Michelle Cain

Willow Sculpture, Basket Making and Living Willow Courses Winter 2012

2012-01-29T14:20:00.000-08:00

I am just fianalising the workshops I have been promising. Venues will be The Old School Hall in St Dogmaels, Bwlchygroes Village Hall and Living willow at the Keywaddin Field Forest Garden near St Dogmaels. I am going to run a beginners in round work, oval and for those that have requested it a square work day or two. The sculpture workshop will be using a frame/armature of galvanised wire to create a small animal. I am working on ideas for large scale projects whch I hope will happen and if they do there will be opportunities to get involved. Will keep you posted. Let me know if you are interested in any courses. Two places left for the square work one which will be at Bwlchygroes. I am happy to organise a day in Newport too, again let me know if you are interested. Email michicain@aol.com

Twrch and Cadno at Newport.

2012-01-25T03:43:00.000-08:00

See my Twrch and Cadno at the Newport Collective Gallery in Newport, Pembs. January opening times are Monday, Friday and Saturdays....

Plant a Willow Bed 2012

2012-01-10T14:26:00.000-08:00

Today I dug in the ground cover for a 7m x 11m willow bed. It took two hours to dig the edge of the sheet in. The sheet cost £30. I spent an hour or two clearing the land of bits of debris and weeds yesterday. The cover is silage sheet. This will suppress weeds and allow the willow to get established. Watering will not be a problem, if there is a lovely hot, dry spell the plastic will create condensation and the young cuttings will get by with that. I will string out the rows for planting tomorrow at roughly 1 metre apart. The fast growing viminalis for sculptures and structures will go to the north eastern end of the bed and each plant will be spaced at 1 metre intervals along the row. I will only plant two rows of this as I have planted some elsewhere. The other rows will consist of Black Maul, Flanders Red both are top basketry willows that do well in this location..thrive in fact, especially the FL. I have only a little Dark Dicks and Green Dicks so I hope to have a few rows of each all from my own two year old plants. Though they are not as bountiful as the other two I love them and want to grow as much of them as I can. All these cuttings will be spaced at 30cm intervals along each row. The taller varieties at the far side and the shorter ones on the south west. There is a problem with wind from the river so I will plant a windbreak with something taller to help protect them from it and then place plenty of heavy lumps of wood or old tyres between the rows to stop the wind lifting the sheet and scratching the cuttings.

Planting began today and I have measured out fourteen rows. So far I have two rows each of Flanders Red, Green Dicks and Dark Dicks in. I only had a couple of hours available to work on it so will finish the planting at the weekend. The FL was spaced at 30cm between cuttings whilst the other two I spaced at 25cm plus their rows where closer together at 30 inches. If you are going to plant cut a measuring stick to gauge accurate spacing and that you can use to pierce the sheet and make a hole for your cutting to go into easily. Make sure you put the cutting in the right way up! I spent a bit of the time foraging around the allotments and undergrowth looking for lumps of wood to keep the sheet from lifting, you really need to put plenty of weights on it especially in the first year or two.

Winter Open at Oriel Q, Queen's Hall, Narberth.

2011-12-07T12:12:00.000-08:00

The Winter Open Exhibition at Oriel Q, Narberth begins on 10th December and runs until 11th January. The preview is on Friday evening and I am sure you are wellcome. There is an online catalogue if you can't make it. I had a sneaky peak while the gallery assistants where busy hanging and it looks great. Hope to be at the opening and have a closer look. See you there.

Latest Willow Sculptures

2011-12-05T13:14:00.000-08:00

At the moment I am juggling a few things from living willow projects, harvesting, planting,a bit of basket making, teaching and sculpture. My most recent sculptures are of a fox and a wild boar. Both are about one metre in length and the boar is a study for a larger sculpture that I am trying to get off the ground next year. The fox is a mix of willows woven around a simple wire frame with a bit of cane for the white fur around the cheeks. The boar was begun with a wire armature with steamed willow woven over to create the shape and finished with a layer of silver birch. The birch adds a lovely rougher texture that works a treat, I love it. The little white eyes are two thicker stems of birch snipped at the ends. I have entered both for the Oriel Q open exhibition at the Queen's Hall Narberth over Christmas and the New Year, I hope they get accepted. Next is a large badger head for the living willow installation I am helping with this week and next in Haverfordwest. I will add images as I can.

Meet the Makers.

