Fr. John's Charity Auction News

 Bishop's mitre

Selection of embroidered priest's stoles
 

Assortment of religious stuff
 

An beautiful old Tibetan thangka from Nepal

 

Fr. John points out Prince Albert's son in a scrapbook album about Cambridge University - made during the reign of Queen Victoria!

 

Da Vinci print

 

St. Nicholas hitching a ride (painting from Romania)

 

An ornate name tag holder used at dinner parties during the days of the Raj!

 

My favorite....a sampler of Fr. John's embroidery!

Fr. John has been working for the past 2 years, gathering all these special goodies to be auctioned off at CR Grand Charity Auction on 10th November. Funds are still needed for the ongoing repair and refurbishment of the Resurrection Chapel. Please give them your support and tell your friends. For more information, see link:

 

http://www.mirfieldcommunity.org.uk/contact-us/auction-november-2012

Forever 'IN'

I keep forgetting to push the little latch by my room number...

the one that lets others know whether you are in or out. According to mine, I've been forever 'in' since my arrival here. But it has ocurred to me, that this is a very apt description of what it is like, to live in this place.

From the moment you walk in the gate, you're gently drawn into a state of turning inwards - as the rhythms, scenery and atmosphere influences you to look within and reflect on your own life, thoughts and deeds.

Here at the monastery, you are forever "IN".

Autumn Comes to Mirfield

 

Thought I'd share some of the wonders I see on a daily basis during my jaunts across the monastery's vast acreage of land.  Here is an introduction, courtesy of Mirfield Centre website:

The Mirfield Monastery is a beautiful former Mill Owner's House originally built in the 19th Century set in twenty six acres of gardens and woodlands.

Yeah..What they said....

Overheard in Conversation #1

Q. What do bishops do when they retire?

A. They become chess pieces.

Breaking the Ice

 

Took a rubbing of St. Hilda's crest during our visit to the church last week 

Close up detail of crest

My 'golden section-esque' response to it



The  pentaptych in full - a departure from my usual way of working

Also warmed up with ink and brush. My favorite implements.

Charcoal is nice too. Did a few drawings in the chapel

This is called a 'Pyx' : a vessel which carries the consecrated host (Eucharist)

 

There are so many inspiring and beautiful objects, spaces (and people) around me, I feel like a kid in a candy store................

The Way of The Brush

Gave my first residency talk to the CR community and visitors on Sunday

The audience quietly pours into the room....right on time

Fr. John and Philip stand in the queue for coffee and cookies

Many students from the college came by too

Going in full flow to a packed house

One of the visuals in my talk, the movie poster of "Shodo Girls!", a very popular film with a story line of -Ink brush spirit beats recession to a pulp in small Japanese town!  

Photographer Shinichi Maruyama capturing the moment ink and brush take flight!

One of my earliest works.... (Chinese ink & wash)

Thank you to everyone who took the time to come and listen to my talk. Thanks also to Jacob for the lecture photos. A deep dignified bow goes to Fr. Oswin, for organising the event and dealing with all the details. Special mention to S. Maruyama and Roadshow for the use of their photos.

 

Lastly I'd like to thank my late parents, Grace & Larry, without whom I would not be here.

 

 

Can I have the Oscar now.

 

A Room with a View

The tall tower in the background contains my new studio!

 

Behold the never-ending stairway that leads up to it! Not for the faint of heart.

 

Fr. Oswin checks out the structure to make sure it's safe for me (or from me).

 

Cleaning begins in earnest, with some help from henry (the hoover).



The entryway has become my catchall for "stuff".



I finish cleaning shortly before suppertime...



and spend a few minutes meditating upon the wonderful, inspiring view