From drab, dull and mostly grey to astonishing colour

It often amazes me how out of things seemingly unsightly, dull and ugly, beauty emerges. I have mentioned a spot we often visit and which is home not just to a fabulous spot for eating lunch, but is also the working gallery and home to a glassblower and his artist wife.

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Outside his barn studio, hangs this copper kettle

An artist’s place of work is one of contrasts:  apparently untidy, seemingly uninspiring, but very organised.

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The “rowing” chair on which the artist sits and works with the molten glass, painstakingly forming it into the shape it ought to be
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The long, metal rods resting in the water
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One of three furnaces
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The glass that falls off as they work.  This tray is on the floor next to the chair, three photos up.

On one of our recent visits, we had the privilege of watching the master and his team at work.  These are just three examples:

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Outside the barn door, in the elements
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In a deep window
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On a glass shelf

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A word about the photos of the interior of barn

Visitors to the barn are not permitted far into the barn where David Reade and his team work, so all of these photographs were taken from a distance, and using the quite limited zoom of my camera.  I was struck by the dominance of black, white and grey in that space, in contrast with the colours that eventually emerge.  Consequently, I thought that those photographs would be and interesting entry into Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge.

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I will share more of David Reade and his team at work in another post.

Post Script

Having entered this challenge, I was delighted that Fiona’s Favourites and this post was selected as one of Cee’s featured bloggers.

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© Fiona’s Favourites 2016

0 thoughts on “From drab, dull and mostly grey to astonishing colour

    1. Thanks, Val! I was spoiled for choice. So many interesting things in that place. It’s already featured more than once in my photo-focussed posts…

  1. Stunning captures Fiona. I do love the Black and White kettle. 😀

    Such a pity that no one is allowed to take photos of his gorgeous art and I am glad you could give us a peek show. The one in the deep window is my favourite. ♥

    1. Ah, thank you Sofia. That kettle is actually copper, but the colour was hard to capture from that angle which I really liked. I also liked the contrast….

      David didn’t seem to have a problem at all with the photographing. I did mention that I would probably blog about it. I guess that there’s a difference between photographing canvas and objects? The one deep in the window is a favourite of mine, too. The Husband likes the green bowl.

      I have some other photos that I shall share. Those are of him and his appies at work.

      1. I think it looks great in B&W and from a distance that would be a colour to capture difficult.

        I am glad he didn’t and I hope he sees how beautifully your portray his gorgeous work.

        That would be lovely to see Fiona. 😀

        1. Well, if you’re ever in Worcester, The Barn is a place to stop – and for a bit of lunch, too. We stop there regularly and I’ve featured other quirky photos taken there, on my blog, including the gum tree under which we often sit 😉

          1. When my dream come true and I can have the motorhome I want, I will do that for sure Fiona. Thanks. 😀

  2. I watched two women blowing glass once. It was like a dance–as gorgeous as the pieces they were making. Thanks for taking us on the visit.

Thoughts?

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