Friday 3 September 2010

Just like a lot of sheep!

After doing the weekly shopping and collecting the mower after it had been serviced, we dropped in at Nature in Art and this is what we found before we'd even got to the door! By the way, Nature in Art is a museum and has some items in it's display which date back two or three hundred years while others are bang up to date. Every exhibit has a natural theme whether it is a painting, sculpture, ceramic, textile, wood or made from any other material. There are works of some of the most famous artists among the collection and the exhibits are changed regularly so that there is always something different to see alongside one's favourites. The museum is situated about 2 miles out of Gloucester on the Tewkesbury road in the village of Twigworth. There is usually an artist in residence working in the studio - a different one each week - and at the start of each year The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is staged there.
This amazing flock of sheep have been painted by students and secondary school children, though a couple were done by adults. Most of them have a humorous slant and there were too many to photograph each one, but I've done my best!

This one is called Dotty and was painted by students from Taurus Crafts in Lydney, Glos., taking inspiration from the technique used by Aboriginal artists who create those wonderful designs and patterns simply by painting dots.


Here is Betty painted by Aninna Heirano-Baker, a Finnish artist who was a little girl who loved pink and wanted to be a ballerina. Note the leg-warmers and tutu!



Next we have Bling King Sheep. This one is a family effort by Mum and Dad Bames and Jordan 10, and Nina 14. Their inspiration was the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece. If you look carefully you can see lots of golden curls and jewelled 'bracelets' on each leg.


This is Carpet Bag by Sarah Cheese, who took her inspiration from the fact that wool is used to make carpets so she used a very well known carpet design to decorate her sheep.


This is Splatter - another entry from the Taurus Craft students - and they are fans of Jackson Pollock.
I seem to have lost Monet Sheep who sported a wonderful hazy London sunset design.


While I was photographing sheep, my husband sat on this bench and it was only as I was turning to walk away that I noticed the carved decorations on it.

I love this little harvest mouse looking at the ear of corn.

On our way home we stopped at Frampton-on-Severn to see if we could find some blackberries. Years ago we had a wonderful picking from a field just the other side of the canal there and I remember that the air was full of dragonflies - I have never seen so many all at one time, before or since. We couldn't gain access to the same field today but we picked a couple of pounds along the canal towpath and saw this wonderful old barn as we drove through the village.

Sadly, the sun decided to go behind a cloud while we were there but when the light shines on these lovely old bricks the colours are amazing. They look rather dull here and I'm disappointed that you can't see them at their best.
I must stop looking at other people's work and get on with my own. Watch this space and I'll be back as soon as I can.









10 comments:

Carol Q said...

Nature in Art is a wonderful place isn't it Heather? those sheep are great fun.

Totalfeckineejit said...

Brilliant day out and I'd love that bench, it's fantastic!

Julie said...

wow! Aren't they fabulous! Thanks for showing us.

Jackie said...

That barn is beautiful. Thanks for showing the sheep..I was reading about some lions in another blog in Northampton all decorated differently. I wonder if the bench was from Robert Thompson from Yorkshire? He always carved a mouse on his furniture.

Heather said...

I agree Carol, Nature in Art is a wonderful place. The bench was in memory of a man who visited often and loved it too. I don't know who made it Jackie but the family who donated it must be delighted with it.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Love the carpet bag one partiularly - and that wonderful carved bench Heather. If only one has time to stop and really look it is amazing what treasures are about. Lovely post.

Presumably your grandson is being sponsored today? If so, as it is such a good cause, if you send me your address I will sponsor him with pleasure.

Gill said...

Lovely photos Heather - they remind me that I haven't visited Nature in Art for a while!
I was born in Frampton and I now live about 2 miles away!!
Gill

The Weaver of Grass said...

first and surnames separated by the usual dot, curly thing, and the usual bt. Is that enough clues to give you what you want? Hope so - let me know if it isn't.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Forgot 'thistlethwaite'!

Jane said...

Aren't those sheep wonderful - I saw some of their companions in Gloucester Cathedral last month.