« May 2004 | Main | November 2004 »
October 29, 2004
The Pendle Witches
I grew up literally in the shadow of Pendle Hill, the place most associated with witchcraft in England. It is a sinister place even on a nice day, but in these winter months when the fog drops and the wind howls in the bare trees, it can be a truly frightening place
In the year 1612, the Lancashire witches; Alizon Device, Elizabeth Device, James Device, Anne Whittle, alias Chattox, Anne Redferne, Alice Nutter, Katherine Hewitt, John Bulcock, Jane Bulcock & Isobel Robey were hanged at Lancaster gaol, for the crime of witchcraft.
The Pendle Witches, as they became known, were believed to have been responsible for the murder by witchcraft of seventeen people in and around the Forest of Pendle.
http://www.pendlewitches.co.uk/content.php?page=home
There is also a very strange curiosity that sometimes reveals itself to the lucky, sharp-eyed or drunk. As the snow melts in the shadows and gullies the witch is seen again riding over Pendle.
Posted by Barbara at 06:28 PM | Comments (2)
Halloweenies.
Today is dress-up day for the kids on Coast Guard Island.
They all do the trick or treat thing, and mug the crews and Admiral for candy, and then head back to class and get amped on sugar, tear the place apart, throw-up all over their princess costume and get busy hi-jacking each others stash....scary or what?
Ursula flat out rejected the witches rig that we had "gone to all this trouble...blah, blah" and settled instead on the default princess threads, as seen here with her pal Gillian (ditto princess). Ursula also modeled her new scabs, earned yesterday in face plant class.
Mommy also dressed up for the day, and wiggled off to work as a "wanton slut", as far as Daddy could tell.
Posted by Andrew at 12:17 PM | Comments (0)
October 28, 2004
Me and my "small part".
A much anticipated movie "Burningman - Beyond Black Rock" has just been released, and to my delight it contains more than just a couple of frames of me...as if it couldn't!
The movie has taken two years to make, and follows the planning, tears and love it takes to build the most magical community of radical expressionists this side of Pluto. Black Rock City boils out of the desert for the Burninman Festival, and for a moment... becomes the fifth largest city in Nevada.
Even without me, it is a "must see" if you are at all inspired by beauty, sprit and invention.
See you there next year.
http://www.beyondblackrock.com/
Posted by Barbara at 05:28 PM | Comments (1)
October 27, 2004
Big ol'pumpkin moon.
As I write this, the moon is in the deep shadow of the Earth...a total lunar eclipse.
Ursula and I waited at Jack London landing, to meet Barbara. The Moon was just rising above the skyline at 7.00pm and already had a huge "bite" taken from her lower left side in an unfamiliar geometry.
By the time we reached home (7.30pm), the moon was totally embeded within the Earth's shadow, and took on a red glow as she was lit by all the Earth's sunsets and sun rises leaking around the side of the Earth.
I managed to get one shot.. hand held, through binoculars of this halloween's "pumpkin moon".
Posted by Andrew at 08:15 PM | Comments (1)
October 26, 2004
Hanging out with the BIG KNOBS!!
Gotta put this shot in with the mix, of the Barbster and "the honourable Willie Brown" taken the recent birthday of Barbara's beloved boss Arnie Laub (Lawyer,lover,bon vivant).
Arnie has the very best parties in the city, and other attendies included current mayor Gavin Newsome, assorted city supervisors, a couple of Alioto's, a movie star or two, a Malaysian princess ...and us.
There must be some mistake.
Posted by Andrew at 05:19 PM | Comments (0)
October 22, 2004
Sad news from home.
My Father called on Monday morning to tell me of the sudden passing of Derek Emms, the world famous ceramic artist and brother of my "other Mum" Florence.
Derek was born in 1929 in Accrington, and studied at Accrington and Burnley School of Art, Leeds College.
After applying and being accepted at the Leach Pottery he undertook an intensive year under David and Bernard Leach. In 1955 he became a full-time lecturer at North Staffordshire Polytechnic but continued his connection by working at the Leach Pottery through summer holidays.
He retired from teaching in 1985 and developed a studio at Stone, Staffordshire producing a range of domestic ware and individual pieces in stoneware and porcelain.
Derek was a member of the Craftsmen potters Association, the Red Rose Guild and of North Staffordshire's Guild of Craftsmen and had been exhibiting is work since 1956 in international and national exhibition and has work in public and private collections both at home and abroad.
It may be of small comfort to feel that as artists, we are fortunate to leave a legacy when we pass on. Every time we hear Mozart's music or look at a Monet, their sprits are relit in our hearts. They are again with us.
Thankyou for your art, your teaching and your gift.
Posted by Andrew at 09:11 AM | Comments (0)
Virtual Playa looking good.
Working away at cleaning up a few thing on the Virtual Playa project, to get everthing spiffy before this weekends North Bay Decompression for Burningman in Santa Rosa.
I have recently figured out how to include animated scenery, and this has made a huge difference to the look of the entire project.
Here is a screenshot as of today.
Posted by Andrew at 08:08 AM | Comments (2)
Catching up on the LoVe PArAde!!
An unexpectedly whopping wheeze was had by all attending the Love Parade in downtown SF a couple of weeks ago.
Plenty of luvin' vibes, bright sunshine and thumping tunes made for a great day..Omygodthegirlsweresofine!
The original Berlin love parade drew a crowd of 1.6 million, making our show of 25 thousand look rather meager, but I bet we had more fun.
Here is a shot of me in my crows nest on top of the famous "Magic Bus".
Catch up on the official photo galleries at
http://www.loveparadesf.org/
Makes sure you catch this event next summer!!
Posted by Andrew at 07:34 AM | Comments (1)
October 16, 2004
Burning desires
Well hek!!!!
This is the first shot at putting content on the new Johnstone blog. And about time too!!!
We are all back safely and stoked-up from Burningman 2004. We were deeply embeded within the fabulous realm of "planet WOW", a remarkable gathering of about 250 artists, techies, mystics, actors, musos and beautiful people.
What a time!
I still can't believe the richness of spirit that surrounded us. Every soul a miracle by themselves, but together you were a force of nature.
Thank you especially for becoming Aunts and Uncles to Ursula. She is "bigger" this week, more switched on, anointed by your love.
So..... Once more around the Sun, and we will meet at the same place in time and space for Burningman 2005.
Posted by Barbara at 10:06 AM | Comments (4)
October 14, 2004
Babs and Johnny
Only days away from the election and here is a shot of the lovely Barbster and our future President (oh God let it be!)at his birthday party at the SF Ritz... are we swanky or what?
Not a bad lad for an Irishman.
Good luck John.
Posted by thedude at 08:13 PM | Comments (1)