I've been home for nearly 2 weeks now, but still have more to write about the experience of being in Scotland. My first week back is a bit of a haze - took me all week to adjust to the backwards time difference.
India, how do you do it with all your traveling back and forth and inbetween Australia and the US and Great Britain, et al? Do you ever wonder just where you are today or what time it truly is?
This past week has been spent doing fall cleaning and readying our guest room to be a combination guest room/little urchin playroom. Alas, no art-type work yet.
Now, here's what I was doing 2 weeks ago today....
*********
Saturday morning found my housemates at
Weavers Hall -
Brenda Parsons,
Christine Mauersberger and
Kelly McKaig - and I scrambling to finish packing, say quick goodbyes and begin the next part of our journey.
For some, that meant going home while others were to enjoy another week in Newburgh at
Big Cat Textiles.
I was off to Edinburgh, courtesy of Alison of Big Cat Textiles. She was kind enough to give Sandra (Brownlee, that is) and myself a ride. This little fellow greeted me from his perch on the corner of the bathtub in my room at the
Apex City Hotel.
The view out my window. Edinburgh Castle up on the hill.
The window at the end of the hall afforded the best view of Edinburgh Castle above the Grassmarket market.
I strolled among the market vendors, taking in the colors, smells, sounds and energy of the day. And yes, a little something did find its way into my bag - 2 little somethings, in fact.
Solid moisturiser bars by
The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company.
Then it was time to explore the streets,
view the art,
take in the colors,
patterns, textures
and architecture of Edinburgh as I made my way
to the
Scottish Poetry Library.
Alas, not to read the poetry found there,
but to view
the
Poetree.
In all, I saw 7 of the original mysteriously gifted book sculptures as well as a new one that Saturday. The sculptures are magnificent as is the artist - now known to be a woman - who had the vision to create them. I'll post more along the way. Stay tuned!
Lucky you to see the mysterious book sculptures, wonderful! And, I just finished reading "The Lost Art of Gratitude" by Alexander McCall Smith which takes place in Edinburgh (as do all the books in this series) so nice to see the streets.
ReplyDeleteValerianna, the whole trip to Scotland seemed a bit surreal even at the time. I kept looking around and thinking, "I'm in Scotland. I can't believe I'm really in Scotland." Sans husband and little urchins!
DeleteThe book sculptures are exquisite as is Edinburgh. It has a very comfortable feel. So much so that several times I found myself thinking that I could live there. Maybe one day...
I have been enjoying your re-cap of the workshop you took with Sandra Brownlee. One of Canada's best artists.
ReplyDeleteWe were in Edinburgh last fall. April and I went through the castle together.
I look forward to see what comes out of this trip in your future artwork.
xx
Sandra Brownlee is amazing. I really had no idea what to expect in her workshop and hoped to be open to whatever she had in mind. From beginning to end, it was all outside my comfort zone and I loved every second! To say it was a workshop isn't adequate - it was an experience of a lifetime and, in some ways, a life changing experience as well.
DeleteI'd forgotten that you were in Edinburgh last fall. What did you think of the castle? My husband and I toured it...oh...15 or so years ago. I chose to admire it from the outside this time. Enjoy!
I am so glad you enjoyed your time in Scotland so much.
ReplyDeleteI love your photos of Edinburgh - some so unexpected. It is a city of great contrast and artistic vigour. I long to go back and am quietly planning a return soon.
I so love the country and had a great time too this summer, west of Aberdeen, an altogether different landscape - wild and smooth hills and a very northern light as Autumn approaches. You must visit sometime.
ach! my heart aches for the ancestral homeland... scotland the brave...
ReplyDeleteand the poetree (is a tree after my own heart....)
Wait - you, Fiona and myself all have Scottish heritage? While my maiden name is Coyne (Irish), my mother's is Fletcher so there's a bit of the Scots in our line as well. No wonder I felt so at home there.
DeleteRonnie, you and Fiona were very much in my thoughts as I viewed the book sculptures. They are magnificent and a must see if in Edinburgh.
So...will we be seeing a poetree next to a river or sitting in field on your blog in the future? The artist left instructions for how to make one. I may just have to give it a try... Enjoy!
oooh aah.
ReplyDeleteand as to jetlag ?
it's like the monsters under the bed. if you BELIEVE in them, then they will bite you.
so
i remain immune
:)
As I read your comment about monsters and belief, I found myself thinking, "There is no spoon." A moment from the movie, The Matrix.
DeleteI'll give your way a try next time...although nodding off during dinner does tend to sway my beliefs a bit. My daughters thought it was hilarious. I was just thankful to have not nodded off mid-chew. Ha!
Enjoy your time on this side of the pond.
The Poetree is so beautiful. I've read about these beautiful text rich sculptures which are left anonymously in unsuspecting places. Wonderful that you could view them. One day I hope i'll see them too.
ReplyDeleteThe sculptures are beautiful. Every bit is full of meaning - from the book selected to the little details. One could look at them for hours and continue to find new details. If you're ever in Edinburgh...
DeleteEdinburgh is swell and it's where Sara and Kathy live. Two vibrant and prolific artists.
ReplyDeleteEdinburgh is wonderful. Did I tell you that I visited Lovecrumbs on Sunday? Had a delicious slice of hummingbird cake and tea. The place was packed!
Deletelovely post and glorious images
ReplyDeletethanks so for savoring and sharing
Thank you Elizabeth! I had a glorious time in Edinburgh and Newburgh...just too short.
Deletelove the photos. I one of the Poet's library made me laugh...the security camera in the corner. Poets need to be watched, a dangerous group! (just being silly)
ReplyDeleteToo funny!!! I hadn't noticed the security camera...how's that for the state of my observation skills?!?!? Still, those poet type people can be a bit tricky at times. Think the security camera existed before the sculptures began being gifted?
DeleteJ - funny how things can unsettle us a little more - break the rhythm and make it a little harder to find the pattern again - just how it is some times. F and I visited the poetry library many years ago when last we visited Scotland - a quiet and rewarding place - love your images. Go well. B
ReplyDeleteSuch great shots of Edinburgh J, and how great to visit the Poetry library. It is such a quirky place, and then there were those sculptures. Big sigh. I love their parliament building as well - so bold.
ReplyDeletewow - so very much to take in even from a post - cannot imagine truly being there. do you pinch yourself to help you believe it was all real? so happy you got to have this adventure. and thank you so much for sharing the poetree - love it! also all the textures and art, the city, the feelings.
ReplyDelete