Loch Katrine: the light is dawning

And so we came to the final day of the retreat. I was letting go of many of the constraints to my creativity, enjoying exploring new ways of seeing. I was awake early and looked out the window across the loch - to a beautiful sunrise! Within minutes I was by the shore, immersed in the colours and sounds of the dawn.

As I stood there and marvelled, I was mindful of the wonderful poet Lemn Sissay and his daily homage to dawn on X:

‘How do you do it?’ said night

‘How do you wake up and shine?’

‘I keep it simple,’ said light

‘One day at a time’

I watched as the sun's rays changed the colour of the clouds and their reflections in the water.

It was such a privilege to be there and witness this time of day. But although I was the only person there it was certainly not quiet! There was a rowdy chorus of bird song, which was then overtaken by the honking of scores of geese as they took to the air. They flew overhead, skein after skein. A wonderful sight.

Back to the house and after breakfast a choice - photography or art? I surprised myself and chose art!

Ania provided us with a tutorial on using a gelli plate to create prints - and I was soon totally immersed in the process. How? Why does it come out like that? Playing with layers, stencils and masks, again I could see how playing in this way was informing my development as an art photographer.

Another of Lemn's gems:

"You asked where my light comes from

I said 'from where it is darkest'

This morning I realise I was wrong

Light is (from) where the art is"

I was so ready not to go home!! But goodbyes came too soon, my friend returned and scooped me up, the journey back began.

And I will finish with this one from Lemn:

"And now I am back at home

Although home is inside me

Whenever and wherever I go

Sunrise will find me"

Thanks to Charlie and Ania, I am starting to see the the light through the trees.

And thank you too to the other creatives in the group. You inspired me with your thoughtful insights, and I look forward to meeting you again in the future!

NB Video Tutorials that I am finding helpful

Susan McCreevy, Susan Clifton, Laurel Beard on Gelli Printing

Charlotte Bellamy's tutorial on ICM and on creating multiple exposure in Lightroom

Ania Rolinska's Postcards from the Edge

Kim Grant's tutorial on multiple exposures

#scottishretreat, #creativeretreat, #artandphotographyretreat, #LochKatrine, #playandexperiment, #charcoalandpastel, #escapeandrelease, #sunrise, #gelliprinting