Knot Workshop

Mark Shiner from the Nav School in Stromness demonstrated the delights of rope and knots

 to a group of us from Orkney College. 

Talking mainly from a mariners perspective, particularly those of the past, Mark explained 

that every `rope` had a practical use on board a ship but made aesthetically beautiful. 

With a degree of status attached to creating the most intricate rope work pieces,

sailors took great pride in this skill combining function with decorative form.

This is a `monkeys fist` used as a weight  for a heaving line on ships but
today is probably most recognizable as an ornamental knot on the end of a key fob!

Whipping (as seen below) is a binding knot used at the end of a rope to stop it from fraying but was also used as a form of  protection round wood and gave extra grip on rails etc.

Snake whipping

French whipping

I really like this technique and there are many lovely whipping styles to choose from.

Mark showed us this beautiful sea chest `becket` (handle) which is constructed 

entirely from rope using a combination of knot work styles.

These would have been finished by painting them with Stockholm tar, a black mixture

 used for waterproofing rope protecting it against the seas elements.

The history of rope is extremely interesting,dating back to pre-historic times.

I`ve included a link below that gives a quick summary of this and a tutorial link so you can start exploring the world of knot making!!

http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2010/06/lost-knowledge-ropes-and-knots.html

http://www.animatedknots.com/

Mark also suggested these book sources that give a comprehensive look into the knot world.

5 Artists Exhibition

A bit of a late post but thought it worth blogging!!

This was a collaborative exhibition featuring works by 

Wendy Baker, Norman Cockett, Beccy May, Maureen McCubbin and Sue Whittingham. 

It is my pleasure to know all of these five artists having met them 

through Orkney UHI, where they also met each other. 

A year on from their first exhibition they have come together once more

 to show some of their more recent works which include drawing, 

photography, collograph and sculpture. 

Wendy Baker

Photography

Top L-`Shore Reflection`        R-`Pier Reflection`
Bottom-`Stone Texture and Shadows`

These were beautiful B&W images of Stromness stone piers.

 Norman Cockett

Charcoal

L-`My Last Sketch of Micheal`           R-`Figure Drawing ll`

The portrait of Micheal was drawn several months before he pasted away 

and was a poignant tribute to this colourful but troubled character.

Beccy May

Monoprint, collograph & photogram

    L-`Night, Pool, Rock, Sky`    C-`Creeling l&ll`     R-`Seaglass l,ll,lll`     

Various aspects relating to the sea were gorgeously captured

in these prints.

Maureen McCubbin

Photography, drawing & sculpture

    L-`Time Passes l&ll`     C-`Times passes lll`     R-`Sketch l,ll,lll&lV`  

The pencil portraits looked very relaxed with simple, natural lines and shading.

Sue Whittingham
Pastel & photography

`St Magnus Cathedral Triptych`

These three pastels illustrated the wonderful textures and colour 

of the cathedrals internal stone work.

`Shades of Home ll`

What I like about this image is the reflection of the houses on the galleries window 

giving another dimension to the photograph inside.

The Northlight Gallery is a lovely wee place to exhibit and the
installation from these 5 artists worked really well here!
I`ll look forward to next years exhibition!?!

Kirstin & Jenny graduate!!

Congratulations

to Jenny and Kirstin who graduated

 on the 30th of September 2016 

from Orkney College UHI.

Don`t they look fantastic in their graduation gowns
and I hope this will be me in the not to distant future!
I will miss them dearly as I continue on in my studies
without them but wish them all the best for the future
and know that they will both succeed in whatever
direction life takes them!!


Oh and Kirstin................

.............for the one that got away!!!