Margate Photography

I have been working on my photographs, selecting and re filing digitally with the aim of using more of them in my mixed media works in the coming year.

So I have also been looking at digital processes in order to see some with fresh eyes and to see further potential in some images.

I do enjoy turning an image into something quite different or changed to a degree, some of these images will have more work done to them. Using digital programs and by physically painting or collaging on top of them.


 

Ramsgate Harbour illuminated boats.

Ramsgate Royal Harbour has become one of the Christmas highlights in Thanet, with more of the boats illuminated for the festival this year.

Lots of people are visiting and taking photographs  of the over 40 boats taking part and the press has been down interested in this more unusual Christmas event.

This annual event is now in its third year and is organized by the Royal Temple Yacht Club and Ramsgate Marina Association and runs till January.

Boats taking part will be judged for the best dressed competition in a number of categories.

Working with Circles continued.

Following on with the theme of circles that we have been working with at Blank Canvas for a few terms

 I have been photographing circular forms and using them in other art works.
Walking along the Harbour arm in Margate, there were circles in the stones, on the walls, and as part of signs and structures.

 The weathered stumps of iron railings looked like metal nests for some strange mechanical birds.

The sunsets we have here in Margate, continue to inspire and gather groups of people to photograph them, or sit and simply enjoy the show.

Dreamland continues with it's restoration of the site and buildings and here the big wheel was lit up for an arts event.

Sea Gazing and Drawing

 

One of the things I like about being near the sea, is being able to just look at the sea. Here in Margate the new steps by the harbour are a good place to just sit and watch the waves. 

On the Harbour Arm you can also watch the waves breaking on the walls, and if you are not quick enough, get sprayed by the incoming waves too.

There is something quite meditative and absorbing gazing on the sea, with the continuous movement of waves forming and dissolving. I find my mind moves with this rhythm and opens to the experience.

This week I sat on the steps and with a fine liner pen traced the movements of the waves on the sea.

It's something that I want to do more of, maybe with a few different colours.

Oyster Festival at Whitstable

Whitstable's annual Oyster Festival opened last weekend with the Landing of the Oysters  and their blessing by the  Rev Simon Tillotson from St Peters Church, the seafarers church in Whitstable, which recocnizes St. James of Compostela, the patron saint of Oystermen.

Many thousands of people come to the festival which has a week long programme of events. Festival website here

The tide was in for the landing of the oysters and I was struck by how close the various boats were to the shore. I also had a sense of how lovely it must be  for all the children and youngsters in boats enjoying themselves.

After the blessing of the oysters the cart and clergy and dignitaries joined the parade through the town.  Some great paper mache heads and fish and the two giant figures along with a wonderful steam punkish  metal crustacean vehicle.

Along the harbour were hundreds of stalls, most with food and drink for all the crowds. There were the longest ques at the oyster stalls, which seems right as it was an oyster festival. 

It was very busy  and very hot, I needed to cool off in the small areas of shade  every so often.
But I enjoyed the atmosphere, the parade and seeing the landing of the oysters.

Colours of the sea

 

 

 

I have been building up a folder of photographs of the sea. One of the things that has impressed me the most living by the sea now, are the varieties of colour found in the sea.

 

 

On sunny days the sea has colours that remind me of the Mediterraneam and Cornish waters. Other times there are subtle tones of blues, greens, greys and ochres. Then of course with the setting sun, reflectings of sunsets.

Last week the low sun cast an amazing molten silver colour over part of the sea. 

I hope to turn some of the images into other art works this year.

RIBA Sandcastle competition Margate.



The Royal Institute of British Architects RIBA Sand Castle Challenge went ahead on Margate's main sands on Saturday. 
The beach is particularly good for sandcastles having a very large sandy beach, part of which remains out of the sea except for very high tides.

Team Yellow JRA architects

I liked the idea of architects and planners making sandcastles along with teams made up from the general public.

Team The Family Planners working on their fantasy castle.

  I've always loved the idea of sandsculptures but have yet to try any out on the beach.
I remember seeing some semi permanent sculptures of mermaids and sea creatures at some seaside resorts when I was a child, and I really loved them.

Ryan Richards

There's also something about the transient nature of sandcastles that is appealing, having the tide fill in the moat around your castle and finally the waves toppling the structure.

The weather turned out well, in fact very hot in the afternoon and sandcastles were being watered to stop them from completly drying out.

Dmitri Ivanoff and Petra Lui building their sandcastle.

There were some great sandcastles, from a turtle to octopus, castles to a race track and a Roman Colosseum . I think adults outnumbered children for this event and they seemed to be enjoying the day as much as the children.

Ryan Richards and Karen Richards hard at work.

Andy Blake works on his turtle.