Looking forward to Spring Fling 2013 - our final round up of last years event.

Not long now until Spring Fling our local open studios event - 25th to 27th May 2013

We never get the chance to visit all the artists during the open studios event so last year we sent out our roving reporter Lynn Watt who happily accepted the challenge and opportunity for a great day out . Thank you for sharing your day Lynn.

"One of the many charms of Spring Fling is tootling around pretty countryside lanes and coming across all sorts of lovely venues & varying styles.  Within a couple of miles of the Carsethorne coast we came across:

Ailsa Black

Wee Red Boat

Along at Kirkbean Village Hall, with teas on offer, we found a huge selection of original paintings, varying sizes of prints, and cards. Ailsa’s distinctive style makes use of a strong but limited palette with powerful pops of colour, often phone- or letter-box red (quite literally!) beautifully offset by blue seas & skies. Taking inspiration from Scottish fishing-village life, albeit one where a seal and seabird confer – or a sheepdog & bird head out on the ‘Randan’  – Ailsa uses repeat motifs  with beautiful design and gentle humour  to fabulous effect.  Wonderful stuff!  

www.ailsablack.com www.facebook.com/pages/Ailsa-Black-Scottish.../207049749306918

Ailsa Black's Art at Kirkbean Village Hall

 

Val Macadam

     

Starry Kippford Night and Wee Daisies

White geese transforming into white sheets on a washing line, the black & white markings of a cow called Daisy merging with daisies in the field! Val’s eye for soft colours, pattern and quirky humour work brilliantly with her skilled detailing.  And never more so than in her delightful village- & town-scapes, capturing local scenes in infinite detail or much-loved homes and gardens for personal commissions. We can see where Val gets much of her inspiration -  her lovely cottage, which she turns into a gallery for the Fling, has fabulous views of the Solway, is surrounded by fields and her gorgeous cats, who often feature in her  ‘Wee prints’ and cards, were posing to order!  

Sadly Val is not opening her studio this May but you can view her work at www.valmacart.com  www.facebook.com/valmacadamart

Val Macadam's Studio Entrance

 

Lettie Blackett

Lettie’s studio is a relaxed, easy-going space; ancient, rough stone walls with glimpses of garden beyond, decorated with fabulous flowers. And paintings & mixed media!  We loved the Indian paintings which capture the tremendous colour and speed of Indian street life, but with a magnetic stillness around the central figures. Lettie hopes to return to India soon to gather more inspiration – already looking forward to seeing the results next year."

www.lettieblackett.com/   


You can find out all about this years Spring Fling at http://spring-fling.co.uk/
With 93 visual artists, makers and designers participating in this great event.
Submitted by Lynn Watt busy Editor and manager of  luxury BirchLea Holiday Lodge  Kippford.

www.birchlealodge.co.uk

Art work shown  with the kind permission of Ailsa and Val. All art work and photos are copywrited.

 

Spring Fling Round Up along the Colvend Coast

Memories of Spring Fling 2012

Part 1.

For those of you who were unable to do the rounds at this years Spring Fling we sent out our team of trusty local correspondents who shared their opinions with us. Here is just a taste of the 57 Spring Fling artists who opened their studios.  With the blog having a Rockcliffe and Kippford focus, these are the artists and studios easiest to access from our villages, we would love to have travelled further afield across the region but there's always next year! 


Phillipa Sinclair: Colvend Village Hall
My first visit of this years Spring Fling was to our very own Philipa Sinclair who lives in Rockcliffe. Philipa's signature colour palette was much in evidence as was the European influences on her work. Philipa's paintings, which also include many local scenes and motifs are bold and vibrant and I noticed that she had done some exciting designs on fabrics and cushions which I had not seen before. 

Philippa Sinclair's work displayed at Colvend Village Hall

Philippa, never afraid to experiment, had also achieved some wonderful effects with subtle metallic highlights in some of her work. However, the paintings which really caught my eye, and that of several other visitors, were several exquisitely simple flower studies. Confident and graphic yet conversely subtle and delicate they reminded me of Japanese flower studies and I so wished I could have taken them home with me.
Philippa's website
Philippa is currently exhibiting at Castle Douglas Library Hall until the end of the month.

