some of the work of the installation

I took lots of photos of the installation, but I need to sort through them first.Here are a few to start with.

These small pieces were placed on plynths with suspended silk forms suspended just above them.

This was Andy's idea; it was really good to work with someone who understood what I was trying to convey with the work. Sometimes words just don't work in explanation, do they?

journey home

I'm skipping ahead now, the drive back was unbelievably beautiful. So white, so cold, so still, such empty roads! Aviemore was -18c. A bit worrying...........................but worth it. My windscreen skoosher froze and took about 3 hours to thaw out. I spent the night in Fort William then drove south again. (Did some essential shopping as well, that's Ben Nevis behind Morrisons)

The best sights were at Kintail but the only part of the views not white was the actual road itself, no place to stop or else I'd have been stuck in deep snow. So sadly, no photos!

installation

It's a beautiful building here at Taigh Chearsabhagh, very old, the sea laps the walls at high tide and the wind is constant.

For interesting background reading, go to the website
http://www.taigh-chearsabhagh.org.uk/

This is how we started. Andy MacKinnon, the Arts Officer, spent most of the week up scaffolding, suspending fine nylon threads, about 100 of them! I spent the week up a ladder, attaching the small silks, changing my mind, getting stiff shoulders. Took most of the week to finish.

I ran a couple of really interesting workshops with over 60's and primary 7 pupils from local schools, focusing on my inspirational sources of seaweed. They collaborated well, no fisty cuffs at all and produced beautiful artwork which hopefully will encourage them to go and look more closely at their own shorelines on Uist. My more than able assistant was Sarah MacIntyre. She runs children's workshops regularly at Taigh Chearsabhagh. I'm not sure what her correct title is; Education Officer probably. I hope her cold has gone, she bravely faced the freezing temperatures all week and was really supportive. Thanks Sarah :)

journey

The sail from Oban took 7.5 hours. I dozed. Stunning views, relatively mild on deck at night. This may be Coll or Tiree?

The scene which greeted me on daylight was this one, as I drove from South Uist up to Lochmaddy.

No mobile signal; nice prospect :)

Wandering round doing displacement stuff. This is very difficult, to finally break the thread.

Taking it all down, packing it away, out of sight is almost impossible today. I sit and stare at it all, the sketchbooks, the PowerPoint.

I'm about to be exposed....................my inner mind's eye reviewed and assessed for sensitivity and visualisation. How do I feel about this now? Is it good enough? Could I have done more? better? differently?

This is just wallowing.....................................think..............................logistics!

Get on with it.............

still packing

Today my colleague is finishing these panels ready to take with me. It's tricky work, sewing such delicate silks.

Thank you Caroline :)

I feel so unsettled just now, my chest is tight, can't sleep, walk around with lists.................I'm now looking forward to the 7.5 hour ferry trip from Oban to Lochboisdale this Sunday. Time to think, watch for whales, read and sleep. Should be a beautiful sail, if it stays calm!

another reason for missing home

This is my son in New Zealand last year, when he was away travelling. I missed him.

He's back now :)

I think he feels differently to me about Arran.