Monday 23 July 2012

Announcements like the petals on daisies


THE SUN HAS COME BACK! As it blinds us beautifully, glinting fondly remembered through high hedgerows and bouncing its spectrums from spider threads, we rejoice. But, alas we cannot bask in it - we're packing up the van for a long trip north tomorrow. Our road will take us to Scotland, and I don't know whether this longed-for sun has got as far up as that. We'll be travelling almost as far north as it's possible to go - to the Isle of Lewis, which I'm very excited about - I've never been to those islands off the west coast, up in the high north seas, where the edge of the land is a jagged archipelago. 



So, in the midst of doing last minute rehearsals and writing many Lists of Things To Take on the backs of envelopes, I'm popping in here to tell you about our storytellings, and make a few other announcements, before we dash off.


We'll be doing four tellings of Ivashko Medvedko - Little Ivan, Bear Child - the unparalleled Russian Folktale comprising a very strong man, a clever maiden, three giants, underworld journeys and, of course, the Baba Yaga herself. Tom will tell the story, which I will illustrate with accordion and shadow; I'll have a little exhibition/stall at each place where you'll be able to buy prints and paintings, too. Here are the date and times and places and ticket information:


Friday July 27th, 7.30pm - Old Well Theatre, Moffat.
Tickets - £7 - available at the 'Present Time' gift shop, 2/3 High St, Moffat, or from the theatre. Here's a map.

Saturday July 28th, 3pm - Elshieshields Tower, Lochmaben.
Tickets - £5 – call 01387 811 470. Here's a map.

Wednesday August 1st, 7pm-10pm - Galgael Trust, Govan, Glasgow.
with special guest: Bulgarian singer Viara Ivanova.
Tickets - £6/£4 - available online here or on the door. Here's a map.
All proceeds in aid of the Galgael Trust.
Event pages here and here.

Saturday August 4th - Isle of Lewis.
Please contact Sharon Blackie of Two Ravens Press and Earthlines Magazine for more info: info [AT] earthlines.org.uk


Tom has written a lowdown of our trip here. In fact, whilst you're there at his new blog, you'd do well to read some of his stunningly moving poetry and stories of bears...


It's all a combination of exciting and terrifying. Will anyone come? Will we be strangled by nerves or fly with the story? 
I urge and entice all of you who live in Scotland or know those who do to buy tickets and spread the word. Each venue will have a quite different feel to it, so choose whichever draws you.


In between, we'll be visiting old haunts, meeting friends and exploring the wilds of our north. Lewis is almost on a level with the bottom tip of Greenland, when you look at a map - I forget how northerly this little island of ours is.

~ ~ ~


And what else? Well, of course a two week Storytelling Tour of Scotland isn't enough! As soon as we get home, on the 9th August, we'll be storytelling again here on Dartmoor at Chi Camp, organised by Angus Clarke of Living Movement. And then the following week we're off to this year's Uncivilisation Festival, which promises to be an altogether wilder, more acoustic and edgy affair than last year's. Have a look at the full programme - full of thought-provoking, soul and mind-stirring talks, performances and discussions, honourings of the road protests of the 1990s, superb music, scything workshops, herb walks, writing workshops, poetry, feral theatre, Brythonic music and fireside dancing courtesy of our friends Wod, childrens' council, folktales and much much more. For some time we've been plotting with a group of others - Mearcstapa - tasked with the weaving of art and a certain strangeness into the festival. As the programme describes us:


A collective of artists and performers who have been granted a fool’s licence to bring an anarchic creativity to the festival. They will provide an unpredictable extra layer to the programme: shape-shifting theatre; art and performance on the edges; the festival’s dark fringe spilling from the woods into the main spaces. There will be opportunities to take part, make your own art, and join them for a wild hunt in the woods!


We can't tell you what that will involve yet, you'll have to look out of the corners of your eyes when you get to the festival, but we hope it will honour the old gods of the land, and whip up an uneasy delight.


