Wild flowers in Ibiza (2)

Wild flowers in Ibiza (1)

Abstract 160 ‘Inspiration’

More from the flower garden in June

Sketches of churches in Ibiza

The white churches of Ibiza seem best suited to black and white photography and, indeed, invite varied interpretations even within the monochrome medium.   (See also Church Entrances. Ibiza)

Wildflower field

There was a wonderful ‘impressionist’ feel about this meadow of wild poppies and daisies.

Church entrances: Ibiza

A feature of every town and village in Ibiza is the white iglesia, the church.  The church is typically a stoutly built, simply designed structure with small windows and arched entrances.  The outer walls are coated with lime-washed plaster  (hence the white appearance) and each building is capped by a simple  –  sometimes elegant  –  bell tower.  Despite the absence of decorative details the iglesias have individuality and are often very attractive.

Several of the churches retain features indicative of their dual use in the past.  Because of its geographical location, the Island was regularly invaded by pirates and marauders and, in times of invasion, the church became a fortress as well as a place of worship.

Santa Eulalia

San Carlos

Sunlight on the fish pond

A beautiful sunny morning.  The water lilies stretching into life.  The goldfish joyfully darting to and fro, enjoying the warmer feel of the water.  What more could one wish?

Around the flower garden in early June

Many of the plants in the flower borders seem to have been completely disorientated by the cold, wet Spring.  Several that should be in full bloom  –  for instance, roses and poppies  –  are still in bud, or are only just coming into flower.  Nevertheless, there are some attractive pockets of colour, as the following selection confirm:

Evening backlighting

Today has been very showery, but now  –   in the early evening, and almost too late  –   the sun is having a final fling and is creating a glorious backlighting illumination of the trees in the sheep field.

Please click the  image to enlarge.

Smoke-free zone

These chimneys surmount a group of farm labourers’ cottages built in the mid-nineteenth century.  The chimneys have long since outlived their original purpose, but in a simple way they record a slice of social history   –   the evolving style; the changing fashion in chimney pot design; the addition of a TV aerial (and on a neighbouring chimney a satellite dish).  As a straight photo this was a singularly uninteresting scene, but I feel that the stylized interpretation has impact, transforming the photo into a picture.

Wet! Wet! Wet!

It was a frustrating morning  –  there were so many things I needed to do in the garden before Open Garden Day.  But there were compensations.  The trickles of rain on the window pane diffused the colours and shapes in the flower bed and created delightful, pastel abstract patterns.

Abstract 156

ArtParkS Sculpture Park (2)

Further photos from the Guernsey sculpture park:

‘Mischief’   –   David Goode

‘The Golden Apple’   –   Alan Biggs

‘Silence’   –   Martin Debenham

‘A Summer’s Day’   –   Christa Hunter

‘Pastoral Dance’   –  Aragorn Dick-Read

[A fireball, designed to be shown with
flames leaping through the gaps]

More details are available from the ArtParkS site.

ArtParkS Sculpture Park

The ArtParkS Sculpture Park is located in the grounds of the historic Sausmarez Manor on the island of Guernsey in the Channel Isles.  A sculpture trail winds through the subtropical gardens and the sculptures, placed in natural settings, are easily accessible from the path.  Each year around 125 pieces by international artists are displayed.

A tour of the exhibition is a wonderful experience and a photographer’s dream!  I have selected just a few examples to convey something of the flavour and diversity of the work on show.  In a few instances I have substituted a plain background to give clarity to the design when presented as a two dimensional picture.

Each photo is accompanied by the title of the work and the name of the artist.  All of the artists have websites, but the ArtParkS website is very helpful and comprehensive.   ArtParkS site here

‘Rosie’   –   Andrew MacCallum

‘Ronin’   –   Jason Le Noury

‘Convergence’   –   Peter Newsome

‘Free Spirit III’   –   Lynda Hukins

‘Times Cycle’   –   Christine Fox