Oxford workshop

I spent a really lovely day yesterday taking a workshop for a group of enthusiastic embroiders from the Oxford embroiders guild.  It was a very productive day with some fantastic work produced by the end of the day, although some is still work in progress!  It was a challenge for some to decide on what images to choose, but once decisions were made every one seemed to enjoy choosing their fabrics and composing their designs.

What I enjoy about the workshops and find interesting is how every one has a different interpretation of the brief  and brings a touch of their own style into the finished piece of work.

Here are the finished results hope you find them as inspirational as I do.

Half term surfing in Cornwall

Inspired by my intrepid daughter who goes surfing in February in Plozeath, I decided to make my next new pictures a tribute to all those mad enough to don wet suits and brave the sea, for me it would have to be Byron Bay!

News for 2014

I have started 2014 by taking quite a few workshops with secondary school children.   It's been really good fun working with the young people and I'm always impressed with the variety of ideas they come up with.  They tackled complex images with out reservation and really enjoyed choosing the material for their designs along with the applique process and seeing their designs come to life.

So I would like to share a couple of images with you which I think are wonderful.

New Designers

Another year has passed and it is New Designers again.  I find it hard to believe it has been five years since I was exhibiting there myself.  I love to go and have a look at the work of the new graduates, when you work on your own it's very easy to be in a creative bubble.  I have taken some photos of some of my new graduates favourites this year.

First is the work of Rachel Macleod, I really liked the costal theme of her work.  I am interested in print, so usually head to the surface print designers first.

  

The next body of work that stood out for me was designer Abby Black, her work has a funky retro theme that worked really well with her sample products, Abby's display of her work was lovely

something I always struggle with.  

One Year on was as good as ever.  As always it is interesting to see how graduates work has changed and matured in a year.  As a textile artist the artist who stood out for me was the fantastic work of Lauren Scott.  She creates three dimensional sculptures using traditional textile and ceramic techniques. lauren takes her inspiration from the irish countryside where she lives. Her quirky animals are full of personality and character and are made form recycled materials.

       
Other graduates work I really like were, Jade Holly, Sky Procter, Natasha Lucy Storer, Rebecca Louise, Judy Scott, Benidia Wibisono, Laura Moscrop, Liz Shuter, Emma Grace Dugdale, Jenny Collicott and Ginni Jones-Mansueto good luck to them all and I be following there sucesses.

 

Technology

I have been busy trying to set up an Etsy shop, it's been time consuming and a struggle with technology and social media.

 I have been trying to promote my shop through social media sights that are a foreign world to me.   It's so easy for me to spend hours and hours on the computer and no time making, but I have had some material digitally printed by a company called 'Finger print' who will print images onto fabric.  So hear are some cushions I have made so far.

Down to Sleep

The Down to Sleep exhibition has just opened last week and curator Joetta Maue has sent me some images that I would like to share.  It is wonderful to be part of such a great exhibition with so many talented artists.

Joetta has also added more images and information on her blog. connectivethread.blogspot.com/

Down to sleep

It's been a while since I have posted on my blog, what with Christmas taking over December and my poor friend getting run over in January and breaking her leg I have had other things to keep me busy.  However my art life is getting busy again and I have just sent my picture 'Alright! Don't cry about it! to the US for a textile exhibition, curated by artist and Joetta Maue.

The exhibition is called 'Down to Sleep' and is at the Essex art centre in Lawrence USA from the 1st of March until the 12 of April.  Even though it is always exciting to be exhibiting internationally,  it always feels as if I am sending one of my children off on their own just hoping that they get there ok.