An Update
Posted: August 19, 2016 Filed under: Exhibitions | Tags: ecoprints, Festival of Quilts, Hampshire Open Studios, textile art 1 CommentIt has been such a long time since I have posted here. I have been so busy that I have not had time to think let alone write. From the Earth has been and gone. Despite a few hiccups it has been a resounding success and it would appear that rather being a one off event that it could well be just the start of an ongoing thing
This is a flavour of the main event.
There was also an additional tutors exhibition at the Art Van Go studios
In decending order credits to self, Jenny Leslie, Fabienne Rey, Alice Fox and Alison Hulme, all of whom delivered successful workshops in the month.
July was spent recovering and preparing for the Festival of Quilts at the NEC
I have to say it seemed to be over before it started and I scarcely believe I was there but here is the proof
Am now preparing for Hampshire Open Studios which starts on Thursday. My work will be part of Room 6s effort and will be at the Granary Studios Owslebury, Hants, which will be open for business every day until Tuesday 30th August, closed Tuesday/Wednesday 23/24.
After that my energies will be focussed upon a solo exhibition at the Turner Sims foyer at the University of Southampton (12/9 to 30/11) and then the Marks and Stitch gallery at the Knitting and Stitching Show more of these later
Spring has Sprung!
Posted: March 23, 2016 Filed under: Exhibitions, natural dyeing, Textile Art, Uncategorized 1 CommentHaving said that we will now probably get snow. However bearing in mind that winter cannot last forever have started to mordant my fabric in preparation for the return of the leaves and other plant matter
And yes we do need a new fence!
We thoroughly enjoyed the ICHF Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch show at the NEC and I am delighted to announce that we will be reprising 6 Shades of Grey at the ArtVanGo studios in July. This is particularly good news for us as we will be able to incorporate the work of Lynne Onions who sadly could not make Birmingham.
It is going to be a very busy few months. Next month a selection of my work will be exhibited at the Ashcroft Centre, Fareham, Hants. http://www.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk
Also exhibiting is Nicky Barfoot
On April 10th there will be a day entitled Fabric-A celebration of textiles which will involve workshops,talks, a craft market and various other activities there. Definitely a date for the diary if you are in the vicinity.
Then it is the BrockenhurstNeedlework Fiesta. I will have my usual stand but also I will be demonstrating upstairs. Dates for this are 23rd and 24th April
Then it will be full steam ahead for From the Earth textiles in June. Details if you need them http://www.fromtheearthtextiles.co.uk
Alison Hulme and I will be at the Festival of Quilts as usual at the beginning of August.
Then we will be working hard to prepare for the Knitting and Stitching Shows. Alison and I will have our usual stand at Ally Pally but we will also be involved in a gallery with exhibiting group Marks and Stitch. The gallery will go to all three shows although I will not personally be going to Dublin as I have agreed to demonstrate at the West Country Quilt and Textile Show in Bristol in November.
A busy year.
Last note is about workshops. I have in the past been a reluctant giver of workshops because I have felt there are people better placed than me. However so many people have asked me and I have come across so much misinformation some of which merely irritating but some downright dangerous I have thrown my hat into the ring. Very soon I will include a page which will detail some of the things I offer. Watch this space.
Winter Draws On
Posted: November 23, 2015 Filed under: Exhibitions, natural dyeing | Tags: Knitting and Stitching Show, natural dyeing, textile art 1 CommentThe temperature has dropped and its now definitely winter. All the leaves are now off the trees and it is now stitching season. I have been working on the grey pieces for Room 6 exhibition at the NEC next March. This is something of a sneak preview
On Thursday I am heading off to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Harrogate where I will be demonstrating on the Artists in Action stand run by ArtVanGo. There are 6+ artists demonstrating a myriad of techniques there every day so well worth a visit if you are going. I will be doing a bit of ecoprinting and then Alison Hulme and I are going to be demonstrating screen printing with natural dyes.
