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This week, we have been having a heatwave here in the UK...and for that matter so has the rest of Europe...you may know about it! Seeking shade where you can, opening the window for the welcome breeze, that only brings in more heat! So this week as I've been trying to keep cool, I've been doing a little urban sketching...  Not outdoors...oh no I'm not tough enough for that! Using photographs as reference. Photographs that I took on a recent visit to Newcastle, when the weather was what I would call a little more unsettled! If you haven't visited Newcastle I can recommend it, there is lots of great Architecture, I'll share more in another post. This illustration is of Portofino...not Portofino the place, but a lovely family owned Italian Restaurant on the corner of Mosley Street in Newcastle, set in a beautiful Grade II Listed building, built in 1891. The Architect was Alfred Waterhouse who designed amongst other things the National History Museum in London. As the rain started to fall, we found ourselves looking for a place to shelter and have lunch, and so we found ourselves in this wonderful building with an interior of high ceilings - decorative arches and walls lined with ceramic tiles ( Fainece tiles) produced from the Leeds pottery firm Burmatoffs, it makes for a great setting to eat...and the food is simply delicious too - I can really recommend it! On the playlist for this post, I thought it was only right that we had one of Newcastle's own... so here is Dire Straits and their track ... Telegraph Road - Enjoy!
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It seems to me that Sheffield doesn't always get the credit it deserves...living in the shadow of other Northern cities such as Manchester and Liverpool...Of course I'm biased...as this Steel city really has my heart!  And, just to be clear I'm not knocking Manchester and Liverpool, I think they are great too! But, as Sheffield is more local to me, I thought I would share a little spotlight on the city and it's buildings over a few blog posts. Beginning with one that is on the Twentieth Century Society's list of 'At Risk Buildings'. For those who don't know, Sheffield has produced a range of great music over the years...I'm thinking Pulp, Human League, Arctic Monkeys, Joe Cocker, Richard Hawley...to name just a few... And so it was back in the 1980's Sheffield council had a vision and plan for urban regeneration...fast forward a few years into the 1990's and the National Centre for Music was born...a museum in the Cultural Quarter of the City, a building to help acknowledge the city's heritage of Steel production whilst celebrating the city's musical heritage. The building representing four giant steel kettle drums which was designed by Architects Branson Coates - (a partnership between Doug Branson and Nigel Coates), was praised for it's avant-garde design. Sadly, the exhibits and content inside were found lacking...visitor numbers never quite met expectations and the venue closed within 15 or so months of opening. In 2003 the building was acquired by Sheffield Hallam University, where it was converted into The Hubs and used as a Student Union before it relocated in 2024. Sheffield Hallam are said to be "looking at options for the longer term use", but the C20 society have put this landmark building on their 'at risk register' to help safeguard this unusual and distinctive piece of modern architecture. So I'm thinking that the music to go with this piece, really has to be by the Human League - "Don't you want me Baby", a real classic from the 80's!
Buckle up my friend, this post is a bit different than usual...  There is a quote that I like by Cathy Kelly, from "The House on Willow Street", you may have heard it... There are Two Wolves inside you. The wolf who leads you to pain, and the wolf who leads you to happiness. It may sound a bit dramatic, but lately I've been going round in circles in my mind, putting pressure on myself thinking that to succeed as a independent creative, I've got to have a brand, to stay in lane with one set thing...that thing this year was to be abstract art, it's what all the Social media Gurus's say, "niche down", "have a style..." But I'll admit, I've been finding it difficult, I'm not one dimensional...none of us really are. I love illustrating...I love taking photo's and yes I love getting the ink and paint out to make marks... So in order to keep the Wolf happy, I need to do all of these things, it really is a part of me...it makes me who I am, I'm sure if you're an artist you'll know what I mean.
Then it came to me, no big epiphany, but a realization that was right in front of me and has been for a long time. The thing that lights me up, that I love, the golden thread that connects all of my work is Architecture, Places & Spaces...that's my niche! The style is consistent depending on the medium, that I use, and of course it's always evolving - I hope! So back to the quote, which wolf am I going to feed? I think you may guess it's the one that makes me happy, so whether it's drawing buildings, photographing them or creating abstract artwork inspired by shape and form that's what I'm going to do...the website is changing to reflect these interests...I just hope it's not too confusing for clients, and people interested in my work. Any thoughts on the subject - please do let me know. Thanks as always for reading. No playlist this week...See you next time! |
Hello!In this space which has no ceilings, walls or doors... I would like to invite you in, and share with you some of my work and a few things of interest which help to inspire my work including music to the places and spaces we call home...
AuthorCatherine Hoggins |
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