2011-12-03T00:26:00.000-08:00

Newport Collective is the place to be on Monday 5th December with a Meet the Makers opportunity. We will have mince pies and a warming mulled punch aswell as lots of great work for you to see. Recently our numbers have grown and the range of work on offer includes upcycled clothing from Wench to beautifully crafted wooden spoons and board from Eugene to jewellery and fascinators from Lucy. There are lots of reasonably priced gift ideas, cards, and charming little trinkets to adorn your tree all created by our members who are all makers and artists living in and around the county. Come and join us we will be very happy to wellcome you.

Willow Harvest 2011

2011-11-21T16:59:00.000-08:00

The wait goes on, mild weather, no frosts mean the leaves on my shorter willows are firmly clinging on. The Flanders Red however is bare so I have cut a little of it and the Black Maul too. Really I will have to be patient and wait another week or two...There's always so much to do and I want to plant double what I have now so will prep the ground ready. The lack of stuff to weave has actually allowed me to explore other things too. Metal armatures, New Zealand Flax which I discovered through meeting Judith Ferns at Dail Behennah's workshop at Ruthin Craft Centre. I am quite excited with it and will post photos soon perhaps.

Coedwig Exhibition at Oriel Myrddin

2011-11-16T05:29:00.001-08:00

Coedwig (Forest) is the latest show at Oriel Myrddin http://www.orielmyrddingallery.co.uk/ in Carmarthen. This is their yearly selected winter show with a range of arts and crafts for sale. Newport Collective'snewportcollective.blogspot.com Philippa Sibert http://www.cardiganopenstudios.co.uk/philippasibert.html is showing a selection of paintings, monoprints and mixed media works which all reflect the chosen theme beautifully. I love the work that you find at this gallery and one of the other makers selected is one I have met at other events over the past two years and is a favourite of mine, Eve O'Neil http://www.needlefeltart.co.uk/. She makes delightful needle felted animals and birds which are all exquistely created and here they are displayed in an old medical or museum case which adds to their charm. The hedgerow and rustic basketmaker Susie Vaughan http://www.susievaughan.co.uk/ has some of her latest creations included too and I was very curious as to how she constructed the bases of two of them...a weaving puzzle. Lots of the work is actually very affordable and I would recommend a visit before you find yourself dizzy with distraction in the big chainstores. Lots of thoughtful care and soul in some handmade wares can be found at this treasure box of a show.

Philippa Sibert Oil on Canvas

Hard Fi 'Good For Nothing' At Glastonbury 2011

2011-10-30T18:08:00.000-07:00

Laura Marling 'Rambling Man' Glastonbury 2010

2011-10-30T18:06:00.000-07:00

Guy Garvey Of Elbow Interview at Glastonbury 2011

2011-10-30T18:04:00.000-07:00

Cell Mates 'Mariachi El Bronnx' Glastonbury 2010

2011-10-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

Jon Allen 'Last Orders' At Glastonbury 2011

2011-10-30T17:46:00.000-07:00

John Grant 'Sigourney Weaver' at Glastonbury 2011

2011-10-30T17:37:00.000-07:00

I love John Grant www.myspace.com/johnwilliamgrant and seeing him at Electric Picnic electricpicnic.ie and on my sons 21st birthday was one of those highlights I will remember for the rest of my days. He belts it out with such wit and warmth and he had the crowd performing kareokiwise, absolute star. Somebody sent me this You Tube film of him at Glastonbury Festival www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk in the BBC's garden infront of my Hey Girl willow sculpture which now has me beleeiving in absolutely extraordinary possibilities, that will move you to scream involuntarily
happening to you at anytime, lol. I rename that scuplture "Sigourney Weaver" in his honour and praise. But you know none of this would happen without the help of my young team and especially Izaac Cain http://soundcloud.com/tracks/search?q=rezaloot who is the real motivator in my life. Thanks buddy