Continuing to Work for its Living
Posted: November 3, 2015 Filed under: Exhibitions, Textile Art | Tags: embroidery, textile art, work. natural dyeing 5 CommentsThe exhibition at Romsey Abbey has now been taken down. It was a wonderful place in which to exhibit. I was aware that there was not much opportunity to photograph Metamorphosis 2 since the light was so poor in the Abbey and given that it is my intention to alter the pieces and transform them in some way into Metamorphosis 3, I decided another photo shoot was
in order
At the moment they are not earmarked for anything in particular so the transformation is on the back burner – I have some ideas so its a question of watch this space
Going Grey
Posted: October 18, 2015 Filed under: Exhibitions | Tags: cloth, embroidery, Exhibitions, natural dyeing, textile art 1 CommentIn actual fact have been going grey since the age of about 24 and the process has yet to be completed. However the reference here is to work I am embarking on currently. It is for an exhibition entitled ‘Six Shades of Grey’ in which I am involved as part of the exhibiting group Room 6 at the Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch Show at the NEC in Birmingham on 17th – 21st March next year. I have collected my fabrics
and dyed the threads
Just the small matter of combining together to produce something. It seems like a long way away, however with 2 other large exhibitions coming up after its as well to get ahead of the game. Watch this space for updates.
Phew!
Posted: September 29, 2015 Filed under: Exhibitions | Tags: Exhibition, Romsey Abbey, textile Art. embroidery Leave a commentIt has been a busy time recently so little or no time to blog. Since the Festival of Quilts there has been little or no time to catch my breath. Firstly there was the month long and hugely successful exhibition at Hilliers Arboretum (which never got a look in on this blog) to man and then wind up. I am hugely grateful to Zeronine textile artists for allowing me to be a part of it. This kind of blurred into Hampshire Open Studios at the Granary with Room 6 which again was very successful and hugely enjoyable ( again no posts, sadly). I did some demonstating and this is the results of some of my labours.
Then after a quick holiday to Portugal it was straight off to the Big Textile Show in Leicester. Great to see a lot of familiar faces and put names to faces of people I have only met on the internet.
Then yesterday was the hanging of Romsey Abbey. It was with some trepidation that I saw my piece ‘Metamorphosis’ being hoisted. Because of its length it has been difficult to visualise how it would look. I have been somewhat ambivalent about its new hue particularly as it was not what I had originally intended. However it needed to metamorphose to earn its title and whats done is done and this is now what it looks like.
I also have an installation of my wax pots which were part of my Common Thread body of work which have never had a proper airing.
Obviously being the Abbey, the light is not going to be brilliant – it is what it is and a fabulous space in which to exhibit.
Some of the other work from my collegues is truly amazing, with their permission I am hoping to share some of it here at a later date.
Its the Knitting and Stitching Show next week. I am back on the stand this year, no exhibitions although Alison Hulme will still be with me. The stand number is TGB13 so if you want a pinny, a scarf, some fabric or just a chat please come and say hello. Alison is demonstrating for ArtVanGo as well so you might find her there.
Festival Of Quilts 2015
Posted: August 11, 2015 Filed under: Exhibitions | Tags: Exhibitions, Festival of Quilts, textile art 2 CommentsAm now home from The Festival of Quilts. Alison and I had a lovely and very fruitful time. We met loads of lovely people and had a lot of laughs.
Our stand – terrible light so not good pics. We have decided we can no longer fit a quart into a pint pot so have booked a bigger stand for next year.
We also had work in the Quilters in Action exhibition
As did fellow room 6ers Sue Chapman and Lynne Onions
Lynnes at the top and Sues underneath
A brief rundown of the highlights
Alice Fox in the Virtual Studio
Suzanne Lenzs Wall of Keys
Kate Whitehead
My favourite commercial stand this year was Neelam. The couple who run this come from France and they sell the most wonderful Indian block prints done using only natural dyes.
Lastly the child in me could not resist snapping this
This was part of an antique instructional quilt for children. Not quite sure what the message was!
