1 October 2021

 

So at last, yesterday, together one of my earliest school friends and I, ventured off to try out our "entitlement cards" or bus passes. A day trip from Stornoway to Tarbert, never minding the wind and rain, "Statler" and "Waldorf" were intent on having a fun time. Public transport is a great means of having a relaxing time free from the responsibilities of where to park one's own private transport. Sitting back and delegating the driving to a professional is something many more of us ought to do. We were the only two on that first journey of the day, there is a very good service with five from each place each day except Sunday. The journey lasts an hour, and it travels through the most awesome and majestic of the Hebridean landscapes. Being on a luxurious coach, passengers are comfortably mounted at a much higher vantage than those in cars and the spectacular views can be seen to best effect, even with the wind and rain. The fact that the steep, up and over, An Cliseam road takes the traveler from one side to the other of this great oceanic rock, goes almost unnoticed. We arrived in Ard Asaig, West Loch Tarbert just less than an hour after leaving Stornoway and the in next few minutes entered the main drag of Tarbert. Currently the whole place is undergoing a transformation with a total reconstructed the Ferry Terminal. I approve very much of such developments, and look forward to seeing it all progress. I also hope that existing features of this unique and ancient landfall can be conserved and retained. My favourite being the Tarbert Sores, which have a wonderfully Viking air about them. In past visits I would make a special pilgrimage to this characterful emporium to purchase an item of chandlery or hardware. (Now, for further explaination, this is Tarbert's equivelent of Glasgow, West End's old GLR Stores, that once thrived at Caledonian Mansions, Great Western Road). Though sadly the tall timber store in Tarbert is closed at the moment and looking very sad and vulnerable. I hope it will be back!

We disembarked into the wet Tarbert morning, and were soon making our route to The Isle Harris Distillery, via the activity of the ferry traffic. Just inside the entrance to the distillery a welcoming log fire is burning. I make one or two purchases, advance Christmas presents. But their cafe is still closed, a victim of the Covid restrictions. Back out into the rain, along to the Tarbert hub, and to the former First Fruits, now Waterside Cafe. A welcome late breakfast, followed by a visit to a Craft FaIr, in the Community Hall. We hadn't known about this and I made more purchases here. Including a splendid Harris Tweed waistcoat, which was made in Lewis of a patch work of bright colours and designs. It put me in mind of the large painting, of one of my favourite beaches I have just finished. Then we went to The Hotel Hebrides, in the hope of lunch and a libation, but we could only get the latter, the kitchen only doing dinners from 5.30pm. After a time watching Tarbert Central pass bye, we took advantage of a brief break in the deluge. Up along Main Street, to the War Memorial, then on to my favourite Hebridean hostelry The Harris Hotel. Many years ago this was the ultimate destination of our family day trips, a place of great traditional style and fine food. Yesterday, my friend and I arrived rather drenched and hoping for a warming lunch. We were not disappointed, and though lunches had just finished, we were offered fine bowls of soup, and we both opted for the Cullen Skink. A welcome warm place to hang our soggy jackets was provided. I resolved that a return visit here and possibly a weekend stay in this lovely old hotel may do much to recharge me, at the other end of the winter.

Now, Statler and Waldorf did not re-embark aboard the bus back to Stornoway. One of the friends, (not used to the marvels of public transport), got fearful that the bus was either running late or not running at all! Imagine being stuck. Anyway a kind offer of a lift was gratefully accepted and back to Stornoway, we all went. So, in conclusion of a day out, and away from the usual, that was not in honour of any celebration, we decided to go to The Crown Hotel's, Harbour View, for our evening meal, and excellent it was.

We had made the most of the last day of September and indeed got a flavour of the enjoyment to be had as Sixty Year Olds, utilizing the gift of our Entitlement Cards.

28 September 2021

 As we shift from the bright warmer season into the darker colder times, it never fails to amaze me how rapid and uncompromising the transition is in this part of the world. Autumns, here in the Hebrides, seem to be so short and quickly give way to lengthy winters. But there is still the drama of that last blast of colour, and every time of year host aspects that inspire. Reminding us of the continuing cycle of life.

Since the end of last week, I am now in a sort of "Winter Recess", my little Bed and Breakfast business had it's last paying guests. No sooner has one aspect concluded than the other must begin, in cycle of the hospitality business. Now is the beginning of preparation for next year, and I need to be optimistic that it will be a positive challenge. My "work balance", the Bed and Breakfast and the art work, had a very gentle outing his summer. Things were too spaced out, slow and I want to have more to do. To be busy and fully occupied are the best means of distracting from, such as, the ongoing sadness of bereavement...Next week marks the first anniversary of my Dear Mother's passing.

