Close dates

The gallery will be closed on Thursday 18th July and will re-open Monday 29th July, sorry for any inconvenience and I look forward to seeing you all soon!

newtonmore primary gaelic class basket weaving exhibition

Showing in the window of the gallery is the beautiful works of art by the Gaelic pupils of Newtonmore Primary School.  Through the Highland Folk Museum, and taught by Elaine Bruce, the pupils learnt how to weave using natural materials and each one is completely different; I use this word a lot but they are LOVELY!

Some of the work this week...

This week see's me very busy with workshops, picture commissions and jewellery commissions, and also changing the window display for the better, in desperate need of some sleep this weekend!

 

This was great fun to do for a 40th present :)



Not being a stone setter, jobs like this are a wee bit stressful but love the chance to work with gold as it's a much nicer material to use than silver. This is a commission designed by the customer, Marcia Lanyon had to search high and low for a garnet this size!

This was made by a workshop student who brought her own silver to make her son's wedding ring, the surface has a lovely planished texture which the camera didn't pick up on.

 

 

This week the window display will be changing, and the first display will show the work of the local primary school who made woven baskets out of local natural materials!

 

Father's Day gifts

Having trouble finding a Father's Day gift for this sunday? Well look no further... Starting at £2.50 pocket money to buy a deer antler keyring, £6 for the antler dog whistle. How about a handmade birch or hazel whisky tumbler £16, just add a wee miniature bottle inside for a lovely gift.

A bespoke spoon carving set made by Carrbridge man Tom Banks £43, will give your dad plenty to do, it has a special carving knife, two wood blanks and specific instructions.

This lovely Hand finished etching of a fisherman by Claire MacDonald £80 with part of a poem combined in the picture.

For all the walkers out there, a handmade walking stick in hazel and antler with dog whistle combined in handle by Sandy Wilson £27.

If money is not an issue how about this one-off handcarved barstool by Aaron Sterrit in elm and ash £430.

A framed giclee print of Ruthven Barracks by

                                                             Phillipa Mitchell is only £105

Another framed print by Phillipa Mitchell this time of a favourite spot in Newtonmore, the river Calder only £105

My Dark wood box framed wire work 'Compass' is only £90 - Bargain!

 Hunting themed jewellery by Hannah Louise Lamb, cufflinks of pheasants, salmon, Deer, Highland Cows, Scotland and much more starting at £120.

 

 

There are greeting cards by Douglas Spalding with local themes £2.50, and new cards just in by Mark Holden of oil paintings of skiing scenes for £2, Phillipa Mitchell's paintings can be bought as miniature prints that double up as cards which are mounted for only £4. Mary Andrew from Inverness has hand woodcut prints and etchings as cards starting at only £4. So come along, we'll be open till 3.30pm on Saturday!

Swallows on a line

Finished this commission today, love the characters of all the swallows :)

Creag Dhuh Teacosy

An Exclusive for The Black Rock Gallery.... The Creag Dhuh Teacosy! Handfelted by Claire Macdonald of Kincraig especially for the gallery, made in black and white.  Sitting on Aaron Sterrit's barstool

Woven basket using local materials

I love weaving and all things created by hands, and would like to learn a bit more on the subject.  I did a short course at ECA in the tapestry department and sometimes think this was where I should have studied. So when Elaine Bruce came into the gallery a few months back, after a chat about this and that, it was great to find out she had knowledge of not only weaving techniques that were no longer used but also the usage of local materials.  I asked her if she'd make something for me to display and sell in the gallery and today she arrived with this lovely basket.  All the materials have been collected, dried and treated first by Elaine. She has used a variety of weaving techniques including one using rush which used to be used to make halters for horses.  Materials include, fern, rush, grass, moss, bark larch and are held together using a twine made with nettle.  I think you'll agree this is not only something beautiful and useful but interesting to learn about also.  Elaine will soon be teaching some of the local primary school pupils how to make a small vessel and I will be looking forward to displaying them in the window.

New work in this week

Original works of art in a card! Individually printed woodcuts

Longtailed Tits, another handprinted card

Large water jug by Penny Weir

One-off bowl, useful for many things!

Blue tit

 

Thinking of making cards from some popular bird wire pictures, what do you think? birds, boats or buildings?

monday workshop with Roz

Today's silversmithing workshop was with the lovely Roz who created this ring for a present to a friend which I think has a great texture and finish.  Lemon drizzle cake was the flavour of the day!