The blog of photographer Kim Ayres

Spring Fling 2009

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Spring Fling is upon us again (see Spring Fling 2008) - SW Scotland's Open Studio Event - which this year runs from Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th May.

Across the region around 80 or so artists, potters, photographers, sculptors and the like, fling open their studio doors for the public to come in, nose about, ask questions and, with luck, buy something. This year Maggie is also creating a collaborative piece, so visitors can add things to an artwork across the weekend.

Since being booted out of my study to give Rogan his own bedroom (see Homeless...), I've taken up residence in a small corner of Maggie's studio. However, Maggie has had to throw as much stuff out of her room as possible to make space for any visitors who turn up this weekend. This includes me.

I would have just plonked myself in the kitchen, but Rogan is baking cakes, scones, cookies and an assortment of tray-bakes as Saturday also happens to be Castle Douglas Food Town Day, where the street is closed and various food stalls are set up. Last year he sold out by 1.30pm (see Spring Fling is Over), so he's determined to have enough stock to feed a small continent this time.

Between the two of them then, there's a chaotic rage of energy, fear, excitement and panic in a churning, swirling vortex that threatens to engulf the world.

I'd feel happier if there was a table I could crawl under until the weekend is over.

Tune in next week to see if we survive.

Meanwhile, here's Maggie's promo video for Spring Fling. Do come along if you can.


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18 comments

Anna van Schurman said...

I can't really make it, but I listened again because I love your wife's accent. People probably don't say that to you as often as they say the gender-appropriate equivalent to me, but I find it pretty annoying. Forgive me.

mapstew said...

Sexy art. SEXY voice! Lucky man.

Pat said...

All the fun goes on in Scotland:(
Maggie's creations are truly things of beauty.

hope said...

Sounds like the backyard may be the safest place for you. :) There's a festival in my hometown this weekend as well: The Iris Festival. The gardens started as a fluke by a frustrated gardener years ago who threw his Japanese Iris bulbs in the swamp because he couldn't get them to grow. Guess what those bulbs liked? :) Takes place at Swan Lake, which boasts being the only place on earth which is home to all 8 varieties of swans.

Enjoyed your wife's video...what a lovely voice she has. [You too...I'm a sucker for storytelling so I've visited that blog as well].

Have a great weekend!

mapstew said...

@hope; y'all are havin' an Iri... oh, sorry IRIS festival. Oh well.

hope said...

@mapstew, we might as well celebrate the Irish as well. :) The Scots had their own festival last month [an annual event] in the same town.

I'm on vacation next week and working on the family tree. Both Mom & Mom-in-law only claim their Irish roots...guess I'll be working on me Irish next week.

With apologies to Kim for hijacking his blog.

Kim Ayres said...

Anna - Nothing to forgive - I love my wife's accent too :)

Mapstew - yes, yes and yes :)

Pat - well if you could arrange an exhibition in Somerset...

Hope - I love Irises. Swans, on the other hand, make me a bit jumpy when they get too close.

Charlie said...

Shouldn't you be having a photography booth selling prints of your work?

Kim Ayres said...

Maybe next year, Charlie. Maybe next year :)

Eryl said...

I would say come over here and hide under one of my tables but my whole family (siblings, with their spouses and children) are coming up on Saturday for a week...

Kim Ayres said...

Eryl - you're right, it doesn't sound like a peaceful retreat. But I hope you have a great time with your family :)

Attila the Mom said...

What a fabulous idea! I wish I could come.

Pat said...

At the moment I'm in a sort of stasis and have difficulty arranging me hair - let alone an exhibition:)

Kim Ayres said...

Attila - or help organise an exhibition up in the Rockies

Pat - I've got some clippers that make hair very easy to manage...

sarah said...

i agree with Charlie.

Maggie's art is very beautiful, if i do make it to Scotland, you know you and yours are the people i want to meet!

savannah said...

y'all are soooooo on my list of people to visit! and thanks to y'all i know the absolute best time to visit, too! much success to you and yours, darlin! xoox

Mary Witzl said...

Whoa, is it that time of the year again? It seems like this happened only a couple of months ago! I'm sorry we won't be able to make it this year, but hope you all survive and prosper!

CJ said...

Her work is so amazing. I love it.

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