Magnolia Heaven

This weekend I paid a visit to Port Logan Botanic Garden, near Stranraer. It was a beautiful drive down, perfect weather, and the garden was absolutely stunning. A peaceful, quiet place, lots of birdsong, pheasants everywhere..... so much to see. It will be glorious in the summer when all the herbaceous plants flower. They have a collection of magnolias, some of which are as big as buildings! The smaller deep pink one stood alone in a lawned area and the colour just shone out. Beautiful blooms, as big as my hand! Nature is pretty smart I think!! Lots of inspiration for a series of plates, off now to get drawing!

Magnolia - first of the series

Here is the first plate with the large magnolia image. My intention was to create more detail definition and I am very pleased with the result. Although this is a time consuming technique I love the outcome of a clearly drawn image. More to follow....... the weather here has been so cold, the new buds on the local magnolias are still tightly shut but watch this space as spring hits and the new flowers appear.

Kiln Carving 2

These are the images of the second phase of kiln carving - posts the wrong way round, oops!

Kiln Carving

Here's a glimpse of my very first attempt at kiln carving. I really love this technique and am very pleased with the result. Now I am working on the images I showed you the other day and hope they will be even better!

It's a beautiful day here and there are some tiny signs of Spring creeping out.....

Have a lovely day!

New Glass

Glass classes with Steve Richard at Verrier are going really well. Here is a quick look at the first pieces out of the kiln. Pretty good for a first attempt? Interestingly irridescent glass doesn't slump well so I wouldn't use that again.....

Working on some kiln carving images that have worked very well in the first try and should have more to show next week.....

Life moves on.......

Well, where does time go? Watch this space for new developments as I learn about kiln formed glass and start out on a new phase of making. I will be taking classes with Stephen Richard at Verrier in Glasgow and hope to become skilled in the production of all sorts of new and exciting objects. As soon as I have photos I will share them and will be looking to give this tiny blog a bit of a face-lift. Watch this space from mid-september onwards!!! Meanwhile I will be on holiday in France looking for all kinds of inspiration...... a bientot!

Bunches of Grapes...

My signature, and highly original glass Grape sculptures...perfect for the Wine Connoisseur and grape enthusiast.

Each bunch of grapes in entirely hand made by me, and as such will be totally unique [varying slightly from piece to piece] in form....as would be found on the vine! Each cluster of jewel like purple grapes, complete with green glass vine leaf, hangs from a metal chain - which will allow you to hang the piece at a window, enhancing the beauty of the coloured glass as the light pours through....

My grape sculptures are available to order from 55 pounds [sterling] per bunch - and will take approximately 4 weeks to complete. These would be a perfect gift for Christmas, along with a wonderful bottle of wine....as something special to treasure!

Please feel free to drop me a line if you would like any more information about ordering