikins, a hush
apö saand; a linkin o airms,
a steppin tae da sea’s percussion.
An dro
Feet dance doon a aert flör
daddin hit clean
rivlins in rhythm,
side-steppin, saaft sheen.
Airms linkit tagidder
back, fore, up an owre,
lik flail apö flakki,
lik sail at da shore.
An dro – a Breton circle dance, with linked arms
Along with the above, there will be new works from collaborations with Jen Hadfield, Donald S, Murray and Rob A. Mackenzie. So, if you are in the Edinburgh area at the beginning of June, pop along to the Scottish Poetry Library just off the Canongate, on the Royal Mile, and find out more about the collaborations, or just say hello!
The Scottish Poetry Library at night.
Poem by kind permission of Christine De Luca
Scottish Poetry Library photograph by kind permission of Chris Scott,
If you would like one of the Bas Baile postcards, leave your address on my contacts page, and I will forward one to you.
The Net Mender - Scottish Poetry Library exhibition
May 8th, 2010 Doug
The Scottish Poetry Library, Edinburgh
A selection of the Net Mender exhibition is now on show at The Scottish Poetry Library, Edinburgh.
The library is a fantastic national resource, and it is a privilege for me to be able to show my work amongst one of the finest collection of poetry and literary studies in Scotland. Poetry has played a large part in influencing and enhancing my work and the pieces on display in this exhibition have either direct collaborative links with poets such as Andrew Philip , or are in response to poems I have researched relating to a subject as with the Emigrant and Bas Baile works.
The exhibition rums from the 8th of May until the 12th of June, 2010. The Scottish Poetry Library is located in Crichton’s Close, just off the Canongate, on Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile.
As part of the exhibition, I will be taking part in an event at the library in early June. More details will be posted soon.
Click on the title below the picture of the SPL to link to their Our Sweet Old Etcetera webpage, which has the latest news from the library.
Back in the studio - developing ideas for Andrew Philip’s ‘Hebridean Thumbnails’
April 14th, 2010 Doug
The art comes out of this clutter!
Back in the studio after a short break (hadn’t realised how much doing the last exhibition had taken out of me!), and working on new images for the next exhibition at the Scottish Poetry Library, Edinburgh, in May and June 2010.
This week I have been working on a sequence of seven drawings, based on the Hebridean Thumbnails, evocative one-line poems or ‘threads’, written by Scottsh poet Andrew Philip. I had originally created four drawings as a visual contribution to an interview I did with Andrew as part of his Ambulance Box Virtual Book Tour (see link below), organised by Salt Publishing in June 2009.
In the new drawings, I have tried to recreate the linear, sketchbook quality of the poems. Rather than just being illustrations of Andy’s poems, I have used the work as a prompt to create new images; influenced by the words and combined with my own experiences and memories of Lewis and Harris. By doing this I hope I will have created work that will enhance and support the poems, rather than merely describe them.
Here are Andrew’s seven poems, along with my four drawings I created for the online ‘blether’ between poet and artist.
Hebridean Thumbnails
fo cheò
islands buried in the sky’s white sands
*
baile tughaidh
the thatched ghosts smile as the sun slides down
*
na tursachan
gazes held for centuries, waiting for one to crack
*
sligean air an traigh
all the bonnier for being broken broken broken
*
solus na stoirme
where sky and land split, a fragment of grief flickers
*
taigh làn cuileagan
black nuggets of erosion settle everywhere
*
còmhradh a’ chladaich
after all this time, what has the beach left to say to the tide?
Original sketches for Hebridean Thumbnails (Four drawings for a blether with Andrew Philip)
Watch out for further posts featuring this and my other poetry collaborations which will be featured in the Edinburgh exhibition.
Poems reproduced by kind permission of Andrew Philip