Ruthin Crafts Centre, "Baskets" Exhibition

2011-10-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

Ruthin Craft Centrewww.ruthincraftcentre.org.uk/ is the purpose built state of the art complex for the display, understanding and sale of some cutting edge work by contemporary makers. For a while now I have been anticipating their latest exhibition called, perhaps a bit unassumingly,"Baskets". The nine makers chosen to exhibit are diverse and talented masters specialising in the ancient craft of basket making in the broadest sense, exploring individual ideas and techniques to create their own unique and beautiful forms. All of the work is fascinating and inspiring. As a maker I am always scrutinising the work of others to find the "how" and the seamless interplay of materials and techniques to achieve the work. All these makers deliver excellently and elegantly. For me the show is uplifting. Looking at the images later I realise the things I missed in the gallery, especially in the photos taken standing further away. Dail Behennah'shttp://www.dailbehennah.com/ pieces are for sale individually but here in the show they appear to be of a whole with the angles of colours matching and flowing from one to the next, it would be a shame to separate them, what a brilliant acquisition they would make together. Lizzie Farey's www.lizziefarey.co.uk/ airy wall pieces are a delight, they seem to have flown from the more densely woven sphere and vessel forms placed below them, frozen in a moment of flight. Looking more closely in the gallery the work of Joe Hoganwww.joehoganbaskets.com attracted me on a more personal level as he is a rural dweller growing his own willow to use and commenting that he found these three elements "deeply satisfying". Again the depth of this relationship with his thirty years experience is evident in his sculptural take on the traditional form. Including gnarled and curving branches and stones to close and top his pieces I was reminded of the landscape of the west coast of Ireland, the ever changing weather, the shimmering light on a lake or sea, the outline of the rugged ancient hills and mountains and the puzzling prehistoric structures that cling to the landscape like stubborn, decaying teeth, mysterious and secretive. Lee Dalby's www.leedalby.com/clean, minimal frame baskets may have their origin in the everyday unfussy utility ware familiar to every home once upon a time but he has transformed these baskets into objects that resonate with an almost modern spirituality. An obvious love of these humble, simple shapes and their recipes combined with his sensitive selection of his own cultivated materials and excellent execution, I feel he elevates what is the everyday, the commonplace. I could not imagine I would dare use one of his baskets for something mundane they surely should be used for some other special, sacred or ceremonial purpose. They are very beautiful and very desirable. Mary Butcherwww.axisweb.org › artists & curators › artists & curators
shows some joyful examples of her journey as a maker whose experience began with a misunderstanding. She went one day to buy a basket from a maker only to find he had misheard their telephone conversation and had instead prepared some willow for a lesson and so by chance her making began. Here she creates curves and ties in works that combine a depth of knowledge and experiment that reflect the diversity of her explorations from her initial introduction and hint at her earlier academic studies and recent travels.John Galloway, Tim Johnson , Anne Harrington Rees and Caroline Sharpe are the other exhibitors showing here. RCC may be tucked away in North Wales but is close to lots of major cities and being surrounded by some beautiful landscapes would make any visit doubly rewarding.

Living here in rural West Wales I am very inspired by my visits to RCC in general and my respect for other makers, their work and committment is enhanced by the opportunity to see great work displayed beautifully. Thank you Ruthin.

Philip Treacy at Tate Liverpool

2011-10-16T12:36:00.000-07:00

One of the highlights of the various exhibitions I visited in Liverpool this weekend was the show curated by Philip Treacy at Tate Liverpool. Some beautiful choices I loved the portrait of a sleeping Leigh Bowery by Lucien Freud. So tender and the slight hint of a smile and peaceful expression captured was very beautiful. A gem. Apart from his choices from the Tate's collection were the carved wooden block moulds Treacy uses to create his imaginative and unique hats. There are two packed 30m shelves of them and they make an eye catching display in themselves. Very desirable. Jaw droppingly gorgeous.

