Art in Salcey Forest

2012-01-19T01:31:00.000-08:00

A quick update ...
Regeneration has now fallen - after three and a half years in the forest the lower part of the structure has decayed and the leaning tower effect submitted to gravity. Actually I think it really works as a fallen tree now which interests me as originally I made it in response to the clear felling of pine trees in this area.

I'm hoping I'll be allowed to leave the fallen sculpture to decay as a natural tree would, but I'm also planning Regeneration II to be sited in the same area - this time it will be a living sculpture to reference the regrowth of native species which has happened since the clear felling took place.

Opposite, Wood spirit II (created from the top of a naturally fallen Ash tree) is also suffering a little, although this time its the wire which has given way (plus one of the 'tines' has broken off). This again is a result of natural decay and I want to allow this to happen without intervention as much as possible. I'll be meeting with the Forestry Commission soon to discuss how to allow this to develop without any undue risks to the public.

Regeneration 'listing' last Autumn

2011-12-03T06:45:00.001-08:00

The post and plaque for Dancing Figures was recently 'eaten' by the mower ... now replaced! (thanks Matt :) )

2011-11-25T07:50:00.001-08:00

Yesterday afternoon I took time to just walk in the forest - it made me realise how much I've missed being there purely for me, which is so different from taking a group to see the sculptures, running workshops or checking on the sculptures. I enjoy each of those things but they don't leave me the freedom to really see what is around me, to stop wherever and whenever I happen to notice something - a shape, a colour, a line, a feeling - which inspires me.

Its a difficult thing to define - inspiration. What inspires me one day I might walk past the next, but each of these moments which fix themselves in my mind, even for a fraction of time, are there now and will inform something I do in the future ... I may not know where the thought has come from, or perhaps seeing something similar will reinforce the initial impression and bring other ideas to the fore in my mind.

The main thing which came to mind whilst I wandered in and out of the defined paths and surrounding woodland was that I need this time - its not just indulgence, its vital to me and to my art. Like so many people I find the demands on my time impossible to manage far too often, and art time is even more so - I want to draw, I want to sculpt, I want to tidy my studio! I want to do all these things and yet I also want to keep my mind open to new ideas. So I'm going to try really hard to find more of these moments, more times to be and to really see, and hopefully spend more of them in Salcey Forest which is always such an inspiring place for me.

I will also try to find the time to explore through this blog just how those inspiring moments develop into new work.

2011-10-18T03:43:00.000-07:00

Seeing Jamie's blog (http://visionpoempaintings.blogspot.com/) made me realise that I haven't posted anything for ages! So here is a quick update ...

The Art in Salcey Forest exhibition has been revived and is now back to nine sculptures - Falling seeds has been reinstalled; I've added Body weave IV and Lunar (below); and a totally new sculpture created specifically for the meadow space Dancing figures.

More information on my website, and updates on my Facebook page. I'll be arranging more walks (day and night - recent ones were lovely and benefitted from the amazing weather we've been having), and running Web weaving and Sphere weaving workshops soon.

Last night's moonlit-torchlit walk

2009-05-09T06:28:00.000-07:00

We had a beautiful evening for our walk - the weather couldn't have been better, the full moon rose at just the right time, and a nightingale serenaded us near Iris II.

I'll be putting more images on soon, but for now here is one of me talking to the group at Falling seeds.

Thanks for joining me folks!

2009-04-14T08:25:00.000-07:00

Friday's walk round the sculptures was wet but worth it! And thanks to all who came along (I think my coat is still drying out).

Iris II is fixed

2009-04-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

With a lot of help from Matt ... and a stick, Iris II is now once again on full display.

Bizarre

2009-04-05T10:19:00.000-07:00

Recent high winds have had a very strange effect - Iris II has folded itself in half, but this will be sorted out before the first walk on Good Friday, and I'm hoping for good weather. Don't forget to get in touch if you want to join us on the walk (see my website for details).

Also next weekend I'll be taking part in the walk n talk to open the Barnwell Country Park Nature vs Nurture exhibition - walk starts at 2pm, free, suitable for all. See East Northants website for directions.

Dates for your diary!

2009-03-28T10:59:00.000-07:00

Guided walks:
10th April at 2pm
8th May at 8.30pm for 9pm torchlit-moonlit walk (with wine/soft drinks)
6th June at 2pm
27th June *Celebration event* walks starting between 2pm and 8pm

(daytime walks £3 per person; evening walks £5 including wine/soft drink)
Booking essential: tickets available from the Salcey Forest Cafe; or email salcey@lindajohns.com (payment by cheque - details will be emailed upon receipt of ticket request).

