On the eve of Scotland’s Independence Referendum Edinburgh neighbours find themselves on opposing sides of the political fence.
With less than fifteen hours to go before Scotland’s residents begin vote on whether or not Scotland splits from the rest of United Kingdom and becomes an independent country the result looks set to be very close.
As you walk through Edinburgh it’s people, cars, windows and work places are plastered with either ‘Yes’ or ‘No thanks’ stickers. With passions running high on both sides and a record 97% of the electorate expected to vote it has been hard to have a conversation lately without discussing the possible outcomes of Friday’s decision.
From speaking to supporters on both sides the common thread is that everyone wants the best for Scotland, so whichever outcome we get on Friday morning lets hope that is what we get.
Edinburgh’s festival of social enterprise, the first in Scotland was a roaring success, showing off Edinburgh’s social enterprises in a glorious setting.
It may be hard to remember the sunshine and clear blue skies of Saturday now we seem to be stuck in a week long cloud, but for anyone who was in St Andrews Square, Edinburgh on either Friday or Saturday you will have seen some great weather for Social in the Square.
With fun activities for children and adults, music and dance, delicious food and beautiful products to buy, the park had a carnival feel as folk just passing through decided to stop, have a look around and soak up the atmosphere.
These are my sketches from the day, the top on is the Remade in Edinburgh stall, follow the link below to find out more about that great organisation. The far bottom one I drew on one of the official flyers in my toddlers felt tips, reverting to my ‘draw on anything with anything’ mantra!
A beautiful sunny WhereArtI Monday in Edinburgh. Can you name this week’s sketched location?
There are leader board points on offer for the first three correct answers, and keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answers to come later in the week.
If you would like to donate a prize for the quiz or indeed feature in the quiz, then get in touch HERE.
Also remember to buy a copy of the Edinburgh Evening News and play along in the print version of WhereArtI too. You could win a crate of beer!
Hello sketch fans, I hope you are all having a lovely Friday afternoon.
If you are heading out for a drink or two tonight have a fun and safe evening. I wonder if any of you will be going here, the Captain’s Bar in South College Street, just off North Bridge.
I havent been myself and it was closed as I sketched, I just love the detail in a pub font. The posters, hand written black boards and chained up bicycle. Have a great weekend 🙂
A quick black and white sketch from a favourite area of mine for sketching.
Quartermile is the marketing name given to the mixed use redevelopment of the former Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh site, overlooking The Meadows. Now home to many luxury apartments and swanky restaurants the area is a mixture of stunning modern architecture and equally beautiful original Royal Infirmary buildings.
This and the park in close proximity makes the area a great place to sketch. In this one I havve caught the old on the left, the new on the right and in between the park and the trees.
Tonight and tomorrow night the Edinburgh Playhouse plays host to some fabulous flamenco guitar playing with a story to tell, thanks to the Edinburgh International Festival.
My sketch is in black ink with a water colour wash, the following are the words I wrote around the drawing…
‘Gunfire sounds loud booming bangs, rattatat of bullets as sounds move all around and then silence and darkness… a light on a solo guitarist… and then he plays…. Light on a backdrop of seated guitarists and singers, the music tempo and volume rise as do two figures from the back. Suddenly the most beautiful singing fills the theatre… and the guitarist continues to play.’
Tonight at the King’s Theatre catch this Canadian Stage production of Helen Lawrence, a tale of corruption and murder set in 1940’s Vancouver.
The production combines numerous visual techniques to bring the post war tale to life. With a combination of theatre acting, on stage filming which is then projected (with computer generated back drops) onto a huge thin screen which hangs like a veil between the audience and stage.
The techniques captured my attention I liked the spectacle of it but after a few moments of trying to follow both the screen and on stage acting I forgot the actors were there and began watching the screen more, with the cinema like graphics and huge close ups. For me the screen was over shadowing the stage and could of been used more sporadically to make more impact.
The sketch is in black ink, with a water colour wash, drawn from the stalls. The black fade was added digitally.
Hello Edinburgh, welcome to my quiz ‘WhereArtI’ and it’s new time of 10am, every Monday morning. Can you name this week’s sketched location?
There are leader board points on offer for the first three correct answers, and keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answers to come later in the week.
If you would like to donate a prize for the quiz or indeed feature in the quiz, then get in touch HERE.
Also remember to buy a copy of the Edinburgh Evening News and play along in the print version of WhereArtI too. You could win a crate of beer!
Until this Sunday 24th August you can visit the BBC@Potterrow for family fun, live shows and festival highlights.
Check the link below to see what is on offer each day but within the ‘festival garden’ (next to Bristo Square) there’s bags of free stuff to experience. The Sketcher twins had a great time producing musical notes with fruit and vegetables, completing a huge jigsaw and even just sitting in a huge pink tent.
The biggest excitement and probable memory of the afternoon though was this huge sequined BBC sign which shimmered and shone across the garden, and provided a great backdrop for many a parent taking pictures of their kids 🙂
See what’s on below or just head along and chance your luck like we did, great for families it is free and interactive.
I and the wee Sketchers (seen here sitting at one of the sunflower tables) were soaking up the sun in Charlotte Square yesterday afternoon. Surrounded by books,authors and illustrators I have to admit we got a little carried away in the shop.
There is so much on in Edinburgh at this time of the year I sometimes only find my way to the Book Festival on the last day and rush around in a blur trying to take it all in.
This year however I and the kids were there to soak up the atmosphere (and sunshine) and enjoy being amongst the wonderful world of words, illustrations and knowledge that is a book festival. After buying a (rather lovey) canvas bag full of books in the children’s shop we spent an hour cutting and sticking in the kids craft tent.
And with a week still to go I will definitely be back, although next time perhaps on my own… those deck chairs look great for a wee snooze in the sun.
Sketches, news and family life in Scotland's capital city.
On the eve of Scotland’s Independence Referendum Edinburgh neighbours find themselves on opposing sides of the political fence.
Edinburgh’s festival of social enterprise, the first in Scotland was a roaring success, showing off Edinburgh’s social enterprises in a glorious setting.
A beautiful sunny WhereArtI Monday in Edinburgh. Can you name this week’s sketched location?
Hello sketch fans, I hope you are all having a lovely Friday afternoon.
A quick black and white sketch from a favourite area of mine for sketching.
Tonight and tomorrow night the Edinburgh Playhouse plays host to some fabulous flamenco guitar playing with a story to tell, thanks to the Edinburgh International Festival.
Tonight at the King’s Theatre catch this Canadian Stage production of Helen Lawrence, a tale of corruption and murder set in 1940’s Vancouver.
Hello Edinburgh, welcome to my quiz ‘WhereArtI’ and it’s new time of 10am, every Monday morning. Can you name this week’s sketched location?
Until this Sunday 24th August you can visit the BBC@Potterrow for family fun, live shows and festival highlights.
I and the wee Sketchers (seen here sitting at one of the sunflower tables) were soaking up the sun in Charlotte Square yesterday afternoon. Surrounded by books,authors and illustrators I have to admit we got a little carried away in the shop.