Rocks, Pigments and Rattling Chains!

janettesumnerart
Oct 23
4 min read

After a couple of months of exhibition preparation, family time, a wee holiday and contemplation, I treated myself to an exciting day workshop last weekend!

Ever since visiting Unison Colour in Northumberland a couple of years ago, and seeing their jars of pigments ready for the pastel making, I’ve been curious about making paints from natural pigments, to find out where they come from and how they’re made. So, a day getting some hands-on knowledge was just the ticket. The workshop was run by Edward and Lucy from Old Mill Arts based in Dumfries. https://www.oldmillarts.com

Their knowledge is outstanding, especially the history of the oldest paint pigments from around the world. They only use raw natural ingredients for the pigments and binders, and had some incredible rock, stone and sediment samples, my favourite being the Dumfries Beach with egg tempura binder, and the Icelandic volcanic, Snaefelljockall Red with cherry sap binder. I now have a rock identifying app for my beach visits!

The beautiful tool we used to mix the pigment and binder was made from glass (used after grinding with the pestle and mortar), it also ground the pigment more finely. It was such a dream to circle it around the piece of flat glass. The tool is aptly named a muller, and there were lots of discussion as to whether the phrase ‘to mull things over’ originated from this tool, as it was very therapeutic to use and mull things over!

I came home topped up with inspiration, and little shells filled with watercolour pigments - I’m really excited to see how I can incorporate these into my work!

In my last blog post I mentioned that I would be exhibiting at the Visual Arts Exhibition which was taking place at Dalkeith Palace in August. The Palace was commissioned by Anna, Duchess of Buccleuch and was completed in 1711. It’s a beautiful Classical building with extensive marbling, wood carvings and excellent flocked wallpaper!

I was a little apprehensive as to where I would be positioned, as some of the rooms had neutral wall coverings and some had the flocked damask wallpaper in a deep mustard colour! With a huge sigh of relief on the set- up day, I was delighted to be given a lovely neutral wall. However, the apprehension didn’t stop there, as understandably, no hanging hooks, pins or tape etc could be used on the walls. Instead huge brass chains which hung down from the picture rails were in place for us to use - and they had a mind of their own! They were only hooked loosely over the picture rails, as the weight of the paintings when hung secured them on the rail. I needed to move two of my chains closer together, but the ceiling was so high I came to the conclusion that if I pulled them sideways they would gently move along the rail. However, instead of moving along the rail the chains launched themselves off the rail and clattered across the room! Anyway, long story short, huge step ladders were found and my chains were successfully repositioned.

It was a really lovely sociable weekend meeting all the other artists and makers, and such a privilege to have my work in the Palace. I’ll definitely be heading back next year, if they’ll have me!

After having a few weeks away from painting I’m going to ease myself back in with some collage paper making. I find it’s a good exercise to get back into the groove and spark new ideas. I have been gifted some beautiful Fuumuui needle point watercolour brushes, so I’m going to try these out with my sumi ink and rice paper, (which have been gathering dust since I purchased them to try out Suminagashi, the Japanese art of floating ink marbling). If you’ve read my post of August 2023 you’ll remember that my attempts with this were not too successful!

This week I have been helping to hang artwork at St Columba’s Hospice in Edinburgh for their annual exhibition this coming weekend, and I’m delighted to be exhibiting some pieces with them. The fundraising team work so hard to put on a fantastic three day show. This year the exhibition will be in their Fidra room in the Education Centre, and also in their historic listed building, Challenger Lodge, both of which look directly over the Firth of Forth. The Lodge has the most magnificent Greek Doric pillars - I do love architecture!

There was a lot of ‘oohing and ahhing’ while hanging the paintings, there’s a wonderful eclectic mix of work, I could have brought quite a lot home with me!

At least 50% of all proceeds from sales will go directly to supporting the Hospice, so I’ve popped the details below just in case you are out and about in the area this weekend.

So, that’s it for now!

Thanks so much for reading, coorie down for the winter months, and for those in the Southern Hemisphere - enjoy your summer sunshine.

Janette

Art Exhibition 2025

St Columba’s Hospice 15-17 Boswall Road, EH5 3RW

Friday 24th October 10am-4pm

Saturday 25th October 10am-4pm

Sunday 26th October 10am-4pm

https://stcolumbashospice.org.uk/events/art-exhibition-2025

Dukes of West Barns - Winter Show - November 2025

5 Duke St, West Barns, EH42 1UR

https://dukesofwestbarns.com