April 11

If I were brave I'd post the 5 paintings it took to make this 'peerie' one

 Shetland 10 acrylic and gesso on canvas 6x6in 2015

*If you have pre-purchased one of my works via the Wild in Shetland crowd-funder, and fancy this painting, please speak up-it can be yours!

April 9

Today Shetland artist and new friend Anne Barron took me for a stunning drive to visit the studio of painter and jewellery-maker Mike Finny. Shetland is home to many artists and the rugged land, sea and sky weave a distinct yet diverse pattern of art, music and knitwear. It was quite interesting to hear Mike talk about his work and inspirations.

Along with the studio visit I was completely bowled over by the stunning views through the car window as we drove on to Anne's place. Hills, water, croft houses, stacked rock fences marking the land, vast changing skies were everywhere as we wound our way through sheep covered hills. Shetland ponies grazing against stark backdrops of rigid purple hills, and the light-the LIGHT!. The mysterious moody light in Shetland entices me to no end.

Anne and husband Mike live in 'Papil', Burra Isle. The name Papil is a Norse reference to the papar. 'This name can be found in the form Papyli in several locations in Iceland. However, it is not just Papil's etymology that suggests the site of an early (8th century) church, confirmation has been found in the form of the "Monk's Stone", which was dug up in Papil and which is now in the Shetland Museum.  A tall, narrow slab, it features a distinctive circular crosshead, and carvings of monks and a Pictish lion. Below this are two “birdman” figures holding a human head between their beaks.' http://www.stravaiging.com/history/pictish/stone/papil-stone#sthash.iFkP22jX.dpuf

Shetland has a vast history dating back approximately 6000 years. 'Throughout the islands there are clues in the landscape to the challenges and resources that shaped the lives of past inhabitants. From a national perspective, it is arguably the most exciting place in Britain for discovering and interpreting the past. Prehistoric field systems, Bronze Age burnt mounds, Iron Age brochs, Pictish wheelhouses, Viking and Norse longhouses and post-medieval fortifications all serve to offer a rich tapestry of well-preserved and visible human settlement.'
http://visit.shetland.org/archaeology-alive-discover-the-ancient-secrets-of-shetland

Anne's lovely home is located very close to Meal Beach. Shetland boasts many stunning beaches-this one has white sand!

As I write, the studio is being pelted by rain and crashing waves, the force nothing to what Shetlanders are accustomed to. Shetland seems invincible. I like that. I like that it isn't exploited by burger kings and macdonalds and starbucks. I like that people look themselves, not generic and processed. I like that agricultural land sits next to the sea. I like that culture and history are nurtured, not bulldozed. I like how right now, in this moment, I feel a sense of place in time, and that I am here.

*a sincere thank you to Anne for a wonderful day!

April 8

days wandering, the tide brings new gifts.

Back to oil re painting-the one below  (Shetland 6) was made on waxed panel, 8x10in, available for sale.

April 6

Today: light. water. edges. Pushing pigment on these tiny surfaces (6x6 and 8x8in) with different media and tools is a good challenge-still working out the kinks.

If you have pre-purchased one of my works via the Wild in Shetland crowd-funder, and fancy the available 6x6in painting featured here, please speak up-it can be yours!

Shetland 5, acrylic & gesso, 6x6in, sold

 Shetland 4, acrylic & gesso, 8x8in, 110.

 Shetland 3, acrylic & gesso, 6x6in, 95.

 Tonight: wandering to see what the tide brought in-found some interesting things-thank goodness I brought the backpack!

 April 5

The walk today found 'Tirricks' by Joanna Redmond, and some fodder for art making-the wood smells of sea

On the left is a first attempt at bannocks-although they aren't supposed to be round, they tasted pretty good.

Selkie

 April 4

Today while working with doors wide open-smelling the salty air, listening to the laps of ocean and the swooping seabirds, I suddenly felt that I was being watched..looked out to see a seal watching me! The tide was out and bigger waves-wonder if that is what brings them in?

 It's rather challenging to get any work done -I keep looking to the waves, thinking some creature is about to pop it's head out and if I turn away I will miss it!

Shetland-arrival

I thought that I would have this blog up and running before now. I arrived in Shetland on April 1. (No, this is not an April Fools joke). Right now all of my senses are on overload. I will write more -but can’t now.

I have been posting short goings on to my facebook page and copied them below. More when I come back to earth. Thank you for your patience.

April 1

I'm here...finally!!! view from the studio

April 2

 haven't worked with acrylic for quite awhile-edges are tricky-but it felt really good to push paint around-not the best photo and might go back into it-or not. On a warning note to artists travelling to residencies over the pond, going through UK security: when they ask what you will be doing: do NOT answer with 'working' or 'residency' -instead, say 'painting' and 'retreat' otherwise they will think you want to establish residency and employment there-they don't like that-they REALLY don't like that.'Shetland 1, acrylic and gesso on canvas, 12x12in copyright Jan Yates 2015

April 3

A walk around Scalloway

 

 

April 4

when I returned from the walk, I found some feathers on the stone rail-and a feather trail in the water-was there a battle?-survivors? made a portal just in case...the wet feathers put me in mind of fish...

 Below you will find writings from a residency (2012) at the Tyrone Guthrie centre in Ireland

farewell

my cottage (on the left )

packing up the studio 

brave heart 

I am back in Canada now-in body at least. Time spent living and working at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre has deeply affected me on many levels and will continue to do so. What a magical setting to stir the imagination! I can’t seem to articulate all that the experience has left in my being, but I won’t hurry the unfolding either.

Brave heart (study) mixed media on mylar, 20x 34in, 2012

I want to thank those of you who took the time to read these posts and a heartfelt thanks to those who responded with comments.

