Net drying posts and other cove fragments

 

We never tire of the lines and layers of the net drying poles on the cove headland. These posts are likely to be one of a very very few such installations in northern Scotland. I would like to do a series of watercolour painting of the posts. The image above and the first one below tend to give a sense of the size of the space occupied by the posts; whereas in the other photos I have stepped the focus inwards to capture detail of one of the many pulleys and ropes.

The following images simply celebrate rust and small fragments near the posts.

Though the image below makes one wonder about the size off the anchor buried in the field if that whale tail is any indication of size.

The light and weather on our morning walks always offers us something new even if we have seen the same objects many times. 

How gorgeous, what an achievement!!!!!

 

Following are but a few images of the setting up and opening of Fiona's solo exhibition Hame. The photo above shows the set up after we had finished but without lighting - a soft image. Fiona's works appear quiet and yet they hold so much content; and tell stories of both hardship and beauty.

Following are a few images of the process of setting up - starting with a blank room and wall. The setting up included installing the signage brought across from Australia; and putting the display table together.

And a few of the evening of the official opening - a strong local crowd, including some of our village neighbours, to hear Fiona share then background to her work and the meaning and making of the pieces.

It was a grand night - so good that the work is there to be shared and enjoyed for September.  I'm sure Fiona will say more and share more images on her blog.

Seeking inspiration

 

Over the last week or so Fiona and I have been turning down some side roads to check out ruins that could become the inspiration for a few more watercolours. Some of the images that we captured are above and below. 

I have selected the images above because they have turned out ok for my brand of watercolours once I ran them through the app to remove the background as you can see below.

Over the last few days most of our energy and time has gone into doing the signage, set up an d launch of Fiona's gorgeous exhibition; but we will no doubt get back to spending some time on watercolours.

Visiting the stones

 

A few mornings ago we had a dry morning and an extremely low tide (see the photos below including Fiona looking out to sea); so Fiona and I took the opportunity to walk down to the 'stone beach' in the fishing cove. It gave us the chance to walk quite the way out and look back to the shore and the layers of stones heaped up there as you can see from the opening photo. The stones closest to the water seemed to be stained with tannin from the kelp or maybe peat runoff after rain?

Following are a couple of photos of the fishing hut and old boat. I love that these are still here after 6 years of visiting.

More photos of the stones and one of the steep rock sides of the cove.

It always brings joy to go down and visit the stones - hopefully fine weather will offer us the opportunity to do that a few more times whilst we are over this trip. 

Couple of wee watercolours at the cottage

 

Fiona and I have grabbed a couple of good blocks of time on the last couple of Thursdays to do watercolour on the kitchen table.

I have managed to do two watercolours - one of a ruin on Raasay Island - Orkney and one of a ruin at Crask near Bettyhill. The one in Crask is in the opening photo - I think it is near finished - I will have another look at it when I next get the watercolour gear out.

I have decided the Raasay piece is done - see below the left and much of the front wall had collapsed.

A couple of progress photos of the Crask ruin follow.

I think we are getting into the groove. On Saturday we went for a drive and took the opportunity to photograph some mores buildings.