Monday 23 July 2012

Kayak trip Stonehaven

Last Sunday the conditions were perfect for some caving and rock hopping with our sea kayaks. Together with our neighbours Lucy and Dave we set off from Stonehaven harbour. There was a strong Southwesterly wind, gusts up to a force 5, but we were sheltered  along the North East cliffs. With no swell at all we were able to explore all the stunning caves and watch amazing wildlife from up close.



Sailing boats in Stonehaven Harbour
Stunning caves
Grey seal
Paddling through waterfall


I've been to Stonehaven many times, but this was one of my best trips there so far. It was like we discovered a completely new spot! An already amazing trip was topped by watching two young grey seals swimming close to our kayaks. I took this video while I was in mine. Although there are some blurry shots, I was able to point my underwater camera in the right position most of the time (including rotating my upper body completely to the back) so I'm very pleased with the result. I've added some beautiful music that goes well with the way these seals move in their natural habitat, so don't forget to turn on your speakers!!


Thursday 19 July 2012

Artistic Explorations: Mixed Media (6)

The last two days I participated in an art workshop run by Alison King, a very talented textile artist. She taught us how to use fabric as collage material for an art piece and combine it with painting, staining, stitching, stencilling and monoprinting.
Over time I had collected lots of collage material and recently I received some beautiful lace and other fabric from my mother-in-law that had been used in her family a long time ago. The workshop was the right opportunity to use some material.

"Fiber" is the result and it is created on a large, grey cardboard with parts of lace, jute, Indian paper, acrylics, charcoal and stencilling.

"Fiber" ©Fenfolio2012