Month: Apr 2020

The ancient art of basket weaving is believed to be one of the widest spread crafts in the history of human civilization. The process involves weaving pliable, natural materials together to create a variety of useful forms and vessels. Inspired by the craft, a British sculptor known as Anna & the Willow has put a contemporary twist on this timeless technique. She creates incredible nature-inspired sculptures made from English-grown rods of willow.

Anna first started working with willow 10 years ago when she took a weekend sculpting course. “Working with a natural material opened up a new world and I consequently went on to learn the different techniques of basketry,” she says. “I enjoy using the traditional skills of basketry and adding my own flare to the process.” The talented maker crafts a variety of willow baskets and small gifts, but her impressive sculptural work showcases the traditional technique at a whole new level. Each large, outdoor piece is first planned with hand-drawn sketches before being rendered from bespoke steel frames. Anna then wraps them with layers of interwoven willow rods, revealing their awe-inspiring forms.

One 9-foot figurative sculpture, titled The Huntress of Skipton Castle Woods, depicts a woman shooting a bow and arrow. Placed amongst a woodland environment, the remarkable piece looks as though it has grown from the forest floor and could come to life to shoot her arrow at any second. In other works, Anna has sculpted life-sized animals, including a stag and a horse, both of whom appear as though they’re surveying their landscape, frozen in time.

You can see more of Anna’s work on Instagram. And if you’re feeling inspired to create your own willow works, you can join the artist’s workshops at her studio in North Yorkshire, England.

Forest feature of the week. Micheldever Wood, Hampshire

This woodland is known for its spectacular display of bluebells in spring. We may not be able to visit and see them now, but a host of forest animals are enjoying their sweet scent! The stunning muntjac deer live among the wildflowers, and are joined by a growing butterfly population.

📸: Thomas Harris, Landscape & Architecture Photographer

This day to me, is a day of celebrating life that springs from darkness.
From the births that come from death, or from what was.
The cracking open of the hardened egg, the stepping out of the cave, the growing from all the compost of last years lessons.
It is a time to celebrate the return of plants, blossom, vibrant greens, wild weeds and birdsong.
A time to celebrate our rebirth on the land, to honour our breath and our life force.
We have two true homes; the land and our bodies. Both of which work to bring healing and wellness, love and balance, Good medicine and growth, if only we would help them more along the journey and celebrate them.
Let’s Love them, dance in them, sing in them, touch them and listen to them.
Let’s open our hearts and let ourselves be inhabited by the natural earth and our own wisdom.
Plant seeds both physically and mentally, eat the weeds, drink the flowers, hold ceremony for you, the birds and for the plants, lie on the grass and feel life inside and out.
Let’s celebrate this unfurling tender and strong life, this tenacious medicine spirit.

Post by Brigit Anna McNeill

Desiderata

GO PLACIDLY amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

By Max Ehrmann © 1927
via Mo Thomas

Image by greenpebble.co.uk