Morning Art Family!
I hope everyone has had a fruitful start to 2024. I wanted to kick off my first newsletter with a recent trip to the Lake District, a place that has been named Britain’s greatest National Park. It was my first time there and It felt extra special to experience the mountainous landscape during the winter season. It was particularly beautiful because one day it would be sunny and you could indulge in the burnt orange and muted green colours and the next day those same mountains would be covered in delicate white snow, giving them an otherworldly appearance.
My favourite texture in the landscape was the falling water on the rock face. Once temperatures hit zero degrees, the water solidified into ice and patiently waited to be kissed back to life by the sun.
Field research is dominant in my practice, and I often take inspiration from the places I visit when creating my sculptures. This is reflected in my choice of colours, textures, and materials. Whilst I was indulging in the beautiful scenery during my drives through the Lake District, I soon became infatuated with the area’s number one loyal resident: the Herdwick sheep.
I never thought I would call sheep beautiful or even have a ‘favourite’ breed but alas, the Herdwick sheep has stolen my heart!
Herdwick sheep are the native breed to the Lake District region and live their lives grazing on the highest of England’s mountains. They are extremely hardy, withstanding difficult terrains, harsh weather, and low winter temperatures. They stand out due to their long legs, wide smiley faces, and cheeky character. It is believed that Herdwick’s ancestors were brought to England by the Vikings around 10th - 11th century.
I was particularly intrigued to find out that Herdwick’s lamb are born completely black and turn light grey as they age. Herdwick’s also have an in-built homing instinct that is passed from generation to generation about which part of the fell they are supposed to graze on. This means that when a farm is bought or rented it comes with its flock in place. How sweet!
After falling asleep one night quite literally counting sheep, I decided to visit the Crookabeck Farm which specializes in Herdwick wool. I ended up buying some wool for artwork experimentation and said hello to the sheep that had been brought into the sheep pen for a health check-up. Since I work with a material that comes from an animal, whenever I can, I always make sure to visit the farm/organization I am purchasing the wool from and check that the animals are living good lives and are being properly cared for.
I am excited to start experimenting with my new Herdwick wool and I can't wait to share my progress with you in the coming months. In the meantime, if you are planning on traveling up to the Lake District make sure to say hello to my new friend Alice (pictured below).
Stay Cheeky ;)
Hugs, Lea
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