All posts by Pauline

Great Bear Day by Jenny Melmoth

Great Bear Day by Jenny Melmoth

The Bear swings in at seven tonnes,
A little late, but heck,
when you are 470 million years old
what’s an hour here or there?

He hovers in his slow trapeze,
clears the trembling hedge, and
nose uplifted
chooses his position;
precisely where he’ll stay.

Majestic, he allows his carers
to grunt round him,
releasing his protective harness,
risking themselves
in service of his freedom.

Thoughtfully he scents the air
deciding
this will do.

Lion Of Scotland by Stewart Conn

Lion of Scotland by Stewart Conn

granite carving by Ronald Rae

Its supple marriage of muscularity and grace
first envisaged at Tillyfourie Quarry
where the workers believed they could trace
an imprint in a block of Corrennie granite,

this 20-tonne stone transported to Cramond
and worked on for over a year: the sculptor
inspired as never before – detecting a gift
from the gods, the culmination of his career.

Now regal brow and mane, curved
flank, rippling haunch and great paw
are invested by hammer and chisel
with the spirit and dignity of lion.

Symbolic energy source, its roseate
stippling vibrant in sun and rain, how fit
to front our new Parliament – looking out
on Arthur’s Seat, that other lion couchant.

Stewart Conn – Makar of Edinburgh 2002 – 2005

Rae In His Studio

Ronald Rae is not only a renowned granite sculptor, he is also a prolific and versatile graphic artist. His ability to draw was recognised whilst still at school when a series of his cartoon strips was published in the weekly newspaper, the Ayr Advertiser.

For the past fifty years Rae has developed his drawing skills to a high degree finding different ways of expressing himself with pen, crayon, ink, charcoal, paint and mixed media, always willing to experiment and never wanting to bore himself or his audience by sticking to one style. His drawings are in public and private collections throughout the world.

Rae’s subject matter varies from detailed miniature portraits to large expressive drawings of the human condition and the world of nature. These contrast with his abstract vibrant mixed media pieces, collage on wood, sun drawings on leaves and paintings on branches, to name but a few. He has also made a series of drawings – political cartoons on newspapers – responding to the issues of the day.

Ten years ago he started collecting Family Bibles and other large format books which has illustrated on every page often adding his own words to the text.

On a daily basis Rae also writes. His poems are full of metaphors and relate to his graphic work, addressing the same big issues of faith, the human condition, the environment and politics.