Wednesday 29 January 2014

Draw, cut, ink, print


Alongside studio time and continued work on the gallery/shop, I have been spending lots of time recently working on lino cutting. This is a completely new discipline for me, but the little starter kit present from my mum this christmas has been great to experiment with. I have been trying geometric patterns, a tiny logo stamp, postcard images, abstract patterns. The process of cutting, considering carefully what you want to leave and take away, and anticipating how this will work out in print is a nice new way of working. 





Outside of the studio, after lots of grey rainy days the weather has calmed and the sunsets have been beautiful. Later at night the skies have been cold, clear and filled with stars. We're noticing the days getting a little longer and looking forward to spring.



 Maike x 

Wednesday 15 January 2014

A new year
After a busy Christmas visiting friends and family, we are back on the island and ready for an exciting year ahead of us. Terrible weather warnings made us wonder if we would get back at all, but the ferry ran smoothly and we got back to the Dovecot. The weather hit us hard straight away, battering our tiny house with wind and rain racing up from the beach with nothing in its way. On Saturday though the sun shone out and we were reminded why we're here. We cycled south from Calgary, up and up the hills until we were greeted to a glorious view over Ulva to snowy Ben More.




On Sunday, inspired by the previous days adventures we headed out to Treshnish for a walk. The weather back to grey and damp, strong winds rushing along the coastline. We walked through Treshnish farm, then followed the coastline around along the rocky cliffs. Even on a grey day we could see out to the Treshnish isles, Staffa and Iona. After a picnic we headed further inland, up the hills by a waterfall to some old abandoned villages - little groups of weather worn walls that used to be traditional old black houses. We were exhausted by the time we made it home, just before the sun went down.

Now we're into the working week. I'm spending the days in my studio working on a couple of commissions, building up stock to send away to galleries and preparing for the spring - when my little jewellery gallery will be open. I'll be sending my work out to Inverness Muesum and Art Gallery this week to be shown in the Foyer Gallery alongside their main exhibition 'Silver of the Stars' - beautiful Silversmithing made for Scottish celebrities! 

Work continues on the gallery space and by the end of the week it will be over to me to paint the doors and the floor, fit lights and start building display tables. Here's a picture of the space at the moment. 


On my desk at the moment, plans for the layout of the gallery space and a simple new earring design I've been working on today.



Looking forward to the weeks ahead.

Maike x