Husb and I went for a walk down to Foxhole Bay on the Gower Peninsula today, partly to get some exercise and also to get some art work done en plein air. The land and sea are very rugged and I decided not to draw but to do some collage using papers I prepared quite a while ago, scribbling over recycled prints with oil pastels. I also had some sheets of sturdy watercolour paper that I had brushed with my home-made walnut ink.
We clambered down a steep, rough path and settled about 30 feet above sea level, on a flat area that is the remains of a rare Ipswichian raised beach, which was the sea level sometime in the past, probably before the last Ice Age. It was a good place to work, I laid out my board and ripped the different collage papers, laying them down on the watercolour paper and rearranging them, taking photos as I worked, inspired by, rather than slavishly copying, the environment around me. It’s an interesting way to work outside; the work of art is ephemeral, it exists in the camera. When I finished I smooshed the paper back into my folder to use another day.
Good stuff.
Thank you ☺
One of my favorite things to do. Love the textures.
I don’t usually work with collage – it’s something I should do more of.
I think your printmaking scraps would make some very interesting effects with collage.
So interesting Rosie and thanks for the link. I had never heard of Ipswichian raised beaches!
It’s new to me too, but there are a handful on the Gower Peninsula, a few in England but also quite a lot in Scotland.
I am determined to head down to Swansea Bay in my camper van sometime this year. Rosie
It’s a great place, but be prepared for rain lol 😁
Great photos and wonderful process.
Thank you. It was fun.
What excellent explorations. There is such exhilaration in working outside and freeing yourself to play.😄
Yes, it blew away the cobwebs, physically and creatively. It was surprisingly calm and warm, about 10°C.
Not sure if we’ve made it yet but we are expecting 38°C today. 🌞
CRIKEY! That would kill me. It’s never been that hot in the UK.