Being (t)here

Grab a cup or glass of your favorite beverage. Sit back. Relax. And be transported to Newburgh, Scotland and the whirled that is India Flint.



Being (t)here
from Tracey McConnell-Wood on Vimeo.

Christine and I had the pleasure of being at the river, happily mud painting in our notebooks when India and Tracey arrived to re-record water playing on the drum for the video. India was kind enough to grant me permission to photograph her and I shared a few of those photos here.

As India's video shows, Newburgh is truly a magical place. And India...well, she is magic personified.

Edinburgh - Gifted . Poetree

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!

Scotland - Tactile Notebooks Day 5

All too soon, Friday arrived. The last day of Tactile Notebooks and the Written Word. Not wanting to dwell on just what that meant, yet feeling reflective, I began my day as had become my habit.

A flock of birds skimmed along the river's surface

having swooped down from the clouds just seconds before.

Friday's lunch.

 The afternoon

had a few more exercises.

 dark

The last being that of responding to words given us by Sandra.

 

 

moon

Monday's writing exercise -

blue ink below sumi ink,

written, painted, cut, woven

to obscure my original words - too personal, too insecure.

Accept.

 

Tea bags - rusted, printed, sewn

secured with a horse hair circle -

a gift from my table mate and friend.

My walk through Newburgh, documented by holding pencil to paper 

and letting the marks happen, then choosing an area stitch.

 Silky black Habu with chartreuse DMC.

 

More writing - about being present, centered, focused, here, now.

The week ended with gathering upstairs to read our 

27 words before sharing a bit of our notebooks.

We gave thanks to Sandra for an amazing experience.

One last look into the room that held such magic. 

That big middle table, upper left was my spot. 

Kelly to my right,

Katie directly across.

Jill beside Katie. 

A truly surprising and magical week.

Scotland - Tactile Notebooks Day 4 - in the studio

Thursday's theme, or exercise, centered around how to make words physical.

 The clothesline was hung with examples of such,

 including Sandra's own weaving.

Molly Bullick and Jill Tees

 Gathering at the center tables,

a list was comprised of the ways that 

 Sandra's stitching on eco printed fabric.

words may be physically made.

And then we set to work to make the alphabet.

 My own stamps and notebook page.

Stamps were plentiful and varied.

 Jill was the most original of us all.

 She walked her alphabet tai chi style.

 Fiona, I thought of you when this book's title caught my eye. 

Mary stitched her alphabet.

 the list

 One of the great things about Sandra is that she continually strolls the room, 

stopping to observe and chat, offer suggestions, etc. 

I don't remember what I was doing when she stopped at my corner,

but she did mention that there were several old typewriters just waiting

for someone to use. Thankfully Sandra had carbon paper...