Joanne B Kaar - an artists blog

Rashin Coatie for the Horse and Bamboo theatre production 'Angus' weaver of grass.

2012-02-14T10:17:00.001Z

Combed soft-rush looped in the same way Angus Macphee made his grass garments.

Time + grass + montbretia leaves + blue iris leaves + red-hot-poker leaves

2012-02-10T10:40:00.000Z

I've been working on details -added an edging of red-hot-poker twine, collar has an in-fill of fine plaits made from leave of the blue iris and the fasten detial is montbreita twine. Angus is looking smart. I think he needs a white hankerchief (there are mentions of ones he made from sheeps wool). The hat could do with a few more twisty sticky-out bits and looks quite wild - I have been looking at artificial wild flowers to add for the sunburst look with a bit of colour in the hat - I'll will live with it like it is for a while as I quite like it.

The Silent Weaver Saturday February 25th 7.00 for 7.30pm at the Bakehouse Dumfries & Galloway.

2012-02-09T10:13:00.000Z

"...The extraordinary Life and Work of Angus MacPhee told in prose, poetry and film
Roger Hutchinson with Chrys Salt, and a film by Joanne B Kaar.

Award winning author and journalist, Roger Hutchinson traces the life of a remarkable man in a rich, moving and enthralling explanation of mental health, the creative process, human frailty and ancient traditions. His reading will be counterpointed by a reading of Chrys Salt’s poem Angus MacPhee, Weaver of Grass, the centre-piece of her forthcoming collection..."

http://www.thebakehouse.info/
The Bakehouse

44 The High Street,
Gatehouse of Fleet,
Dumfries & Galloway,
Scotland DG7 2HP

I'll be working here soon as one of 5 artists-in-residence selected for Strathnaver museum on the north coast of Scotland.

2012-02-05T10:01:00.002Z

Swallowtail coat and sunburst hat in the making.

2012-02-03T16:11:00.001Z

The head mask for old Angus MacPhee arrived in the post yesterday from the Horse and Bamboo Theatre in Lancashire - so here he is with first fitting for a 'sunburst' hat - still working on it with lots to add yet - some colour in the flowers will help I think.

I've made a start on the swallow-tail coat to be worn my one of the actors - so a bit of cheating going on here as I stitch grass to one of his jackets - plaited bands stitched with thick twine inspired by these beautiful straw horse bridles I saw in Taigh Chearsabhagh Art Centre and Museum Lochmaddy North Uist last May.

My sleeves have to move easily, and I've edged it with red-hot-poker string. Next I'll be cutting it to look like it's a swallowtail coat - then covering it all with plaited grass.

Bags - all made from plants growing in my field with looping techniques once used by Angus MacPhee weaver of grass.

2012-01-30T20:50:00.001Z

A few miles of plaited grass........ok maybe not quite so long! For the Horse and Bamboo Theatre's production about Angus MacPhee weaver of grass - this lot will become a swallow-tail coat and hat.

2012-01-30T11:47:00.000Z

It's going to be an exciting year - residencies, exhibitions and making costumes for a touring play!

2012-01-27T14:24:00.005Z

I've been selected as one of 5 artists for a residency at Strathnaver Museum on the north coast of Scotland. http://www.strathnavermuseum.org.uk/ The others are:

Gaelic singer - Déirdre Ní Mhathúna

Illustrator- Liz Myhill http://www.lizmyhill.co.uk

Ceramics - Lorraine Robson http://www.lorrainerobson.co.uk/statement.html

Film - Will Sadler http://www.a-films.co.uk/index.cfm

And there is more.........

I've been invited to exhibit again this season with the fabulous Morven Gallery in the Western Isles: http://www.morvengallery.com/

I'm still working on grass replicas for Joyce Laing at Art Extraordinary Gallery in Fife, and costumes for The Horse and Bamboo Theatre's production about Angus MacPhee weaver of Grass which will tour Scotland - opening night 12th July nr Oban!

As well as all this, I'll continue to work with the curator of Caithness Horizons museum to document the vast pressed herbarium collection of Robert Dick baker & botanist of Thurso 1811-1866.

There are a few other things I'm waiting to hear about............!!

Basketry workshops with Tim Johnson at Castlehill Heritage Centre, Castletown Caithness

2012-01-24T09:23:00.003Z

Tim Johnson Basketry Workshops, Castletown, Caithness April 2012

http://www.timjohnsonartist.com/

For more info and to book contact:

http://www.castletownheritage.co.uk

Friday 13th April - £30 includes all materials and lunch
intruduction to Rush Weaving
Using locally gathered materials, participants will learn about selection and preparation of soft plant materials including grasses, rushes and mosses. Traditional plaiting and twining techniques will be explored and participants will make a variety of functional and decorative table mats and coasters. Taking inspiration from a recently completed exhibition project Tim will also teach some new techniques inspired by baskets from Uganda. nice imags of Tims rush mats click link , go to blog page and scroll down: http://www.timjohnsonartist.com/

Saturday & Sunday 14th & 15th April - £60 includes all materials and lunch
Rush Basketmaking
Soft materials like rushes, grasses and Iris leaves can be used to create a wide variety of baskets inspired by ancient techniques from all over the world. Workshop participants will learn a variety of braiding and twining techniques whilst making a variety of functional baskets. There will also be opportunity to work on small sculpture projects combining rush weaving with found objects from the local environment.

Friday 20th April -£30 includes all materials and lunch
Introduction to Willow Weaving

Using locally harvested willow, workshop participants will have the opportunity to choose one or two styles of tray or platter to weave including the Catalan tension tray, Spanish Zarzo platter or a boat shaped basket using techniques adapted from the Isle of Wight Shrimp pot making tradition. This workshop will act as a refresher for those who have worked with willow before or provide an opportunity to learn some new techniques and ideas.

Saturday & Sunday 21st & 22nd April - £60 includes all materials and lunch
Willow Basketmaking

Over this two day workshop participants will make a functional willow basket that can be used for beach-combing, gathering mushrooms or day to day shopping. Based on a traditional frame basket design this basket is ideal for using the variety of sizes of willow available when harvesting your own or wild materials. There will also be opportunity to combine other local materials like grasses and rushes with the willow creating contrast and texture in the weaving.

----------------------------------------------------------

Booking info:

£30 for a one day workshop

£60 for the weekend workshop

This includes all materials and lunch.

50% non-returnable deposit at time of booking.

Cheques payable to Castletown Heritage Society.

Payment can also be made through Paypal.by arrangement with the treasurer.
For more info and to book contact: www.castletownheritage.co.uk

If the (grass) hat fits.... for The Horse and Bamboo Theatre production about Angus Macphee weaver of grass

2012-01-22T12:38:00.000Z

Ideas for hat coming together (after many e-mails!) as Bob Frith and his team at Horse And Bamboo Theatre get down to planning and making. I'm working on pointy bits for a hat to be worn by the actor - the original one made by Angus MacPhee only exists in memory and is described as a 'sunburst'. Yesterday tried a few different techniques for construction, and came back to using one used by Angus. These triangles are made with montbretia leaves - the structure is sturdy and stands upright (so far so good). And I've plaited lots of grass and more montbretia leaves for the main structure of the hat. Colour for the 'sunburst' might have to come from outside my field gates.

6ft 2" and medium build.

2012-01-18T13:22:00.000Z

That's size of the actor who will play Angus in the production by Horse and Bamboo Theatre 'Angus' - the weaver of grass. A 6 week tour this summer, details of venues still being confirmed.

I know the actors size because I'm going to make grass clothes to fit him!

A swallow-tail coat, boots and a hat described as a 'sunburst'. Much to think about....... another challenge I'm delighted to take on.

The photo above is of some self-heal I picked last year in my field, now dried and waiting to see if they will inspire new things..........

100% home grown willow basket - my first with a handle - it's got quite a lot of character!! Must practice.

2012-01-07T14:04:00.000Z

A textile puzzle - I don't know which technique was used to make this fragment - do you know?

2011-12-28T11:28:00.000Z

It is made with paper-string - but I've now idea how. Is it a kind of crochet technique?

