Afternoon Out
I hope that everyone had a wonderful blessed Bank Holiday weekend just passed and, got out to enjoy the sunny weather whoever had it. We were out all weekend and had a busy bank holiday weekend. We have not had it warm like it has been down South of 24 degrees but, yesterday it was a treat as it was 18 degrees and lovely to be able to soak up the sun whilst enjoying time the kids.
On Monday we took ourselves out for the afternoon to the North Fife Open Studios and ventured into the world of art and crafts, which is what my husband and I have a huge passion for – just hardly get the opportunity to get out and view other artists creations. The joy of the Open Studios is that the artists, designers and craftsmen open up their homes, or other peoples homes, and exhibit their own work for all to view and purchase. there are 90 people now exhibiting during the Open Studios and it runs over the first weekend in May from the Friday til Monday. To read about the Open Studios North Fife you can get all the information you need on the following link http://www.openstudiosfife.co.uk/
My husband and I felt very much at “home” walking around the artists homes looking at all their wonderful paintings, woodwork, metalwork, textile work and paintings. I think our kids were surprised at how much they enjoyed themselves too but, when free food is involved they are hardly not going to complain. The feeling of walking in to an artists home and veiwing their work was just homely, comforting, a world of happiness being in our bubble of art and the fact that as husband and wife we got to truly enjoy something we both love and have the same passion for “ART”. Drinking cups of tea and eating mini muffins while chatting with the artists was a great delight. getting to know the artist is just as much a joy than it is viewing their work and, just being able to talk “Art” was beautiful with other like minded people.
We met the lovely John Bonington who specifies in sculpture but, also paints in watercolours and is a photographer too. Lovely friendly man he is and his paintings are amazing. Such great attention to detail in his brushwork and his scenes are just beautiful too. We came away with two free printed cards of his due to giving him some Cobra Oil Samples. You can read about John Bonington and view his beautiful paintings and sculptures on the following link; http://www.bonington-sculptor.co.uk/gallery.html
We then met the really lovely Aileen Clarke who does needle-felting creating an array of textile pieces and frames, adds on top of sketchbooks, made into jewellery and gift boxes and has her textile work printed onto mugs and notebooks and greeting cards. I got to really enjoy a chat with her as she was very much on my wavelength with crafts. Her stunning textile creations can be viewed on the following http://www.aileenclarkecrafts.com/ Some of her work is shown below. I simply love how she has incorporated her needle-felting into her jewellery.
Then lastly we visited a traditional blacksmith Jim Shears whom designs beautiful metalwork which is all designed and handcrafted by himself. he creates products for your home and garden from gates, railings, fire guards, planters, candelabra, bedsteads and more. We had a metal sign made for hanging outside our shop in Pittenweem where we had our shop name hanging from it. Beautiful unique work.
As we were at this venue we stumbled upon another designer. This time a furniture maker who creates his furniture out of wood and metal where he creates stunning clocks, mirrors, turned ware, furniture and sculptural forms with glass-work within some of his designs. Leo Norris designs and handcrafts his own work from scratch and any little bits of wood he has left he makes sure he uses it and creates somehow to give as a gift. We bought some gorgeous garden wood labels to write on what vegetables we have growing in our vegetable patch. You can find Leo Norris work on the following link http://www.leonorrisdesign.co.uk/ and read all about him as well as viewing his amazing work.
