This is an open invitation to come and view my exhibition at the Ashcroft Arts Centre in Fareham, Hampshire.

If anyone can make it along to the private view, it would be great to see you!

For more information on the Ashcroft and how to get there, click on this link.

 Scotia Deserta - After the poem by Kenneth White

 Low Tide- After the poem by Kenneth White

Late August On The Coast - After the poem by Kenneth White

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.

 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

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.

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.

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.

 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