Secret Light Garden at Picton Castle 2011

2011-10-03T14:54:00.000-07:00

It came and went, a flash in the night, kaleidoscopic castle, luminous tree tops, strangers in the light, illuminated peepholes, real ghosts and willowy giants, spooky lake and a glowing snail. What I love about Secret Light Garden at Picton Castle is that once you step through the gateway you immediately feel like you are entering another world. The colours and shapes of all that is familiar disolve into something else cartoon like and a wonderland. The art trail entices you to explore the nooks and crannies. As you go along you discover some intriguing,puzzling, mysterious objects. A hanging huge plastic water tank, suspended overhead, throbbing light with deep philisophical ponderings for the literate to articulate to the very young. On you go and a saxophone playing shadow serenades you as you pass by. You turn and find a garden of small ultraviolet flowers never before seen on earth. Beyond oversized glowing tulips spur you further on into the shrubs and trees, turn around and the castle is invisible transformed into a swirling iris shooting out light from every compass point. What's this? A door just there in a clearing. You open it and a light is switched on to reveal a couple laughing, close it and they are gone open it again and another image appears a man on a scooter in a desert. What a strange house you are thinking when you next encounter a wardrobe but it won't open. You can hear something inside a radio perhaps quietly broadcasting, you notice little holes in the side where light from within shines out. You peer through and get tantalising glimpses of a room or rooms, belongings, photographs, old fashioned, vintage wallpaper. Who lives here, are they in, are they small, are they asleep, dozing off to the humming radio. We walk further amongst cedars and vines touching beautiful carvings, sitting on toadstools, climbing on trees. A band strikes up accordian and fiddle and we examine strange glowing moluscs gathered in an aquarium. Back on the lawn below the castle we clamber like children onto giant wooden chairs where we can all sit together to watch the lights play. Have you seen the ghosts someone asks over by the door in the wall over there. We leave our perch to witness the sight. There they are.
They appear through the door and sit on the step, two ladies in white from another time, oblivious to us, chatting, drinking, laughing. They are gone but another appears, a man who digs the flower beds to the side of the steps. Little children go up to him and try to feel him, touch him but he is not there he is not real he is a ghost they say. Another vision appears a young woman with her broom, she sweeps each step, looks around, her work is done and she is gone. Like a wisp of mist. Come back you want to say and if you wait and wait she will.
I bumped into friends I hadn't seen in a while and made new ones I hope to see again.
When closing time came we were tired and happy but a little sad to say goodnight.
Last year they thought they would not do it again, I am so glad they did, next year they say it will be their last.
I am sure it will be something special. Everybody contributed their time and creativity free of charge and there was an agreeably organic evolving of it's design and spaces. Gareth, Jen, Ashley, Roddy and Nixy did a good job to make it so. So thanks to them and all. The chocolate cake maker, hot chocolate and mochas to die for. And Beanie Dog woofed her special sausage rolls glad I had forgotten her usual munch. Happy all round.xx

My Baskets

2011-10-02T08:54:00.000-07:00

It's the end of the year for basket making. I am nearly all out of last season's willow and what's left is going into commissioned pieces. The harvesting time for willow is almost here, in time with the ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain. Once 31st October has passed I will be just raring to begin cutting the bare withies that have grown and turn them into creations both functional and not. I have allready been wandering amongst the beds we have planted and it is as good as shopping for a buzz! Really, the branches are so juicy and alive, they even smell good. Time keeps pushing forward and I have been thinking about all this activity, growing, harvesting and making locked together in woven forms. At festivals there is always the pause in activity when the sculpture is up and is part of that other pocket in time, I stop and wonder what to do, no stuff to weave, well better take a photo. I rarely stop to photograph my baskets though...or workshops. This year I am making more of an effort so here are some of the ones I didn't forget to snap.

Joanne Hynes London Fashion Week Debut

2011-09-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

Joanne Hynes London Fashion Week Debut Great show with Joe Hogan's hats!

Joe Hogan at Cruth Curach, Electric Picnic 2011

2011-09-11T04:43:00.000-07:00

http://http//www.architecturefoundation.ie/2011/08/26/cruth-curach-temporary-pavilion-at-electric-picnic/This years Electric Picnic included a temporary pavilion designed and built as the outcome of a competition to celebrate Ireland's Year of Craft 2011 a colaboration between by architects Bucholz McEvoy and Jim Horgan of the Galway School of Boat Buildinghttp://galwayschoolofboatbuilding.com . Inside the pavilion were some perspex display boxes with various examples of craft objects. I was instantly drawn to two of them because inside were works by Joe Hoganhttp://http//www.joehoganbaskets.com/, Irish basket maker par excellance. My excitement was increased to find he was giving a talk with Joanne Hyneshttp://joannehynes.com/the fashion designer who he collaborated with on her 2010 London Fashion Week Show. One of the displays was one of the actual hats he made for her and the other a beautiful basket of willow and lichen adorned birch. Breathtaking. The pavilion was situated on the Villge Green and Global Green a place filled with fairground carousels, bingo tent, various amplified campaining stalls and the drifting sounds from the stages beyond. All festivals are a fusion of sound and this Irish one has the extra gregarious breeze of that other contributor....the crowd themselves. It was Saturday at 4pm that Joe and Joanne gave their talk and a microphone helped but we also gathered close to them with our seats. They explained how they collaborated Joanne wanting Joe to create untamed hats using his basketry materials to wilder effect. After her show in London they found their work appearing all over the media and front page of the Guardian. The image of a model in one of their twiggy creations was stunning. Joe described it as a mohawk ...I thought it was very similar to a Cossack's helmet with birch replacing fur. Joe however thrilled and suprised by the attention said he would be remaining firm in his own practice not dissapearing off into the fashion world. Why shoudl he from basket making he makes a good living and also for those who love his work an impression and inspiration in his own right. Joanne noted her practice was spread from continent to continent, flying from place to place were Joe had a more holistic connection with his craft, growing his materials, working within that envirioment. Both these creators are at the top of their game to see them sit together sharing the microphone she in her heels and perhaps one of a kind outfit, he in more everyday smart casual wear theystill managed to look like two equal co- conspirators in tune with the desire to explore ideas and let their activity lead them to something new and suprising. Afterwards there was a Q&A session and they were very easy to pry and listen too. It was wonderful to talk to Joe later and he told me he was to have an exhibition of his work in Port Laois the following week. Unfortunately I would be home by then however he is taking part in a show at Ruthin Craft Centrehttp://www.ruthincraftcentre.org.uk/from 16th September which Isaid I would be visiting. and in which he said he was showing six pieces. I admitted to being the maker of the willow sculptures installed just a little distance from the pavilion and he said he had given them a close look..."well you would wouldn't you" and ofcourse I would but.. hey he was positive. Absolute gentleman.

