Myths and Legends

I love Greek myths and legends and will be running a course in May using this theme as a basis for the development of original prints using the collograph technique. To find out more have a look on the Horsley Printmakers site www.horsleyprintmakers.co.uk where you will find information on the dates and also some images within the gallery section of collograph prints.

Those of us who teach courses for Horsley Printmakers and our students have a show called "Print to Impress" at the Biscuit Factory www.thebiscuitfactory.com at the moment. I was proud to see many collographs displayed from my evening class students who have made outstanding images on an animal theme. Also look out for my friend Zoe Robinson's sculptures of birds (though most of them seemed to have red stickers on last night).

This book is particularly inspirational.It was published in 1959 and illustrated by Alice and Martin Provenson

My favourite image - look at those toes!

Garlands

I was passing through Lincolnshire at the weekend so called in a the Hub (http://www.thehubcentre.info). Up and down the staircases were a vertical paper garden/ garlands constructed by recent graduate Suzie McLaughlin. They worked effectively at bringing the outside in. I have been garland making too, making work for my exhibition later in the year in response to the maidens garlands in Yorkshire. I notice Suzie's were laser cut and stapled but mine are of course hand stitched and each flower is unique. I am using all sorts of papers eg. an old copy of Tennyson's "In Memoriam ", original Victorian letters . I am making one big garland to hang in the church and then an individual flower for each of my maidens.

Anyway here is Suzie's work

and here is mine

The hairy bits are sheep wool picked up from the graveyard where the girls are buried.

I used to draw

I have been looking through my old sketchbooks and portfolios for examples to publicise a mixed media and drawing summer school I will be running in August. It made me realise how I have lost the habit of drawing. I intend to book some days off work and clear a run of days and re-immerse myself in mark making.

In the past I used to love drawing birds. As well as drawing from photographs I would buy hanging pheasants, ducks and pigeons from the Grainger Market in Newcastle and draw details till the dead bird got past its sell by date! Alas the days of being able to buy a fresh pigeon from the market have gone.

Precious Memories

I am excited to be running a number of textile workshops in conjunction with MAKE recycled craft workshop next to Allendale Bakery. The first workshop is called "Precious Memories" and will be held on May 22nd . See the web site for more details http://makerecycledcraftworkshop.bigcartel.com.

There are only a few places so book up soon!

You will be making something a bit like this or the work I put on my blog on 29th November 2010.

Patchwork

Back to Basics

Surface Decoration on Paper and Fabric

There are still places on this course which I am running 19th and 20th February at Horsley and it isn't too late to book. Contact Horsley Printmakers at info@horsleyprintmakers.co.uk and look at their web site for further information

Maidens Garlands

I am at the research and development stage of a new body of work which is inspired by the maidens garlands at Old St Stephens Church, Fylingdales in North Yorkshire. The church which was built in 1822 stands on a hillside overlooking Robin Hoods Bay.

Maidens garlands, which are very rare, were carried in the funeral procession of a maiden.

I will be showing my responses to the maidens garlands over the August Bank Holiday weekend 2011.

I will document the process through a new blog "Memento Mori" at http://mandypattullo.blogspot.com. I will also use this blog to archive other work I've done on these themes. Don't look just yet though as I haven't had time to put anything on it!

Here is the beautiful church . Read more about it at www.visitchurchesorg.uk

Here are the 4 maidens garlands which are housed in a locked atrium within the church

More detailed views showing the ribbons hanging down

More information on the garlands and the pieces I am working on coming soon