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Its Amazing Who You Meet on Social Media! - Creativity links with Kev, Cat, Lynne, Dave, Jo and Matilda

12/6/2017

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I have collaborated with some gifted, creative, fun loving people thanks to social media and am amazed at the links amongst the following people and a tandem bike!​​

Sculptor Kev Paxton

PictureKev and Bill The Bill
I discovered metal artist talent Kev Paxton of ArtFe Blacksmiths, on Facebook.

I was researching outdoor installation artists for The Loch Earn Tourism Information group (LETi) and recognised one of his sculptures "Bill The Bull" from an article that I had read in the Scottish Field Magazine.

 I contacted Kev for advice initially, however, our mutual enthusiasm for "art that makes you smile" resulted in Kev becoming a key exhibitor in the BLiSS trail - a roadside art trail that links the villages of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead Strathyre and St Fillans via Sustrans Cycle Route 7 and the A84 and A85.

Kev and I were both interviewed for STV news at six at the launch of #BLiSStrail.
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The art and architectural installation trail earned our tourism group a Visit Scotland regional Scottish Thistle Award for "Working Together for Tourism".  I was extremely proud to pick up the trophy as Chair of LETi and delighted that Fraser and representatives of the BLS Highland Games were by my side to enjoy the moment.

​Bill The Bull enjoyed a scenic position outside The Lochearnhead Hotel during 2016 #BLiSStrail,  as per the photo below by ​Dave Murray 

Regional Thistle Award trophy received by Kim Proven Chair of Loch Earn Tourism Information group
Chair of LETi picks up regional Scottish Thistle Award for
Picture
Bill The Bull at the Lochearnhead Hotel 2016 #BLiSStrail

​Charity Founder Lynne McNicoll OBE

Lynne McNicoll OBE at The Ripple RetreatLynne McNicoll OBE
Then, Kev  introduced me to Lynne McNicoll OBE @ItsGood2Give.

Kev and ArtFe partner Cat, are ambassadors for the "Its Good 2 Give" charity that Lynne founded.

Kev had organised for his sculpture Bill The Bull to be painted in bright colours by children in return for donations that he forwarded to Lynne's charity and her ambitious Ripple Retreat building project.

The building is now complete and you can read this exceptional story of fundraising, collaboration, generosity, hard work and belief in the news.

​I think Lynne has surpassed her vision of a tranquil building offering space where young cancer patients can enjoy exclusive time with their families. The 3 bedroom retreat offers beautiful things to see, hear, read, play and do. It boasts a great line of Patrons now including Lorraine Kelly who opened the retreat.

Ripple Retreat Loch Venachar - Its Good 2 Give
The Ripple Retreat Loch Venachar
PictureRipple Retreat Ambassadors accept community cheque. Photo by Dave Murray in front of Blawn Wi The Wind sculpturei
Our local community helped to raise funds for the retreat through marathon sponsorship, tin collections and the Lochearnhead Married V Singles annual charity football game held the day after the Highland Games in Lochearnhead.

That's me on the left next to Cat (Catherine Stops) who is accepting our community cheque for Its Good 2 Give.

Artist Kev Paxton is in the middle. Lochearnhead local Martin Sanders,  who co-ordinated the football event and raffle, is handing over the cheque to Cat and married ladies football captain Ollie Cameron of Lochside Cottages Lochearnhead, is on the right.

​The photograph was taken in front of Kev's sculpture Blawn Wi The Wind that stands proudly in Briar Cottages garden on Loch Earn.  Dave Murray took the photograph..

Photographer Dave Murray

Stan The Stag BLiSS trail ornamental feature, Lochearnhead A84Stan The Stag on the BLiSS trail Lochearnhead
 ​I met Dave Murray one morning at our Loch garden. He had stopped to take photographs of Stan the Stag.

Dave is now a regular visitor and has taken many stunning photographs here including Blawn Wi The Wind,  the giant thistles sculpture by Kev Paxton, that lights up our garden at night.