Electric Picnic 2011

2011-09-08T15:47:00.000-07:00

This was our 5th year at Stradbally. We installed Hey Boy and Hey Girl, which is what I called my two male and female waving figures, on the Village Green. I was happy with the position near the fairground rides and trailer and also close to the Craftitecture Pavillion (constructed to celebrate Ireland's Year of Craft a collaboration between master boat builders and archtitects). Towards the end of the instal a "drifting" guy came and said the sculptures would be stronger together not apart. I mumbled something. He asked could I move the girl over? Er well.... I asked him what he was up to...change the subject..." nothing" he said "I'm the promoter". Well we left them where they where and I think they were fine. But Ihave got so many ideas for next year. We put the fox in Body and Soul next to the main stage and I think he looked the best he has all summer but I want to make changes for the next one. The festival was great..John Grant, Everything Everything, PJ Harvey, Underworld who also DJ'd on Arcadia's stage. Lords of Lightening too where fun. So many things and a significant birthday for Izaac. We met Joe Hogan too who gave a talk in the crazy racket. That was an anorack moment for me ...don't worry you would have to be a fellow anorack to understand. What's next? Secret Light Garden of course.

Goodbye Foxes

2011-08-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

Here are my two one year old foxes leaving home for good heading to Jersey and Jersey Live. This is a rite of passage that runs in the family. It's what I did back in the day. Bon voyage foxies.

Willow sheep sale

2011-08-18T16:38:00.000-07:00

Last week and I mean injust one week saw a bit of an unexpected clear out of sculptures that were filling up the barn and shed...two sheep, a giant ball, half a willow woman and two of my big foxes...now some space gained sooo what do you think I will go and do with it....Ideas, ideas ideas. Ps. They all went to good homes. Baa, baa!

Willow Weaving Workshop

2011-08-18T15:18:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos of the Willow Weaving Workshop I ran at the Wildlife Centre, Teifi Marshes on 11th August. 55 participants in 5 hours plus a few mums and dads and grandparents busied themselves making huge willow dragonflies. So much concentration and creativity and quiet from a room full of young energetic types. Who would have thought it posible. Some days I just love my job.

Cambridge Folk Festival 2011

2011-08-07T23:52:00.000-07:00

Cambridge Folk Festival was hot, hot, hot. Set in the very beautiful Cherry Hinton Hall Park it's majesty and beauty reflected and enhanced by the musical genious of those present and too by the discerning people who choose to be there.
I must say I am still glowing from the heat, brightness and brilliance of Richard Thompson, Pentangle, Ms Marling.....et all. Mourning the performances I had to miss because I was running workshops...Justin Townes Earle hope he comes and tours... It was a pleasure and the workshops where popular and ran over and ran out of reeds so the final one was recycling the leftovers of the others.

Festivalnation

2011-07-09T06:11:00.000-07:00

So begineth the summer with the pilgrammage to Avalon, hopping out of the van in Crocs into it's muddy waters- later in my sleeping bag I swear that my feet felt great for the mud splash experience such is the Glastifari magic and the following day the sun did shine. After installing in Avalon and the BBC's Garden backstage we have the weekend to enjoy the festival. Highlights of Pilton this yearafter catching up with old friends were all musical from Little Dragon, Hercules and the Love Affair, Morrissey, Metronomy, Gruff Rhys, Jah Wobble, Lee Scratch Perry, WarPaint, Pentangle, Thea Gilmore, System 7, Ron Sexsmith, Linda Lewis, Nick Turners Space Ritual, Queens of the Stone Age and Stereo MC's...plus I caught a litlle bit of this and that Aloe Blacc was a voice to hear.....We packed up quick and left soon as and after a quick pit stop for the tipi we headed to the Ribble Valley for Beat Herder. Now tis a secret so don't tell anyone really you must keep it to yourself it is a great little festival. I do have a little bit of a soft spot for that part of the world having spent several years living, studying and creating a few miles down the road and even spent a night camped on Pendle Hill(which overlooks the site) when expecting my son. A very beautiful site it is with a large grove of tall coniferous trees in the centre and a natural ampitheatre for the main stage. Tho the weather was a highlight the people, crew and the art where too with a dazzlingly talented bunch of musos and DJ's to worship til the sun came up Horace andy, Afro Celt .Sound System, John Carter and my fave to rave Andrew Weatherall..really ... plus lots of suprise people turning up ... I am not going to tell you too much more. If you want to go you are advised to buy your tix early as they are bound to sell fast for 2012...one of the best I have attended in a long while.

