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 and leaves |  Mouse inside Fraser Briar |
Kev 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.
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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
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, photo by Dave Murray |  Dragon Bike by June McEwan, photo by Dave Murray |  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 Cottages by Mick Currant |  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).
 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 by Kim Donald 1984
 Soap Stone Sculpture K Donald 1981 |  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.
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.
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
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 at Briar Cottages slipway
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