After exhibiting three of Kev's sculptures in Briar Cotttages loch garden,  we decided to mark our silver anniversary last year, by making Blawn Wi The Wind a permanent feature alongside Stan The Stag (who also lights up at night against the dark skies of Lochearnhead).

Dave is a school janitor with a passion for Scottish landscape photography. He regularly travels from Dundee to capture Loch Earn at first light before travelling on to Glencoe.

Dave had a presence on Facebook when I first met him. I introduced him to Twitter and his photos under the handle @Canniejannie are now hugely popular.

Dave has taken some fantastic photos of Kev Paxton's sculptures and is an admirer of his work. He follow's Kev's progress and press coverage on social media.

I  know that Kev and Cat are also impressed with Dave's photographs of ArtFe sculptures at Briar Cottages and on the BLiSS trail - as they are of artist @JoSunshineArt who has interpreted some of Dave's photo's as drawings, 

Picture
Briar Cottages sculpture in snow, Photo by Dave Murray
Dragon Bike willow work installation in Lochearnhead byJune McEwan. Photo by Dave Murray @Canniejannie
Dragon Bike on the #BLiSStrail by June McEwan, photo Dave Murray
Thistle Sculpture -Blawn Wi The Wind by Kev Paxton, photo by Davie Murray @Canniejannie
Blawn Wi The Wind by Kev Paxton, photo by Dave Murray
Stan The Stag at Briar Cottages Lochearnhead, photo by Dave Murray
Majestic Stan photo by Dave Murray @Canniejannie
Briar Cottages Lochearnhead photo by Dave Murray
Briar Cottage A85 Lochearnhead, photo by Dave Murray

@JoSunshineArt

Drawing of the thistles sculpture at Briar Cottages by @JoSunshineArt
Drawing of Blawn Wi The Wind by @JoSunshineArt
Drawing of Stan The Stag at Briar Cottages Lochearnhead by @JoSunshineArt
Drawing of Stan The Stag Loch Earn by @JoSunshineArt
Drawing of ospreys flying over Briar Cottage's thatched roof Lochearnhead -By @JoSunshineArtOspreys flying over Briar Cottage's thatched roof Lochearnhead - By @JoSunshineArt
I spotted @JoSunshineArt on Twitter.   Jo is registered blind and draws with partial sight in one eye.

She uses bright coloured Caran D'Ache wax crayons to create size A1 happy pictures that have lovely compositions and movement.

​Jo started to draw Briar Cottages and photo's of Stan The Stag and Kev's thistles based on Dave Murray's photographs that I had shared on Twitter, taken around Briar Cottages.  


In the mean time Kev Paxton gifted Bill the Bull to Lynne McNicoll's Ripple Retreat garden.

 I was lucky to be invited to see the Ripple Retreat.  What an incredible building and gardens.

I  asked Jo if she would draw a composition of Bill The Bull at the Ripple Retreat having seen that colourful pictures were needed for the whitewashed lounge and bedroom walls.  

Jo and I have since collaborated to donate the picture below, which I am having framed for delivery this week.  I love this drawing and I know that it will be dear to Lynne's heart because of the connection with Bill the Bull, The Ripple Retreat and Kev Paxton. 

Picture
Drawing of Bill The Bull at The Ripple Retreat by Jo Sunshine Art
Kev also designed and made the steel gates at the Ripple Retreat.

Even with partial sight,  Jo does not miss a trick and her version appeared on Twitter.

I am delighted to read that Jo is having an exhibition of work this summer at Cass Art,  63 - 67 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3EN, between 24th June and 9th July. Guaranteed to be bright and full of Jo's style and humour.

