In Cumbria when Herdwick sheep are prepared for shows they are traditionally spruced up with ‘red’ – a powder that is thickened with oil and rubbed on their backs. The use of Show Red is a sign of pride and celebration and builds on a practice of marking sheep that dates back centuries. Every flock… Read More
The day after midwinter’s day and we’re off the hills, sitting in the warmth of Tebay services enjoying a decent coffee and watching the weather through the window, and just wanted to share a few pictures and thoughts before we head away from our computers again for Christmas. All through last night and when we… Read More
the leaves don’t wonder whether to let go or not, they just fall when the time is right As it is with all our work outdoors, we revisited the site the day after installation to see how things were going. We had hung the leaves on the Little Asby Hawthorn in a glowing sunset and… Read More
Yesterday was one of those autumn days when golds, reds and greens become dazzling against a bright sky. Glencoyne Woodland was dreamy – sunlight making the canopies of ash, oak and sycamore leaves a play of translucent colour. Once again the weather forecast was spot on, and our choice of day to hang the orange… Read More
Our choice to dress seven different species of trees with words taken from a poem along the trail in Glencoyne Park came about because we wanted to celebrate the diversity here. Every time we walk in these woods we take delight in the number and variety of trees, and in the environment around them (which… Read More
Autumn is blowing its way in, the leaves are turning and we’re in full swing as we plan the second of our seven colour installations. At the end of October, the colour orange will feature in the stunning woodlands of Glencoyne Park above Ullswater where old, veteran and ancient trees grow in abundance. It won’t… Read More
There’s a tree by a river. It has come to be my favourite tree – and possibly it’s one of my favourite rivers too. This tree isn’t special because it is the oldest, or the widest, or the tallest. It has strong appeal for me because it holds its place with grace and strength. A birch,… Read More
A poem for the Under Helm Sycamore, written June 2016. Read More
Following the installation of a yellow line connecting the Wasdale Oak to the shores of Wastwater, we’ve had a strong reaction – both positive and negative. One of the important roles of art is to provoke debate and discussion, so this isn’t unexpected, but our intention was never to cause an upset. We thought it… Read More
The installation of the yellow line in Wasdale, running from the Wasdale Oak all the way into Wastwater (a steep slope of almost 120 metres) has been a long time in the planning:previous blog here. Now it’s happening. We have gathered all the materials and a willing group of volunteers, and chosen a day when rain… Read More
THE LONG VIEW