Logs and Life Part 3

Well, the day arrived! Yesterday David managed to get the truck to deliver the log into town. It's a mighty bit of timber and was kind of recalcitrant all the way in - difficult to pick up and manoeuvre into place; wanting to lean and fall on the trip in and so on. But it has arrived and looks fabulous.

We went to visit today and when we arrived, a teenage boy was stopped, reading the text. The text is by Marianne Williamson "Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure...". In working through this piece I learned that despite the fabulous urban myth, Nelson Mandela did not write these words, nor has he ever said them out loud in a public speech; yet so many of us associate them with him. So that was a surprise to us all.

David is pleased and I am proud - it was a nice collaborative piece which stands like a sentinel at the entrance to his shop.

The log, David and I in various arrangements!

Logs and Life Part 2

The beautiful log I worked on for David Linton is edging closer to its 'unveiling'. I spoke to David today and he is waiting for a crane truck to deliver some timber to his workshop (out of town)and then he will get them to lift up the log and deliver it into town to his shop. You just can't lift this log any other way and it looks like it will be another 10 days or so before it can make the trip to town.

So here are some shots of the writing in progress:

The work set-up; not a classic work space I'm the first to admit.

Followed by the work in progress (with a mistake somewhat evident)



David oiled the timber in the week before I wrote - this seems to allow the ink to bond with the oil somehow, and not bleed into the timber itself, or rub off. I used a loose Roman Capitals hand to make it easier to read and to look contemporary.

I learned a lot about how to remove mistakes from timber (we couldn't budge the ink on the trial piece) by using a scraper and/or the back of a very sharp chisel.

Logs and Life Part 1

I have decided that life is one big roller coaster and basically, you just get on and ride! In amongst what has been a most hectic month or so with work-work; I have been pursuing this weird and wonderful request. It started when I was asked to write on some timber 'pebbles'. David Linton is a master wood craftsman who has both a workshop and a shopfront in our town. He made our dining table and chairs and is a true artisan. Anyhow, he asked me to write some inspirational words on some of his timber pebbles - as reminders and gifts for some people. I did this and he really enjoyed them.

Afterwards he asked if I could write out a longer quote on a big piece of timber he had set aside, to act as an entrance post to his shop. What do you do? You say - I don't know, but I'll give it a try. After a trial run with different inks and the like, we agreed to have a go. On Monday this week I spent the day at his workshop - in amongst so much timber - and wrote. It was the most challenging piece of writing I have ever done - the log is so heavy it had to be put in place mechanically and just rested down and backwards (interesting, when most calligraphers write up and sloped slightly forwards).

Here is the project before it began...an interesting set up, but oh what a marvellous piece of timber. It's pretty much done now; but I'll wait until it's in situ and all OK before posting the final pics. Stay tuned!

Reeds and lines

We have been busy entertaining guests and showing them the sites of the Sunshine Coast and hinterland. On Saturday we headed to Eumundi Markets and dazzled them with all the fabulous fresh food, creative work and fabulous design. We stopped and talked to Genevive of Little Green Dress and the girls at Audrey and Rose.

Heading back we stopped off at Ewan Maddock Dam. I have always loved the stunning blue-grey reeds that grow in clumps along the dam's edge; and this time we stopped the car and took some shots. I like the way the lines work and the reflections in the water, and can see me heading back for more photo opportunities.