Phil Mcmenemy: The Gallery, Lauriston
I was introduced to the work of, Twitter addict, Phil at the CatStrand earlier in the year and fell in love with his almost abstract botanic studies so I was keen to see a larger body of his work and hot footed it over to his delightful gallery. The gallery is a converted Galloway barn and with it's simple white walls, slate floor and exposed beams is an ideal gallery space in which to showcase Phil's stunning prints. I was like a kid in a sweet shop, there are so many evocative views and landscapes. Being reared on the Narnia Chronicles, The Little White Horse and Tolkien, Phil's woodland scenes take me straight back to the lands of myth and legend to a time when they were populated by faerie folk. I fell in love with a large black and white print of a close up of the muzzle of gorgeous Galloway cow but it was a bit large to smuggle out under my coat (and I am sure Phil can run faster than me!)

Phil Mcmenemy teamed up with local songwriter and musician Zoe Bestel for Spring Fling on Friday afternoon

The afternoon turned out to be a rare treat as my visit coincided with an unplugged set by local musical phenomenon 14 year old singer/songwriter Zoe Bestel. Zoe, who accompanies her haunting lyrics with a ukulele, sat surrounded by an entranced and very appreciative audience in the corner of Phil's studio and played a selection of her own work and a couple of inspirational cover versions. As I joined the queue to buy her latest single I was touched by her natural confidence and easy way with people. I am sure we will all be seeing and hearing a lot more from her. We are delighted to be told that Zoe's "Just Another Girl" has been short listed to win a Young Song Writers’ Competition. The competition is held annually and is run by an Anti-violence Against Women team here in our local region of Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland You can hear her song and vote here  Just Another Girl

As if the afternoon hadn't been memorable enough I can't fail to mention the awesome afternoon tea and cakes in the Lauriston Village Hall. A choice of three cakes selected from a whole A4 sheet list and either coffee or tea. This must surely be heaven! Thank you ladies.


Phil's website

John Threlfall: Rockcliffe Gallery
No Spring Fling is complete for us without a visit to see John's work. John, deservedly voted Bird Artist of the Year 2007, also lives in Rockcliffe so can often be seen out and about, particularly at the RSPB Mersehead Reserve where he gets lots of inspiration. 

John Threlfall at work at the Rockcliffe Gallery on Sunday morning

Two things struck me at John's show this year: first there was an interesting mix of media with some exiting new work using both oil pastels and acrylic paints. Two paintings in particular used this to great effect, Puffins and Eider Ducks, both of which John has had made into very accessible giclee prints. The second was the stronger use of colour. Influenced by the local landscape John's earlier work adopted a more muted palette but since his visit to a Tiger Sanctuary in India where he painted the local wildlife, his palette includes stronger bolder colours giving his work a new edge. His signature bird studies were much in evidence and sadly for me (but fantastic for John) my favourite painting of two Lapwings sold to his first visitor on the first day of Spring Fling. I did not go away empty handed though. Being unable to chose between the strong graphic image of a Tern in water colour or the detailed subtlety of two Rooks executed in pastel I solved the conundrum by buying them both!


John's website

Christine Smith: Barnbarroch Pottery, Barnbarroch
The creative talents of Christine Smith are showcased at this working pottery which once housed the local school. Christine's unique style and quirky humour produce some fascinating and distinctive pieces which seem to draw on local influences and medieval bestiaries in equal measure. The shop glows as the lights reflect the subtle pigments and glossy glazes of the pieces ranging from simple domestic ware to complex and monumental flights of fancy. On Monday afternoon the pottery car park was jam packed, a tribute to the wide appeal and enduring popularity of Christines work. The pottery is open all year round and has a shop where Christines work can be viewed and purchased.


The Barnbarroch Pottery website

Spring Fling is planned from the 25th to 27th May. Part two of Memories of Spring Fling will be posted soon.

Solway artist Ailsa Black

Being huge fans of Ailsa Black's whimsical work we invited her to write a post for the blog. Her work is characterised by wonderful skills of observation, an amazing attention to detail and a unique perspective on the world around her.  In short... we love her quirky, contemporary naïve  style which really distills life on the Solway Coast and connects with those who love the area. This is one of my own particular favorites (but then again being a Collie owner I am biased!): 

Pep talk by Ailsa Black

Ailsa lives on the Solway Coast here in Dumfries and Galloway and it is from the countryside, coast and seascapes of the area that she takes her inspiration.  

Ailsa describes her work as an expression of Scottish contemporary rural life and she focuses on the interaction of landscape, animals, birds and people that surround her.  She is interested in the use of these core influences, which merge with her imagination, to convey a light-hearted, quirky and whimsical narrative on aspects of rural life. 

Hoppity poppity by Ailsa Black

 Her works, in acrylic paint on canvas board, utilise a limited, but bold, palette of signature colours and simplify form to bring a modern decorative clarity and simplicity to the image. 