Horse & Bamboo Theatre start to make a plan and tour dates for 'Angus' weaver of grass

2011-12-24T15:51:00.000Z

This is a short clip recorded earlier this year during early development of the production. Click here to go to the Horse and Bamboo Theatre's blog about this play.

Hamilton, John. Born 1860, Wick, Scotland. Arrived in the Falklands c.1880, then moved on with his partner, Thomas Saunders, to Magallanes

2011-12-21T17:34:00.000Z

"..., Chile, in 1885 then in 1887 to a rented property at Pale Aike, Santa Cruz, Argentina. Member of the famous 1886-8 1000 miles “arreo”, sheep drive, with Henry Jamieson, Thomas Saunders and John Maclean. Married Oliva Heap in 1904, two children, Oliva and Penelope. Lived at Estancia Loyola until 1940, and died in Buenos Aires in 1945. In their partnership, Hamilton and Saunders had estancias at Otway Station, Morro Deslinde and La Portada, a total of 40,000 hectares......

Click here to read more about the Scots in South America 1800-1900.

Ideas again about trade tokens........

THE REAL STORY OF THE WHALER WHALING, PAST AND PRESENT BY A. HYATT VERRILL published in 1916

2011-12-20T17:24:00.000Z

"......This book has been written to give a true and unvarnished idea of the whalemen's lives, their adventures and hardships, the means by which their quarry was sought and captured, their vessels and their voyages. It is intended not as a history of the whaling industry nor as a technical description of whaling methods but rather as a narrative of a whaleman's life embodying details of the chase, the vessels and their equipment, the whales and their habits, the dangers incident to whaling, the labors and privations of every day occurrence, the voyages made and true stories of the sea..". Click here to read.

Extracts from the Logs of the Thames A Long Island Whaling Ship in Patagonian Waters, 1828—1832

2011-12-20T16:14:00.000Z

".......By the 18th century, whalers and sealers from Britain and France were working in the South Atlantic. By the 1790s, both British and North American vessels were rounding Cape Horn to operate off the Pacific coast of Chile and Peru...."

Click here to read more - a whalers log book.

Colnett, James, 1755?-1806. A voyage to the South Atlantic and round Cape Horn into the Pacific Ocean: for the purpose of extending the spermaceti whale fisheries,

2011-12-20T15:51:00.000Z

and other objects of commerce, by ascertaining the ports, bays, harbours, and anchoring births, in certain islands and coasts in those seas, at which the ships of the British merchants might be refitted / undertaken and performed by Captain James Colnett, of the Royal Navy, in the ship Rattler. Click here to read more.

My full-size replica grass trousers get the thumbs up from Joyce Laing.

2011-12-20T08:10:00.000Z

The orignal Angus MacPhee grass trousers have the black background.

Mine are now packed and on their way south to Joyce Laing at Art Extraordinary Gallery in Fife.

Click here to see more of the original work by Angus MacPhee.

Laura Jernegan: Girl on a Whaleship 1868

2011-12-19T11:57:00.000Z

"..On October 29, 1868, six year old Laura Jernegan sailed from New Bedford with her family on the bark Roman. They were off in search of whales.."

This website will keep you occupied for ages - loads of stuff.

Click here to read for yourself.

Now if you'd been away on a voyage for 3 years - an impressive bunch of Magellan Daisies would be essential!

2011-12-19T10:25:00.000Z

The seas around South America were a busy place - many whalers set out from the UK on voyages which were to last at least 3 years. From Mid 1700's onwards, Whalers from the UK went to South America.

A history of the whale fisheries
from the Basque fisheries of the tenth century to the hunting of the finner whale at the present date
by J.T. Jenkins.

Published 1921 by H.F. & G. Witherby in London .

Was this the 19th Century version of men buying flowers from a petrol station on their way home from a voyage to Cape Horn?

2011-12-18T15:47:00.000Z

Or was it collected by whalers from Caithness sailing to

Cape Horn as proof they had been South?

I wonder if they could buy the seeds a their ships chandlers???

Magellan Daisy ~ Magellan Ragwort ~ Senecio Smithii DC

Wishing you all ..............

2011-12-16T16:25:00.000Z

This is how the story goes..... a long long time ago a whaler from Caithness sailed to South America & brought back seeds from the Magellan Daisy.

2011-12-11T10:32:00.002Z

He gave them to his sweet-heart. She planted them in her garden where they grow to this day, near my house.

I like this version, but there are many other stories on how the Magellan Daisy might have arrived in Scotland. There is even a map to show where they grow in the UK. Every mystery should have a map!

Do you have any stories to share about the Magellan Daisy?

The mystery of this flowers journey and how it became connected to whalers is fascinating - I'm not sure if I want to find out the truth - if will ever be found.

Now this is a long term project, I've been working on it on and off for a year or more.............no hurry the search is fascinating.

Commonly known as the Magellan Daisy it is the Magellan Ragwort - Senecio Smithii DC.

my grass trousers - 150cm long. A full size replica of work made by Angus MacPhee weaver of grass.

2011-12-02T10:15:00.000Z

That's an A4 sheet of paper in the background showing a photo of the original trousers made by Angus MacPhee. 16 days of twisting and looping grass. Angus must have had a plan of exactly what he was going to make before twisting the first blades of grass. These trousers will be photographed properly next week before posting them south to Joyce Laing at her gallery in Fife 'Art Extraordinary Gallery'. This is where the original Angus weavings are kept.

Angus MacPhee weaver of grass - his work is fascinating - a view from the side.

2011-12-02T09:47:00.001Z

Horse and Bamboo Theatre are still waiting to find out if their grant applications to develop and tour Angus play has been approved - they will hear something in the next few weeks.

working in my studio - making replica Angus MacPhee grass trousers

2011-11-26T13:55:00.000Z

What else is growing in my field..........trousers & boots in the style of Angus MacPhee weaver of grass next in the planning.

2011-11-21T11:56:00.000Z

Here are some of the real grass 'weavings' by Angus MacPhee - which are on display at the Art Extraordinary Trust gallery in Fife-open by appointment . Photos all with thanks to Joyce Laing.

These garments are huge - fit for a giant.

Thanks to Sheila Moir - a few photos from the opening night of 'Paper Wrappers & Herbarium Sheets' at Caithness Horizons. Exhibition is on until the 11th Dec.

2011-11-20T20:13:00.002Z

Replica grass Angus MacPhee garment for Joyce Laing gets the thumbs up - as does the DVD to show how I made it!

2011-11-14T13:24:00.000Z

Rushes gathered yesterday for workshops at Castlehill Heritage centre in Castletown in the Spring with Tim Johnson.

2011-11-14T10:00:00.002Z

From this mix of brown and green to very nice bundles of fresh green rush.Ah, no, I didn't do this all by myself!A group of 10 volunteers met at my house yesterday morning and gave my rushes a short back and sides! Then, back at Castlehill Hertage Centre for the afternoon we sorted the old brown rushes from the fresh green ones. All now bundled and spread out to dry in the outbuildings at Castlehill .......ready for our workshops with Tim Johnson next spring. We're all looking forward to it. Photos taken with thanks to Sharon Pottinger.

If you are interested in the workshops, do contact the heritage centre and get your name on their mailing list.

Exhibition Reviews

2011-11-09T15:24:00.004Z

1. “....Joanne’s passion for her subject is evident in the scale and breath of work on display within this exhibition...” Click here to read in full what Craft Scotlands Rebecca Davis had to say about ‘Paper Wrappers & Herberium Sheets’ on until 11th Dec in Caithness Horizons. 2011

2. Helen O’Connor from the Yukon reflects on the international papermakers gathering in Caithness organised by Joanne B Kaar. Click here to read more. 2011

3. “…This is art with a purpose and it is rare...” George Gun reviews ‘The Westland”, a collaboration with New Zealand Artist Lynn Taylor. Click here to read in full. 2009

4. “...such a project makes us all examine our own place in the world with fresh eyes...” Georgina Coburn review ‘Journeys’ Click here to read in full. 2006

Would you like to help gather soft-rush for workhops with Tim Johnson?

