For several years I was obsessed with drawing these abandond creel stones. They were stacked behind a derelict house just a stone's throw from the sea in Stomness, in Orkney - I drew them, once in the rain with soluble graphite, loving the blurred and shadowy marks. Another giant piece measured about seven feet square - cominng across it much-folded and dusty a couple of months ago, in an impatient mood, I threw it away. A drypoint etching failed to capture the essence of them, but evetually I produced a collagraph which was inked several times, in several colours and proved to be the most successful work done from them.
I think it was the hand-made, bespoke quality, wooden frame to fit found rock, and the enclosing nature which was the source of their appeal. This photograph shows them the dry - they were richer when wet.
Three years after finding them, they disappeared.
Erm.... what's a creel stone?
ReplyDeleteAh - I mean to say, it it what is used to anchor creels - for catching crab or lobster - to the sea bed. Used at a time when creels as well as creelstones were individually made by fishermen. Nowadays they use metal ones.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased to see your explanation above. I was about to ask. These are a fabulous find and a great piece of local history. I am so sorry they vanished. penny
ReplyDeleteAh - we call them lobster pots (or crab pots) where I come from. And I took some great photos of them at the weekend in Scarborough so I'll have have a close look to see what weighs them down. I thought they were wood -- but I might be wrong. I was going for foreground interest in the shot, not details!
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