 So, over to Ailsa…

I'm very lucky to live in a tiny coastal hamlet in South West Scotland, it has a few houses, a ruined pier, a phone box and a pub.  My studio is in the converted attic and looks onto hills and fields at the back and the sea at the front.  Out the front I often can see porpoises, seals, boats and sometimes otters, but mostly I see people walking their dogs and wandering about quite unaware that they are being watched.  

Salty seadog by Ailsa Black

Out the back of the house I can watch cows and sheep.  Everywhere there are birds of all shapes and sizes.  I feature all these aspects in my work...what more inspiration would you need?

I have always loved drawing and painting and would do so at every opportunity throughout my life.  I was lucky to have a couple of great art teachers at both primary and secondary school.  When I left school I went to art school and had a great tutor there.  Also my mum is a keen painter and I remember having to sit for her while I was quite young so she could draw me, she has always been very encouraging.

I have a need to capture and express my experience of life and the things that surround me.  I try to add a touch of humour and sometimes a word or two of Scots to my painting titles.  Life is too precious not to try and have some fun!

Moonlit escapade by Ailsa Black

Currently….

Ailsa sells cards and prints to trade at over 30 outlets across the UK.  She has exhibited paintings at the Royal Glasgow Institute and the Paisley Art Institute.  She has completed many private commissions and her work is increasingly being collected across the UK and internationally.

You can see Ailsa’s work at www.ailsablack.com  or follow her at

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ailsa-Black-Scottish-Artist/207049749306918

https://twitter.com/AilsaBlack

Screel walk inspires local weaver Katie Russell

Katie Russell,  tapestry weaver and keen walker hails from Castle Douglas. Earlier in the year Katie did a walk with her Dad and, as it's one of my favourites as Screel tops the view out over the Urr Estuary from Kippford, we asked her to share her experience with us for the blog.  From Kippford and Rockcliffe, the Screel walk is a short drive away along the A710 to Dalbeattie, left to Palnackie along the A711 (the road along the opposite shore). We are excited as it's our first long walk on the blog and it is especially interesting as Katie uses what she sees whilst out and about as inspiration for her work. For Katie her work, as with the walk, is a journey and so the two are symbiotic. 

Screel Walk courtesy of Katie Russell

NOTE: To get to the Forestry Commission car park at the foot of Screel follow the A711 from Dalbeattie or Kirkcudbright. (The car park is signposted south of Palnackie) 

It was easy to find the way and we arrived early, before 9am so the car park was empty. This was on a Sunday. Dad wasn't sure if we would get the walk done in the estimated time. He started in his shoes, but went back to the car to get his boots!  

The start of the walk is a gentle slope through the forest and that is easy going. 

When you come out of the forest there is a track that goes off to the left and another steep

path right beside it. Take the steep path. If you go on the first left you will end up in another forest!

Looking seaward: Kippford and Rockcliffe are top left of the photo: copyright K Russell

We realised that there were alternative paths, it depends on how adventurous you are feeling! Keep climbing the hill until you get to a bench from where you can admire the view of the bay.  We stopped there and had some water. 

You can then go straight into the forest and follow the path that is worn away, so you shouldn't get lost. Watch for tree roots if it has been raining, it is easy to stumble over them.  As you come out of the forest you will then start to see heather on the way up the hill. There will be areas that are boggy......unavoidable I'm afraid! But if you are wearing a good pair of walking boots then there should not be a problem. 

View from the summit of Screel: copyright K Russell

You keep going up until you are at the top from where you will see a fantastic view of the bay and also be able to see the cairn on the other summit on Screel. Walk over to there and then you will see more inland views over to Palnackie and Castle Douglas. 

It is advisable to take an OS map with you if you really want to be sure to identify the

places you see. My father enjoyed looking at how much of the coast line comprises of sand flats. Bengairn is the neighbouring, slightly higher hill, that is impressive and would also give great views. We contemplated it, but decided to keep that for another day.  Bengairn like Screel has heather and bracken, but will provide spectacular views also.

There are a number of paths going around Screel and it depends on how long you want to take to get to the top. If you want a short walk, then retrace your steps back the way you came. Alternatively you can follow a track down the side of Screel where the cairn is. Be advised there are rocky parts and walking poles come in useful in places! Dad managed with one, but I needed two. We found that going slowly, stopping every so often to take photos, stopping at the top and going slowly down took us back to the car park in about 3.5hrs. 

Twin Peaks: the summit of Screel: copyright K Russell

The heather and bracken was lovely in contrast to the greens of the forests.  I took a lot of photos of this and eventually worked up a sampler in wool, cotton and silk inspired by one of the images.

