Bronze Castle

Another month – another castle in the gallery. I’ve painted and etched a few landscapes; printed and sculpted some angels, mermaids, flora, and figures; but just two architectural pieces. Since the Pitfichie Castle etching was well received in July, this month I offered a bronze that I had originally cast for my mother of the “Hurry Castle” – a structure that we had visited many years ago.
With a new juror and a sculptural theme for August – Pitfichie made the “Shape of Things” Show and has now been represented for the second month in a row in the Alexandria Art League’s Members Show.
I hope there’s room for other themes (as I’ve exhausted the fortified house) – maybe a stone circle in the mist, pixies in the heather, or mermaids in the loch? Back to the studio…or maybe Scotland.

Pitfichie Castle: Etching

This year was slated to invite new art efforts and adventures. Last week, a landscape etching I had printed several years ago was accepted into the July juried member’s show at The Art League’s gallery in Alexandria, Virginia. My second exhibition submission, first selection. Might be a tough act to follow, but it is stimulating and encouraging.

Pitfichie is a restored fortified manor house located about 20 miles west of Aberdeen Scotland. It was built in the 16^th century by distant relatives, and then lost to the vagaries of Scottish politics and conflicts after three or four decades. I’ve visited Monymusk  and the castle several times, walked the forests on the banks of the river Don, and toured the local distilleries. This etching (with aquatint) is the first print of a series of twelve showing the castle’s surrounding winter landscape from the northeast.