St. Edmunds Church, Wooton, Isle of Wight

On a recent holiday to the Isle of Wight we were very lucky to be within walking distance of the beautiful old 11th century Norman church built 1087AD.

St. Edmunds Wooton 8/8/18 by S. Johnston

St. Edmunds, Wooton

 








The church is medieval in origin. The patron saint of the church is St. Edmund, King and Martyr; King of East Anglia during the time of the Danish invasions of the late 10th Century.

Legend has it that he was captured by the Danes and given the ultimatum of surrendering his Christian Faith and his kingdom - or death.  He refused and was therefore, rather gruesomely, tied to a tree, fired with arrows till dead before his head was cut off and thrown into a nearby wood.

Legend has it that when his friends came to retrieve his body they heard a faint cry 'here, here' and eventually found Edmonds head; guarded by wolves.

His body was originally buried at Hoxne; the site of his martyrdom before being later interred at a monastery at nearby Beodericsworth, later known as Bury St. Edmunds in the 10th Century.

Edmund was venerated by his enemies as the Patron saint of England until George was introduced by returning crusaders.


Although the details of his martyrdom are legend, Edmund is mentioned in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle as having been killed by the Danes. St. Edmunds symbol is a crown with arrows through it and the wolves are featured in the window behind the Rector's chair.

St. Edmunds church was built on the site of an old Saxon church as mentioned in the Domesday Book, 1086 as Odetone.  Following the Norman Conquest the church was built as a private chapel for the nearby manor house, now known as Wootton manor Farm. The original building is the present nave with an extension, the chancel, being added 200 years later.

Around the end of the 14th Century, a chantry chapel was constructed on the north wall of the church.  This was later demolished in the 16th century during the reign of Henry VIII.

The present Chapel of Remembrance was built on the same site in 1892.

The entranceway is a beautiful Norman doorway, the font is Jacobean with a Victorian base and the pulpit is also Jacobean.  The railings and restoration work were designed by Percy Stone, well-known architect.

The stained glass is late Victorian and on the wall of the side chapel is a 
Royal Coat of Arms thought to date from 1813.



References: 
http://woottonbridgeiow.org.uk/stedmunds.php
http://www.cofeparishofwoottonbridge.org.uk/st-edmonds-testamonials/

A Week of Art

So last week I did a week long intensive art course.  I had a great time ... 4 hours a day of learning new skills: What a wonderful journey.

Monday was all about values of shading using different weights of pencils.

We started off with a value image of a person.  Using a light box we drew the outline of the image and then using our pencil tried to replicate ate the shaded shapes to create a 3 dimensional image. 

After lunch things moved on a step and we shaded a portrait of a female face.  Again we used the light box to create the basic outline before using the pencil and smudge stick (which I love by the way) to create the tones and shades in the face.  I have to say I was quite impressed by the outcome. 

Keith, our tutor was excellent; demonstrating and explaining what we had to do and I learnt a lot about values just in day 1; which set me up well for the rest of the week.

          

Shades of Grey

 

Portrait in Shades of Grey

On Tuesday we moved on to a bit of watercolour using light and shade, mixing our own Paynes Grey using ultramarine and burnt umber.  Incorporating the light is something I need to work at, but it's all in the practice.

River & Boat

                      

On Wednesday, we moved on to charcoal and using pencil again.  Elephants were the subject of the day.  I have to say being a big fan of elephants, I enjoyed every minute of doing these pictures.  Again we used the light box to create the outline but the shading is all me.  Very scary at first smudging the whole image with the charcoal; but having confidence in the technique and Keith's demonstrations, gave us all hope.  Again I was thrilled with the completed picture.  It went through ups and downs before it was completed, but as always say .... "don't judge it till it's finished"

         

Looking for Love

There you are ...

Thursday was back to watercolour.  We started by creating a colour wheel before moving on to painting trees of different shapes and colours using  values again Using different amounts of water to create light and shade and different brush techniques to create the foliage  and detail of the trees.

Once we had tried a few different styles and colour mixes, need to be very careful with green as it saturates very easily, we went on to paint a landscape creating more of a blended affect than distinctive.  I have to say this was a challenge. To me it looked like a big smudge of colour and I get very judgemental of my own work.... But I worked at it until I came up with something I was fairly happy with.... Need to fill that glass up when it comes to this style of painting.

On Friday we went back to what we loved ... charcoal. This time it was gorillas in the morning and forests in the afternoon.

Lost Love

This week I learnt a lot about colour, value, light and dark, shades and tones.  The group was very supportive with each other and the teaching was very informative, with step by step demonstrations and instruction. The whole week was a fantastic, positive experience.

Boats at sunset

Had another wonderful session at Art group this week were we did watercolour paintings of boats. 

I chose the one with colour, as I always do and I have to say I am pleased with how it turned out.

The more I do this, the more fun I am having with it.  It helps having local artist Keith Palmer, leading the course.  I am lucky enough to have a best friend who has passion and enthusiasm that is infectious.

I love my sewing and crafts, especially working with wire but this is a whole new journey that I am embracing.

Today I leave work for new ventures (more about that in my next blog) and next week I am starting my new future with an art course - recharging my batteries and getting my summer off to a positive start. Looking forward to whatever transpires.

The sand between my toes

Seaton Carew

 

A trip to the seaside

We have so much wonderful scenery from the beaches to the countryside right on our doorstep.  We need to take time to enjoy it and cherish it.  

