Wind

2024
Woodcut

This print was born by standing in the wind outside my studio and Opening myself up to the power and spirit of the wind , breathing it in deeply, letting whatever imagery appeared flow on to the woodblock. The wind in Shetland can be tiresome and exhausting in its relentless energy but I try my hardest to give thanks for the wind because it brings clean life supporting air as well as bringing an array of visitors from all directions. When the wind comes from the north it is icy cold and brings birds from the arctic and Iceland. West wind is often mild and damp, good for trout fishing as well as bringing birds from America. Southerly wind is usually mild, also good for trout , bringing birds from Mainland Britain and Europe. The east wind is my favourite because during spring and autumn it fills Shetland with a dazzling array of avian visitors from Scandinavia, Russia, Siberia and Europe. Some birds glide and ride the movement of air almost as a celebration of life and in Shetland it is the Fulmars that offer us the visual manifestation and shape of updrafts and air currents as they glide majestically around their cliff side homes.

Breathe