It's time for another ride on the merry-go-round! Jump on and join a group of artists/crafts-women as they link around the world and tell you a little about their lives in art and craft.This month's question that myself and 8 other women will answer is " If you had the time/money etc etc, what new craft or art would you like to try this new year?"
Well this one doesn't take much thinking about for me. I would love to try stone masonry - particularly stone carving of large figures.
My interest in stone masonry was first sparked from reading Ken Follett's book "Pillars of the Earth" all about the building of a Gothic cathedral and the lives of the people involved. It is one of my favourite books of all time. I just loved it.You learn a lot about stone masonry in the book - how they cut the stones, how they do the sculpting, how they discovered flying buttresses and lots of other things ........A great architectural novel but also a wonderful story with fascinating characters.
Add to the book that I sing in cathedrals and since reading the book, I spend more and more time looking at the architecture and details in the cathedrals, so I just think it would be wonderful to take some classes in stone masonry with a bent on cathedrals - those gothic vaults and arches, the windows.... . I know it takes years to learn a skill like that - and that's not what I want.I just want an understanding of what is involved and then I know I will be in even more awe! We have these enormous cathedrals in England build hundreds of years ago with very few tools and I would like to experience just part of how they were created.
And to be able to sculpt a gargoyle that would sit somewhere for hundreds of years - wow - I would just love that!!! Yes, I love my little jewelry sculptures but the large scale of things in a cathedral would just be so cool!When I was back in England last spring I saw a demonstration by the stone masons at Gloucester cathedral and all the restoration work they were doing there. I spoke to one of them about his training and apprenticeship and how long it takes to learn all the precise skills......gosh - it just sounds wonderful......
Anyhow - I'll continue to dream about gargoyles and huge sculpted figures of saints and angels....
Take a look at what new craft the others on the merry go round blog would love to try.......
http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com
http://fancypicnic.blogspot.com
http://lilypangart.blogspot.com
http://florcitasart.blogspot.com
http://easterya.blogspot.com
http://halfanacreblog.blogspot.com
http://lebarduvent.blogspot.com
http://blog.glamasaurus.com
Please check my blog entry for Monday 26th January and enter my competition!
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7 comments:
So much to say, Ruth!
Writing this merrygoround post has put me in the mood to get creating. It's great to have this focus every month.
Stonemasonry??? Wow!! I love cathedrals, and I'm always fascinated by the butresses, the cloisters...that's what comes from growing up in Gloucester!!!
Lovely read, Ruth - and congratulations on your FP!
Carving and sculpting is just too awesome for words, and I truly understand the passion you have for it. I love gothic cathedrals, and the way treasures like small gargoyles are not immediately visible... ornate and over-the-top, just my thing!!!
When I see what you make out of art clay, I really look forward to seeing your gargoyles!
I loooooooove that book too! Did you red the following one?
there is a book by a spanish author called.. "the church by the sea" I think that itś name (I'll look it up) about the building of a church in Barcelona. It isn't as "technical" as Follet's book though... but a good read anyways.
Stone carving has always had to me a bit of a ... sacred look. I don't know, like it is a skill learnt for years and passed on from man to man... maybe I just have the mental picture of the medieval stone masons. Great challenge and I wish you all the luck with it!
I have read the sequel to the book - World without End. I liked it - but not as much as Pillars.
Now who can I choose to be my gargoyle model I wonder?????
Wow, stone masonry... that would be great! Although I wouldn't know where to start!!
When I was at art college I had a friend who worked in stone masonary, I was so amazed at how smoothe a finish he could get with his hammer and chisle... it was truely inspirational to watch him work.
Maybe we should do a follow up group post on what new things we have been able to try this year?
Sxx
That sounds like a great idea Sara. Maybe we can all keep a log of new things we learn and the end of next year we can post about them!
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