The passage of time, fascinates me. I sometimes feel time is elastic and it speeds up or slows down without logic. I want and need more of it, but really need to learn how to manage it better and apportion it more wisely. Another balance in my life is the work and social balance. As an artist my work, drawing and painting, is conducted in solitude, but I have a strong interactive social personality. Meeting new people, in my other work, the B and B addresses a large part of my social being. Connecting and re-connecting with people I know, friends and family is vital to my existence.

Sometimes wonderful moments present themselves. Over the last couple of days I have delighted in reconnecting with a couple of my friends from art school. One whom I haven't seen for nearly forty years. People may age and lives may alter in the passing of time, but personalities remain as permanent, beacons in the great sea of friendship. In a world of change and time of uncertainty it is reassuring to know and learn that the people and places we experience in the course of our lives remain within us and stay in our memory. It was such fun to recall others from our early lives at the Glasgow School of Art. These are strong, fond and special memories and it so good to share and re-connect. KB

10 August 2021

Back in May, I put some of my current paintings up, for view, and the positive feedback from that endeavour nurtured a focus on developing some more ideas. Such activity has been a vital means of lifting my spirits and preventing much overwhelming emotion, this summer. As I reflect, take stock, my memory and flashbacks call to last summer... Oh, an altogether different time for me... The sad outcome was inevitable... Drifting back to the present season, it is so reassuring to be able to simply explore the delights of colour ideas or composition and shapes in "en plein air" sketches, for much larger paintings. There I am in my prime element, sort of convincing my self that there is a way of coping with the pain of one's grieve... But sadly no... Not yet... My raw grief... It is still there... Then, of course, I am aware that all around us there so many people struggling to come to terms with the brutal reality of losing a loved one. Such shared experience brings people together.

We still face worrying times and a genuinely uncertain future, despite the wishful thinking that punctuates all news broadcasts. Humour that is the fundamental means that people deploy to address such times of crisis and uncertainty, makes no appearance. Even poor leadership get the butt end of jokes. However this pandemic period we are existing in simply does not engender any laughter or light reference at all. How on earth could it? Then there are the related issues and confusion. Much as I would welcome a trip off my beloved island - it is over eighteen months since I ventured anywhere - But no, I am going to stay as close to my own home as I can be, until I feel it is safe to stray back to the wonderful urban worlds. A couple of days ago I received my bus pass, that little perk of turning sixty! I have already been planning it's use around the island. A very local "staycation", never straying very far from my base.

Now, to end on a positive note, of uncharacteristic "own trumpet blowing", I must flash up the wonderful "MI FHEIN IS MACKINTOSH/ART ON FIRE, programme about the once great Glasgow School of Art, that is being broadcast on BBC ALBA, on Monday night (9th August 2021), at 9pm. It will be available on the iPlayer for 30 days after the broadcast. This most emotional programme was directed by Calum Angus MacKay. I was delighted to have been invited, among other former students from the islands, to make my contribution to it. I have been rather involved in the campaign to rebuilt this outstanding building, since the second ripping flames were put out, on 15/16 June 2018. This is the very beautiful and special formative place where so many of us grow and developed as creative people. It was quite simply a most magical place, and this programme gives a flavour of what it still means to us. I was privileged to have a full preview yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 4th August). I am sure it will impress everyone who sees it. I hope many of you will take the opportunity to experience this unique presentation, of the very fond and most personal expressions and regards for this greatly loved institution.

KB

10 August 2021

 Well, it is so very odd to see yourself on a television screen. There, I was, last night, speaking with an authority, my own vivid memories of a much loved space. I was both honoured and delighted to make my contribution to the brilliant and beautifully crafted documentary 'Mi Fhein is Mackintosh/Art on Fire', directed by Lewis filmmaker, Calum Angus MacKay, which was broadcast on BBC Alba, last night. A credit to all involved with its production.

The master stroke here was to have a group of GSA Alumni, former and current students from the islands, relate their personal, special and highly emotional feelings for the Glasgow School of Art. The most magical place, known affectionately as 'The Mack', designed by architect, artist and designer Charles Rennie Macintosh, where their creative imaginations were to grow and develop. Each account, in this documentary, is detailed and articulate, each is beautifully visual, as one might expect from individuals with keen artistic senses. Certainly a unique picture emerges of a place greatly loved, and now sadly missed, by all fortunate to have studied there. The interest in rebuilding this iconic gem of architecture remains strong and it is potentially huge. This could well be the beginning of a positive and pro-active campaign to deliver the many questions, long since requiring answers. This would be an excellent outcome from the film.

