The Art of Printing at Ballagh Studio, Inishowen

By Denise Henry, Marketing, Inishowen Tourism

Today's trip takes me back to the creative and picturesque Ballagh Studio in Inishowen, to meet Tim Stampton, Artist, Illustrator and Print Maker. The studio, pictured above, houses creative pieces by both Tim and fellow artist, Ros Harvey.

Tim Stampton: A Skilled Potter

Tim Stampton, was born in the UK and later moved at a young age with his family to Canada. His early career involved work in the printing industry and lithography. Tim, studied at the Canterbury College of Art and spent a number of years at Leach Pottery in St. Ives, England. At St Ives, he received training by and later worked alongside Bernard Leach, who is considered the Father of British Studio Pottery. With this in mind Tim would become an acclaimed potter, setting up his own ceramics studio in Nova Scotia, Canada and teaching in universities in both Canada and England.

At the studio you can view examples of the range of pottery he has crafted over the years from brown earthenware pottery, made in Canada to wood fired stoneware pictured above. Tim explains that the medium used e.g. the type of clay and how it is fired (electric, gas or wood kiln) effects the type of finish you will see and feel on each pottery piece.

From Pottery to Printing at Ballagh Studio, Inishowen

Moving to Ireland in 1988, Tim set up his own print workshop, illustrated in the video above, at Ballagh. At Ballagh, he moved away from pottery and focused his energies on producing wood cuts and prints. Tim kindly invited me to his workshop to gain a better understanding of how he creates his prints. Entering Tim's workshop you will notice an abundance of creative sketches, prints, books, and equipment. In viewing his work you will see that Tim is inspired by local myth, folklore and legends.Tim uses traditional methods of printing to incorporate these mythical tales and images into his work.

 

Traditional Printing Methods at Ballagh Studio, Inishowen

The Lithographic press, pictured above, was rescued by Tim from an art college in the UK, partially restored and as you will see is now frequently used. Lithography is a term used to describe the process of printing from a flat surface that is treated to repel the ink, except where it is required for printing. In the following video Tim introduces the press and provides a demonstration of how to use it.

Within the workshop there is a host of other traditional printing equipment. Each piece of equipment has been carefully restored and has different applications, which create the unique variety of work you will see in the studio. Stay posted for my next piece of traditional printing techniques used by Tim in his workshop.

Find Out More About Tim Stampton and the Ballagh Studio

Ballagh Studio is open Mon-Sun 9-6. After hour visits are by appointment.
See the following links for more information:
http://www.timstampton.com/

http://visitinishowen2015.blogspot.ie/2016/07/capturing-light-at-ballagh-studio.html

Getting Creative at Moville Pottery, Inishowen

By Denise Henry, Marketing Assistant, Inishowen Tourism

At Moville Pottery you have the opportunity to get hands on and be creative. A particular example is the "Paint Your Own Pot" activity which takes place in the workshop adjacent to the shop. You have the option to chose the design and type of pot you will paint and an added bonus is you get to view the process of pot making happen right beside you. 

Lowry Wasson and Brian McLaughlin, owner, director and potter at Moville Pottery, invited me to their pottery workshop to see how and where their pottery range is hand crafted and created. In the above, behind the scenes shot, a selection of mugs are being air dried before they are given the first of two firings in the kilns pictured below on the left hand side.

The Creative Process: How to Make Pottery at Moville Pottery

Having never made pottery before, Lowry steps me through the process. Pictured above on the right hand side is a pug mill where clay is passed through to get rid of any air or lumps.

The Art of Throwing Clay in Inishowen

The clay is carefully measured into individual balls, pictured above & hand thrown on the potter's wheel. You can see Lowry below giving a demonstration of this artistic process. Lowry was trained by some of the best "Throwers" in the World, training in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Europe. You will notice Lowry makes it look very easy!

After the handcrafted pots have half dried, they are put back on the wheel and additions, like the handles for the mugs can be added. After the first firing, the pots are skillfully hand glazed & decorated. The last stage is for the pots to be packed into the kiln and fired to 1220 degrees Celsius, which Lowry explains "creates a shiny effect" on the pottery and "being fired to this temperature allows the pottery pieces to be microwaved and placed in the oven without cracking"

The artistic and creative process is then complete and the pots are cooled and ready to be shipped, collected by the customer or placed on display for you to view or purchase in the shop, pictured above. 

