Sunday 8 July 2012

The End

In the words of The Doors "This is the End". Today we took down the exhibition, Thank you to Helen and her Staff at the Bistro. You were always helpful and nothing was too much trouble . Janette Hockley-Webster and B.A.F. for inviting me to exhibit and supporting my vision for The Stanton Moor Project and providing the venue and making the Opening Night a massive success. The exhibition has had wonderful attendance and over half of the 30 pieces have been acquired !

They said:
"The exhibition is the thoughts, dreams and fears of a man who loves the nature that surrounds him, soaks it and lets those feelings transfer from hand to canvas. The sometimes stark sights always have a small twinkle in the eye, a small, almost undetectable smirk that renders all paintings the snapshots of a lucid dream. May he paint some more"
(sloucher mag)


"his own twilight zone" 
B.A.F.


"put a red dot on that one please" x17


Thanks again! 

"too close to heaven" 

Please join me back at keefy1.blogspot.com 

Thats my "LOW HORIZONS" home.
much love . K




Wednesday 4 July 2012

Monday 2 July 2012

HOPE

I awake . Thunder fading among the low cloud and mist rain hurtling from the leaden sky . Its is warm .Our feline companion Roxanne nuzzles me  wanting her breakfast. Sitting up I wonder as the storm rages outside that another storm rages in our world. The system is being exposed .Fraudulent Bankers , lying and cheating politicians , overpaid sportsmen , everywhere is dishonesty.

Well, I dreamed I saw the silver 
Space ships flying 
In the yellow haze of the sun, 
There were children crying 
And colors flying 
All around the chosen ones. 
All in a dream, all in a dream 
The loading had begun. 
They were flying Mother Nature's 
Silver seed to a new home in the sun. 
Flying Mother Nature's 
Silver seed to a new home.



Over coffee I listen to Patti Smith's new record "BANGA" and read her liner notes. She is an artist, poet, musician and truly wonderful. She is 65 full of grace and peace and still an inspiration. When Jim Morrison wailed "Wake Up" he was crying out for us to come alive. When Patti Smith whispers "Wake Up" it is a gentle request that stirs the soul. Wake up ? I am awake ..or am I- are you?

Dwell on the fringes. Don't buy into the system observe it. Make your own art. Keep it simple.
In the world- not of it.

HOPE.                                          HOPE                  HOPE                                    HOPE

                                                                                                                                                              The following picture does not feature in The Stanton Moor Project but it's a little how I feel today.


INTRO



LOW HORIZONS.



 Keith How
keefy1.blogspot.com                                                                                     thestantonmoorproject.blogspot.co.uk
lowhorizons.tumblr.com
The Stanton Moor Project.
Paintings by Keith How
I am fascinated by huge skies , moorlands , ancient places and earth mysteries . All these ingredients seem to meet on Stanton Moor. It seemed only natural to find my creative side inspired by regular visits to the Moor. Whatever the weather conditions or season the sense of mystery in the leafy birch glades or the majesty of the vast open skies never fail to amaze.
My work tends to reflect the artists who I admire -The St Ives School, Turner, Kurt Jackson .The idea of classical impressionist landscape seems often to collide with my love of Pop Art, and Modern Abstraction hence a kind of “culture clash” which has interesting results. I am trying to explore the relationship between Earth and Sky , dawn and twilight, the spaces between two worlds and the unseen interconnecting webs that enfold us.
I am an untrained artist ,which is a blessing and a curse, my grandfather was a landscape artist and photographer in Edinburgh ,my mother trained as a designer and also painted and had success as a writer and this Exhibition is dedicated to her.
I have been fortunate to exhibit in London , Sheffield and Finland and I am excited to have the opportunity to show this work for B.A.F. 2012.
The Exhibition runs from June 29 -July 9 2012 at “H”s Wine Bar and Bistro , Water Lane Bakewell and is part of Bakewell Arts Festival 2012.
The Exhibition is dedicated to my mother Louie W. How
Thankyou :  Sue How                                                                                                            Janette Hockley Webster, B.A.F. , Helen and staff at “H”s
                   All my friends for constant encouragement.