2011-10-28T11:14:00.002+01:00

In anticipation of a further workshop at the Castlehill Heritage Centre, Castletown Caithness, in the spring withTim Johnson , Joanne Kaar is encouraging all potential basket weavers to start collecting material for drying in readiness. . For ease of access to material, She suggests a mass harvest of a field of rushes she has at her place. if you are interested in this please email the Castlehill Heritage Centre.

Proposed date Sunday 13th November

Proposed day's activities.
Meet at Joanne's house in Dunnet at 10 am.
After cutting the rushes, move to Castletown Heritage Centre for your packed lunch. After lunch, sort out the brown from the green,then hammer and comb some the rush while watching two great videos: Hidden Gifts about Angus Macphee weaver of grass and Shetlander Lowrie Copland making a kishie. Let me know if you are interested. Muriel Murray. e-Mail: castletown.heritage@talk21.com

Do bring garden sheers/cutters and gloves etc!

Two & a half weeks of making edited down to a 10 minute DVD - making a replica Angus MacPhee grass garment.

2011-10-26T09:09:00.001+01:00

Recording making the replica garment was just as important as the final thing. Over the two and a half weeks it took me to make, we filmed and tool still photos. All the technical stuff was done by O'Donnell productions in Brough. The DVD was edited down to 10 miuntes. Last night I watched it while writing out a script for me to record a voice over. Next week I will be posting it all to Joyce Laing at her gallery in Pittenweem where the original Angus MacPhee grass weavings are kept. I'll let you know if my work makes the grade.

CraftScotlands Rebecca Davis reviews my exhibition 'paper wrappers and Herbarium sheets'.

2011-10-25T09:43:00.001+01:00

Click here to read what Rebecca had to say about it!

Robert Dick ~ Baker & Botanist of Thurso 1811-1866.

Exhibition on now in Caithness Horizons Thurso - exhibition ends 11th Dec.

Click here for more info.

'Paper Wrappers and Herbarium Sheets'.

Joanne B Kaar weaver of grass - this one is for Joyce Laing at Art Extraordinary gallery in Fife. I'll be delivering it myself in a few weeks.

2011-10-16T20:30:00.000+01:00

Full size replica of an Angus Macphee garment - made from grass in my field.

Width: 170cm.

Loops. Lots of loops. 'weaving' grass. Making replica Angus MacPhee garment for Joyce Laing.

2011-10-13T09:20:00.002+01:00

Today weaving outside : Angus Macphee replica garment in the making...this one is for Joyce Laing at Art Extraordinary Trust in Pittenweem Fife.

2011-10-07T14:26:00.001+01:00

Ribwort Plantain ~ grass ~ yellow vetch. 3 home grown pouches in the style of Angus MacPhee weaver of grass.

2011-10-04T09:15:00.001+01:00

Click on the photo to make it larger.

Art Extraordinary Trust Pittenweem Fife - my Angus MacPhee replica garment is approved.

2011-10-03T11:20:00.002+01:00

My first garment was made for the Horse and Bamboo Theatre's production about Angus. Bob Frith, one of their directors visited my studio last week and collected my weavings. On his way south he visited Joyce Laing in Fife.

My attempt at making a full size replica of an Angus MacPhee garment has delighed art therapist Joyce Laing at the Art Extraordinary Trust in Pittenweem Fife. Joyce first discovered Angus at Craig Dunain in the 1970. She managed to save some of his grass weavings. They are all kept in the Art Extraordinary gallery. His garments are fragile. She did not think a replica would be made in her lifetime. I am now making one for her.

So now I look at my field of grass in a very different way - it is at the moment, full of Angus MacPhee garments waiting to be woven.

Joanne B Kaar weaver of grass - my first full size replica of an Angus Macphee garment.

2011-09-27T14:13:00.001+01:00

Original grass' weaving' by Angus MacPhee has the black background.

All the others are made by me.

Making a net with combed soft rush and a netting needle cut from a plastic tub found on Dunnet Beach.

2011-09-24T20:23:00.002+01:00

I made these in 2009 for the Westland exhibition, a collaboration with New Zealand artist, Lynn Taylor.

Harris Tweed : Sheila of Scalpay Linen is on Radio 4 Woman's Hour.

2011-09-22T12:09:00.001+01:00

Click here to listen to Sheila on BBC Radio 4!

The part about Harris Tweed starts at 21 minutes into the programme.

Brilliant!

Sheila sends me all her waste linen to make into paper............makes beautuful crips papers.

So my colours depend on what is happening in her shed.

photos from the baker & botanist exhibition in Caithness Horizons, Thurso.

2011-09-21T10:11:00.002+01:00

www.caithnesshorizons.co.uk

"Paper Wrappers and Herbarium Sheets"

Robert Dick baker & botanist of Thurso 1811-1866

13th Sept - 11th Dec 2011

Angus MacPhee weaver of grass is back in my studio - Robert Dick baker & botanist has left for a while!

2011-09-17T10:26:00.003+01:00

It's been quite a journey - learning about Angus MacPhee and his grass 'weavings'. And now that my exhibition about Robert Dick the baker & botanist of Thurso 1811-1866 has been installed in the gallery at Caithness Horizons, I can again concentrate on working with my grass 'weavings'. Now much more confident after the months of trying different techniques and spending a few day with Joyce Laing in Fife, to see the original work by Angus, my new 'weavings' use the same techniques as Angus did - or as close as I am going to get!

Angus incorporated wool into some of his work, and at least one item was all wool. He collected the wool from fences around the hospital farm. My luck was in, as skipper of the Groats ferry to Orkney, Ivor Thomas, phoned to say his neighbour had a fleece, and did I want it. Last week I was on the ferry, and met the owner of the sheep, David Speirs (he works on the ferry). My wool came from the backs of his two Jacobs sheep called Rogan and Josh! They live in John O'Groats.

Watch 5 minutes of Angus MacPhee Weaver of Grass by Horse and Bamboo Theatre Company. Recorded earlier this year in Berneray.

2011-09-16T09:38:00.001+01:00

On Now! Artist Joanne B Kaar - " Paper Wrappers & Herbarium Sheets". Caithness Horizons, Thurso.

2011-09-12T15:21:00.003+01:00

A celebration of Robert Dick ~ baker & Botanist of Thurso 1811-1866

Exhibition is on until the 11th December 2011 at Caithness Horizons in Thurso.

Click here for more photos of my work inspired by Robert Dick.

photos taken today while setting up my exhibition in Caithness Horizons!

2011-09-07T19:52:00.003+01:00

Click on photos to make them larger!

All looking great - with lots of help from all in Caithness Horizons............ Opens next week!

There is one more addition to the gallery walls - supplied by Donnie Reid baker of Thurso!

You'll have to come along to see what it is! Exhibition opens 13th Sept - 11th Dec.

Those baskets will also be full of bread next week - with much thanks again to Reids bakery.

www.reidsofcaithness.com

Still lots to do......labels labels labels!!

