Coastal Responses 3

      Work made on my return home             

My initial response was to work back into the carousel book we began from the objects we collected - in a much looser manner

Later I worked back into the book  developing images from the photographs

Costal Responses 2

Seascale and Whitehaven

Seascale in contrast to Ravenglas was much more barren with wide vistas. Although I carried on collecting there I found it less inspiring

Whitehaven Harbour

This town offered so much variety and contrast 

The subtlety of the colour and simplicity of shapes 

This was an accident when taking a panoramic shot but it creates a lovely composition

Costal Responses 1

Ravenglass

I had not expected to visit the sea or that the different places would be so contrasting. I only knew  Ravenglass  for the miniature railway I remember being taken to long ago. A wide variety of seascape in quite a small area, offering surprising beachcombing potential.

Wasdale Inspiration

We took our students to Wasdale a couple of weeks ago and stayed in a lovely youth hostel on the edge of the lake.

It was an excellent few days but even more so for the unexpected dividends it provided for my work. From the scavenging along the costal beaches developing collections, the photography, colours, space and vista's of Whitehaven harbour; Mr Moons secondhand bookshop and several charity shops we visited – such treasures … particularly the homemade stamp album and the music manuscript books from Windermere.

By chance I had picked up Secrets of the Seashore as my sketchbook; providing images to respond to and develop  since I returned. 

Wasdale 7.30 am

Eskdale

I was intrigued by these houses leading straight out onto the beach as much for their gates and distressed wood and concrete sea walls -  they had almost become assemblages in themselves

Bookwork

How remiss - it has been too long

Recently I seem to have returned to bookwork.

The Complete Book of Handicrafts and 

The Hamblyn Childrens Encyclopaedia

The purchase of a knitting pattern for knitted helmets has also influenced the work