A Bookmaking Workshop with the Sherkin Island Poets

In the winter of 2013, a group of Sherkin Islanders, along with artist Tess Leak (centre front), undertook an adventure together: to create a collection of haiku poems inspired by life on the Island in all its forms and complexities. Traditional Japanese Haiku are three line poems with seventeen syllables and are, according to a member of the group, “like little islands” themselves. 

A limited edition of 50 books containing a small part of the collection and was made at a day-long workshop by the hands of the Haiku-Island Poets in their community centre, November 2014. I helped with the setup and layout aspects but was highly impressed at their steady hands on the production line, cover Haiga and beautiful marbled end papers the poets brought to the edition.

The project was kindly supported by the Sherkin Island Development Society and the Cork Education and Training Board. Many thanks to Aisling Moran (Development Officer for Sherkin) and to all the Haiku Island Poets.

Lonely and The Moose: Co-creation of a limited edition CD package

Well I heard Lonely and The Moose at one of their 'Beatroot' sessions and just thought they rocked. We started chatting over–yes–roasted beatroot another day. Tessa and Liz had an idea for their dream CD which would be a precious box holding a bunch of their transatlantic letters to each other. I really liked that and thought of a plan to make a mini-box package as a limited edition run. It would be cheap and cheerful, full of photos, lyrics, memories and teasers for the long run CD. We would all make it together in a 'production frenzy' on the grounds of the stunning Glebe Gardens where Tessa cooks. I think a bonus is that it's flat-packable too: so the girls took a bunch over to the States and assembled them on the road. IKEA-packaging.
Lonely and the Moose
Glebe Gardens and Cafe

Snail trail: the track of a journey

How long did this snail (or slug, let's not presume anything here) take to travel across the step, make the ingenious loop and somehow manage to leave the building? Answers in a tweet please! @orlaghob

A City in Macro – Petra Stone

These were are all taken a few years ago by Petra Stone on her analogue camera – around Cork city.

More here

Drawings by a temple – Lerab Ling

Some quiet moments illustrated on my trusted A5 notebook. Most of the time, the views were so stunning that I just went for walks. I was refreshing to live in the mountains for 3 months. (To see stunning aerial views of this area taken by Jan Pieters, click here.)

Tibet in France – Lerab Ling

My summer volunteer experience is in full swing; busy like normal life, but with a massive temple in the back yard and staying in a tent. Not yet enlightened, but maybe another 3 aeons might do the trick. All the same, have been looking and seeing and working on my mindfulness. Here are a few snaps of where I am for you to imagine...

Full photo story here
Location: Lerab Ling

Halloween – New England

Spider webs

Sedate selection

Back garden extravagnaza, Salem

Actual original "witches" house in Salem town. 

 Cosmetic's Store adds glitz

For sure

USA - Ways of Getting Around

Hang on: did you see Rodin's Thinker tucked away behind the jews? What's he doing??

New England Houses

It's been pretty quiet on this blog lately. No doubt about it. I've been Stateside catching up with family. So in that spirit of homes from home, here are a few little New England houses.

West Cork, Ireland – A Day Out