Location	Thurso
Venue	Caithness Horizons
Category	Exhibition
	Paper Wrappers & Herbarium Sheets is an exhibition by Joanne B. Kaar at Caithness Horizons from 13th September until 11th December 2011 Local artist Joanne B. Kaar has been working with the curator of Caithness Horizons over the last few years to help document, photograph and digitise the botanical specimens and paper wrappers contained within the Robert Dick Herbarium. Together they selected 60 of the herbarium specimens, which Joanne has printed onto her own handmade papers. All 60 are on display at Caithness Horizons. Joanne, inspired by the work and personal life of Robert Dick the Thurso baker and botanist, has created new work for this exhibition to interpret the story of Robert Dick’s life from an artist’s perspective. She has designed a series of adverts that relate to three important events in Robert Dick’s life that involve flour. Robert read widely, attended local lectures and had an interest in phrenology. He was well known locally for his biscuits and parliament cakes or “parlies”. Joanne has up-dated his image and also spent time in the shop of Reids of Caithness, drawing their cakes and incorporating some of their large empty brown paper flour sacks which she stitched closed with the bakers twine. Reids strawberry tarts are one of her favourite cakes! Since graduating with an MA (Textiles Department) from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1992, Joanne has continued to experiment with fibre arts, particularly papermaking by hand. Most of Joanne’s papers are rag based - Sheila Roderick from the Scalpay Weaving Shed in the Western Isles, sends Joanne all of her waste linen fibre to make into paper. She has completed many residencies including at the Chaoyang University and the Su-Ho Paper Museum in Taiwan. Last year Joanne’s work was accepted for juried exhibitions in Korea, Tasmania, Germany, the United States of America and the United Kingdom, including VAS, held in The Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh. Earlier this year twenty paper-makers from around the world spent a week at Joanne’s Studio in Dunnet to share skills, ideas and inspirations. Caithness Horizons is home to the Robert Dick Herbarium. In 2011 Caithness Horizons secured grant aid from the Association of Independent Museums (AIM) and Museums Galleries Scotland to start a project to improve the condition of the specimens in the Robert Dick Herbarium through remedial conservation treatment. This project will place over several phases. Phase 1 of the project started in June 2011 and the sixty most important specimens in the Herbarium have been taken to The Scottish Conservation Studio for conservation treatment by Helen Creasy ACR (Paper and Photograph Conservator). Location: Caithness Horizons, Old Town Hall, High Street, Thurso, KW14 8AJ Opening Times: Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm, Sunday 11am - 4pm (Seasonal)
Phone	01847 896 508
Email	info@CaithnessHorizons.co.uk

13th Sept - 11th Dec 2011 exhibition 'Paper Wrappers & Herbarium Sheets' at Caithness Horizons museum & gallery. Artist: Joanne B Kaar!

2011-08-31T09:27:00.000+01:00

13th Sept - 11th Dec 2011 exhibition 'Paper Wrappers & Herbarium Sheets' at Caithness Horizons museum & gallery. Artist: Joanne B Kaar!

2011-08-25T14:30:00.000+01:00

My peat papers are getting noticed by ....read blog by Andrew Dixon the Chief Executive of Creative Scotland.

2011-08-22T08:57:00.000+01:00

The Importance of Geography - Andrew Dixon reflects on his recent visit to Caithness.

http://reflectionsonacreativescotland.com/

Tullibody on the 27th August. Bakers & botanists. See you there.

2011-08-21T16:23:00.000+01:00

Click on image to read.

My next exhibition opens here in a few weeks: Caithness Horizons museum & gallery - home of the original Robert Dick collection of herbarium sheets (1811-1866)

2011-08-19T09:49:00.002+01:00

I'll be living in here from the 5th Sept when I strart to set up my exhibition inspired by Baker and Botanist Robert Dick 1811-1866 !! Some ideas are still in my head!

There will also be some of Robert Dick's original herbarium sheets on display - usually these have to be kept in a closed box in the museum store rooms, but they have been successful in getting funding to have about 70 of them conserved at the Scottish Conservation Studio.

They will have some ready in time for the exhibition.

http://www.scottishconservationstudio.co.uk/

www.Caithnesshorizons.co.uk

Reids of Caithness - Caithness Baking at its best.

2011-08-18T09:34:00.003+01:00

Yesterday I visited Reids bakery to chat with Donnie Reid. It was wonderful to find someone who was just as excited as me about flour sacks, bakers twine and Luckie Fykie! I tried on a few of my aprons to show Donnie what I was working on. He remembered in the early days at his bakery, making his own aprons from flour sacks - He also remembered the bakers twine - used to stitch the flour sacks closed - the flour had come from Canada.

I'm excited as Donnie has offered to make some bread the old fashined way, for the exhibition.

I could have stood in their bakery doorway for hours.........the smell of hot baked biscuits wafting through was delicious! So in return, is another apron for the exhibition...

Their bakery is only a few hundred hards from where Robert Dick lived.

www.reidsofcaithness.com

Robert Dick was well known for his biscuits and 'parlies' (parliaments). They are said to have been named after Luckie Fykie (Mrs Flockhart). Info now designed as an apron for the exhibition.

2011-08-18T09:15:00.003+01:00

Below I've copied the info from page 49 of 'Robert Dick Baker of Thurso, Geologist and Botanist' written by Samuel Smiles and published in 1879 (after Robert Dick's death).

"...Among the things which occupied Dick's attention, was a mechanical method which he proposed for working up his biscuits, instead of using the baker's rail. For it must be known that he as the best biscuit-maker in Thurso. He had brought this art from Tullibody. Besides, his master sent him the proper recipes for the different kinds of biscuit and "parlyment."...."

And click here for lots of links to info about Luckie Fykie!

The Silent Weaver : The Extraordinary Life and work of Angus MacPhee by Roger Hutchinson

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I've ordered my copy.

Bakers Twine

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With only a few weeks to get everything together for my exhibition in Caithness Horizons gallery, about the Pressed Herbarium sheets in their collections, I've been printing info on a series of aprons. This one was inspired by a fragment of bakers twine found on the pressed herbarium sheet by Rirchard Lindsay. Trying to find more about the origins of the colourfull twine is proving to be very difficult..... with references to spring festivals in Romania, Japan, bakers shops in the USA, and butchers string (now all white if you look it up on the internet). I was hoping for a cake shop in France!
Here's the original herbarium sheet:

Here's a few exciting red and white twine links:

1. Paperbag exhibition in Singapore 1950's -60's.

2. Blog mentioning red and white twine in France bakery.

3. Traditions of red and with string in Romania

Oh where did you get that rucksack??!

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Me and my home grown creel!

Any takers for the discount?

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Exhibition opening in a few weeks at Caithness Horizons : The first 60 images from Robert Dick and Richard Lindsay's herbarium sheets...

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Click on images to make them larger!

Mr Charles Peach - officer in the revenue coastguard Wick 1853 specialist in zoophytes - a friend of the Thurso baker and botanist Robert Dick.

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"part of his job was to look after smugglers and prevent them landing their illicit goods at any part of the coast. His work was done partly at night and partly by day." Samuel Smiles 1879 page 243 of Robert Dick baker of Thurso.

'Comptroller of Customs in Wick - part of work consisted in travelling round the coast of Caithness in search of wrecks and reporting them to the Board of Trade. Page 252.

Robert Dick was fascinated by phrenology.....in the mid 19th Century books by Combes were more popular than those by Darwin.

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My creel using all home grown dockin stalks & montbretia leaves with Pentland Firth catch of the day.

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My creel is now finished and the fish all eaten!

The heather creel makers at Castlehill Heritage Centre in Caithness. A great success thanks to expert basket maker Tim Johnson who travelled North from the Isle of Wight .

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Tim Johnson (at the front) next to the original heather creel which was donated to the Castlehill Heritage Centre by Sheila Moir.

www.castletownheritage.co.uk

www.timjohnsonartist.com

Sheila Moir and Tim Johson with their heather creels.
Photographs all taken in the couryard at the Castlehill Heitage Centre.

Helen O'Connor from the Yukon Canada reports on the international gathering of papermakers at my studio in Caithness.

2011-08-05T20:46:00.000+01:00

Papermaking with Seaweed in Caithness, Scotland

The salty mist in the air feels good on my skin as I walk daily along the windy sandy shore to the papermaking studio of Caithness artist, Joanne B Kaar. I am one of several hand papermaking artists from all over the world who have come responding to Joanne’s invitation to share, create and explore as part of the 25^th Anniversary celebrations of IAPMA, International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists.

Having travelled several thousand miles across the arctic from Whitehorse, Canada’s far north in the Yukon Territory, where I live, to this most northern coast of Scotland, I find myself at last in the small village of Dunnet. On a clear day one can spot the impressive cliffs of the Orkney Islands or perhaps a row of Puffins clambering up a rocky shore.

The remoteness and quietness of the place is welcome as I am in a contemplative mood and I feel open to see and feel the Scottish north presenting itself around me.

It is here that I am camped among rough hills of grass overlooking the ever receding and expanding sea. I am in search of seaweed for hand papermaking. The environment peaks my senses. It is so different from the dry vast wilderness of the Yukon.

