Vintage at The Hearth

Just over a week to go before we all open up our studios to the public once again at The Hearth. This time it will be quite different as we have invited 6 of the best vintage dealers in the North East to come and display and sell their wares as part of the event. Expect to see vintage homeware and kitchenalia, fashion accessories and textiles as well as old garden tools and objects. Sara Jane Palmer has just moved into the studio complex to share with Melanie Hopwood so expect to see new ceramic displays and we will have a special exhibition by Newcastle based artist Emma Holliday. If you don't know her colourful paintings come and check her out HERE.

Dusting

I only dust my mantlepiece about once a year because there is so much stuff on it, some of it very fragile. To earn a place on our mantelpiece the object has to be black or white.  So some of the things then...many types of animal and bird sculls, a white barbie boot, plaster casts, shells, religious paraphernalia, shoes, clay pipes. We have been thinking of moving  but when I dust this shelf it reminds me what a great space I already live in.

Karen Nicol at The Marylebone Hotel

Was in London yesterday and popped in to the Marylebone Hotel  to see an exhibition of the work of Karen Nicol. Those in the fashion/ textile world will have heard of Karen who for years has embroidered away for some of the top fashion designers. In this show of her own work she has recycled vintage garments into large scale animal portraits that are heavily stitched and manipulated  and need to be seen to be believed. The photographs I have taken are not wonderful but you can see better ones by clicking on this LINK which takes you to Karen Nicol's gallery.

The hotel is not far from Harley Street and Wimpole Street, nearest tubes Baker Street or Bond Street. Lovely staff in the hotel who were very enthusiastic about the art work and made us a good cup of tea.

Printmaking

I have now finished teaching the   FISH AND FOWL printmaking evening class for this  term ( see my collograph example below) but am teaching many more printmaking courses in the Spring  and Summer. Check out what I am doing HERE. There is an early bird discount if you book by the end of March on the next  set of evening classes.

The Decorated Sketchbook

For the first time I am running a course which will reveal some of the secrets of how I put together sketchbooks. If you book before March 31st ( this Saturday) you get a discount. For more information click HERE

This sketchbook was made in response to research on ethnic and tribal textiles. Each double page spread uses surface decoration techniques to respond to patterns and textures in the textiles.

wool work

Combining

These samples combine a tufted stable boy quilt and an old eiderdown with applique.