A story of decay

It is all in the noticing

I have been fascinated with decay as long as I can remember. There is something quiet and predictable about it that makes it, often, go unnoticed. That is until autumn arrives and it is suddenly all around us as the natural world begins to die back ready for a long slumber. At this time of year the challenge is laid down for me to capture early decay or die back so that I might try and preserve it for my creative world. That might take the form of a new entry onto my nature table or I might press or dry it to use later. This year I am more driven than ever as I try and press what I would normally dry.

This wee hydrangea petal is just starting to decay. Any longer and the pressing would just cause a complete breakdown of the petal. It is in the press as I write so we shall see how it gets on. I am a mixed media artist very much inspired by mark making and not always my own. Mother Nature has a real gift for mark making.

As autumn takes a hold on my wee Scottish island I can see beautiful marks appearing everywhere I look and it makes me feel grateful that I can witness such wonder. I leave most of it well alone, only taking small specimens back into my world so that I might, utimately, make a creative response. I might print, paint or stitch always mindful of the story unfolding around me on a daily basis.

What an absolute privilege to be part of that story. Go out and gather….