Seals on rocks stretch out and roll about, waving fins and flippers, slipping off rocks. Sea grass grows like a bad haircut from dunes of hobbit like hills, blown hither and thither by the never ceasing wind that rattles my tent each night until I grow so used to it I find myself lulled to sleep by the sound of flapping. The sea and seaweed, salty air and salty fishy smells squish underfoot as I walk. Each morning I make a collection of sea treasures, rocks, ropes, shells, netting floats, seaweed of many colours and types, limpid shells, feathers and grasses. Gulls and terns swoop about, the tide moves ever so reliably in or out… I climb the rocky bank from the beach past the salmon fishing nets, fields of round woolly sheep and lambs engaged in monotonous grass eating and lolling about. Horses come to greet me much to my delight for a pet and a scratch behind the ear. Up and up the hills I climb past Mary Anne’s historic Crofter’s cottage with its tidy pile of peat and white freshly painted stonewalls so bright against the green of the fields. I arrive at last to Kaar’s studio only 20 minutes since I emerged from my little tent set up by the sea in the tidiest quietest camper/tent site I’ve ever been in.

I creak open the large gate making sure not to let her loose chicken escape… the other two are broody sitting on nothing but straw in their little A-frame coop. I could easily go on talking at length about chickens having raised them myself for many years, my last three named Dorothy, Chesty and Blonder…

In the Kaar cottage tea is brewing and the kettle is being boiled every 20 minutes. The cook stove is fired up with a peat fire, Joanne and her husband Joe collect and stack the peat each year in traditional Crofter style. Hand paper artists are busy, between cups of tea, making grass rope, weaving fishing nets, pulling sheets of linen paper. The linen paper pulp beaten in Joanne’s Hollander beater, built and designed by her husband, Joe Kaar, is made from Scottish linen mill scraps. Some artists are cooking up pots of seaweed and soda ash over an outdoor peat fire; some are meticulously stripping and dividing horsetail grass in preparation for boiling and pounding into papyrus like sheets of paper. Several hours later the seaweed is rinsed and hand beaten by zealous Scandanavian papermaker’s spouses whilst chanting and beating in rythmn with Korean conceptual artist, Young-Ja Bang-Cho. British artist, Prue Dobinson’s, harvest of Scottish Bluebell stems are being hand beaten and processed in a kitchen blender. All the while Joanne is filling the giant plasterers vat with copious buckets of pulp from her hollander. Sheets of wet seaweed/linen paper are being cast by myself over found rusty car part shapes handily nicked from Joe Kaar’s car part collection under the bushy back section of the Kaar’s property. They are reminiscent of boat portholes or in my mind are sun shapes in salutation to the summer solstice sun of the north. The late setting sun stays glowing many shades of purple and orange reflecting in the sea well past midnight.

Kaar in preparation for this gathering has bundles of willow in her “wee” pond out back submerged with lobster and crab pots. A driftwood handle found on Dunnett Head beach inspires the production of my “Caithness Seaweed Basket”. Melon shaped, large kelp twisted into a round rim, local willow for ribs, hand twisted sea grass, inspired by Kaar’s reproductions of Angus McPhee’s grass weaving, and net rope are used for binding the sides. Seaweed is woven in and around with long straight flexible willow and seaweed covered found beach rope is used to fill in the gaps. The basket had been forming in my imagination all week inspired by an accumulation of collected found bits from the sea. However, the actual production, and yes, completion of the basket takes place between 5 and 10pm on the eve of my final night in Caithness and still sits somewhere in the rockery of the Kaar’s wind swept back step.

Helen O’Connor is a hand papermaker and visual artist who lives in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

She was joined in Caithness, Scotland, June 2011 by fellow papermaking artists: Woo Bock Lee (Korean living in Sweden), Young-Ja Bang-Cho (Korean living in Germany), Brenda Parsons (England), Elise Kloppers (Netherlands), Prue Dobinson (England), Jenny Weissel (Australia), Hannelieke van de Beek (Netherlands), Katri Schweitzer (Netherlands), Birte Helene Gairy (Denmark), Ute Breitenberger (Germany), Jan Marinos (Tasmania), Elke Buschman (Germany), Joanne B Kaar (Scotland) - and all of their parteners!!

Camera woman Debby Waldron poses for a few pics today after filming for BBC Alba!

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Left: Debby Waldron Right: Sheila Moir. Photos taken this afternoon at Castlehill Heritage Centre Castletown - the venue for this weekends workshops with Tim Johnson from the Isle of Wight.

Debby Waldron, me in the middle holding the heather creel and to the right, Castletown Heritage Society chairwoman Muriel Murray, who arranged the basket and creel workshops with Tim Johnson.

Photos thanks to Sheila Moir.

Don't forget to watch this Thursday 8pm freeview channel 8 for

BBC Alba TV programme An La!!

http://www.castletownheritage.co.uk/

Watch freeview channel no 8 at 8pm this Thursday (4th Aug) for the story of the heather creel BBC Alba filmed this morning!

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They filmed at 3 locations: Mary-Ann's Cottage, Castlehill Heritage Centre and Brough Harbour with quite a few interviews!

Basket and creel making workshops at Castlehill Heritage Centre with Tim Johnson this friday Saturday and Sunday. http://www.castletownheritage.co.uk/

Click on photo if you want to make it larger.

Again, this is my bedtime reading: Published in 1879 'Robert Dick Baker of Thurso, Geologist and Botanist' by Samuel Smiles. Read here online.

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Geologists Botanists Historians and me! Saturday 27th August - in Tullibody for Bicentenary celebrations of Baker & Botanist Robert Dick

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Click images to read the text !

http://www.tullibody-history.org.uk/

Places available on Basket making - Traditional heather creel making workshop with Tim Johnson. 6th + 7th August.

2011-07-25T20:19:00.000+01:00

A couple of last minute places are now available on this weekend workshop - 6th + 7th August, due to cancellations. The weekend workshop is to be held at the Castlehill Heritage Centre in Castletown Caithness. £50 per person includes tuition, all materials, and lunches for both days. our tutor is Tim Johnson from the Isle of Wight. for more info and to check out his fabulous work : www.timjohnsonartist.com

And to book your place on the workshop: www.castletownheritage.co.uk There is also a one-day basket couse on Friday 5th August - there is a waiting list for this!

The BBC are travelling north to capture some of these traditional skills on film before the workshops start.

Denmark - horse hair, seal skin, lime tree bast.... baskets & rope at the Viking boat museum Roskilde - a few photos from my adventure last week.

2011-07-22T22:33:00.000+01:00

www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk

Art Extraordinary Trust - Pittenweem Fife. Angus MacPhee Weaver of Grass.

2011-07-22T00:25:00.001+01:00

Joyce takes a photo of me next to one of Angus MacPhees grass weavings.

A very rewarding couple of days in Pittenweem with Joyce Laing.

My 'weavings' are getting closer to the mark, but on closer inspection, the originals have an extra twist - one slight but significant difference. Joe made a few detailed sketches of the construction method - difficult to do as the weavings are very matted and thick, but there are a few areas where the weaving was either originally looser, it had stretched over time or been worn away enough to reveal more information.

Joyce, delighted with the progress I'd made so far with my grass weaving experiments, puts all of the samples I gave her on display next the those of Angus Macphee.

http://www.artextraordinarytrust.co.uk/

Joyce Laing.

Pittenweem.

That extra twist.......we were on the road for a few weeks, so I bought a ball of string, and spent the evenings in our tent trying to copy what I'd seen in Angus MacPhees weavings. I think I've got it, but will have to try with grass from my field to see how it looks...........fingers crossed it works this time - I'll let you know!

I'm packing my Grass 'Weavings' for a visit to Joyce Laing in Pittenweem at the Art Extraordinary Trust to see the original 'weavings' by Angus MacPhee

2011-07-05T10:33:00.000+01:00

Ribwort Plantian

Ribwort Plantain

Daffodil

Hosta Leaves

Top: leaves from the Ribwort Plantain

Bottom: Grass - unknown type - but I gave up on it, even after soaking overnight in water, it was still terrible to 'weave' with.

What the Tullibody No 1. Ladies Detective Agency found out!

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This is an old postcard showing the centre of Tullibody. It's also used as the header for the Tullibody History Groups website. Chris Calder (one of the Tullibody History Group volunteers) e-mailed me the image.

