A Few New Pieces

Just thought I would share a few images of some new work. I have had an informative and educational day with Yvonne Grist on her photography workshop at West Yorkshire Print Workshop in Mirfield. It was a lovely group and we spent the day chatting and learning how to photograph artwork for our websites...it does get quite addictive though!

Finestra Gallery

Here are three new pieces of work now available from Finestra Gallery in Kirkby Lonsdale, they are all 34" square framed pieces. The photographs don't show up the detailed stitching but you get the idea!

Inspiration

I took quite a few photos in Scotland, here are a few that have inspired a new collection of work that I will be starting work on in the coming weeks....

Scotland

I'm back! After the summer holidays I was thrown straight back into work with Christmas orders to complete hence my abscence from here (again) but a relaxing week in Plockton, Scotland has recharged the batteries and it was such a beautiful place I thought I would put some photos on here. The picture above was the view from the house that we stayed in and it was the most peaceful setting with sea otters on the island across, seals in the water and pine martens in the garden...we couldn't have hoped for anywhere better! The village of Plockton was just across the water...

....with it's excellent seafood restaurants and a lovely little gallery. We had a drive to Applecross towards the end of the week and the view along the coastal road were amazing....a truly relaxing and inspiring week!

August News

Even though it's the school holidays there's still lots going on.....after a lovely day feltmaking at Roberttown J&I Summer School I spent a lazy long weekend in the Yorkshire Dales and called in at a few galleries in the area. Stonegate Gallery in Low Bentham is full of gorgeous fused glass artwork, made by the owners, hung alongside artwork by a selection of other artists. The gallery was a pleasure to look round and is in such a beatiful location it's definitely worth a visit. Finestra Gallery, Kirkby Lonsdale was my next stop and they have a lovely new range of work by Rachael Taylor which is now definitely on my wish list! Finestra Gallery have recently had an exhibition of my work and I was really pleased to hear that the work had been well received and that my large statement piece had sold already....looking forward to creating some more large pieces for them very soon. The weekend was finished off with a gorgeous meal in the Dog and Partridge...perfect.

So it's back to it now and I am looking forward to collecting some prints of my work from Ali White ready to hand finish and stitch in preparation for HOST....pictures soon.

Where has July gone?

I always hope to blog more....it never happens! So here is what has been going on in July....I have been asked to produce some prints which I will hand finish and stitch so I have been busy creating some work for those, I am also aiming to have some fine bone china cups made with my work on...images of these in the next month or so! I have done a commission for a retirement present and am in the process of creating a bouquet of felt flowers for a rather special couple getting married in the autumn. Two workshops have taken place, a mixed media and a devore, and only this morning a badge making session with children at the arena centre in Dewsbury. I am busy getting ready for HOST which will see my studio opening for the first time in September and also the busy Christmas period and Country Living Spring Fair next March (I will be organised!). Oh and a very successful Holmfirth Artweek has been and gone and work is still on show at Gallery 49, Bridlington and Finestra Gallery in Kirkby Lonsdale.........so it's no wonder I never have time to blog!!!

New website

I have decided to make a few changes to the website and upgrade to an eshop! I really like the website as it is now but have decided to change to an online shop as it will make things much easier (famous last words!) when it comes to booking workshops and selling work. I am hoping that the new site will enable me to integrate the selling more in the main website rather than have a seperate shop section so I have been busy photographing work today (pics above). Another big reason is that I can also have a newsletter facility so it should hopefully be easier to do the mail outs. So....keep checking the website, I am hoping (fingers crossed) to have everything uploaded by the end of the week.

News for May

It's been a while! I have had a very busy month moving studios and I am pleased to say I love the new space, it's almost finished with just a few little jobs left to do. I now have everything I need to create my work in one place and a little desk upstairs to do my admin which has a lovely view onto the cricket field next to us. I have lots of new work to do with Holmfirth artweek not far away as well as the West Yorkshire Print Workshop exhibition at Gallery 49 in Bridlington.

I have done Leeds Art Fair since my last post which was a great success and has also resulted in a few very interesting emails since....more news on those later! Following on from BCTF I have work in an exhibition opening soon at Finestra Gallery in Kirkby Lonsdale......just need to crack on with some new work now!!!!

British Craft Trade Fair

Back from BCTF and almost receovered! It was interesting to hear what people thought of my work; I had some fantastic comments from other exhibitors! I find it really difficult knowing which galleries to put myself forward to as I am a textile artist, which is seen as 'craft' but most of the galleries which approached me regarding showing / buying my work were more 'fine art' galleries. I think maybe there isn't as much of an art/craft divide as there once was; I hate it when people want to give you a label.....anyway the show was worthwhile I am pleased to say and I have re-booked for next year.

Update 2

Well it's been a tiring weekend at Ther Contemporary Textiles Fair but fantastic! It was amazing to meet so many people interested in textiles and I feel like I have talked almost non stop....anyway no rest for the wicked so it's on with preparing for the next event which is the British Craft Trade Fair, 11-13th April. Before then if you fancy a visit to the studio we are having a craft and art fair on Saturday 27th March and my studio door will be open....come along and pay us a visit.

I also found out I have been selected to show work at Leeds Art Fair from the 7th - 10th May 2010, really excited to be exhibiting at The Light in Leeds!

This Saturday I will be running a mixed media workshop at the studio and am going to try and write a blog post about that next with some pictures of everyone's creations.....see you soon...

Contemporary Textiles Fair is looming!

With the Contemporary Textiles Fair in the not too distant future I have posted a few finished pieces which are off to be framed next week. More photos to follow soon......

Flickr

Just been setting up a Flickr account, click on the link to view a selection of my work. Images will be added to Flickr on a regular basis to build up an online portfolio. Lots of new work is almost finished........more photos soon!

The beginning

Finally managed to get back into my studio this afternoon to print the screens that I had coated. Schools are atill closed but I managed to find just enough time to do the first print for work for the Contemporary Textiles Fair to keep me on track with everything. I have a few exciting projects in the pipeline which will hopefully keep me busy during 2010...more info to follow as things are confirmed!













Here are a few images of the coated screens and the first prints onto the fabric....the beginning!

Happy New Year!

A belated Happy New Year to one and all!

Okay so the posting from the phone didn't quite get me to post on my blog any more often.....so here is a quick update. December was absolutely hectic with loads of work being sold which was fantastic!! I am now starting to prepare for the Contemporary Textiles Fair (March) and BCTF (April) along with exhibitions being fitted in as they come up. I have been out and about with my new camera (digital SLR..not quite got the hang of it yet!) taking some pictures as reference for my new work. Just need the snow to melt now and I can get going.......can't wait!!!