And the story Tom and I will be telling around the fire on the friday night will be a strange and wonderful and icy tale from the ferocious mythology of Chukotka, on the far eastern tip of Siberia. As the programme says:

Tom Hirons and Rima Staines bring you a tale from the Chukchi people of the far edge of Siberia: a tale of flying tongues and talking skulls, underworld wives and star-brothers, transformings and boundary-crossings and obsidian and fire-breathing reindeer. Sit by the fire; bring your blankets and your unrepentant strangeness, and be ready for curious happenings. At the main firepit, by the marquee.


If you'd like to buy tickets for Uncivilisation, be quick about it, there are less than 60 left, and they do tend to sell out.

~ ~ ~


If, as we head north tomorrow, you should be heading south-west, I must recommend a lovely little gallery of local art and craft that has recently opened in Chagford - Artisan. I have work on show there - giclée prints and originals - alongside some of my talented Dartmoor neighbours: Virginia Lee, Danielle Barlow, Jason of England, Miriam Boy, Helen Melland, Yuli Somme and many others to come. 


The gallery is run by Colette and Martin Brady, who wanted to create a space for local artists and craftspeople to showcase their work, and Chagford is delighted! Martin is also a leatherworker and his little workbench sits at the back of the gallery space, where you can see him completing the many commissions he's received since opening just a few weeks ago.




For those of you who can spot my work here amongst all the other delights, and are wondering who made the beautiful rustic frames - these are by David Winter, up in Yorkshire, who now provides all my frames for shows and galleries. He makes them from old pallets and wood found in skips, which he transforms into beautiful rustic dark-waxed frames, some still with old nails and staples embedded in the wood. I'm delighted to have found him, as these frames he makes are exactly what I'd make if I had the time to frame my work myself. I'd heartily recommend his craftsmanship and friendly service to anyone wondering how to frame prints of my work. He has an etsy shop too.
 

 

And for those of you in and around Devon during September, I'll be taking part in the popular Devon Open Studios event, for which I'll have to prepare frantically as soon as we return from our summer shenanigans.

~ ~ ~


In our little cottage, as we stack boxes of kettles and tarps and prints and masks and diesel oil and spare loo roll and firewood and tea by the door, Macha looks at us reproachfully, knowing Something's Afoot.


Across the blue sky of July, the sun stares eye to eye with the daisies - each radiant eye looking into this day of ours, full of as many plans as daisy petals.


And we stand in the sun's light, our shadows long and reaching north. The three of us, off on an adventure...


31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Rima. See you in Glasgow. It's lashing today but I have ordered some sun and fine weather for you! Enjoy your trip to the Outer Hebrides (it's at the Edge of the World :)

Sandra.

Lois said...

Not the first time I wish I lived in your magical location! The frames are perfect, they so compliment your work. My husband has always re-used skids and other found wood and made treasures. Have a wonderful trip.

Heather said...

The gallery in Chagford looks delightful and is packed with wonderful things. Hope this lovely weather holds and encourages lots of potential customers to the area.
The Isle of Lewis sounds fascinating and I look forward to hearing all about your visit there. Good luck - safe journeys - and have a wonderful time.

tamerajane said...

That shop is so sweet!! Best of luck with your stories - I wish I could come! I'm sure people will love them.

Sylvia Linsteadt said...

What a delightful month you have ahead of you-- it just sounds truly wonderful and I only wish I could pop over to Scotland and hear the storytelling myself! Uncivilisation Festival sounds beautiful beyond words. Wishing you splendid northern adventures and lots of sun. :)

Midnight Folklore said...

Always a pleasure to see your wonderful photos. I don't suppose you have plans to record the audio of the story? I'd love to hear it!

Charlotte said...

What a fabulous adventure, I hope for clear skies and Northern Lights to illuminate your tales.

We are off to Exmoor next week (for a long overdue re-visit for me and new visit for the boys). I can feel a trip to Chagford coming. Thank you for sharing your announcements, all the best.

gz said...

Hope the trip to Lewis..Eileann Siar..goes well. I'll tell my friends there of your visit.
I don't think I'll be able to go even though I'll be in Ayrshire for August.

Artisan looks marvellous and inspiring.

farmlady said...

Great adventures and an artistic life is what living is all about.
Have a wonderful time.

Martin said...

Safe travels and exciting times, Rima.

Ms. said...

May your adventure be like this music dear ones: Loro
http://youtu.be/cNk9ihFCG-E

Unknown said...