Stars go Potty for Moville Pottery

Moville Pottery is not only popular with locals and visitors, but also with famous movie stars. Lowry & Brian, "were delighted to place an order for iconic movie stars like Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp and local star Art Parkinson, who played Rickon Stark in Game of Thrones.". Recently the team had a stand of Moville Pottery in a scene shot during the popular TV production "Jack Taylor".

Whether you visit to view Moville Potterys range of pottery and local craft on display in the shop or to get hands on in the workshop, you will leave with an appreciation of the skill and artistic craft involved in making pottery.

Find Out More About Moville Pottery

http://www.movillepottery.com/

https://www.facebook.com/movillepottery

Tell use what you think?

Add any comments or questions about the blog below.

Getting Crafty at Moville Pottery, Inishowen

By Denise Henry, Marketing Assistant, Inishowen Tourism

Overlooking the picturesque town of Moville, Inishowen, there is a hub of craft called Moville Pottery. Moville Pottery is owned and run by Lowry Wasson and partner Brian McLaughin. 

"How Could you Live in Inishowen and Not be Inspired"

Arriving at the entrance, prepare to be greeted by Lacey pictured above. The shop itself is bright, spacious and full of coloured mugs and dinnerware of all shapes and sizes. On closer inspection you see the intricate designs and layered textures on their pottery range, that I found was chiefly "inspired by the Inishowen landscape". At every corner is an example of beautifully crafted, contemporary pieces of work, which include products from local craftspeople in Inishowen and the North West of Ireland.

From the Worlds Largest Tea Pots to Ceramic Speakers

At Moville Pottery you will get the chance to see, what was once the worlds largest tea pot that can hold up to 23 gallons of tea!! and the only example of a working ceramic speaker system in Ireland. They are fantastic examples of some of the innovation and craft that you will see at every stage of your visit from shop floor to workshop.

The popular Galaxy Green range pictured below, is inspired by the colours and textures of Kinnagoe Bay, an area steeped in history and natural beauty on the Eastern side of the Inishowen Peninsula. The formation and shape of the rugged rocks at Kinnagoe, and Five Fingers Strand, near Malin Head, inspire the shape and design of some of their pottery. 

Moville Pottery in High Demand

Having celebrated over forty years in business, owners Lowry and Brian, have built up an impressive range of pottery that is in high demand in Ireland and internationally. Commissions have been requested by cafes, restaurants, hair and beauty salons and other businesses throughout Inishowen, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Spain.

Both Lowry and the staff take time during your visit to answer any questions about the pottery making process, including the inspiration behind their designs. Upon invitation, you also have the opportunity to view their workshop, pictured above. 

Tune in next week to find out more about how Lowry and Brian make there unique pots and find out a little about some movie stars that are sipping tea out of a Moville Pottery mug!

Find Out More About Moville Pottery
http://www.movillepottery.com/
https://www.facebook.com/movillepottery

Tell use what you think?
Add any comments or questions about the blog below.

“Capturing the Light” at Ballagh Studio, Inishowen, Donegal

By Denise Henry, Marketing Assistant, Inishowen Tourism

 

Today’s blog takes me to Ballagh Studio, in Ballagh, Inishowen to meet acclaimed artist and native of Malin, Ros Harvey. From the picturesque town of Malin, I follow a series of quirky signs entitled "paintings". The route itself brings the visitor on a scenic journey where on arrival a beautiful beach and rolling hills can be seen in the distance (see above). As I pull into a spacious drive there is a collection of traditional buildings that appear to have been lovingly restored. 

At the front door of the large ivy covered building I am welcomed by Ros Harvey, pictured above, who guides me to a showroom. The showroom, pictured below, originally a Cow Byre, has a warm and inviting feel. Each wall displays a collection of stunning paintings and prints. The room hints at a love of craft as well as art, amplified by the uniquely carved chairs. Books placed on the large table suggest a passion for myth and folklore, alongside a love of the sea and landscape. I later learnt that myth and folklore is largely a passion of Tim Stamptons. Tim, a printmaker and illustrator, met Ros in 1979 and in 1988 they established the Ballagh Studio.

Dramatic seascapes and landscapes on display are inspired by the rugged and diverse landscape in Inishowen. Many scenes capture Trawbeaga Bay, the Isle of Doagh and other iconic locations around the peninsula. Ros captures the power of the sea beautifully in her work. It is the “Rocks, boats and the sea (that) create a sense of deep home roots”.

What Inspired an Interest in Art?