For my own part, I have already been involved in some of the discussion to date, many of my feelings and opinions have been voiced and written. My online comments in the immediate aftermath of the second fire, on Friday 15th June 2018, formed a personal viewpoint which was published on the STV online news page, on Monday 18th June 2018. That was a great honour, the article was accompanied by two photographs of me, as a nineteen year old, in the ' Henrun' loggia, on the top floor of 'The Mack', and the article was indeed the start of the memories that were flooding into my mind. I do regret that, for this film, I was not yet confident enough to let my memory flow to camera in Gaelic. Reviving any ability in Gaelic, has been high on my 'to do'/'must do' list since I returned to live on the island, in January 2017.

13 May 2021

I am sharing my Kenneth Burns Artworks website, to spread my recent selection of works around. These pictures are small - indeed pocket sized, extracted form a pile of little sketchbooks, which I use as journals every day. Drawing, the action of making an initial mark of expression, and pulling it, and pushing it, and generally manipulating it, to create a line, or tone, or a shadow, and then further moving it around to make a satisfying or recognizable image is so vitally important to me. I simply love drawing. I do believe that drawing is the earliest and most fundamental means of human expression. Writing evolved from ancient hieroglyphs, which were in fact drawings, stylized depictions. So making marks, drawing and writing are all means of expressing ideas. Some drawings can be very complicated and sophisticated, these explain detailed designs of our, buildings, crafts, vessels or machines. Drawings are tools of our civilization. I like to describe how my paintings evolve from simple quick sketches, even doodles, that initially plot an idea, or a visual stimuli that captures my interest. I like to have drawing and painting materials with me and close to hand, at all times. Folk frequently ask me if I... am painting at the moment...? I am sure they mean painting a large piece of work. The answer to this is that I am constantly envisaging paintings, and there is always a painting on the go at some stage of completion. For me the fun element of the work is the discovery of a location of interest and then the exploration of getting to know it and learning all about it. Certain special locations find me returning, over and over there is always a new aspect to discover.

This collection of little drawings and paintings, are the elements of the progression and development of much larger pieces. I call them my working drawings, though one or two can stand for themselves as complete works. I brought this collection together in a response to the kind suggestion of some of my dear and valued friends, whose support has carried me through a very sad year. You will know who you are and I hope how highly I regard you all.

I hope those of you have not yet seen these drawings, sketches and little paintings, will like what you see. KB May 2021

On turning 60

 

Turning Sixty. What is the real significance of this age.

So what happened, actually it sort of crept up on me... I turned round and... there...I'm Sixty, already. The 6th of May my birthday, and like many others, the date that I marked events and assessed where I was at and where I heading. It was right on me at last. I have been aware, so much of life has rushed past and prior to this birthday, I was actually enjoying the challenges and aspects of life that we think will go on forever. Who really does the arithmetic of ageing, when just getting on with living is a natural progress. But it wasn't a dread of reaching this age, that caused me any anxiety, we all learn in early formative years that the things we dread most often prove to be of little concern, after all. It was the fact that, for once, I had very little knowledge or idea of quite how I was going to even mark the day let alone celebrate my sixtieth birthday. A significant moment for reflection and self appraisal. Most important was another mile stone and major first happening. This was my first birthday without the supportive love of my Dear Mother, and I suddenly felt overwhelmingly vulnerable. I knew that there would be many moments of very strong emotions. Then the wonderful kindness of people I value as friends and family began to come through. I stopped looking back and feeling sorry for myself, this was always a happy day, in my life, full of fun, laughter and the good things of life. It was, like all birthdays a celebration of living. Exactly what I had been brought up, by my late parents, to believe. The day was most enjoyable, even if the weather was being awkward and unlike spring. I got lovely messages and cards from kind people, and I began to really understand the importance of maturing and enjoying the beautiful aspects of life and the benefits of age. Life must be shared and enjoyed with other people.

KB, in reflection of my 60th birthday.

22 February 2021

I am in the process of creating a "new body"of art work, mostly drawings and paintings, inspired by the simply awesome landscape that surrounds me and stimulates my thoughts, hopes and ideas... There is indeed still life beyond the surreal situation, of being locked down in the oppressive restrictions of isolation and social distance. Caused by this hateful pandemic! Self motivation and a clear focus, will I hope assist me in his endeavour, to rise above sadness and see through the tears. Though this has been a time of challenging personal grief and, of course, an overwhelmingly depressing and sorrowful period for the whole world. I feel we might all need to relearn or revive our social interactive skills. As an artist, I am no stranger to solitude or isolation, the very work I do is carried out in a private lone space my "studio". But my personality and natural being thrive on social interaction, I need people and I am stretching my patience, like so many others. But there is a light on the horizon, I got my Covid 19 vaccine last Saturday, and Spring will be starting next Saturday. So good to be alive. KB