I’ve just come back from another week on the Isle of Eigg, Scotland. Having had plans to photograph some knitwear there, it turned out that what I really needed was a good break. So instead of worrying about scarves, I enjoyed pottering about, exploring some new places, going for walks and observing the patterns and textures that were everywhere around me. I even managed a small amount of sketching, something I’m very out of practice with.

Walking on the beach everyday was a joy. The patterns in the sand vary along the beach in every direction. I really enjoyed the criss-crosses, soft washes in darker sands, the light reflecting off wet sand and even cloud reflections in it. Constantly changing, always providing pattern inspiration.

Collingwood-Norris is Five!

The end of May marked five years since I started Collingwood-Norris. It’s a very big milestone for my small business! I’ve been working so hard on a new project over the last few months I haven’t really had time to celebrate properly (I’ll work something out later in the year) but I did want to take some of my original scarves to Eigg and have another line up on the beach washing line. So here they are, some of the original colours and favourites. It’s funny to think that I started my collection of scarves with the Mist scarf, as most of my pieces are now all about colour.

In my last blog about Eigg, I mentioned the amazing rock formations, and I’m still fascinated by them. There are just so many variations in texture, pattern. This trip I wanted to spend some time trying to draw some of them. I didn’t get very far with that, but I did take a lot of photos, and who knows? The texture and patterns may inspire future designs.

I used to go out sketching regularly, particularly while I was studying at Leith School of art, and I really enjoyed it. I never feel like I’m particularly skilled at capturing things, but I enjoy the process and it’s a nice record to have of a place. It does require practice though, and that’s what I’ve been missing. Clearly I need to make time for it and remind myself what to look out for.

The rocks above had beautiful marbled/ batik type effects on them, with seams of interesting ridges. Criss-crossing lines and textures with a slightly flaky, peeling surface in areas. These might have been my favourite section of the shore.

In one of the bays on Eigg there is an old whale skeleton, with a bit of skull and some vertebrae. The bones are quite fascinating. On a closer look, the skull had such a wide range of surface textures from smooth to paper thin sections with jagged edges. Nature is endlessly amazing.

Below are some close ups of a burnt tree stump. The fire damage has really brought out the texture, and has created such smooth surfaces that catch the light beautifully. In the last image, you can see the wood reflecting the colour of the grass. Maybe this will be the pattern inspiration for a new silk scarf…