From the age of 13 Ros had been around many great pieces of art. Her stepfather had an interest in both the subject and collection of abstract art. Despite the fact that Ros herself has practiced a very different artistic style, she believes this harbored an initial interest. Ros began her artistic career as a potter, spending many years producing pottery in Dublin, where she became one of the leading potters of original ash-glazed stoneware in the country. 

The Journey Back to Inishowen

Following a decision to move from Dublin to England Ros met Tim Stampton, who, “at the time was making large pieces of garden pottery”. After a number of years in England selling pottery they made the decision to move back to Ireland and “With only 79 Punt in the bank and a little luck, they made their way along the Irish West coast” to find their new home. The “Closer we got to Inishowen the more excited we felt”. Having been away for 30 years, Ros now “felt at home”.

“A Labour of Love” Built Heritage, Art & Craft in Inishowen, Donegal

In 1988 Ros & Tim purchased a Clachan, a small group of houses with a farmstead, outbuildings and a few family homes. Over the next 25 years they would carefully restore each building that had lain empty for over 17 years. “Altogether we’ve got the house, two studios, framing shop, showroom and print workshop.” Ros describes the experience as “a labour of love”, using the profit from art sales to gradually restore the property.

Shortly after moving in in 1990 they “sold their first painting off a trestle table in the gravel on their front yard”. Since then, Ros has exhibited in venues all over the world. To date, Ros is a Member of The Royal Ulster Academy and the Pastel Society of Ireland, has held major one-man exhibitions and illustrated a number of books.

From Clay to Pastel “The Magic Switch”

Following a back operation in 1981, Ross would begin a different creative journey. After a time experimenting with watercolor and oil based paints, it was by chance that she would find her preferred medium, pastel. “A friend had left a set of pastels behind…. the texture of pastel had a similar feel to clay which allowed for 3D imaging”. The move from ceramics to pastels was like “flipping the magic switch”. Pastels allowed Ros to capture form and focus in her paintings alongside a gorgeous depth of colour.

The Creative Process, Creating Art at Ballagh, Inishowen

“I love the changing skies, being surrounded by water and I like to capture how the clouds come in low near the sea”. “Initially I sketch, photograph and then paint the scene”. What fascinated me is how Ros can memorise every shade of colour at a particular scene, often using black and white photographs to paint from. In the initial stages of creating a piece of work Ros has to “Get the sky right to start with, and then the atmosphere is fixed for the rest of the work”. Emphasising a love a light, Ros describes how herself and “Artists who come to the West of Ireland always talk of the light and that even if it is misty there is a clarity.”

Audiences engage in different ways with her work, “Many locals engage with and purchase paintings of local scenes”. From a quick look at the visitor guestbook it is clear that people from all over the world visit the studio, many of whom return.

To the back of the property, surrounded by trees and lush green fields Ros has a studio located on what was originally a privy. The studio is dominated by windows in order to take advantage of natural light. It was “built by a local builder around a bay window we had salvaged”. What commands your attention as you enter is the large impressive easel built by a local blacksmith. 

The Ballagh Experience "The Closer we got to Inishowen the More Excited we Felt"

Visitors are also welcome to experience much more than the showroom, upon invitation you get the chance to visit Tim’s print workshop, pictured above, which contains a treasure trove of traditional print machines, wood cuts and wonderful illustrations.

A visit to Ballagh Studio is a memorable experience, starting with the journey itself to this stunning location. There, you have the chance to meet and hear the fascinating story behind your purchase and of the artist who created it and lovingly restored the building in which it rests.

Come see Ballagh Studio for Yourself!

A selection of Ros’s work is available to purchase from Ballagh Studio and commissions are also taken. 

Open Mon-Sun 9-6. After hour visits are by appointment.

See the following links for more information:

http://www.rosharvey.com/

http://www.timstampton.com/index.html

Tell us What you Think!

Add your comments below and make sure to stay tuned for part two of my Ballagh experience as I talk to Tim Stampton artist, print maker and illustrator in his workshop about all things print, folklore and myth.

“Follow the Arts & Crafts Trail around Inishowen”

To say the words “Irish Crafts”, what would inherently come to mind? Possibly Hand knit Aran sweaters, Blackthorn walking sticks, or maybe a willow basket or patchwork quilt? Nowadays, the crafts of Ireland are so much more. For the discerning visitor to Inishowen, it is more fun to venture out and follow the trail around the peninsula. The craftsmen and women of Irish crafts began as far back as the Stone Age (some 5000 years ago) when designs of metalwork, baskets, and textile weaving, pottery and glass were created out of sheer necessity.