We startled a couple of deer that shot out onto the path in front of us.....too quick to take a photo unfortunately!

A grass snake, lots of interesting beetles and we heard a red grouse. The rock formations are interesting going up Screel and on the way down. My father took images of the rock formations and was quite interested in possibly producing watercolours from them. We came across a few people of all ages on the walk, all kitted out in outdoor gear with poles.

The stone cairn on the summit of Screel: copyright K Russell

The top of Screel is not somewhere to sit for too long if you are not wrapped up, but is excellent for photography and for the hardy, some painting and sketching.  I found the views of Bengairn and Tum Hill quiet inspiring with all the contrasting colours and textures. I will definitely come back and see the heather when it has changed in colour to give me more ideas. I would like to explore using thicker wools and possibly other coarse yarns. Although it was slightly misty in the distance this provided some inspiring images too. There were a lot of images really that could be used for all kinds of artwork. That is what I love about walking in this region. There is variety. 

This walk is particularly worth doing if you want to see the views of this region and into England. 

A photo of the weaving sampler that Katie wove inspired by the walk. Katie says "It took 

many hours of blending colours, but was worth it. Couldn't have produced that without

being inspired by the landscape." 

It was inspired by the heather, bracken, forest and sky and woven with wool, cotton and silk. copyright K Russell

 I was doing the walk as a novice! I am not an experienced hill walker at all! But it was well worth the steep climb! At present I am gathering images together from different parts of the region for one of my projects and Screel was a good starting off point.

You can find more information on Katie and her work on the kfrweaving website


Thank you Katie for sharing this with us.

Spring Fling Fever

Very excited that next weekend is the Spring Fling and from the Tweeting going on I'd say I'm not the only one! Hannah McAndrew, Phil Macnemenny, Leeming and Patterson, Cordelia Galley and Katie Russell (to name but a few) have all been Tweeting about the big build up.


The marketing team have done a sterling job and the build up has generated a lot of interest. There certainly seems to be loads on offer.


The bumph on the Spring Fling website says:
2012 is an exciting year for Spring Fling - it's our 10th Birthday!

From 2-5 June 2012, 76 professional artists, makers and designers will throw open the doors of their studios, inviting visitors to discover where and how they create their work; many artists will host demonstrations and every artist will be selling their work. You can discover the region on theSpring Fling bus, as part of the official Spring Fling cycle ride, or with the Spring Fling Sunday morning walking tour. For evening entertainment Spring Fling presents the ever popular ceilidh and hog roast, and for the first time in 2012 we will host an exclusive wine tasting event - free for Friends. In 2012 Spring Fling will launch a web shop and a map based smartphone applicationto help tech savvy visitors navigate the studios, which after the event will become a year round art guide. 

The cheeky 2012 Spring Fling logo: Source courtesy of http://www.spring-fling.co.uk/event

We are planning a 'grand tour' catching up with some old favorites and hopefully discovering some one new. For me the real buzz is getting to talk to the artists themselves and, in a lot of cases, actually seeing where the creative spark is generated. (That and a coffee and cake!)

For all things Spring Fling go to: http://www.spring-fling.co.uk/

Good Luck to all the artists and crafts people taking part, I know a tremendous amount of work goes into the preparation. See you all soon!

We will post about our experiences next week.

Yet more local media mentions this week

This weekends Telegraph featured a "Top 100 Music Festivals" and Dumfries & Galloways Wickerman was named as one of the Top 20!

For the full article click here: Telegraph Top-100-music-festivals-April-September-2012

Described as "Ebullient gem of the Scottish festival season that closes with a giant burning effigy." It is recommended as being family friendly so a great festival to look out for.

This years Wickerman is held on July 20-21 at East Kirkcarswell in Dumfries & Galloway so it's a great opportunity to book into somewhere local and make a break of it. At Riverview Lodge and Millbrae House we often get revelers who, after two days (and night's) partying want somewhere in the area to relax, chill out and have a hot bath!

The Wickerman Festival takes place along the A711 near Dundrennan,  so only 15 miles from Kippford and Rockcliffe and just over an hour’s hop from the M74. When the wind is from the West you can sometimes hear the distant beat as the party goes on as it's just over the next headland.

The ticket price this year is  £90; with 13-15s year olds £45; and under-13s free. You can get more information here:  www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk

Controversy rages amongst fans on FaceBook this year over the late announcement of the line up. Is it confusion due management changes or are they just trying to tease? Whatever it is, the Wickerman always delivers for a fun packed, high octane event.