Glastonbury 2011 - Wretch 32 feat Josh Kumra - "Don't Go" live acoustic ...

2011-07-05T10:42:00.000-07:00

Glastonbury_-_2011_Ed_Sheeran_A_Team ACOUSTIC SET

2011-07-05T10:30:00.000-07:00

ALOE BLACC I Need a Dollar Acoustic Set Glastonbury 2011

2011-07-05T10:24:00.000-07:00

Metronomy - The Look (Acoustic) @ Glastonbury 2011

2011-07-05T10:14:00.000-07:00

Willow Sculpture Course

2011-05-30T02:41:00.001-07:00

Want to learn how to use Willow to make sculpture? Why not come to my workshop. I will demonstrate various techniques I use to make willow sculpture. You will have the opportunity to practice these methods and explore your ideas using materials provided including willow, charcoal and paper.

Saturday 11th and sunday 12th June

10.30am

Small World Theatre, Cardigan,

£50

To book ring 01239 615952

Judy Collins-"Both Sides Now" (Glastonbury 2010)

2011-05-29T18:46:00.000-07:00

Basket Making Workshop Llandewi Brefi

2011-03-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

Last week I ran a two day basket making workshop in Llandewi Brefi Memorial Hall for Communities First. What fun. I am a hard task master. Not. We covered round work using mostly unsoaked green willows and some dogwoods. Lovely and colourful. My aim was to demonstrate different ways of staking up to get straight sides and rounded and two different borders. Only one person had some basket making experience from their schooldays. Now any weaver will tell you a basket is fairlyhard won and getting to the point of working with confidence takes a little concentration and good observation, practice and of course a good demonstrator helps. After about an hour we where on our way...well some of them stayed in the hall....and by the end of the day I think I had successfully mesmerised them all enough to ensure they would return the following morning for the next session. Eight from the twelve returned in the morning and we set to work straight away and before long they where expressing delight in their skill and creations and I too was relieved to see beautifull little trays and baskets develop with lots of colour and personality. Phew! Such a beautiful part of the world to visit too and a very nice group of women to spend time with.

Aeneas Wilder @ Kunstsuper Rotterdam

2011-02-04T15:34:00.000-08:00

Whilst the wind howls around and down into the house rattling the fire the delightfull calm of Andreas Wilder as he reveals a self supporting bridge with no nails.

Your Highness Restricted Trailer

2011-01-28T06:52:00.000-08:00

I was commissioned to make some sculptures for this movie about 18 months ago. There is another trailer the red version/unrestricted where you can catch a glimpse of what was done but be warned it is a bit adult. It stars James Franco (127 Hours) and Natalie Portman (Black Swan) and looks very funny.

Cate Le Bon live for 6 Music at Glastonbury

2011-01-20T15:48:00.000-08:00

Secret Light Garden, Picton Castle.

2011-01-14T09:56:00.000-08:00

Here are a few images from The Secret Light Garden at Picton Castle in October. Organised by local lighting people, artists, volunteers and head gardener Roddy and all. Really enjoyed this one, local, fun, lots of lovely lights, music, warm weather and a very happy mixed crowd. Wish they would do it all again but it might be a one off.

Happy New Year

2011-01-14T09:20:00.000-08:00

Where have I been? Not that far but without a functioning computer which is now remedied so just a few photos of events and times had since I last blogged. A few more summer festivals were attended ending with Electric Picnic in Ireland. Just as I was putting the sculptures to bed we had an invite to take part in The Secret Light Garden at Picton Castle in Pembrokeshire. Picton has beautiful grounds and lots of interesting trees and shrubs which were all illuminated for two nights in mid October. It was stunning and very popular with the most flukey warm weather something to do with the full moon and autumn tides. Lots of new stuff is happening so will keep things up to date with more regular posts.

