Category: art

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art

Festival Season

After such a long break – I did manage one festival last year, lovely Lindisfarne – it is great to be planning a whole season of fun. Also been several months since I put anything on this blog for the few followers who see it.

I’ve stuck to several small festivals and three of these are short journeys from Bristol, trying to keep the milage as low as I can.

The highlight of my Summer will be Green Gathering which is at Chepstow overlooking the River Severn on a beautiful, spacious estate; lots of music and some politics, lovely people. Not far north of that is El Dorado near Ledbury, another four days of jollity.

Towards the end of the season Lindisfarne – small but perfectly formed – where viking gear is optional but frequently added. This is a longer trip for me but will be part of an extended Autumn jaunt, hopefully.

Categories
art

Bristol Dockside Crane

The Bristol landscape has many interesting sights and the Harbourside district has become a major tourist attraction, as well as an area of apartment housing boasting many thousands of flats and houses.

Bristol Harbourside old crane

My approach to making toys and models is minimalist and eco-friendly, and my Bristol Dockside Crane reflects this. Like all my models/toys – currently 21 – it is made with sustainable materials, mainly 3mm birch plywood, laser cut, and made in the UK.

This model in on sale at Artigo 188 Gloucester Road, Bristol, along with my other toys and models.

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art

Little Owl

Another wire frame and tissue owl. Waterproofed with outdoor varnish.

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art

Barn Owl

A simple frame of florist’s wire – galvanised is best – covered with wet strength tissue, using pva, could use starch paste but then not at all waterproof. This owl is hanging in my cherry tree and hopefully deterring cats from my little garden.

Barn Owl, approx 1m wingspan, 2021

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art

Fish Magic

A post by Kenn Orphan about ‘degenerate art’, Fish Magic by Paul Klee

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Doll

Four Dolls

There is something I find satisfying and rewarding about doll making, although I can’t claim to know what that is. These four dolls are button-jointed in the Jan Horrox style, about 60 cm long, their clothes are made from embellished and embroidered scraps and may be much longer. The fabric scraps are often silk and satin and have many metallic threads but these shiny things do not show in these photos.

These dolls might represent both birds of the British Isles and the four regions, Scotland – Magpie, Wales – Red Kite, Ireland – Greenfinch and England – Tawny Owl. I think the Magpie, the first one I made might be my alter-ego, a Scottish Prince!

  • Tawny Owl
  • Red Kite
  • Magpie
  • Greenfinch
Categories
art

The Truth May Not Set You Free

Back to the blog, in the 2021 UK Covid lockdown, and like many others I’m struggling to keep positive. I saw a Lydia Emily picture on CounterPunch which inspired me to try some more art, or at least to rework some older pieces.

The Truth May Not Set You Free – Lydia Emily

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art

Miller Toys and Models

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art Toy

Crane Ship

Thailf

Some of the world’s largest ships are those which lift other ships, rigs and cargo, the largest of these is the Thailf, a Norwegian monster used to build and dismantle oil rigs.   Working on the rather smaller scale of 20 or so centimeters I have made a model kit Crane Ship which will soon be sale at Miller Toys and Models.  My kits should be challenging for a six or seven year old – they might need a little help – have great play value and provide a sense of achievement when complete.  Using 3mm laser grade birch ply means that the models can be robust enough to stand up to repeated play.

Crane ship, approx 22cm, 42 parts

The simple mechanisms help demonstrate how mechanical systems work and provide pleasurable toys. The kit is supplied with a grab bucket (not shown) as well as a hook. All my kits may be painted with acrylic paints, not supplied but widely available.

Categories
art Laser-cut plywood

30cm Greek Ship construction toy

This construction toy is the largest I currently make and the only one I design and make that isn’t entirely 3mm plywood, in this case the sides are 1.5mm thick.

Greek Ship construction toy, 300mm long

High grade birch plywood gets more expensive as it gets thinner, a reflection of the manufacturing costs and the much smaller demand.  This model has a working winch/anchor and is supplied with pva glue although this is not essential. I try to design models which are a good introduction to model-making and have some play value.  All the models can be painted, acrylic is best and available from many low-cost shops.

Suitable for girls and boys over 3 years.  On sale at Miller Toys and Models. There are 10 models to choose from and as the Corvid lockdown eases I’m hoping to add at least six more, manufacturing is not possible at the moment.