In the last couple of days I have had the absolute joy of visiting the beach at Seaton Carew (twice). We went the scenic route taking us past seal sands: the decomissioned oil rig; which is fantastic in the right light, is a sight to behold.  We were also lucky enough to see the seals basking in the sun at Teesmouth Nature Reserve.

There is nothing better at the end of a long week than a paddle in the sea to refresh and relax. The sky was blue, the sea was warm, the company was excellent. I couldn't ask for more.

I love to watch the waves and listen to the sound of the sea.  I had to embrace my inner child and jump the waves; something I haven't done in years, since my children were small.  That along with the feeling of sand between my toes took me back to my own childhood. When we used to live in Scarborough and would go to the beach after school most days in the summer ....  Everyone should embrace their inner child every now and then; it's good for the soul.

Seaton Carew has to be one of the most underestimated beaches in the area.  The views are fantastic: sand dunes, wind turbines and ships along the horizon are just a few.  One of the most mesmerising sights on the sand has to be the sea coal; the way it shifts and forms as it's moved back and forth by the waves on the beach.

We enjoyed local fish and chips and for me the oyster ice-cream just completes the day.

Sunken ship at Seaton Carew

Sunken Ship

Whilst walking along the beach we came across the remains of the Seaton Carew shipwreck.  Being a fan of local history I was keen to learn more and with the help of a good friend; found several references to the site and other local ship wrecks.

Links for further information are below:


https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list-entry/1000077

www.alamy.com/stock-photo-historic-wreck-wooden-boat-shipwreck-uncovered-by-the-sea-at-seaton-58842130.html

www.hhtandn.org



I came home feeling relaxed, exhilarated and ready to paint.  A pastime I am embracing with a new found freedom and enjoyment 😊

Mini Watercolours

Starting last week, on a Monday night, I support in a local art class run by a wonderful artist friend of mine.  As well as supporting I also get to participate.  Now anyone who knows me knows how creative I am and I will give most things a go. But when it comes to art ……. Well that’s a different story. My sister … she’s great but I am completely out of my comfort zone; which in some respects is a good thing. As I say constantly to my learners, “you don’t have to be good at something to enjoy it or feel good about it or yourself”. 

When it comes to art ... In the past I often felt disappointed in myself if it didn’t look like the image or view I was drawing or painting. Then I was told, “if you want an exact replica – take a photo. A drawing or painting is meant to be a representation not an exact copy and that can come in many forms”.  So, I thought … what the heck let’s give it a go. I am trying to be looser in my methods by letting the creative right-side of my brain lead rather than the logic-led left.

Here are my three mini watercolours from this evening …. Which look nothing like the originals by-the-way 😊

Supporting Positive Mental Health

It is my firm belief that by learning new skills and developing our existing ones we can build confidence and self-esteem which can in turn support positive mental health.

I have the privilege of working with men and women with mental health issues.  I am a strong believer, from my own experiences, that by trying new things and learning new skills we achieve a better sense of well-being.  When I am in my creative zone, nothing else matters.  All other worries and stresses are put to one side for that period of time.  I can become so absorbed in what I am doing that I focus on that task, giving respite from everything else around.  It is this ethos that I share with my groups; with excellent results.

Each week I try to encourage everyone in the group to either try something new or develop their existing skills by stretching themselves a little.  Although not all the projects are practical; a good number of them are. This can include cooking, sewing, woodwork, art and sculpting with wire or clay.

This week, with my 'Amazing You' ladies, we had a wonderful Thursday creating wire hearts and clay sculptures.  All of which were a great success.  For each session it is my aim for everyone to leave the session feeling inspired, relaxed, happy and with a sense of achievement.

Wire Hearts

1.  We created a structure by making a circle with heavy duty wire.
2.  More heavy wire was double twisted before the whole thing 
     was reshaped to create a heart.
3.  Thinner wire was twisted around and interwoven with beads to 
     create the decorative detail.  A hanger completed the project.

Clay Sculptures

The clay sculptures were made using air-dried clay.

1. We created the leaves by rolling clay till  it was 1/2cm thick.

2.  Leaves were laid onto the rolled clay and pressed in to create the detail.  

3. The leaves are cut out before being removed from the clay.

4. The leaf shape is then manipulated to give it a more realistic shape.

5.  The roses were made by using small thin rounds of clay rolled flat.  The first round is used to make a cone shape.  This is the centre of the rose.

6. Further rounds are used to create the petals  - adding them one at a time.  The rose will start to take shape so continue until it becomes your required size.

7.  The leaves and roses are layered together to create the sculpture.   A paint brush with water is used to stick the roses and leaves into place.

In the following session we paint them and /or varnish them with Mod Podge.

Welcome to Positivity Through Creativity

I am a 49 year old woman bordering on the big 50; a hippy chick who loves to hug trees, burn incense and play with wire.  I enjoy all things creative as well as sewing, reading and poetry; but I also love to learn about the history of the place I live; Stockton-on-Tees.  

Writing a blog is something I have been thinking about for a while but wasn't sure how to get started. I aim to write about my creative projects, days out with family and friends and things that I enjoy and inspire me.

I believe in the positivity of creativity.  It is not something you have to be good at … just something you enjoy.  Personally; when I am in my creative zone I switch off from everything else.  I find it excellent therapy for stress and taking my mind off things.  

My more recent makes include wire trees and pixies which I thoroughly enjoy doing. I have not ventured into the sales market yet … maybe one day who knows? Right now, I enjoy making them for family and friends as well as teaching others how to make them too.

I plan to share all these experiences on my blog.  If you would like more information please let me know.