​Jo sells her pictures on Etsy and via The Jo Sunshine Art Facebook page. Enjoy!
Ripple Retreat gates by Kev Paxton of ArtFe
Ripple Retreat Gates by Kev Paxton
Drawing of Ripple Retreat Gates by Jo Sunshine Art
Drawing of Kev Paxton's Ripple Retreat Gates by @JoSunshineArt

Matilda The Tandem & Crew

Matildas Musings crew, Captian Colin and Stoker Diane
Matildas Musings crew Captain Colin and Stoker Diane on Sustrans Cycle RT7 near Lochearnhead
Matilda the tandem with Captain Colin at Stan The Stag, Briar Cottages Lochearnhead on the BLiSS trail
Matilda and Captain with Stan The Stag at Briar Cottages Loch Earn
Tandem bike from Matildas Musings with Bill The Bull at The Lochearnhead Hotel
Matilda and captain Colin visit Bill The Bull
Kim Proven with Matilda the tandemKim and Matilda
Last but not least, I met the wonderful Matilda and her crew on Twitter.

This is my first experience with  a blogging tandem bike.

She is a vintage gal but don't underestimate her fitness on the road.

I noticed that Matilda had blogged about the Lochearnhead Loop of the BLiSS trail on Twitter and Facebook. Matilda carries Stoker Diane and  Captain Colin (spotted above kissing Bill The Bull) on all of her adventures.  I  invited Matilda to return and do the Strathyre and Balquhidder sections of the Bliss art trail.

Matilda picked up the challenge and the team are now regular favourite characters in the area. You can read all about Matilda's experiences - including visiting all of the BLiSS trail  installations, challenging me to be the stoker,  experiencing local music, food and culture festivals and more on her blog site called  Matildas Musings.

 I even sang the song A Bicycle Built For Two during her Strathyre adventures, which Matilda shared on her YouTube page.

Not only has Matilda been photographed with Kev Paxton sculptures like Bill The Bull and Blawn Wi The Wind, the tandem and crew have also been drawn by @JoSunshineArt.

​Matilda was so impressed that she bought Jo's drawing for Colin and Diane!  Jo even captured a drawing of the tandem team after they appeared on a recent episode of Landward near a BLiSS trail installation called The Look Out where Dougie Vipond was filming around Loch Voil.

Drawing of Matilda and crew on the BLiSS trail
Drawing by @JoSunshineArt of Matilda and crew at the Look Out #BLiSStrail

​Aye, Its amazing who you meet on social media and how one open door can lead to another adventure with talented and fascinating folk (and a tandem)!
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Fraser Briar And All That Art

16/6/2016

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Fraser Briar by Kev Paxton
Fraser Briar by Kev Paxton -photo by Dave Murray
So, Fraser Proven was left out of the last BLiSS trail art story.  To know him is to realise that he always gets in on the act! True to form the P-artist got a leading part. No not a human sculpture, though I can imagine that. Artist blacksmith Kev Paxton ended up naming an art installation after him. The structure is an incredibly detailed stag made of steel flowers, leaves and a thistle.  Over 500 hours went in to making it. Furthermore, if you peep inside its flowery body you will find treasure; a humming bird drinking from its heart, a butterfly and a cute-as-anything mouse with a block of cheese. 
Steel flowers make up Fraser Briar sculpture
Steel flowers and leaves
Steel mouse inside Fraser Briar sculpture
Mouse inside Fraser Briar
Kev Paxton -Blacksith artistKev Paxton photo by Mel Lewis
Kev Paxton likes to name his work after characters.  Ask him about Bill the Bull and Angus or other coo’s,  sheep, peacocks and creatures named after personalities.
​
My husband has boldly suggested to many a pregnant mother that Fraser is a good name for a child (regardless of gender). This appealed to Kev’s sense of humour and when he registered that Briar means a thorny bush,  “Fraser Briar” was born.