Wickerman Festival Finale

New discovery

I recently discovered the work of Morag and Ted, two photographers who are based nearby, and instantly fell in love with it's atmospheric, almost ethereal quality so had to tell you about it. They photograph Dumfries and Galloway extensively and really capture the stunning scenery and natural environment in all it's glory. You can see for yourself, here is a shot of theirs of Rockcliffe:

Rockcliffe courtesy of www.leemingpaterson.com

I contacted Morag and asked her what it was about Dumfries & Galloway that inspired them to work here and discovered a kindred spirit.

"Having lived in Dumfries and Galloway for nearly twenty years it feels more like home to me than anywhere else I’ve lived.  Its spectacular beauty and unspoilt terrain offer a rich vein of inspiration to the many folk who pursue creative and artistic endeavours here, whether they are native to the region or have settled more recently - unable to resist the bewitching landscape, cultural offerings and warm hospitality on offer.

Working collaboratively with my husband, Ted Leeming, much of our work has been created in the region, using both traditional and impressionist photographic techniques.  Whilst we are not always treated to clement weather conditions, the quality of light delivers ample opportunity for experimentation and exploration as well as classic image capture.  This, combined with the ability to wander the countryside in relative solitude - unusual in an area of such abundant beauty – feeds our creativity on a daily basis and we count ourselves lucky to live here."

You can see their work by visiting their studio in Dumfries and Galloway by appointment or attend one of their workshops. They offer a full range of landscape photography courses across Scotland including one-to-one tuition and group workshops.

Rockcliffe courtesy of www.leemingpaterson.com

Riverview Lodge (www.holidaycottagekippford.co.uk) or Millbrae House (www.millbraehouse.co.uk) would make an ideal base for your stay as, as can be seen from the shot above, Kippford and Rockcliffe offer great inspiration for the photographer.

New events page... Spring Fling inspired!

This week I have added a new page to the blog. The link to it appears in the line of text/links above Ed Inglehart's stunning landscape shot of Kippford and Rockcliffe - above. (Thanks' Ed for making that shot Creative Commons, it's a gorgeous photo)


It is a summary of the the exciting festivals and events held across D&G throughout the year and shows just what a diverse and fascinating region this is. Before putting it together I didn't realise just how many events and festivals there were. All added incentives (if any were needed) to visit the area. 


I just love the idea that these events and festivals add to the mix so that everyone in a family or group will have something that suits them on their visit to D&G as, after all, it's unusual for a whole group to have all the same interests. You may get an avid birder on holiday with a book worm or an active young family who want to cycle and canoe with a foodie Mum or a Dad interested in the Arts. These specialist events mean that everyone will be happy. I will update it as new ones come to my attention so keep checking back.


I was prompted to add the new events page by all the excitement being generated locally by this years Spring Fling. For those who are not familiar with it the Spring Fling is an Open Studio event across the region held annually in June. (For more info go to the D&G Events page or visit: http://www.spring-fling.co.uk/. It always creates a buzz but this year is the 10th Anniversary and promises to be even more exciting.
Spring Fling encourages everyone to get behind the scenes of the studios of some incredibly talented artists and makers in the region and even, in some cases, try your hand at new skills. The idea is you pick up a map and hop from studio to studio at your own pace. There is some superb work on sale from a wide range of artists and makers from painting, wicker structures, ceramics, hats and jewelry to photography, glass, gilding, sculpture and mosaics to name but a few (but no pressure to buy) and usually some tasty refreshments. It's a great way to spend a day.... or two.

Painting by Val Macadam: www.valmacart.com

During last year's Spring Fling I visited two of my particular favorites Ailsa Black (Example of Ailsa's work and short bio) and Val Macadam (Examples of Val's work and short bio) who live just along the coast from Rockcliffe and Kippford and really capture the spirit of the area in their colourful, quirky and original work. We were made very welcome and had a chance to chat with the artists, view their works and (in Val's case) see where she worked. Val's humorous take on the famous Galloway Beltie is illustrated above and includes an example of a local Galloway cottage. She has lovely views from her studio window, no wonder she is so inspired by the region.


Ailsa was working on a new piece at Kirkbean Village Hall, you can see the touching finished work below. It was so interesting to see how she developed the painting and the media she used. I also got to chat with her 'model'. A special thanks go to the volunteers who served a selection of delicious homemade cakes.


I fell in love with a painting called 'Follow my Master' and bought a print as a gift for a friend. It reminds me of the spit at Mersehead with the shorebirds at the high water roost. Ailsa is so talented! I am looking forward to discovering some new talent this year... have an explore and find your own favorites this June.

Painting by Ailsa Black: www.ailsablack.com