WYSIWYG

What You See Is What You Get. This is a journal blog, an explore-blog, a bit of this and that blog. Sharing where the mood takes me. Perhaps it will take you too.

Menonday Art Vibe; Auld Kirk

Stobo is a village in the Scottish Borders. I haven't visited there since I was a kid. Perhaps I ought to remedy that this coming year.



I kept a fair bit of the wall around the image as I photographed it to emphasise that it is really quite small—it's about A4 size. The first thing that struck me was that the image itself is quite photographic in its quality, which is a challenge in oil paints, given the propensity for the medium to take on the texture of the brush being used. His painting style made more sense when I read that this artist was first an etcher. Also, knowing the church, it was fun to see it depicted in this way. (If you would like to read a little of the church's history, click here.)  As most of you will be unfamiliar, the door which has been left out on this version by McIntosh is on this shadowed wall, up a flight of steps (and not, as might be thought, at the foot of the bell tower). 

Another thing that attracted me to the image is the stooks of corn. I can remember as a toddler being in the fields on Grandad's hill farm and watching the stooks being made... then along came the great innovation called a 'baler'...

Is there a painting or other artwork you love because of the childhood memories it sparks?


15 comments:

  1. The lack of a visible door lends a mystery to the building.

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  2. Looks like a fine work and I am happy that it invokes childhood memories for you. I can’t think of anything that does that specifically for me, but I feel a deep connection to the land when I see the works of the Group of Seven - Canadian artists extraordinaire. I can’t begin to count the number of times I have immersed myself in their landscapes.

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  3. we remember the stooks too... it was our summer -house where we had tea parties with dolls ;O)

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  4. It's an interesting church, with the pencil- sharpening grooves and the jougs. Beautiful stained glass, too.

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  5. Hello,
    It is a beautiful scene, I love the bell tower and the corn stooks. Take care, have a wonderful week ahead.

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  6. I noticed that it looks like a photo first thing. its beautiful. no post today, waiting on plumber, both commodes not flushing. oy vey

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  7. Evocative image, lovely! Wonder what the stained glass inside is like? Have a great week ahead.

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  8. You have framed the photo beautifully!

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  9. YAM the painting is beautiful and I look forward to the Grey taking you visiting the Stobo in the spring.
    I was recently looking thru some old photos. Found lots fond memories.
    Hugs Cecilia

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  10. Beautiful painting and I love everything about it!

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  11. I really like the depth of this painting!

    My Dad is a painter specializing in watercolors now, but previously in oils. Any oil painting brings back the smell of his art room when I was young!

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  12. Lovely piece. We are struck by the dark clouds in the sky and the "light" effect in the foreground.

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  13. Hi Yam - I love that painting ... and I've had a brief look at the history of Stobo and its kirk - it does sound like a fascinating place to visit ... I hope you can get there this year. I liked learning what the Jougs were - though I'd guessed. Stooks - yes another lovely word conjuring up fields with them in ... cheers Hilary

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