Here's an extract from page 19 of the book 'Robert Dick Baker of Thurso Geologist and Botanist' published in 1879 by Samuel Smiles, Robert Dick is writing to his sister Agnes:

"Send me," he said to his oldest sister, "a twig with the blossom and some leaves, from the Tron Tree in Tullibody."

The tree in the postcard is the Tron Tree. The two-story house to the left and almost blocked by the tree, is the house Robert Dick was born, and where his sister lived.

This is the original herbarium sheet. With a close up of the label below. It is signed by Agnes Dick, Roberts sister. The location is 'Tron Tree, Tullibody'. It is a lime tree.

The Tron tree was planted in 1801 to commemorate Sir Ralph Abercromby's departure from Tullibody for Egypt - he died in battle shortly afterwards. Click here to read more about how important his role was in battle.

I've tidied up the background in the image above, ready to print.

The Tron Tree was cut down in the 1950's to make way for improvements to the town. So are these few leaves all that remain?

Click here for More info here about Sir Ralph Abercromby.

And for more images of the Tron tree click here.

This statue of Sir Ralph Abercromby is in St Paul's Cathedral, London.

Photo thanks to Chris Calder from the Tullibody History Group.

http://www.tullibody-history.org.uk/

'Angus MacPhee weaver of grass' production by Horse and Bamboo Theatre - in search of venues for 2012.

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Horse And Bamboo Theatre

Angus

Angus MacPhee was a Crofter from South Uist who spent almost 50 years in a Highland psychiatric hospital. During this time he chose not to speak - instead he wove a series of incredible costumes out of grass. These he hung on trees in the hospital grounds.

Using the sounds, songs and images of the Outer Hebrides, Horse & Bamboo will tell his tale.

Sealladh as boidhche na chunna sibhse riamh? Aonghas Mac-a-phi a'fighele feur.

Have you ever heard a stranger sound than Angus MacPhee knitting with grass?

Words by Eilidh and Fiona Mackenzie / Mackenzie sisters.

For most Community Halls and Theatres Summer 2012.

Contact:

Esther Ferry-Kennington, Horse and Bamboo Theatre, Bacup Road, Waterfoot, Rossendale, Lancs, BB4 7 HB

Tel: 01706 242945

E-mail: esther@horseandbamboo.org www.angusmcphee.blogspot.com

Supported by the Foyle Foundation.

Tullibody No 1. Ladies Detective Agency.

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This pressed herbarium sheet was one selected a few weeks ago from the thousands in the Robert Dick collection at Caithness Horizons in Thurso. It's the only herbarium sheet which has the place name 'Tullibody' written on it. Robert Dick was born in Tullibody 1811. He moved to Thurso in 1830.

Chris and Janet, two very enthusiastic volunteers at the Tullibody history group got very excited when

I e-mailed them this image today. It turns out that these few leaves have quite a story to tell.........thanks to the Tullibody No 1. Ladies detectives (Janet and Chris!!) for finding out.

I'll leave you wondering for now.......but will be back in a day or so to tell you more........!

http://www.tullibody-history.org.uk/

http://www.caithnesshorizons.co.uk

Magellan Ragworts in full bloom this week next to Dunnet Beach. Those leave are huge - I found a Spanish translation - the giant cabbage flower.

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Now I can see why whalers might have brought the seeds of the Magellan Ragwort back to Caithness from South America for their sweethearts after many months or years at sea .

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Magellan Ragworts in full bloom this week at Hunspow, Dunnet - best they have been for many years.

Grass 'weaving' samples - Angus style

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Scottish limpets - cooked Korean style at my studio in Caithness last week.

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Woo-Bock Lee and Young-Ja Bang Cho cooking up limpets Korean style when they visited my studio for the week long www.iapma.info papermakers gathering. More about this later.......

Watch now on-line - Angus McPhee weaver of grass.

2011-06-23T23:03:00.003+01:00

Watch 5 minutes of Horse and Bamboo Theatre's play (still in development) about Angus McPhee, recorded when we met in the Western Isles during May.

I've lots more grass 'weaving' to do...............but still having fun hectic week with my papermakers gathering!

Watch Freeview channel no 8 at 8pm on Tuesday 21st June - papermakers from around the world in Caithness on BBC Alba!!

2011-06-20T17:47:00.000+01:00

Phew! My studio , or rather every room in my house and outside is a hive of activity. BBC filmed our international group of artists (all members of http://www.iapma.info/) sharing their skills in papermaking and fibre arts..............grass is everywhere in my house!!

You can watch us on Tuesday 21st June at 8pm on the BBC Alba news programme called 'An La'. Or watch us on BBC I - I think is only avaiallbe for 24 hours after first broadcast.

Tonight, our two korean friends, Woo-Bok Lee and Young-Ja Ban-Cho are cooking traditional Korean food for everyone.............I've got my chop-sticks ready!

Robert Dick - he signed only a few of his herbarium sheets - we found some of them earlier this week

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Robert Dick

Baker & Botanist of Thurso

1811-1866

BBC to Film international gathering of papermakers in Caithness!

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Papermakers from around the world to visit Caithness in June 2011

As part of the The International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists 25th birthday celebrations, Joanne B Kaar is hosting a

papermakers gathering at her studio in Caithness. http://www.joannebkaar.com/

http://www.iapma.info/

The week long event, to be held in June 2011 is already full with members from around the world checking their maps and making travel plans for the north.

BBC Camera woman Debby Waldron read about our gathering and is coming north from Inverness on Monday 20th June to film our event for BBC Alba - news programme An La.

Helen O’Connor + partner- Whitehorse, Yukon Canada

Woo Bock Lee – Korean and lives in

Sweden

.
Young-Ja Bang-Cho – Korean and lives in

Germany

Brenda & Jim Parsons – England

Elise Kloppers & partner Wim Nijenhuis -

Netherlands

Prue Dobinson -

England

Jenny Weissel -

Australia

Hannelieke van de Beek & husband Johan Doornebal - Netherlands
Katri Schweitzer & husband Roeland Schweitzer - Netherlands

Birte Helene Gairy & husband Claude -

Denmark

Ute Breitenberger & Johann Söhl -

Germany

Jan Marinos – Tasmania

Australia

Elke Buschman -

Germany

Joanne B Kaar at Castlehill Harbour and Dunnet Beach in the background.

And so begins the slow process of making string from plants growing in my field.

2011-06-08T16:55:00.000+01:00

I'm keeping each variety of plant separate.

Cut fresh, they need to be dried before making into string and then 'woven'.

These are now in small bundles, tied with elastic bands, to keep them together as the fibres dry and shrink. All now hanging on a line under a plastic tarp shelter in our trees.

heather for rope and creels

2011-06-06T10:28:00.002+01:00

I'm tracking down heather. Not just any old heather, but as near as we can get to make a replica of this heather creel from Caithness. The creel is maybe over 100yrs old, and was donated to the Castlehill Heritage Centre in Castletown by Sheila Moir. Tim Johnson is coming north to investigate it further and share his skills during workshops at Castlehill in August. There will be a one-day traditional basket making workshop followed by a 2-day workshop which uses the heather creel as the inspiration.

The this heather creel was used to carry fish on you back.

More info about the courses here: www.castletownheritage.co.uk and check out the fabulous work of Tim Johnson: http://www.timjohnsonartist.com/blog/

I'm also searching for info about heather used as rope. I did read somewhere that to keep the heather rope flexible until used, it was buried in the bog....now which book was I reading...........

With the muir burn the heather is short around here and Dunnet Head where I live is a SSSI site so have to look further afield for heather source- and I think we've found one! More later!

Click here to listen to a recording in Gaelic, describing making heather rope.

willow bark string calf - for rashin coatie story

2011-05-30T16:39:00.002+01:00

Made from willow bark string, he measures 20cm from nose to tail. He has to work as a shadow puppet and a toy which can stand up on it's own.

He's for the Horse and bamboo theatre's production about Angus McPhee Weaver of grass.

I think he's smaller than Tom, the string horse.

This calf needs a name - any suggestions??!

