This is my first blog entry for The Watershed Project- I’ve never blogged before so I’ll cross my fingers and take a deep breath.

Following the call out for artists in march – I was selected as the artist for the first of 3 years. There is also a writer for each year- so my writing mate is Andrew Mc Millan- I’m sure we will do something collaborative.

this is an image I put together to visualise my proposal- Monument Valley at Gorple- its a rough sketch. Monument Valley is made from sheep poo & is about 10 cm tall- photoshopped in front of a view across the moors towards Gorple Reservoir.

I started the project in August. I will be twinning locations on the moors with locations around the world- sites will be chosen for their similarities or contrasts , a tension that pulls them together. The foreign elements will be made using natural materials found on the moors- sheep poo, bracken, mud etc. I have done a couple of quick sketches so far, Camels at The Hushings, see below but bare in mind this is a rough sketch. Anyone who has visited The Hushings at Hurstwood Reservoir will appreciate this is a dry , harsh landscape, taking on the appearance of sand dunes- formed when the land was “rinsed” to relinquish its precious limestone. Hence its partnering with  animals found at home in the harsh arid environment of the desert.

This sets the scene for my work for The Watershed-creating partners inspired by aspects of the landscape and made using materials found in it. The models are then either photographed in or (weather not-permitting) photoshopped back in the landscape to form partnerships that may surprise or resonate in some way.

As well as some kind of exhibition I aim to show some of these resulting images in more unusual venues that manipulate the landscape  theme– the back of a bus across the moors would be perfect and I have done this before in The Lakes. visit:  http://www.sallybarker.org/meat

Photography, photoshop and good old fashioned modelling combine to create the images.

I am initially researching locations in the upper landscape of the moors – this most amazing of places. The area i am concentrating on is the gorgeous wild bit between Hebden Bridge- Haworth and Burnley- but I’ll go anywhere.

I have explored, photographed (and picked up sheep poo) – around Widdop , Withens Clough , The Bridestones, Top Withins, Walshaw Dean, Gaddings Dam.

here are some of the sites I am interested in using

This is part of The Bridestones