LIZ PERRY ABSTRACT ARTIST
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Camels, one hump or two?

3/28/2018

3 Comments

 
Picture
     

        I decided it is very unlikely, I could be persuaded to ride a camel. Michael Palin's account of his journey across the Sahara, was more about endurance than discovery. Considering the extreme heat, the bouts of 'dire rear' and the possibility of kidnap by political groups, it was an epic journey. The unique, willful characteristics of his allotted camel were just a bonus!


While painting I often listen to audio books, loaned from the public library. (A luxury I truly appreciate.) 'Words' are a great inspiration to me. When an author paints a picture with words, expresses emotions or give the inanimate, life, it all works to make my brain 'tick' and drives my imagination.

​Last week I crossed the Sahara from my studio, this week I'm hearing about innovation and 'What would Steve Jobs do?' There have been travel diaries and novels and I've been totally clueless about any number of murder mysteries! I did borrow an actual book, with pages, about 'blogging,' but, as it was longer than a copy of 'War and Peace' it remained largely unread. Hence the debatable quality of my blog posts.

​A lovely bedtime read was 'The Living Mountain' by Nan Shepherd. A relaxing account of her explorations of the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland. She fills the pages with such detail of the seasons and 'moods' of the mountain. Her descriptions of the flora and fauna and how the balance of even the smallest ecosystem is dependent on the whole living mass of the mountain, are fascinating and informative.

​My latest bedtime read is 'The Old Ways,' It was loaned and recommended by a friend. I got to page 2 and knew I'd just love it! The author, Robert Macfarlane explores the ancient paths and byeways of Britain. Perhaps I'll be walking them in my dreams each night.

Once I find out what it was that Steve Jobs did, I'll be hearing about life in France . . . . . .

​What's been your favourite read recently and how did it inspire you?

 with best wishes,
           Liz

Cherish your journey















3 Comments
Aileen MacEwan
3/29/2018 06:30:22 pm

Hi Liz
I saw your work in Castle Douglas Artists and Makers today - loved your Shetland Knives. Loving your blog too for Jan, Feb and March. Will look out for you at the Spring Fling.
I was wondering what your inspiration was for Shetland knives - pieces of flintstone came to my mind - like may have been used for cutting many years ago, before "knives" as we know them were around - not sure if they had flint stone in Shetland?
Best Wishes
Aileen MacEwan

Reply
Liz Perry link
3/29/2018 07:01:22 pm

Thank you, Aileen for your kind comments, they are much appreciated. It's good to know someone is reading my blog ramblings! The Knives are Feltsite stone, which was once quarried in North Mavine, Shetland. They were indeed used before knives, as we know them today. These particular stones have been honed into flat slices and have not been used. The thought is, that the patterns had aesthetic value and they were buried as prized objects. Most are black/grey/white patterns, but one in particular, is a faded blue/grey with white patterning. These types of knives have been found all over the Isles, but none as well preserved as these. I will have more information available to visitors during Spring Fling and I hope you can make it along to my home studio. I'm Studio 2 on the Blue route and the brochures have begun circulating throughout D&G. Look forward to meeting you, if you can make it.

Reply
Aileen MacEwan
3/29/2018 07:17:38 pm

Thanks Liz, that is very interesting about the knives. Yes I will get a Spring Fling map and look for you on the blue route! Look forward to meeting you. Regards
Aileen MacEwan




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    Liz Perry
    ​Abstract artist and print maker, living a creative life in Scotland.

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