The story behind my string drawing.

Detail of String in Trees

Whilst on holiday in Istanbul in September 2010, we went on a day trip to the island of Büyükada on an incredibly overcrowded ferry. I spoke to a Turkish lady sitting next to me who said that we were very lucky to have come today as it was a "special day". As we made our way with the crowds up the steep path we watched as people lay coloured threads along the side of the path, amongst trees and bushes all the way to the top of the hill where there was a small Church and stunning views. It was only later that we discovered we'd managed to stumble across a pilgrimage that happens on two days a year. Each colour string representing a different wish or aspiration. This drawing was inspired by that day and I think it's a memory that is likely to appear in my work for a long time to come.

This drawing is available as a print from Whistlefish Galleries.

And it is also my current twitter header. Twitter name FionaWoodcock.

San Fran / Instagram.

A selection of my Instagram pictures from an inspiring trip to San Francisco at the end of last year. The top image is a sketch I did near where we stayed. As someone who has a love of overhead cables and wires, I was in my element.

1 - San Francisco Sketch by Fiona Woodcock.
2 - Chromolithograph, bought at Alameda Point Antiques Faire.
3 & 4 - Close up of The Golden Gate Bridge.
5 - 50/50 Floor by Tauba Auerbach at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
6 - 16th and Mission.
7 - Yosemite Park.

My Instagram name is fionawoodcock.

Istanbul - Windows

Reminds me of Ensor Holiday's mathematic research into the recurrence and links between certain geometric designs found all over the world. As mentioned in my blog last year.

Istanbul - Sihirli Daireler

Most of us know it as Spirograph, but many Istanbul street vendors sell little sets packaged as Sihirli Daireler (Magic Circles). One of the said street vendors takes the credit for the bottom two pics. These magic patterns never fail to amaze me.

Stockholm and stripes

Just back from a short break in Stockholm.

Proud of my striped tape collection.