Lino print
Image size 60 x 40 cm
Limited edition of 75
No mount
No frame
Hand burnished on quality cartridge paper
 
(the) Walkerburn High Street (of far away places)
Everyone I`ve met who has lived in Walkerburn is fond of the town, remembers warmly their time there. I pass through every day, on my way over the river to Glenbenna. Although there are still signs of decay, brought about by the decline in the woollen industry, there are many significant cultural landmarks which are sources of pride: the Rugby Club, The HB Club, the War Memorial, local businesses and enterprise. The location is dramatic.  the roads and houses built on steep steps leading down from the hills to the shores of the river. The town is surrounded by beauty, by wild birds.
The print is less literal than all the rest; there is a touch of magical realism running through the imagery. Some of the trees appear to be more exotic than they are; I haven`t as yet seen a hot air balloon floating above the town. But what is happening in the sky is as important as anything on the ground: the wild geese create a soundscape, and a yearning to travel, far away, to southern places. The balloon is observing all it sees from a calm and benign perspective.
Smoke curls lazily from chimneys . The air is still.
I imagined a refugee family finding themselves in this strange, foreign high street, and decided that local woman Mary Daykin would be the very best welcome committee.
And, as the sun sets, casting long evening shadows, a couple hug their last goodbye, a mother and child wave “bye” to an elderly relative, the bus driver waits patiently, bus bound for Galashiels or Melrose; further along the river.
But why shouldn`t the travellers` final destination be a sunny and vibrant Buenos Aires ... ?