words


 “The Stanton Moor Project”  notes. 
In Search of Natural Harmony” (1)
                                                                                                                                       Landscape and music / music and landscape .Two themes that blend together to inspire a sense of place , mystery ,  emotion  and spirituality in art. For me these themes are vital.
The Stanton Moor Project has been germinating in my “womb” for many months. Wandering among the ancient stones and pathways under vast endless skies, meditating among the silver birch trees and ancient oaks ,whatever the season or time of day the landscape is truly magnificent and stirs the ancient within. The Oak Tree watches over “The Nine Ladies “ and is often festooned with colorful tokens, gifts and offerings “ The One Who Bears Gifts” (2).
Approaching the task of giving a voice to the place was exciting. “ Winter’s Bone” ( 45 ) , “Ancient Ways” and “ 3 More..” (12 & 13) use found materials from the moor sand, crushed heather branches, bark and dry leaves as does “ Summoning the Storm” (5  ) . The Corkstone standing as an ancient guardian watching over the moor . “Corkstone Blues”  ( 26 ) and “ Crowstone” (  22 ) follow the same theme. The seasons bring changes “ Fog on the Barrow Downs” (  26 ) is inspired by  “The Fellowship of the Ring” by Tolkien and is a track title from the l/p “The Lord of the Rings” by Bo Hansson and has the sense of the quiet Autumn days that are waiting for winter’s cloak to arrive . “Veedon Fleece” (  20) the title of a Van Morrison composition as is “Haunts of Ancient Peace” (11) follow similar themes.”Northern Sky” by Nick Drake inspired this fantasy sunset (9)
“There’s a Feeling I get When I look to the West” ( 14) is a line from Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” .Standing on Stanton Moor as the sun sets in the West  is a breathtaking experience. 
Pathways seem to appear from nowhere among the birch trees and exploring them is always special “ Not All Those Who Wander are Lost”(  6  ) . “The Nine Ladies “ are famous but not the only ring of stones on Stanton.(15)
The Solstice and Full Moon times are filled with a sense of magic .The Trees are alive with magic and mystery fills the air.” “Moondance” (18 ) Spirits dance among the stones and branches “The Glade” ( 19   ) refers to a track “A Glade Somewhere” by Forest and these themes continue in “ A Pagan Place” (  15 ). “ The Stars that Play with Laughing Sam’s Dice “ is a vision of the “times between times” (8)when our world interacts with the celtic twilight .”Dancing with the Moonlight Night” (17) reflects the magic of a full moon over Stanton.
The ambient works of Brian Eno help bring a stillness to the creative process .
I was considering  the thinking that the ancient stones and energy lines aligned with the planets ,sunrise and sunset send unseen messages into the air and cosmos. I realized  that we do the same via the communications mast near by interconnected webs in the air unseen all around us . “Webs” ( 3 ).
Attempting to portray the beauty and wonder of this wonderful place has left me in no doubt that we are all connected and part of something bigger than ourselves.
Something to consider !
Please note:
  • all frames used in the exhibition are re-cycled (this reduces costs !!.)
* the “found materials” used all originate on Stanton Moor.

Sunday 1 July 2012

yep

The first mistake of art is to assume that it’s serious.
Lester Bangs

"WINTER"

Sadly I was unable to get this piece upstairs in H's . I thought you might like to see it. Dimensions are 4' wide and 5' tall mixed media on chip board . Any serious offer considered if you have a nice big space somewhere .

Friday 29 June 2012

Opening Night

 Thanks to Bakewell Arts Festival , Helen and her amazing staff at H's , and to all the lovely guests who said nice things and actually now own a painting. A really amazing night!











Thursday 28 June 2012

Wednesday 27 June 2012

Hanging......

Woa ! Spending the day at H's hanging paintings with Sue H., Janette Hockley Webster ( lighting expert) . Maja M. ( Consultancy) and Helen (H's)(coffee) , tempted by the fact the bar is open BUT my superior Zen Discipline is keeping my focus.
Trying out Private View soundtrack that includes Black Gold of the Sun, The Wyld Olde Souls, Fairport Convention and Led Zeppelin. The staff like it and the paintings look happy!

Monday 25 June 2012

shots from the studio


Above my studio doors

'not all those who wander are lost"



Finishing this tonight with "KASHMIR" on full blast.
Was there ever a bigger riff?

look what Janette did!



playing

LED ZEPPELIN 1,2, 3, 4,Houses of the Holy......Physical Graffiti  all day......

Monday 18 June 2012

The Star and the Sea

What is between the star and the sea?
A bird as bright as a bird can be?
What is between the bird and me
only a star
only the sea
only a star
only the sea

the Waterboys.

Room to Roam dedication : Thank You God for Life , Love and Music.

some finishing touches

Busy few days selecting candidates and applying a few final touches


Right now having o/d on Peter Green yesterday the WATERBOYS "Right to Roam" is on repeat. Fantastic album uplifting foot tapping heart warming Guiness desiring record!

Tuesday 12 June 2012

dont forget this...


Bakewell Recreation Ground
1.30 through to evening:Bakewell Arts Festival will be holding a ‘mini Festival’ as part of Bakewell Arts Festival 2012, with events to include their annual Live on the Lorry event showcasing the best of local and regional performers - relocated to Bakewell Recreation Ground in honour of the arrival of the Torch - along with a stunning exhibition by local artist Keith How, ‘The Stanton Moor Project’http://thestantonmoorproject.blogspot.co.uk/?spref=fb   

Friday 8 June 2012

"STARFALL" in progress


"STARFALL- The Stars they play with Laughing Sam's Dice on Stanton Moor"                             18X24 mixed media

