Saturday 10 September 2011

A weekend of culture.

Being as interested in birds as I am in Art I took this picture of Leask Hall as it shows the House Martins nests, the beige blobs under the eaves. Before entering the house you just had to look skywards, but of course by now they were all long gone. So no real worries about being s*** upon. But most people did a bit of a dodgy dance on going in. Which I found hilarious. Cos they obviously knew nothing about birds!

Here is the culture bit. Various arty people viewing the art work on display, munching on canapes and swigging the most awful wine I have ever had my tongue skin removed by.






Lovely flowers . Lovely house. Lovely cow pats all around from the free range cows.


Many paintings had the red dot on them. Indicating they were sold. Now this was the first evening of the North East Open Studios. And this event was a private viewing of work. We were amongst some seriously rich people. One artist in particular had sold just about all hers, she was also the owner of the house we were in. So she had her winter heating bill paid for. And more.

There was one artist whose work I really liked. But couldnt afford. And is anyone else out there like me who thinks I could make one like that? Hmmm.


Down a peg or two to the Peterhead and Buchan Art Competition at Old Deer. This was today.

Old Deer is the most delightful village. This photo does not do it justice. It is smothered in flowers. Beautiful old stone houses. It is one of those villages that you go into and are just smothered in peace. Hope you understand that!


From Wikepedia.
Columba and his nephew Drostan founded a monastery here in the 6th century, of which no trace remains. The Book of Deer is a most interesting relic of the monks, which was discovered in 1857 in the Cambridge University library by Henry Bradshaw. It was probably stolen during the Wars of Scottish Independence by English troops. It is a small manuscript of the Gospels in the Vulgate, fragments of the liturgy of the Celtic church, and notes, in the Gaelic script of the 12th century, referring to the charters of the ancient monastery, including a summary of that granted by David I of Scotland. These are among the oldest examples of Scottish Gaelic. The manuscript is also adorned with Gaelic designs. It had belonged to the monks of Deer and been in the possession of the University Library since 1715. It was edited by John Stuart for the Spalding Club, by whom it was published in 1869 under the title The Book of Deer (Leabhar Dhèir in Gaelic).
In 1218 William Comyn, earl of Buchan, founded the Abbey of St Mary of Deer, now in ruins, 3/4 miles farther up the river than the monastery and on the opposite bank. Although it was erected for Cistercians from the priory of Kinloss, near Forres, the property of the Columban monastery was removed to it. The founder (died 1233) and he and his countess were buried in the church. The parish is rich in antiquities, but the most noted of them is the Stone of Deer, a sculptured block of syenite, which stood near the abbey; it was destroyed in 1854.


Is that enough history for you? They are still trying to find the original Deer Abbey. Our friend Derek, a local historian works alongside schools, archaeologists, et al so to do. They are having yet another dig soon.


Anyway back to the art. Pictures were displayed in the church hall. There was also a fly cup and a home bake for £1. Which we partook of. Cake made by angels, so light, should have been on the ceiling. Coffee instant should have been......


And I actually had a red dot put on one of the pictures. I paid the ENORMOUS sum of £10. This was for an original art work by an under 16. When I eventually get it I will show you it. The art work by these under 16s was incredible. Far superior to anything we have seen so far this weekend.


And after this weekend of culture - goodness we have a whole week of more!

No comments: