Collograph printing

Had a great day in the studio last Saturday when Anna came.

She also bought along her Big Shot machine and we did some collograph printing. I had made a few collographs plates the day before to make sure the glue and varnish was dry. I also put one of my old lino cuts through the Big Shot machine.
Wonderful results as you can see.
The thicker lino would not go through, but the thinner did. I was very pleased.
We also treated ourselves to lunch at the local hostelry, a most enjoyable occasion. Thank You Anna.

A talk to Swindon Antiques Society

Gave a talk to the Swindon Antiques Society yesterday evening at Lydiard House. Sophie the Collections Manager asked if we would. It was really interesting to see the exhibition in the evening artificial light ..... The talk was about the Traditions exhibition we have showing at the moment and how the social traditions of large country houses and our textile response overlaps and enhances the experience for viewers of today. I took along my sketchbooks to help illustrate my ways of thinking and the inspiration I derived from Lydiard House.

For younger viewers to the house, we have made peg dolls in characters of many well known traditional stories and nursery rhymes.... you probably recognise this one as red riding hood. Perched on the four poster bed !!! Where else?

This is my cushion of my interpretation of the colourful flowers in the walled garden ( pleased to say it has sold)

Here is my Blackwork Swan, looking very regal in this setting. Again the inspiration taken from the swans on the lake in the park. This exhibition is running until the 10th June 2012. So plenty of time to enjoy.

Bampton - stewarding and demonstrating

I was stewarding all day today at the West Ox Art Gallery in Bampton, and shared the duty with Mair.
I demonstrated in the morning and Mair in the afternoon. It was wonderful to see so many interested viewers attend. I loved talking to everyone about the inspiration and techniques I used in my work. I shall be there again on the Saturday 28th, this time with Margaret Charlton and would be lovely to see you and chat.

Buscot House and Park

Despite the rain, hail and dark skies overhead, we had a great time at Buscot House and Park today. Luckily we were in the house when the heavens opened and then glorious sunshine whilst we strolled through the gardens. The daffodils are still holding their own, but the trees are spectacular..

For more infomation about this National Trust property....... click here.

The Art collection at Buscot House is well worth seeing, especially the Salon which has so many Burne- Jones Paintings, quite amazing....... have a look here

The Oxford Times had a wonderful review of the "Losing the Thread" Exhibition at Bampton today.. you can read it here. I was very pleased by it.
Erin at West Ox Arts has posted some great photos of the private view here on her blog.

Meet the Artist- Lydiard House 2012

We spent the day at Lydiard House for a "meet the artist event".... most enjoyable, and almost all members of the Great Western Embroiderers attended, so lots of opportunity for chatting.
In the Education room in the stable block a children's workshop was also taking place making peg dolls. The peg dolls we had made for the children's trail in the house were proving a very popular attraction today. Not surprising really! Photo shows one of my pieces of work inspired by the blue pottery in the house.

Easter Painting

After an enjoyable family dinner, it was time to use the studio..... and paint. After completing 10 masterpieces of painting, 5 year old announced quite boldly..... " Nanny , I am an artist!

I was speechless...it was one of those precious moments.

Private view - Bampton

Today was the private view at the Bampton Exhibition, we had lots of visitors..... in fact this photo was taken early on.. before the official time to open and we already had visitors.

No Chance of photos later,as the room was full of people. I really enjoyed talking to friends and visitors about the focus for all my work, and the techniques I use to get the emotion of my thoughts and passion across in my threads and fabric.

I had interest shown for me to talk to two different groups about my work. Needless to say I would be thrilled to talk to others about my work. What an exciting day.... I am buzzing.

I am stewarding and demoing next Saturday(14th April) at the gallery.. so if you fancy a day out in the Cotswolds.... come and say hello. Bampton is one of the oldest towns in England... on the edge of the Cotswolds. Pubs by the river... great walks and a lovely cafe nearby. Something for everyone.

Exhibition at Bampton, Oxfordshire

(click to enlarge)

Spent today helping to hang the - Losing the Thread - exhibition at Bampton in Oxfordshire. I have to say it was looking really good when I left this afternoon.

The Private view is this Saturday (7th April) from 11.30 am -2.30pm. Would love to see you there if you can make it. I am also stewarding on Saturday 14th and 28th April. I shall be taking my sketchbooks along as well, so come along for a chat.

Click here for more info about West Ox Arts Gallery at Bampton.

Lydiard Exhibition 2012

The exhibition is proving to be very popular, and here is the view of the entrance hall. Over 60 pieces of work by the Great Western Embroiderers are on show within the state rooms.

Can you see my cushion in the background on the green couch?

Its sold!

The Exhibition had only been open a few hours and my cushion has a red dot... sold!

I hand dyed the fabric as seen in a previous post, so it resembled the colours of the flowers and foliage in the walled garden at Lydiard last summer. The quilting was inspired by the large daisies in the flowerbeds.

My daughter is quite upset it has sold.... as I think she had her eye on it.

An exciting exhibition or three

I have not blogged much in a while, due to the fact I have been working towards 3 exhibitions for this year. The first exhibition is still on and is the African fabrics ( see previous posts) and can be viewed at Red house Museum Christchurch near Bournemouth -see here. Urchfont Embroiderers have an exhibition there at the moment called Blue, Red and White and I am so pleased they accepted my work for the exhibition.

Yesterday another exhibition which I am involved in opened at Lydiard House in Swindon - see here. and poster above

The exhibition was opened by the Mayor of Swindon. I am lucky enough to have 6 pieces of work in this show and all is displayed amongst the articles in the house. I thought it looked really great. We are having a meet the artist day on Tuesday April 10th , hope you can come and join us

My third Exhibition is with Losing the Thread at Bampton - see here, and is due to start Easter weekend. I will post more details later.

So as you can imagine.... busy busy busy , I will try and post more often once these deadlines are cleared.

Another dyeing day in the studio

Had another lovely dyeing class in the studio and here are some of the results of the hard work. Playing around with Shibori and space dyeing is always great fun.

Latest stitching news

The studio has been well used recently, not just by me, but daughter as well. We have been working hard on this Advent Angel. All that is left to do is add some beads and sequins for added glitz.

Oh and of course fill the little pockets with goodies for the days of December.

I have also been working with my African fabrics... they have all been carefully washed and ironed, cut into shapes and some stitched again. I never want to see another triangle.

The stamps on the back of the fabric are fascinating as well... here is one and .......

Here is another.... fascinating.

Of course the work was expertly supervised and approved by Mr Siamese.

Autumn bus journey

On the return bus journey from town after I had viewed the African exhibition, I decided to take a photo of the autumn trees every time the bus stopped for whatever reason. It intrigued some fellow passengers, they probably thought I had lost the plot.

I was quite amazed at how mild the temperatures are for November.... this time last year we had snow.

Most of the deciduous trees near the cemetery are now skeletal.

Whereas many of the bushes and hedges are still in autumn leaf..... amazing. ( click on the photos to enlarge)

Just as promised a quick update.. I have stitched the pieces together... and have taught another dyeing class in my studio.

We are having another class next week... I hope they remember to bring the results back for me to take a photo.. will share with you if they do.

African Exhibition

Went into town yesterday to view this exhibition at the local Artsite Gallery. I do not venture into town very often, as I think parking charges are too expensive. So decided to leave the car at home and go by bus....... more about this journey later! ( tomorrow)

I was not sure what to expect from this exibition, but have to say it was extremely good. The variety of artwork, sculptures and textiles were well displayed and had informative details next to each exhibit, which made the whole experience very informative nad enjoyable.

The modern work by Miro, Picasso and Terry Frost added to the experience. Such a shame the exhibition is only open for a week.... hope we can persuade them to have another soon.

I felt even more fortunate when I was introduced to the collector and have been invited to view more textiles in the collection in 2 weeks time. Such excitement.

Some stitching

You probably recognise this space dyed fabric which I dyed earlier this year
I am playing around with this sample as an experiment for an idea I have for an exhibition piece. It is quite pleasing so far, although I think it needs more work, and I might play with the colour arrangements a little more.

Remember......................

A special time

Art and the Olympic posters

Studio work again today as you can see, for the grandchildren, and all the artistic endeavours were definitely inspired by the Olympic posters revealed at Tate Britain yesterday lunchtime. See here for more details. Painted papers and scissors and paste were the order of the day to get the creative juices flowing.

Another grandchild decided that he would be a little more athletic and cleaned my car.... Much appreciated by me and the car.
Meanwhile in the studio... paints were called for.. and used to create the following masterpieces... here is the 4 year olds poster.. Bridget Riley must be seriously worried by the competition.

Meanwhile 8 year old is in serious competition with Howard Hodgkin

Its a shame that Tate Britain did not invite the young talent in Britain to take part in this creative poster activity, I really think there are many contenders amongst the youth of today. Such a talented bunch.

A new toy

I have been looking at the Big shot for a long time.... but thought it was too expensive mainly because I do not do a lot of paper work.. but had thought it may be useful for fabric. So what changed?

Well yesterday and offer came through the email with a 25% off coupon. So with yet another birthday on the horizon and the C as well. I was persuaded to buy as my presents for this year.

The cut outs on the left are fabric placed on white paper... the ones on the right are white paper placed on coloured fabric.....am I impressed you bet!!!

I have not even started embossing or printing with it yet...... are you impressed?

Then I was tempted even more by ....Gill. What a temptation !!!!!

Only Words

A recent visit to the New Brewery Arts in Cirencester was most enjoyable. The current exhibition -Only words- is well worth a visit... but be quick it finishes soon. Have a look here

for more details.

A variety of artists interpreting their thoughts on the literary festival makes for a thought provoking exhibition.

Tea and cakes in the cafe is also a bonus to the visit.