Happy travels - looking forward to seeing you at Uncivilization! xxx

Clive Hicks-Jenkins said...

Oh I'd give a lot to be at one of those story-tellings. (Sigh)

Have a wonderful time. Clearly audiences are in for a treat!

Elderberry-Rob said...

One day you will travel my way or I yours, I am sure. Safe travel and may the wonderful gifts you are blessed with touch many Betty... Not all who Wander are Lost, Lord of the Rings.

Jess said...

I was so excited to hear that you're going to Lewis! I too have recently travelled to that part of the UK for the first time, to Skye and saw Lewis across the water. I'dblogged about it if you'd like a peek! I like the look of that new Chagford shop, I will definitely be paying a visit before the summer is out. :)
Jess xxx

Ronnie (RR) said...

Such wonderful photos Rima. Wishing you well on your travels, hope the van goes ok with no hiccups. Am sure your evenings will go down a treat too. Your work fits in so well in the shop, such lovely things on display. Such a beautiful little shop. Enjoy Scotland and can't wait to see your photos and hear your news

Kelly said...

You have a beautiful blog! Your upcoming theatrical performance sounds intriguing. I wish I lived nearby so that I could attend (I live in the US).

Blessings on your jounrney Rima~

Teresa Kasner said...

That was funny to see your dog looking at you, wondering what was to come next. Our dog does the same thing when we're packing to leave on a trip, he just knows something is up. Have a profitable and fun time on your travels and sales ventures! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Those islands are heaven. Really.
You will adore Lewis.
xo,
pamela

Lynn said...

What a wonderful post; so full of interesting items. I would love to visit Artisan on my way to Cornwall one day. I am sure I would be sorely tempted to part with some fairy gold!

LeeAnn at Mrs Black's said...

Rima, I love your blog and just wanted to let you know that we have bestwoed the Kreative Blogger Award upon you. Please pop over to Mrs Black's and pick it up. Thank you for such a lovely blog, we really enjoy it! xxx

Anonymous said...

Always a pleasure to read you. Have a wonderful trip up to Lewis, and wish "Artisan" the very best of luck with their venture. Robert

Anonymous said...

Have a good time in Scotland! Lewis is so BEAUTIFULL and I`m sure you will love it. My husband was living in Glasgow for two years and we have seen a lot from Scotland. Still today I sometimes feel homesick for Scotland as I like the people there and the beautiful wild landscape.
I am looking so much forward to hearing your stories and see your pictures when you come back from your journey!

All the best
funny

gabriela said...

desde Colombia amo vuestro trabajo, maravilloso da alegría a mi corazón: I Love, love un abrazo desde mi alma.

Anthropomorphica said...

I hope your tales, art and music were heartily received and wove dreams a plenty in the hearts of all who saw and heard.

linden said...

So, by now you must have told Stories up in Lewis. We were married up in Ullapool 27 yearss ago this past Aug. 8th. We spent our time after wedding at Altnaharrie and then on Harris and Lewis. I dragged home to the State with me a handwoven cloth by one of the last hand production weavers there a bolt of cloth...deep forest greens...which upon arriving home my dear new beloved husband had made into a long hooded cape, which I still wear to this day. I cannot imagine anything more wonderful than hearing Rima Staines play music and create stories in the wild heart of my Scotland love. I can dream...again someday...perhaps when I am old and grey...?

Miss Bri said...

Beautiful Rima! Oh how I wish that myself and my beloved and our little one could go and circle with you, listening to stories of the wild Russian forests and wise witches! Artisan looks like a wonderful temporary home for your lovely work and I cannot wait until the day we visit Chagford! Its on our list!

The Flying Tortoise said...

Hi Rima, I just called in to say hello. I'll leave some hugs for you.
Keith

Unknown said...

Rima there are all arts and prints looking so aggressive i have no words to define there beauties i am really so inspired from your blog keep continue sharing..
Thanks



poster tutorial

Owen said...

Why is it I am always thrilled to see when you have flown in and left a virtual creation in blogland ?

The Flying Tortoise said...

I came, I saw and enjoyed as usual.
Hugs to you Rima...
Keith