WEBS

Since yesterday's walk I have been in a strange restrained state , a kind of internal stasis, unable to move . I have been considering the strange conflict that exists between my love of nature and the landscape and the collision with my passion for modern art, minimalism and abstraction.
Working on the Project I have a constant tussle between capturing the tree, hill, sky and the intrinsic beauty before me and the unsettling emotion that whispers "but" in my ear.
I know that the land holds messages for us and that the standing stones and ley lines are seeped in energy and vibrations that we cannot see but sometimes sense . The ancients aligned the sacred sites in harmony with the planets, the seasons , the sun and moon. Were they receiving and sending messages ?
Browsing through Derek Jarman's "Modern Nature" he recounts writing his journal while gazing on Dungeness Beach .He was listening to Brian Eno's "Music for Film"an album I play regularly.
Checking out my Eno box set I was heartened by something written by Daniel Lanois when asked about inspiration.
"the railway tracks ,the hydro lines, the paths that cut through the forest to accommodate power cables. You'll be in the wilderness when suddenly you come across this open space". He goes on "taking a boat on a calm lake with factory smokestacks blasting out in the distance.....industrial, but people images'.
Almost like Stanton Moor. I realised that I had forgotton the mast that reaches into the sky sending and receiving messages along side the standing stones .Ancient and Modern side by side filling our air with unseen power lines of energy and vibration.
Brian Eno writes "Seeing the night-time campfires of Saharan Nomads from high above the earth. looking back to a little blue planet drifting alone in space, looking out into the endless darkness beyond.
The WEBS stretch out in all directions connecting unknown to unknown".

That helps me make a connection and calms the conflict.

Wednesday 6 June 2012

check this out folks

http://lowhorizons.tumblr.com/

My "Low Horizons" tumblr blog

more Moor

Wandering the Moor in any weather is fascinating. So many paths, hidden glades and undiscovered corners. I became annoyed with myself because whenever I began a new work for the project I always ended up with a horizon , some trees and a path into the distance ! I think I need some therapy....
Wandering up on top of the world today and musing over the mystery of the stones and the wonder of the view on all sides , touching the earth I realise -this is therapy enough for me.


Tuesday 5 June 2012

Taking Shape






Best T.V. EVER

"I'm not lost I just don't know where I am" Bernard to Chris when he arrives in Cicely, Alaska.
Northern Exposure Series 1 "Aurora Borealis".

Monday 28 May 2012

simplicity,stillness and satisfaction

I was fortunate ,thanks to the internet, to hear a short talk given by a lovely friend of mine Murray Watts on the subject of "hope". He tells the story of his sheepdog Tiffy who he takes for walks on the beach . Tiffy , Murray recounts, charges along the beach , sees the waves, says to herself "what is that ?" and proceeds to herd the waves and play in the sea full of joy and wonder. The next morning when they go for a walk Tiffy sees the waves , says to herself "what is that ?" and ...well away she goes..
Since retiring from bookselling (I do not like the word "retire") so since having a change of lifestyle the most frequently asked questions are " have you been on holiday ?" to which our answer is "we are on holiday for the rest of our lives" and "what are you doing with yourselves" to which we mainly answer "living."
The point being that , as Murray points out , the world is full of cynicism and we are surrounded by bad news but we can seek another path within the world .
I am looking for that path. Most days we will walk the hills and dales and , like Tiffy , we say "what is that" and charge off to have a look!
A line from an old hymn goes "One day at a time sweet Jesus" . Sentimental ? yes but charged with a simple important truth? YES . Try not to miss this moment .
Would it not be wonderful if we could start a revolution of simplicity and satisfaction found in the joy of living that could turn the world upside down?

It would be fun trying....

A Gentle Reminder

Battle continues . Seeing and not seeing. A couple of days away from painting .Getting into the garden in the sunshine , moving stuff, Zen Gardening. Calming the mind and stilling the need to create .Sitting in the sunshine ...

"In this 21st century ,to stop running around,to sit quietly on the ground, to switch off the worls and come back to the earth , to allow the eye to see a willow, a bush , a cloud , a leaf , is an unforgettable experience" from "The Zen of Seeing".

Friday 25 May 2012

exciting times


Bakewell Arts Festival 2012


http://thestantonmoorproject.blogspot.co.uk/?spref=fb Keith How's exhibition, The Stanton Moor Project, confirmed for Friday 29 June to Sunday 8 July - the first event of BAF 2012

thestantonmoorproject.blogspot.co.uk

 ·  ·  ·  · 19 May at 12:18

Monday 21 May 2012

Mr Blue Sky

I just love the sky. The relationship between the horizon and the sky at the point where they appear to touch seems to generate energy. One thing about Stanton Moor is the sheer vastness of the sky.In winter the sky goes on for ever ,on a dank cloudy day layers of grey hang as drapes blocking out the sun .On a windy day huge clouds bubble up  their edges whipped into shapes moment by moment as they skid across your view. Wandering daily over hill and dale I took to musing on how to express "the sky" in paintings. I take many photos as inspiration( a sign of the times I guess the old school painters set up shop on site). I can reference these images while at home.
The big question for me is how do I depict the "sense " of the sky? I reworked one sky/horizon 5 or 6 times ending with utter frustration . Ask the question!
Why are you copying natures beauty? Hundreds of painters have mastered "the sky". There are videos tutoring "how to paint a cloud" on You Tube.
I long to feel the sky, float away on the breeze, see with another eye....
The sky is hardly ever really blue is it!!