Sketch by Jake Rayson
The weather was magnificent but I was feeling under the weather. Fortunately, the students kept me alert with a thousand questions on the walk to Cae Ysgubor, AKA Molly’s Field. I was bringing up the rear and was continually distracted by plants and wildlife.
By the time we reached the quiet country lane, a bountiful harvest of Sticky Willy / Llau’r Offeiriad (Galium aparine) was to be made, which we graciously donated to Molly’s horses. They love the stuff.
We sat again on the carpet tile circle. This is such a levelling and calming thing to do. Molly asked everyone for one word to describe how they were feeling. Most people were excited!
Then Molly explained The Plan. She has painted a glorious backdrop of the valley, and the students will create clay imprints of plants provided in the bucket, and the things that they find. The clay artefacts will dry this week, and then for the next session, they will be painted and hung upon the backdrop.
There was a diverse range of creativity in the clay artefact creation. A lump of clay was flattened by hand, placed on a plywood board, the object impressed, and then rolled out with mini-rolling pins.
Once we had collected all the artefacts, and after a break to run around and explore the field, we turned to painting. Molly had a sad story about a Robin Goch‘s nest, which she and her partner had dislodged from a hay stack. The Robin Goch never came back, so she brought the nest and eggs for the students to see (with a caution to never disturb a nest).
Other students painted sunsets, landscapes and flowers.
Jo helped again today, which was very helpful. And she made some Sticky Willy Water! Apparently good for your digestion and general health, which I have heard from numerous other sources.
We closed with the circle, and Molly taught us the chant again, which was very funny and engaged everyone. Then, we had to dash back in time for dinner.
Oriel Gallery
Student flicking floral flecks
Reflections
- Starting and finishing the session with everyone in a seated circle is a very levelling, calming and positive practise.
- As there are a lot of people, Molly asked for one word answer to the question “How do you feel?”
- Ask if one of the students would like to be the storyteller, to document the day? That could be their special job.
