As well as the wonderful artists retreat I was part of in Snowdonia (see previous blog post), I've also made time to explore some other UK coastal areas and to gather a whole set of ideas that I want to develop throughout the coming months.
I've spent some time this summer in North Norfolk, an area I adore and have been visiting since I was a child; so it has lots of memories and associations. I also was part of a wonderful project there with Katy Doncaster a few years ago: we worked with the Norfolk Coast Partnership Trust on a project alongside Wells Carnival, so there are many layers to the ways I've explored Norfolk. I spent part of my time in Norfolk exploring the colours in the landscape at places like Brancaster Staithe, Titchwell Marsh RSPB reserve and on many different beaches. I was also really inspired by places such as the woodland tree house children's area at Holkham Hall and the vast orchard of so many apple varieties at Thornham.
I've just returned from Northumberland, an area where I spend a huge amount of time and uncover more and more layers to its remote places each time I visit. I love the vast beaches there but also the expanses of moorland, the hills, the ancient monuments, the woodlands and the different buildings tucked into the landscape. This time my visit included tea in a vintage caravan, songs by candlelight in a cave and gathering driftwood as rainclouds moved across the vast sky...
I'm greatly inspired by remote places that are empty (or almost empty) of people, places that have connections with the past and places where layers of pattern, colour and textures are found in subtle details... I adore spending time watching the birds move across the land and sky, to see fleeting glimpses of stoats scampering ahead of me, to finding unusual caterpillars crawling slowly across the moor...
Interesting buildings and dwelling places have featured very much in the places I've explored this August - beach huts, castles, sheds, caves and old caravans have all been a delight to find. I've been in several harbours, spaces that I'm incredibly drawn to because of the patterns, colours, textures and stories found there. I've also had some wonderful beachcombing experiences, with finds that have ranged from newly washed ashore driftwood and jellyfish to many different sandcastles and creations left by previous beach users...
So now, as September begins, a new term starts and new projects get underway... the September sun is shining upon some crab shells and a stone with a hole in it...