I have met colourful characters here, spinning myth and truth woven and worn by families that have lived on the land for generations. As well, stories shared by fellow artists, musicians, composers and playwrights at Annaghmakkerrig deeply enriched my own spirit. The noise of life can really distort our ability to listen -when it is silenced,  the soul speaks about what is truly relevant. 

Black 47, study, oil/wax on canvas, 8x10in 

As far as  making art, I did delve into new work and it was great to have the much needed time to do research. I am still processing and distilling all that I have learned but was surprised at how engrossed I became with Ireland’s political and religious history and how deeply intertwined they are. Because of my interest in agriculture  I started reading about the great famine -or ‘Black 47’ as it was more aptly named. 

Admittedly I did not know much about it so was appalled and horrified when I learned that-in a very general nutshell- thousands of poor rural families were dying in their homes while food grown from Irish soil was being shipped to England for profit.

The Troubles

Annaghmakkerrig is only a few miles from  Northern Ireland and this close proximity kindled  my on-going fascination with Ireland’s political history. I was privy to engage in  conversation with some who had first hand knowlege of the IRA during ‘the Troubles’ and it was fascinating to learn about growing up during  such a dangerous time of turmoil and political unrest.

The Troubles, mixed media on mylar, 24x30in, 2012

And on a more optimistic and wondrous note I have developed a keen interest in the symbols of  the Megalithic Passage Tombs at Loughrew and Newgrange, built by Neolithic farming communities about 5000 years ago!

 The passage tombs have clear astronomical alignments such as the Winter Solstice Sunrise at Newgrange and the Equinox Sunrise at Loughcrew.  

 I will continue to investigate…as well I have become fascinated with Irelands’  protective and protected faery forts and the magical and mysterious power of the hawthorn tree.

So all in all I feel that I’ve accomplished what I set out to do. It was to be a time of transition, to find my way-perhaps a new way and  I will continue to learn about Ireland-the people, the land, the myth, the song.

Go n-éirí an bóthar leat
may the road rise to meet you

The Troubles

The Troubles, mixed media on mylar, 20x30in, 2012

Conspiracy Theory
 
A training ground for the British Army
Sorry to alarm yeh,
But they called it The Troubles
Cause they never really, took it seriously.
It was just quite handy
To patrol in armoured Landy
Streets and fields
With guaranteed hot meals
A foreign hostile land
Without sun or sand
Not too far from England
Cut down on fuel cost
And what of lives lost
Sure they didn’t give a toss.
They had this trick
Where they’d take a mick
Up in a helicopter,
Blind fold the bugger,
Hover, lower
Then kick him out,
Laugh as he’d shout
Or white light, white noise
For the Long Kesh boys
Internment – where you have a stint
At her majesty’s pleasure,
With no charge or jury to measure
The nature of your crime
Or length of your time.
They use the word
To hide the absurd
Internment – imprisonment
The Troubles - civil war
Plantation – occupation
People stripped of right
Forced from land and sight.
But back to living history
It really is no mystery
The Troubles helped the army
The little occupation,
Didn’t cause a refugee situation
People ran away,
To see another day
On foreign building sites,
Or worked nights
In a cousins Irish pub
Found a way to slug
It out
This Northern Irish rout
People fled,
Saw loved ones shot dead
And among the troubled faces
The army built bases
Blocked roads, built watch towers
To watch the people cower
And when the IRA got real power
By bombing a Brighton hotel,
Making Thatcher see the hell,
She had unleashed,
On many a person’s head,
Saw her own loved ones dead
So Maggie says,
I think it would be wise
To talk and compromise
And a quarter of a century later,
We still berate her
The hunger striker hater
And as we try and reason why
Too many people die
I say disband army
They have little sympathy
With the civilian population
They worsen a situation
We need an army of social workers
Physiatrists, physios, Doctors,
So take your 19 year old yob
And find him a better job
Train him in chemotherapy
Cause where I’m from cancer is the real enemy
The new land mine, death that takes time,
Killed slowly through neglect
And the politicians don’t give a feck
Them ex-terrorists got paid off
While the alliance got laid off.
My mum marched for civil rights
Joined the peace people, stayed out of fights,
Now she’s rolling in pain
Because the healthcare provision is insane,
While the politicians are rolling in sterling
Guess it must dilute the all-Ireland yearning.

Catherine Brogan

unexpected journey

 My dear Canadian friend is visiting and staying close by for a few days and what a pleasure it is to discover and share the land and it’s stories with her!

Today we went to Newgrange and then on to the megalithic tombs at Loughcrew. This moving experience culminates  in my remaining time here at Annamakkerrig and I will relish it as I had not thought it possible to make the journey during this residency. Thank you Joan. I will go into detail about time spent at Loughcrew once I am back in Canada. Unfortunately my computer died and I’m using one in the ‘Big House’-which means I have to walk through the main social area before reaching the office-which means I am often lured away to enjoy good 'craic' with other artists, which means less time  updating this blog!

 

In the meantime, here are links, and some photographs

http://www.knowth.com/loughcrew.htm

http://www.newgrange.com/

 Unfortunately we arrived at Newgrange too late to go in, but it was deeply moving to be in the same area and something to behold even from a distance-you can barely catch a glimpse behind the cows...I did have clearer views further on but the camera jammed.

 Loughcrew

division

The Spring greens in Ireland  are especially vibrant-giving the land an almost psychedelic look!

 I was quite interested in the divisional elements created by the tree trunks and limbs. Also in the light and various hue and saturations in the greens. The pinks are inspired by the wild rhododendron that grows rampant here

 

April, mixed media on mylar, 20x30in, 2012