Sculpture by torchlight

2009-03-21T02:42:00.001-07:00

Back from the Isles of Scilly late on Wednesday, I took a walk in the forest late on Thursday evening and saw half the sculptures as the sun set with the other half viewed by torchlight ... this is definitely an interesting way to see them so I'll be arranging a torchlight walk this Spring (hopefully with moonlight as well) for anyone interested - dates for all walks and workshops here, and on my website, soon!

Early March and the mud is gradually drying

2009-03-08T11:47:00.000-07:00

Finally, after all the rain and snow the forest paths are starting to dry, although the area between Geodesic weave and Regeneration still has many muddy sections - and Wellingtons are still necessary to undertake the whole walk in comfort.

It was great to visit the forest in the beautiful weather we had on Friday, and it gave me a chance to spend some time looking at Iris II which is settling in and starting to attract attention - more sunny days, mist, rain and frost will be working their magic and the copper will soon darken leaving the stainless steel wires to shine.

I'll soon be posting details of more guided walks and a workshop or two between now and the end of May.

Iris II is installed ...

2009-02-27T09:05:00.000-08:00

and I had an unexpected adventure in a MEWP which really gets you where you need to go! View from the tree was great, and it was really good to be able to install the work myself. Thanks to Matt, Adrian, Jo and Cheryl.

Looking really trendy in my wellies and hat!
But getting up there to do the installation was worth it ...

pictures of Iris II coming soon

Want to keep up with what's going on

2009-02-21T06:22:00.000-08:00

I've now added a 'followers' section to the sidebar - click on the 'Follow this blog' link to keep up to date. You may also want to view (and follow) Emma Davies' An Artists Diary which inspired me to get back to blogging and keep this up to date ...

New year new intentions

2009-02-21T05:49:00.000-08:00

Having got back into drawing and making post-New Year, I had hoped to start regular (will try for once a week) updates with the news that Iris II had been installed to replace Iris which was taken from the forest just before Christmas. Unfortunately, despite spending a lot of time there yesterday, we were unable to complete the installation as there is a lot of dead wood which needs to be removed first. I'm hoping this will now happen next Friday and I'll post an image once its there.

In the meantime here is an image of Regeneration in the snow.

I also now have a Facebook page which you may want to visit.

Well it's been a busy summer

2008-10-14T04:55:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the delay in updating information - I've had a busy Summer meeting lots of people in Salcey Forest and taking groups for guided walks. The weather has been very hit and miss but we've had some lovely walks, and I've been taking lots of photos as the weather and seasons change - I'm hoping to upload these to the website soon - if you've got atmospheric images of the sculptures I'd love to see them, please post to this blog, or email to me at salcey@lindajohns.com

The sculptures are attracting a lot of attention (when visitors can find them :O)) and are doing what I'd hoped - encouraging people to really look closely while out and about in the forest. I'm particularly thrilled to see that a number of 'gifts' have been added to Wood Spirit II, and it really is becoming a wishing tree.

There have been a number of walks since the blog began - including a memorable evening in August where we had wine and soft drinks, and enjoyed ourselves despite the mud. The mud really has been a feature of all the walks this year and although the weather hasn't been as bad as it was last summer, I'd advise anyone who wants to walk round all the sculptures to wear wellies. Last Sunday was particularly busy with a guided walk in the morning and a drawing workshop in the afternoon. It was beautiful weather and I thoroughly enjoyed walking and working with you all - thanks to everyone for your participation.

The last walk in 2008 is 28th December 2pm - with wine again to really help with that Christmas spirit - do email me if you'd like to come along (£5 per person (free for under 14s), soft drinks will also be provided).

I will be arranging further walks and workshops in the Spring, so keep an eye on the website, or email to be added to the mailing list.

With very best wishes,

Linda

Hello from Linda Johns

2008-07-16T02:11:00.000-07:00

Hello to all visitors to the Art in Salcey Forest exhibition.

This has been a really exciting project for me and I'd like to thank the Forestry Commission for all their help and support in making this happen.

I've now taken a number of groups around the walk, with more guided walks and workshops planned - see details on my website at www.lindajohns.com/salceyforest.htm If you haven't been on the walk yet, or haven't been able to find some of the sculptures, you may find the guide helpful.

Lots of people have come up to me in the forest to talk about the work and it would be great to capture some of those comments so I've set up this blog for people to share their thoughts, comments, ideas and questions with me.

I can often be found walking around the area, and don't be surprised if you see me making more work, taking photographs, or doing drawings as I continue to be inspired by this forest – do come up and say hello.