Rashin Coatie - string calf

2011-05-28T16:16:00.002+01:00

And, no, that's not a calf! It's Tom, my string horse, he is still on tour in our exhibition 'Westland', a collaboration with New Zealand artist Lynn Taylor - next on at An Talla Solais in Ullapool 8th-31st July.

Click on the pink words for links!

I'm using Tom as my inspiration for making a red calf, again from my natural fibre string. He will be pocket size, like Tom. Tom is made from New Zealand flax growing in my field. I have yet to decide which fibre I'll collect to make the string for the calf.

And why am I doing this? The string calf is part of the Horse and Bamboo Theatre's production about Angus McPhee weaver of grass. The folk story of the Rashin Coatie is (in the current draft!) part of this.

Also for Horse and Bamboo.........

A small grass/wool blanket 'woven' in the the technique Angus McPhee might have used - to cover the Angus as a baby.

A larger blanket - also woven or maybe plaited grass - plaited grass in parts maybe? - to cover Angus as an adult, and maybe double up as a blanket on a horse.

Large horse.........ideas for this are still whirling around !

Here's a few photos taken while we were in the Western Isles - traditional string and plaited grass horse stuff - on display in Taigh Chearsahbagh museum and Art Centre, Lochmaddy.

Five Minute Theatre - Angus McPhee Weaver of Grass, on-line for National Theatre of Scotland.

2011-05-25T09:36:00.001+01:00

While we were in Berneray, Western Isles, the Horse and Bamboo Theatre company amazingly filmed 5 minutes of their new production about Angus McPhee weaver of grass - with an audience!! This will be online between 6am and 7am on the 22nd June as part of the National Theatre of Scotlands celebrations. Click here to find out more and how you can watch Angus.

weaver of grass - a selection of images from a week with the Horse & bamboo theatre company in Berneray Western Isles

2011-05-22T20:12:00.005+01:00

Read more about the Horse and Bamboo's development of their production here: http://www.angusmcphee.blogspot.com/

This was the first time we'd met - so my grass weavings were emptied onto the hall floor rather nervously! A great week - lots to do yet - and lots to think about.

A couple of photos below, of me and my grass 'weavings'.

both photos were taken by Bob Frith (Joint Artistic Director of Horse and Bamboo Theatre).

The hat fits!

And there is more...........a few hours before I left the island on the ferry to the Isle of Skye, I dropped by Kallin commnuity hall to see my exhibition 'Westland', a collaboration with New Zealand artist, Lynn Taylor: http://joannebkaar-mary-anns-cottage.blogspot.com/

weaver of grass - Accommodation - a selection of images from a week with the Horse & bamboo theatre company in Berneray Western Isles

2011-05-22T19:58:00.000+01:00

A wild wet and windy week in Berneray.

We camped next to the hostel in Berneray - (the two thatched blackhouses).

As the wind changed direction, we moved out tent!

The hostel was great - solid fuel fire, very cosy in the evenings - highly recommended.

Brough Bay Association exhibition reunites old friends who had not met since 1936

2011-05-15T16:17:00.002+01:00

John O'Groat Journal | News | Brough Bay Association exhibition reunites old friends

Old school friends who had not met since 1936 were brought together at the opening of an exhibition at the Castlehill Heritage Centre.

Click here to read all about it.

You still have time to see this community exhibition.

http://www.castletownheritage.co.uk/

Packaging

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3 bags full. Hen food sacks are perfect to stuff my grass 'weavings' into ready for their voyage to the Western Isles. 4th bag on the washing line.......drying out before I stuff it with grass to 'weave' with on the Islands! Just in case it's raining, I like my grass dry! http://www.angusmcphee.blogspot.com/

Click on the photo to see Joe's collection of beachcombings.

Getting in the mood for 'Keep it under your hat' In Caithness Horizons next week.

2011-05-06T11:19:00.003+01:00

Time to go and put the kettle on and test the hat ............. Paper wrappers - Robert Dicks handwrting and samples from 1800's newspapers -originals and printed a bit brighter !

This is part of the Festival of Museums - this event is on in Caithness Horizons - next week.

"What do hats, plants, and newspapers have to do with Caithness? They were all used by famous resident Robert Dick! Dick was an expert in many fields, including plants, and would go for long walks around Caithness. He had a unique storage method: he would wrap samples in old letters and newspapers, then stick them in his hat to keep his hands free for more collecting. This series of children’s events coincides with the 200th anniversary year of Dick’s birth. Working with local paper artist Joanne B. Kaar, participants will look at some of Robert Dick’s Herbarium Collection and paper-wrappers before designing and making their own paper hat!"

http://www.caithnesshorizons.co.uk/

Click images to make them larger.

George Best & Ringo Starr go fishing from Brough Harbour ??!!!??

2011-05-02T08:27:00.009+01:00

Brough Bay Association heritage exhibition 'Now and Then'.

What a fantastic turn out.

Last night the Castlehill Heritage Centre was packed to overflowing!

Thank goodness for the sunny weather as 150 + people gathered for the private view which was opened by the Rt. Hon Lord MacLennan.

The exhibition is a celebration of their conservation project at Brough Harbour.

George Best and Ringo Starr go fishing from Brough Harbour ??!!!??

Take a closer look - perhaps not!

www.castletownheritage.co.uk

Magellan Daisy on Dunnet Beach

2011-04-24T17:47:00.003+01:00

I took my camera with me today to photograph the Magellan Daisy growing next to the stream which runs from St Johns Loch to Dunnet Beach. The Magellan has been spreading down stream and now grows all the way along to the sand. One house which is next to this stream is Brotchies Steading. Click here to read more. I still don't know if Harry Brotchie was a whaler. He was certainly a sailor - and I've now met a few more people who can remember his monkey! One showed me his finger where it bit him, the other remarked that they were only ever allowed to feed it 'long things' like rhubarb, so their hands would not be near it!

If you want to read more about the Magellan Daisy or Magellan Ragwort (Senecio Smithii DC) to give it it's proper name, click here for The Botanical Society of the British Isles (known as BSBI). Page 104 for Magellan Ragwort. And Page 132 is also very interesting as it details Caithness plant recorder, Ken Butler's find on the slipway at Brough Harbour when he led a walk 'know your patch' in 2009.

Caithness Horizons - free craft workshops for children inspired by Robert Dick Baker & Botanist 1811-1866

2011-04-22T16:39:00.000+01:00

www.caithnesshorizons.co.uk

Free - but booking is essential.

Good news!! Good news!! Good news!!

2011-04-22T14:00:00.001+01:00

Mr Robert Dick would be pleased to hear that some of his herbarium sheets are to be conserved so they can be on public view in Caithness Horizons.

Baker & Botanist

Robert Dick

Born 200 years ago.

Filming on Berneray with some grass things I've been making!!

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Exciting! My grass hat better fit then eh!!

Click here to read more about Horse & Bamboo Theater's production inspired by the life of Angus McPhee Weaver of Grass:

Horse and Bamboo:

"Our application to the National Theatre of Scotland to be included in the 24 hour on-line broadcasting of 5 minute films to celebrate their first five years has been successful, and a 5 minute film of a section of the Angus McPhee show will be broadcast to the world on 21st June 2011. The film has to be of a live performance in front of an audience, so we will film an extract during our 'workshopping' of the show from Berneray Community Hall, in the outer Hebrides."

Joanne's catch of the day!

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The exhibition about Brough, our village and harbour, is coming up in the next few weeks.

Yes, that's me, a few years ago. When fishing with my brother, Cullen, we kept a close tab on each others catch. Cullen decided that my fish should have all their heads cut off - so there was no mistaking mine for his. I realised after the first one was decapitated, that this would make all my fish look smaller. So instead cut a few gashes in the backs of there heads.......

Far right - fish with no head.

Far left - you can just make out the cuts to mark it as mine.

The exhibition will be on here www.castletownheritage.co.uk soon!

Joanne B Kaar - an artists blog

Rashin Coatie for the Horse and Bamboo theatre production 'Angus' weaver of grass.

Time + grass + montbretia leaves + blue iris leaves + red-hot-poker leaves

The Silent Weaver Saturday February 25th 7.00 for 7.30pm at the Bakehouse Dumfries & Galloway.

