by Sally Laing — published on September 22nd, 2011
Towards the end of last school term, my eleven-year-old son came home from school with an application form for a Young Scot card.
According to the application, this is a voluntary card for 11–25 year olds, allowing them discounts on various facilities and travel – it may also be used as an ID card. I was asked at the school if I had completed the application and I pointed out that since it was voluntary I had decided not to. I was then told that without the card, my son would not be able to use the school dinner facilities or the school LRC when he started at Blairgowrie High School in August.
I have been left feeling this is not a voluntary card at all, merely a deceitful way of forcing ID cards on young people.
by Phil Brammer — published on September 20th, 2011
Both Genie and I love the large-scale wood sculptures made by Nigel Ross. Many of them are functional such as benches designed for indoor (as well as outdoor) use, although you’d need a large living room for some of his stuff.
When I decided to make a series of short documentaries about Perthshire artists I admired, Nigel was naturally on my shortlist. The only planning was to arrange a convenient date and time when we could visit him at his studio. Genie helped out with one of the cameras.
We are hoping to make a further movie with Nigel when he starts a new piece from scratch, carving a massive tree trunk with a chainsaw, but that will be a longer term project. This one was filmed during one short visit – a couple of hours including time for tea. Enjoy!
by Phil Brammer — published on September 2nd, 2011
It’s that time of the year again and more artists’ studios are open to the public this year than in any previous year. Check them out! Brochures can be collected from the Birnam Institute.
Recently I made this movie at Luisa Ramazzotti’s Lethendy House studio, which is one of the many studios open to the public during the Perthshire Open Studios event (3rd–11th September).
by Phil Brammer — published on September 2nd, 2011
Yesterday evening I attended the preview of this year’s Heartwood event and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Regular Heartwood artists and guests have surpassed themselves, and the selection of photographs below represents only a small fraction of what can be seen wandering through Monkquell woods (near Blairgowrie).