Last chance to see Fraser Briar at Briar Cottages as he is going on tour. The steel celeb. will be on display at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh, at Tatton Park and other venues over the next few months.  Kev is bringing a surprise installation to stand in its place in our garden on Loch Earn. All updates will appear on www.robroycountry.com/blisstrail map of art installations throughout Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St Fillans.
.
BLiSS trail has captured the imagination of many visitors who have been stopping in their tracks. Many have arrived in response to #BLiSS trail publicity and STV news at 6 coverage. 

LETi the tourism group that I Chair, is lucky to have photographer Melanie Lewis as a member. Mel took some excellent "press quality" photographs of the trail installations. Mel runs a bed and breakfast in Lochearnhead called Wester Achraw Croft, where you can also book a photography lesson,  as our recent Canadian guest did. Briar Cottage used to be known as Easter Achraw and was once owned by the same landlords as Mel's cottage. In the 17th century, the Earl of Atholl and later the Earl of Breadalbane. Cottars houses were mapped here on Achraw farm land before Lochearnhead village existed.

The BLiSS trail has attracted some talented amateur photographers . My favourite to date is the work of school janitor Dave Murray.  He took the following photographs and you can see more beauties on his Twitter site @canniejannie

Stan Stag photo by Dave Marray
Stan, photo by Dave Murray
Picture
Dragon Bike by June McEwan, photo by Dave Murray
Picture
Bill The Bull by Kev Paxton, photo by Dave Murray
It has been a pleasure to work with artists on the BLiSS trail. Funny to think that I graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 1985 at the same time as Rob Mulholland. He went on to be a leading light in the world of art installations, creating impressive pieces like STILL that stands in Loch Earn in the garden of The Four Seasons hotel beside its jetty. Meanwhile, I have been painting windows, doors and walls to maintain properties! 
Loch Earn from Briar Cottage AcryclicLoch Earn from Briar Cottages by Mick Currant





Road to Glencoe pastel by Mick Curant
Road to Glencoe, pastel by Mick Currant
Some guests have taken lovely photographs and a few have spent their time here painting.  We are really grateful for these photographs above. One is a landscape painting of Loch Earn by holiday cottage guest Mick Currant. This was his first ever painting using acrylic medium. It was painted from the seat at the top of Briar Cottages paddock. Britain’s Got Talent indeed. The second image is a pastel drawing of the road to Glencoe (only 45 minutes from here along the A85). 
​
Picture
Briar Cottages

​

​And what about this lovely drawing by a 5 year old guest from Wales. Can you spot Briar Cottages thatched roof with the path to Briar Steading and Little Briar?
Self Portrait -Kim Donald 1984
Self Portrait by Kim Donald 1984
Soap Stone sculpture, Kim Donald 1981
Soap Stone Sculpture K Donald 1981
Picture
ECA Model, sketch, by Kim Donald 1982
I only have a few pieces left from my art college days (nee Donald) like this drawing of a model, a painting of yours truly and a soap stone sculpture above.

Artistic gene’s come from both sides of the family. My uncle,  George M. Donald RSA RSW MEd (Edin.) ATC (Lond.) DA,  has had an impressive career in the world of painting and printmaking as per images on his website georgedonald.com and the wonderful Christmas cards and special birthday gifts received over years. 
Print by George Donald
Wonderful cards from uncle George!
​My great Aunt May was a talented artist painting still life’s and pieces of china from the 1920’s. Also, my mums brother Joe Edwards (deceased) left a legacy of paintings depicting the farm lands around Kingswells in Aberdeen. Many of the fields have since been built over with houses and roads. Here you can see uncle Joe's self portrait painted in the year that I was born collection/joe-edwards and I love this image of my mum as a young girl painted about 52 years ago! See more of his work including the Lord Provost of Aberdeen in 1985 Joseph Byres Edwards
Portrait of Phyllis Edwards painted by Joseph Byres Edwards
Young Girl -Phyllis (my mum at 14) copyright artists collection
​I am often asked why I don’t dabble in landscape painting with such stunning scenery out of every door and window here. Aside from working all hours on our cottages and local village tourism marketing, I was never into doing watercolour and landscape painting. I would rather admire the work of others. I much prefer the landscape of the human body and nude models are pretty scarce around here…well human ones at least.
Aphrodite
Aphrodite at Briar Cottages slipway
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BLiSS Trail Art Installations As Featured on STV News at 6

