The workshop at Rose Castle was attended by a small and intimate group of artists and as we had a full day we were able to spend time outdoors in the grounds and were able to reflect on the history and beauty of the venue. this can be seen in the lovely illustrations created by the artists.
A small group of artists reflecting on the beauty of Rose Castle
The day began with my usual ramble about various things but all relevant. It is all about N-O-E-L, Notice Observe Empathise Learn. After that it is about slowing down. Drawing directly onto the journals with a pen (no pencil - argh!) and drawing really, really slowly!!
A lovely nature journal observed directly from nature.
I provided all the materials and the focus was on creating chapbook journals using the blank concertinas. This allows for a very random creation of observations that somehow just seem to fit together no matter what the scale or subject is.
A beautiful bumblebee - buff tailed.
Within the gardens there was plenty of wildlife going - apart from the planted there was also plenty of lovely self seeded specimens to observe. I was particularly struck by the hoverflies - I am going through a hoverfly thing at the moment - once I discovered how to tell a male from the a female as well as discovering there are loads of different species!
Male marmalade hoverfly.
How can you tell a male from a female? Note the eyes - they are close together - the female has a gap between the eyes. And of course the patterns are all different - and aren’t they the most beautiful of things? Once you get close to their little lives you can’t help but to observe that they live in a fully formed world of their own - one without us. I find that really reassuring - the fact that their is a world that doesn’t have humans in it!
I had already created my own chapbook of Rose Castle - the chapbook process allows for a degree of interpretation and creative freedom. So not just observation but also a bit of my own personality and interests have been embedded into the sporty of place.
One side of my Chapbook - Rose Castle.
Whilst I am of course interested in the nature of the places I visit and principle I am teaching how to observe nature, I am also really interested in creating a sense of place. So the historic setting of the place is really important and of course this brings the history into the conversation.
The inner spread of the chapbook.