Cambridge Folk Festival 2010

2010-08-04T04:29:00.000-07:00

Me and my friend Liz Rooney took to the road and headed east for the week at Cambridge Folk Festival. What fun. It is a long drive. We took the tipi and ran a reed workshop aswell as installing the two Wicked Foxes in the main arena. Some fantastic music was to be heard my faves being the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Quebe Sisters, C J Stoneking, Rokia Traeore. I left my camera at home so here's a snap from /Flickr.

Art At Rhosygilwen 2010

2010-07-10T14:03:00.000-07:00

Art At Rhosygilwen is an Art and Craft Festival held each summer in the grounds and magnificant Oak Hall at Rhosygilwen Mansion near Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire. This year the festival expanded it's remit showing video and films and hosting talks and interviews with filmakers, a cinematographer, the King of Hay aka Richard Booth and the film critic and author John Russell Taylor. Tom Geens, director screened his feature film Liar and held a question and answer session afterwards. The wooden store shed was transformed into The Film Shed with plush drapes and cushioned seats showing a comprehensive programme of independent shorts from makers across Europe with the help of Kinofilm Festival of Manchester. The Oak Hall showed a range of paintings and sculpture selected from work submitted by West Wales based artists. The gardens provided a substantial backdrop to some intriguing sculptures and installations and the Craft Marquee likewise to some wonderful work. The weather was for the most sunny and glorious with a moment of high winds and rain on the Sunday morning which did have me biting my nails..well I had installed one of my 4 metre high willow foxes on the most exposed spot. All the organisers deserve to feel satisfied that they put together an event of warmth, depth, beauty and bite. I am really proud of what they managed to achieve and inspired too by what I experienced. Thanks to Glen and Brenda Peters too who are the most kind hosts.

Glastonbury 2010

2010-07-10T13:18:00.000-07:00

The last three months has seen me working towards the Big One..Glasto 2010. Each year I promise myself to start working on it months earlier but life will get in the way and it becomes a last minute scramble to reach the finish at Worthy Farm. This year I had more than "the Final Countdown" going round in my brain, more and more work kept creeping in and they were all such exciting invitations (weaving .. exciting!!) that I had to say yes yes yes. A few people looked on with scepticism but I do have a little network of willing helpers who will drop their stuff to pass me some sticks and lift a woven giant over onto it's back so I can weave it's front and all for the promise of a ticket to a festival or two. This year I would not have made it without all their cooperation after I came off a ladder and broke a bone in my right hand. Ouch. So thankyou Nici, Izaac, Layla, Emma, Liz, Gaz, Kinkaris, Karma, Floss, Fion, Danielle, Colin, Parky, Sally, Laura, Daniel, Dave, Mick, Josh, Harry, Oliver and ofcourse Beanie who is fully responsible for distracting me from the terror and amusing me no end with her puppiness. We made it just and it was a great success and fun in the sun.

The Nest

2010-06-12T14:49:00.000-07:00

It is strange where the weaving of a good few sticks can take you. Recently I spent five long days at Ellstree Studios working on the Big Brother house. I was invited to weave the interior of the Nest, a little cedar shingled pod situated in the garden. It was a tricky, awkward job the last day being spent up a ladder weaving the cone, which was 2m wide and 2m high, one stick at a time. A variety of willows were used, some from Musgroves of Somerset and the rest from West Wales Willows in Wolfscastle, Pembrokeshire. After some discussion I was left to improvise a landscape fused design with soft hills, almond shaped "leaves" which also reminded me of the Big Bro all seeing eye.... I wasn't allowed to take any photos and the ones I found the on the web don't show you the full thing...for that you will have to watch the show...if you have the time...which you probably don't or wait until the designers send me their images..which might be a while.. but I will share.

http://http//www.insidebigbrother.net/news/in-pictures-the-snug.ibb

Manor House Park Tenby

2010-04-22T16:54:00.000-07:00

Here are some animal heads I made installed in the living willow garden created for Manor House Park by Willow House aka Sophie and Natalie. We have worked together on a few projects now and this was the biggest so far with four woven heads. The fox and fox cub are woven from all Welsh grown willows and the badgers are mostly Somerset Black Maul. Manor House is a wildlife park with lots of exotic animals from camels to zebra to meerkats. As we arrived a bison was giving birth. Which was good as Gordon the cameraman was busy so we could rehearse our shapes and moves for when he came to capture us finishing the last one off. Yes it is the location of a fly on the wall reality tv zoo programme thing starring Anna Ryder Richardson and all and maybe even litlle Beanie soon, my 9 weekold JRT.