5/5/2016

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Bill The Bull by Kev Paxton
Bill The Bull by Kev Paxton
STV news filming Kim re BLiSS art trailFilming Kim for STV news at 6
Yes that is me being filmed for Scottish Television News at Six! What a whirlwind year so far. I've been busy setting up the BLiSS trail of art and architecture installations with LETi our local tourism group. This is our contribution to Scotland's national tourism theme "Year of Innovation Architecture and Design 2016". BLiSS stands for Balquhidder Lochearnhead Strathyre and St Fillans villages and the i represents Tourist Information as well as innovation. The official launch was 27th April at The Broch Cafe in Strathyre - with yummy home made shortbread and Lucaffe coffee provided by owners Bill and Lesley.

We had a lovely collaboration of delegates including; local village community representatives, councillors, Visit Scotland, Stirling Enterprise, community police, Sustrans Scotland, The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and many of the artists including Perth College UHI students.

We were delighted when STV accepted our invitation and sent reporter Lucy White and Camera man Danny Livingston.  I was filmed in front of "A Soaring Eagle" by Iain Chalmers in the Broch recreation area near Sutrans RT,  Strathyre and artist Kev Paxton was filmed beside Bill The Bull, explaining how he wants to make people smile through his artwork. The footage no longer exists however you can hear my voice over on STV's Facebook page. 

The trail is mapped at www.robroycountry.com/blisstrail. Look out for Bill, a big colourful metal bull that "grazes" in the Lochearnhead Hotel car park entertaining passers by.  He was designed and made by Blacksmith and metal artist Kev Paxton in his smiddy. Kev made the thistles at Edinburgh airport and is busy with other commissions like herds of cattle, rams, peacocks, haggis, garden furniture and garden gates. He is also very passionate about the Ripple Retreat that is being built on Loch Venachar as a holiday home for young cancer patients and their families.  He is making a bespoke piece for them to enjoy.  I call him the man that works in steel with a heart of gold.

Lookout by DanielTyler and Angus RitchieLookout near Monachyle Mhor Balquhidder
Another piece that is causing intrigue is the Lookout by architects Daniel Tyler and Angus Ritchie. The mirrored box was designed for The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Scenic Routes project. I challenge you to find it!  Drive towards Monachyle Mhor,  Balquhidder then look left between Loch Voil and Doine. Walk to the middle of the field between the lochs and you will see it, reflecting you and the surroundings. We would love to see your photos @Briarcottages and @robroycountry #BLiSStrail.  ​Other pieces on the trail include:

Fish Out Of Water sculpture #BLiSStrail
Fish Out Of Water by Lynne Shroder
Airliephant on BLiSStrail
Airliephant #BLiSStrail
Picture
Grooming Stag by June McEwan
Hinting Owl
Hunting Owl by Heather Gray
See more of the 13 BLiSS Trail art installations and 10 BLiSS trail ornaments. 

Fraser fans will be wondering why I have not mentioned him?  Don't worry he got in the act big style. Blacksmith artist Kev Paxton named one of the art works on the trail after him! Find out about "Fraser Briar" in my next blog.  Enjoy the trail and please share your #BLiSStrail photo's on Twitter and Facebook. 
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    Author Kim Proven. 

    Welcome to my blog on life around Briar Cottages. We invite you to share our experience living on the banks of Loch Earn either by booking  a holiday or short break here in any season or by keeping up to date with our news, stories and photographs depicting this stunning location and way of life within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park of Scotland. 

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 Lochearnhead, Perthshire, Scotland, FK19 8PU  Tel: 01567 830 443  Mob: 07917 416 497
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