I'll be working here soon as one of 5 artists-in-residence selected for Strathnaver museum on the north coast of Scotland.

Swallowtail coat and sunburst hat in the making.

Bags - all made from plants growing in my field with looping techniques once used by Angus MacPhee weaver of grass.

A few miles of plaited grass........ok maybe not quite so long! For the Horse and Bamboo Theatre's production about Angus MacPhee weaver of grass - this lot will become a swallow-tail coat and hat.

It's going to be an exciting year - residencies, exhibitions and making costumes for a touring play!

Basketry workshops with Tim Johnson at Castlehill Heritage Centre, Castletown Caithness

If the (grass) hat fits.... for The Horse and Bamboo Theatre production about Angus Macphee weaver of grass

6ft 2" and medium build.

100% home grown willow basket - my first with a handle - it's got quite a lot of character!! Must practice.

A textile puzzle - I don't know which technique was used to make this fragment - do you know?

Horse & Bamboo Theatre start to make a plan and tour dates for 'Angus' weaver of grass

Hamilton, John. Born 1860, Wick, Scotland. Arrived in the Falklands c.1880, then moved on with his partner, Thomas Saunders, to Magallanes

THE REAL STORY OF THE WHALER WHALING, PAST AND PRESENT BY A. HYATT VERRILL published in 1916

Extracts from the Logs of the Thames A Long Island Whaling Ship in Patagonian Waters, 1828—1832

Colnett, James, 1755?-1806. A voyage to the South Atlantic and round Cape Horn into the Pacific Ocean: for the purpose of extending the spermaceti whale fisheries,

My full-size replica grass trousers get the thumbs up from Joyce Laing.

Laura Jernegan: Girl on a Whaleship 1868

Now if you'd been away on a voyage for 3 years - an impressive bunch of Magellan Daisies would be essential!

A history of the whale fisheries from the Basque fisheries of the tenth century to the hunting of the finner whale at the present date by J.T. Jenkins.

Was this the 19th Century version of men buying flowers from a petrol station on their way home from a voyage to Cape Horn?

Wishing you all ..............

This is how the story goes..... a long long time ago a whaler from Caithness sailed to South America & brought back seeds from the Magellan Daisy.

my grass trousers - 150cm long. A full size replica of work made by Angus MacPhee weaver of grass.

Angus MacPhee weaver of grass - his work is fascinating - a view from the side.

working in my studio - making replica Angus MacPhee grass trousers

What else is growing in my field..........trousers & boots in the style of Angus MacPhee weaver of grass next in the planning.

Thanks to Sheila Moir - a few photos from the opening night of 'Paper Wrappers & Herbarium Sheets' at Caithness Horizons. Exhibition is on until the 11th Dec.

Replica grass Angus MacPhee garment for Joyce Laing gets the thumbs up - as does the DVD to show how I made it!

Rushes gathered yesterday for workshops at Castlehill Heritage centre in Castletown in the Spring with Tim Johnson.

Exhibition Reviews

2. Helen O’Connor from the Yukon reflects on the international papermakers gathering in Caithness organised by Joanne B Kaar. Click here to read more. 2011

3. “…This is art with a purpose and it is rare...” George Gun reviews ‘The Westland”, a collaboration with New Zealand Artist Lynn Taylor. Click here to read in full. 2009

Would you like to help gather soft-rush for workhops with Tim Johnson?

Proposed date Sunday 13th November

Do bring garden sheers/cutters and gloves etc!

Two & a half weeks of making edited down to a 10 minute DVD - making a replica Angus MacPhee grass garment.

CraftScotlands Rebecca Davis reviews my exhibition 'paper wrappers and Herbarium sheets'.

Joanne B Kaar weaver of grass - this one is for Joyce Laing at Art Extraordinary gallery in Fife. I'll be delivering it myself in a few weeks.

Loops. Lots of loops. 'weaving' grass. Making replica Angus MacPhee garment for Joyce Laing.

Today weaving outside : Angus Macphee replica garment in the making...this one is for Joyce Laing at Art Extraordinary Trust in Pittenweem Fife.

Ribwort Plantain ~ grass ~ yellow vetch. 3 home grown pouches in the style of Angus MacPhee weaver of grass.

Art Extraordinary Trust Pittenweem Fife - my Angus MacPhee replica garment is approved.

Joanne B Kaar weaver of grass - my first full size replica of an Angus Macphee garment.

Making a net with combed soft rush and a netting needle cut from a plastic tub found on Dunnet Beach.

Harris Tweed : Sheila of Scalpay Linen is on Radio 4 Woman's Hour.

photos from the baker & botanist exhibition in Caithness Horizons, Thurso.

Angus MacPhee weaver of grass is back in my studio - Robert Dick baker & botanist has left for a while!

Watch 5 minutes of Angus MacPhee Weaver of Grass by Horse and Bamboo Theatre Company. Recorded earlier this year in Berneray.

On Now! Artist Joanne B Kaar - " Paper Wrappers & Herbarium Sheets". Caithness Horizons, Thurso.

photos taken today while setting up my exhibition in Caithness Horizons!

13th Sept - 11th Dec 2011 exhibition 'Paper Wrappers & Herbarium Sheets' at Caithness Horizons museum & gallery. Artist: Joanne B Kaar!

13th Sept - 11th Dec 2011 exhibition 'Paper Wrappers & Herbarium Sheets' at Caithness Horizons museum & gallery. Artist: Joanne B Kaar!

My peat papers are getting noticed by ....read blog by Andrew Dixon the Chief Executive of Creative Scotland.

The Importance of Geography - Andrew Dixon reflects on his recent visit to Caithness.

Tullibody on the 27th August. Bakers & botanists. See you there.

My next exhibition opens here in a few weeks: Caithness Horizons museum & gallery - home of the original Robert Dick collection of herbarium sheets (1811-1866)

Reids of Caithness - Caithness Baking at its best.

Robert Dick was well known for his biscuits and 'parlies' (parliaments). They are said to have been named after Luckie Fykie (Mrs Flockhart). Info now designed as an apron for the exhibition.

The Silent Weaver : The Extraordinary Life and work of Angus MacPhee by Roger Hutchinson

Bakers Twine

Oh where did you get that rucksack??!

Any takers for the discount?

Exhibition opening in a few weeks at Caithness Horizons : The first 60 images from Robert Dick and Richard Lindsay's herbarium sheets...

Mr Charles Peach - officer in the revenue coastguard Wick 1853 specialist in zoophytes - a friend of the Thurso baker and botanist Robert Dick.

Robert Dick was fascinated by phrenology.....in the mid 19th Century books by Combes were more popular than those by Darwin.

My creel using all home grown dockin stalks & montbretia leaves with Pentland Firth catch of the day.

The heather creel makers at Castlehill Heritage Centre in Caithness. A great success thanks to expert basket maker Tim Johnson who travelled North from the Isle of Wight .

Helen O'Connor from the Yukon Canada reports on the international gathering of papermakers at my studio in Caithness.

Camera woman Debby Waldron poses for a few pics today after filming for BBC Alba!

Watch freeview channel no 8 at 8pm this Thursday (4th Aug) for the story of the heather creel BBC Alba filmed this morning!

Again, this is my bedtime reading: Published in 1879 'Robert Dick Baker of Thurso, Geologist and Botanist' by Samuel Smiles. Read here online.

Geologists Botanists Historians and me! Saturday 27th August - in Tullibody for Bicentenary celebrations of Baker & Botanist Robert Dick

Places available on Basket making - Traditional heather creel making workshop with Tim Johnson. 6th + 7th August.

Denmark - horse hair, seal skin, lime tree bast.... baskets & rope at the Viking boat museum Roskilde - a few photos from my adventure last week.

Art Extraordinary Trust - Pittenweem Fife. Angus MacPhee Weaver of Grass.

I'm packing my Grass 'Weavings' for a visit to Joyce Laing in Pittenweem at the Art Extraordinary Trust to see the original 'weavings' by Angus MacPhee

A history of the whale fisheries
from the Basque fisheries of the tenth century to the hunting of the finner whale at the present date
by J.T. Jenkins.