Orcome Trust Residency
View some of Darren's work for the Orcome Trust
In February 2006 I was appointed ‘Artist in Residence’ for the Newhall/Carlops area, my brief being to capture the wildlife and scenery of this wonderful area of the Scottish Borders. This is the first time a Residency such as this has been offered on this scale in such a unique area, and I feel honoured to be able to liaise with residents, learn about this area whilst, at the same time, passing on some of what I have learnt through the years.
The area I am working in stems from the source of the North Esk river in the Pentland Hills, some 17 miles or so to the south of Edinburgh. The North Esk winds its way through valleys including the incredible Amazon Dean and below Newhall house until it meets the South Esk, itself originating from the Moorfoot hills. The River Esk then makes its way to the Firth of Forth at Musselburgh, my town of residence and the estuary where I have been working for the last 10 years. It is great to be exploring what lies ‘up river’.
A large part of the residency involves me talking, demonstrating and giving workshops on my working methods. On Friday 12th May 2006, a full village hall saw me introduced to the community, where I talked about my origins which have led me to where I am now, and demonstration on a large scale of my ‘direct in brush’ techniques. The evening was a huge success and questions had to be stopped late in the evening.
A full exhibition of the work will be shown at Carlops Village Hall in late November 2006, with two further shows at the Village Hall in the following spring, at McHardys Art and Framing Gallery, Peebles from the 11th May to the 2nd June 2007 and at The Wildlife Art Gallery, Lavenham, Suffolk in Autumn 2007.
September the 3rd and 10th 2006 will see the field workshops take place, where I will take firstly groups of children out drawing and watching nature, then on the second date adults for an intense art and nature experience. Spaces are limited and full details can be found in the July…
It is now July already, and I feel I am only dipping my toes in a very large pond and one which has captivated me in every sense of the word. As I speak, a pair of Peregrines that had their nest raided in the spring have thankfully now fledged two young which are running around the heather in their dogged reluctance to use the wings that will soon become the ultimate symbol of predator. Large Heath butterflies are distinctively fluttering heavily over Hare’s Tail Cotton Grass and Cross-leaved Heath, the fields are being cut and the heat is exaggerating the pollen filled dustiness of the country. Every day is precious to me as I try to capture the images that will tell the story of this all too precious and short year.
As this section on my website builds I aim to show the full breadth of work that will give a flavour to the richness that this area holds, should one be prepared to stop and watch.
