Monday 25 April 2016

Headlands



Almost nine months ago while travelling through showers and sunny intervals, I came over the top of the hill from Berridale to see some of the bays surrounded by cliffs highlighted in the sun.  

I have since been doing a few experiments to try to represent the view. Now I have produced the first two of the Headlands series that I am happy with. 

HeadlandsI from the left

HeadlandsI from the front

HeadlandsI from the right
 The multiple processes of cutting, grinding, shaping and the kiln time used to realise these pieces are not the important elements, it is the attempt to give a feel of the place on a small scale.


HeadlandsII from the right


HeadlandsII from the left
I now need to decide which of these two is to be entered for an exhibition this Autumn.

Monday 18 April 2016

Caledonian Road Church

I was out looking at an old church during the week.  The east window remains in place.  I was unable to find out the artist.  It was dedicated after 1872.


This is done in a traditional style and is just before the flourishing of the arts nouveau in Scotland.

Monday 4 April 2016

Secondary Glazing

I have had the opportunity to work on a stained glass window in a cottage located in Carstairs.  The lintel over the door has the date 1762*.  A lot has been done to the building since then, but it is good to see it standing.

My task was to repair four broken panes in the bathroom and establish secondary glazing on the outside.  This is the only window that is not double glazed at the back.  It is in a steel frame, so that probably puts the window in the 1920's  


The repairs required are at the bottom corners, next to the right lower rose and the pane covered with black tape.

The repaired and cleaned window now has this appearance:




Meanwhile, the establishment of a timber frame for the secondary glazing was going ahead.  The frame needed to accommodate the hinges on the left outside and the slope of the base of the window.  The frame was attached to the sides of the opening and sealed at the top to prevent water entering there.


The frame was made square so that there is ventilation at the bottom of the frame to prevent condensation building up between the two panes.

The picture below shows the trial of the glass pane into the new opening.





The final picture shows the secondary glazed window in place among the double glazed windows.



This was a satisfying project to complete, as removing the steel framed window would have presented a completely different appearance to the stained glass that was made to fit its present setting.




* The lintel is a copy of the original, and I did not want to identify the location, so I have not taken a photograph of the front of the building.