Sally Wakelin – Studies in Creativity
Paintings, drawings, sculpture and writing
Green is everywhere but its good to find something other than just the green of grass or leaves, the “green” of the golf course apart.
I visited the Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens in Paris in November, the leaves turning to a luminous yellow set against the dark green pines and vivid green moss on the tree trunk all caught my eye but what centres the image the pensive young man, his feet flexed in concentration. And the green plastic hose running along the edge of the lawn.
Today I went by train to Bristol and couldn’t resist covertly photographing this beautiful Japanese woman as she slept, seen through the reflection of passing smoke, trees and fields seemingly to be gently enveloping her.
A dark shape appears to be rolling her head and making her gasp – seen through a fine white gauze-like stream.
Geo tagging with my phone tells me exactly where I took this photo – on the traintrack just after it crosses the A338 north of Wantage – simultaneously both fascinating and useless information.
Below is a photo of Reading station – repeating patterns in such close proximity. The cut out shapes are the same but seen in silhouette, then blue and above, apparently reversed – the same shapes made from corrugated roofing – confused by reflections in the train window.
I tried photographing the concrete-paved platform as the train was slowly pulling out of the station, the yellow warning strip of the edge of the platform makes a pleasing border.
Decorative plasterwork on the ceiling of a public house dating back to 1746, the Llandoger Trow in Bristol centre.
I have never tried casting anything in plaster until now, using the large nylon salad bowl my mother gave me 20 years ago as my modelling form.
Playdough walls to define the shape and everything covered liberally with Vaseline. I poured the plaster and allowed it to thicken and spooned out the excess. I made two castings and after finishing them to a smooth polished surface, I glued them together.
As I failed to realise how fragile it was, ordinary Plaster of Paris without an armature, it broke . . .
Now I am starting again but bigger and better. I have acquired a large wok and a bag of terracotta coloured sculpture plaster which not only is very tough but also has iron inclusions which will gradually rust on the surface.
Magonlia buds have opened further in the warm sunny weather over the last few days.
I am lucky to live within walking distance of this great old park, wide views over London, historic bulidings, some of the oldest trees for miles around and plenty of green space. We are all distressed to know that our access will be restricted for so long this summer to make way for the Equestrian Olympics.
Each week we see changes, the building of new banks for jumps, trimming of some trees, removal of others, widening of gateways, re-laying of lawns and paths – the list goes on and on. Progress and development are good but the chain-saw sounds of tree-felling are worrying. Even the heath is being transformed with temporary buildings – provision of stabling for all the horses.
My booted friend saw this grating in Portmerion and knew I’d like it.
Crossing over thew railway line in Blaenau Ffestiniog, I presume the wooden rails are to stop people wandering off from the official route.
The watermill at Blaenau Ffestiniog, water drips running down in the gaps between the railings and below, the hods of thre wheel juxtaposed against the perspective lines of the slates on the roof beyond.
Sally Wakelin - Studies in Creativity 
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