Where the Willow Grows

2010-04-12T15:51:00.000-07:00

I had a call from Alpey to say the mulch plastic was lifting on the willow cuttings at St Dogmaels so I took Beanie down to see what was happening. So much has been going on lately that I hadn't found time to take a peak. I put more tyres and blocks of wood on it to help and was really happy to see that all of the cuttings have taken. The sun is out and everything is bursting with life. I filled in the space that was left over with some Green Dicks and discussed the possibility of planting another bed quickly ...this week Izaac.... as there is still time.

Foxy Dog Love

2010-04-12T15:36:00.000-07:00

Last week we travelled to England to pick up our little pup, Beanie. She is just 8 weeks old and a tiny Jack Russell. It's been lots of endearing fun and everyone she meets falls inlove with her. She has a beautiful black spot on her backside the shape of a tear.

Baskets v Sculptures

2010-03-10T14:36:00.000-08:00

Baskets v Sculptures

2010-03-10T12:53:00.000-08:00

I have been busy working on some ideas for this years festivals. In early spring I start to pin down ideas and shapes and themes for sculptures whilst at the same time trying to make some baskets to keep the pennies coming in until the sculptures are out and about through the summer. Last year the workload was too stressful so I decided to stop the majority of teaching and concentrate on making. It's now or never and luckily it's working out fine. The spare time has allowed me to play around with my basket shapes and methods. When I found myself with a load of left over 7 and 8 foot Black Maul willow from a sculpture workshop I searched around for log basket ideas and came across some Jenny Crisp ones on the Tinsmiths website. Inspired by the shape and the randing with the butt of each rod on the outside to create a spiralling pattern I made about 8 Big Fetch The Logs which I loved and so did a few others too. The exaggerated fluted shape and the chunkiness of the willow worked well a design I will definitely repeat. I have been trying to find another way with ovals. Two versions on a theme one for going out not much to carry called Telleri, and another bigger one, called Miss Jones, enough to carry it all but colourful and fun. I imagine a teacher in a schoolroom with one sat next to her desk or with my sister on the beach with picnic and towel. I've had some very bright colours to play with too, Green Dicks and Flanders Red being my favourites, using the finest rods and a flash of thin Dogwood. I will use up the rest of my short stuff in the making of a few more but there won't be many as I haven't that much left. I've given them little shell twists as well at the handles to decorate them, like the way bolts of willow where once tied. Basket making is a distraction and a delight... But..Sculpture requests are beckoning too and I have finalised all my ideas for the the summer. I have one more proposal to put forward which will take me into an area I haven't had the space time to explore before so I am hoping it all works out. Watch my blog for future posts. Meanwhile what do you think of my Fetch the Logs and Miss Joneses?

Willow Harvest

2010-03-10T12:08:00.000-08:00

Spring is delayed, thankfully, as I am behind with the harvesting of this seasons willow. Yesterday afternoon was spent at Poppit cutting the two year old stuff in double quick time with the help of three teens, thank you Izaac, Connie and Kinkaris. Tonight Izaac helped me stuff it into the back of our new Sprinter. Ready for action. He has been a real star. Last week he helped me create another mother of a willow bed in St Dogmaels. With the one over at the National Wool Museum in Drefach Felindre, he dug in for me in December, that makes 1,400 future trees this year. All useful hard to source basketmaking varieties. So thank you again, my amazing son and to Alpey too, my new tree buddy, for finding me the ground. I am so excited. I couldn't have done it without you.

2010-03-10T12:07:00.001-08:00

My Pup

2010-02-23T17:55:00.000-08:00

Beanie Cain

The Cove

2010-02-23T17:11:00.000-08:00

I am so excited about starting a blog and what will it begin with.

So many inspiring things and today some moving images. I sat down with my son and some pear cider to help tease out the reasons for his reluctance to continue with his college studies when he started to tell me about a film called The Cove. He got it up on his computer screen and we watched it together. It's all about the brutal slaughter of dolphins in a beautiful but weird town called Taiji in Japan. The film follows Richard O'Barry and his compadres as they attempt to bring to light what happens there. Basically the capture of dolphins to sell to the seaaquarium trade and then the slaughter of the remainder of the catch in a little cove off the town. I don't know if you should watch it but everybody should know about it. Richard O'Barry is the man who started the whole Sea world entertainment business training the original Flipper way back in 1962. He deeply regrets it now but he is finding ways and means of bringing the truth to us all and to the legislators. They have a website..takepart/thecove.com