UK Islands Project Update: Looe Island - Episode 2

Hello! I'm back with another update - later than I'd planned, [I actually started writing this last November!] 

If you are subscribed to my YouTube channel [thank you!], you might have already seen this video - so feel free to skip watching it again :-D.

If this is all new to you - settle in for a few minutes for me to share the projects updates with you - and as the film references - a few other things that have happened I've included some additional notes below...

I failed to film another update before Christmas, so will be doing an update this week as there have been some exciting things to share. ;-D

Additional Notes relating to the update video:

Luke Jerram's Gaia at Wells Cathedral

Have you seen this or his moon artworks? I FINALLY got to see the world, which was made really impressive by its location. It's on permanent tour, and you can see if it's going to be coming to you by visiting the website here: my-earth.org/

My sister and I didn't spend that long there, as we were on route to the Wells Literary Festival - which I'd fully recommend. It's been going for 30 years, and yet, this was the first time I'd even been. I managed to secure lunch tickets for us before the event with Kate Humble, and our timing was perfect as we actually ended up sitting on the same table as her along with 4 other women. That was fun and relaxed, it was great having the opportunity to ask Kate about her next projects and if she has any particular process - which she does - but running a small holding, she finds it near impossible to stick to - so it's very much more about grabbing the time to write when she can! 

You can find out more about Kate and what courses they're running here: www.katehumble.com. I was really inspired by her determination and fighting spirit. How she gets stuck right in to whatever she is doing. I've got her 'Thinking on my Feet' book to read, and my sister kindly bought be a copy of Kate's new cookbook for my birthday - I've already made a few recipes from it, and they've all been delicious so far. Happy 'Tasty' Days!

TedEx Bath

An excellent event and all the speakers are now available online to watch on YouTube: [Search for TedExBath 2022]: 

The speakers I really enjoyed and learnt from included:

From Art to AI: Robots Are For Everyone | Ruby Sant | TEDxBath

What If You Could Do Anything? | Aliénor Salmon | TEDxBath

Children Can Do More Than You Think | Max Woosey | TEDxBath

Speakers list from 2022 - There is lots of interesting and inspiring content here: www.tedxbath.co.uk/speakers

Details for this year's event will be published on their website here: www.tedxbath.co.uk/

World Textiles Day:

http://worldtextileday.co.uk/

Janice Gunner Textile Artist:

https://www.instagram.com/janicegunne...

https://www.janicegunner.co.uk/

Until next time!

Happy Creative Adventuring

Morwhenna

x

Just a few of the photos I took of Luke Jerram's Gaia at Wells Cathedral.

Skye in Cyanotype

I've been thinking about the Isle of Skye for some time in terms of what artwork it inspires me to respond with, and on first thoughts it was about the light, the colours, and the food. I'd been thinking around a few ideas and one that kept coming back, was experimenting with the cyanotype process using digital negatives which I thought could have lots of scope.

Before I show you my experiments so far, I wanted to share a bit about the history of the process and one woman in particular.

The cyanotype process was developed in 1842 by the English scientist and astronomer Sir John Herschel [who has a museum in Bath] as a way of reproducing notes and diagrams rather than in a creative application. It was Anna Atkins [1799 - 1871] who first saw the potential for the technique to be used as a type of photographic record and who used it to create a series of cyanotype limited-edition books that documented ferns and other plant life. Because of her use of this technique, Anna is often considered the first person to publish a book illustrated with photographic images and the first female photographer. Images from her book can be seen here: Anna Atkins Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions

The process works by mixing two chemicals [ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide] together in equal measure, and coating a surface e.g paper. Once dry, you arrange objects on the paper and put outside in direct sunlight to 'develop.' Mixing these two particular chemicals together causes a reaction that renders it sensitive to the UV rays in sunlight. Cyanotype photography was popular in Victorian England, but became less popular as photography improved.

So, here, I'm sharing my very first test pieces with you, and it was a rather magical experience seeing the images appear as you rinse away the chemicals! I discovered that the handmade paper I'd used wasn't really up for the job as some of the paper started to disintegrate when washed. So you do need to use a strong paper as you have to make sure you wash all the chemicals out of your pieces otherwise they will continue to develop. These test pieces were left in midday sun, with a glass plate covering them to improve the contact with the paper, for around 7 minutes. 

I was also surprised how well the digital negatives I'd made worked and which images created better prints than others. I did have to try a fern, as that's possibly the most cyanotyped object in history! And I can see why, as it creates a really strong image. 

Next is to try some different papers, objects and fabric.

I bought my Cyanotype set from www. cyanotype.co.uk and my Inkjet film from The Surrey Inkjet Company and have been surprised and really pleased with the results so far.  It's really fun!

Have you tried this process for yourself?  

All images copyright Morwhenna Woolcock

Revisiting

Photo taken at Cheddar Gorge  © morwhenna woolcock

I've been in rather a reflective space this week as a dear friend of mine came to stay who after living in the UK for over 13 years is moving back to her home town of Leipzig, Germany.  

It was FANTASTIC to see her as we’d not seen each other for quite a while even though she lives in London. We caught up on where we are now, reflected on what has been and got excited about the future. Her new adventure in particular which is full of excitement, fear, anxiousness – I’m sure you can relate to the mix of emotions that accompany a big change. ;-)

There were two places in particular that my friend wanted to visit – The Roman Baths and Cheddar Gorge. First time visits for her, third time visits for me. So we both had different experiences.

Both places have a lot to see and learn so for me it was wonderful to revisit them with fresh eyes, a super companion and to notice what I noticed this time. I was also aware that I’m a different person to the one I was the last time I visited these places. All change.

What places would you like to Revisit? 

How might you be able to experience them differently?


Love Morwhenna
xx

Spotted this chap in one of the displays at The Roman Baths. These are imprints of Roman tools and I just love the fact that a Roman tool looks like (to me) a quirky fellow. ;-) © morwhenna woolcock