Arbitrary Ground Neo Gallery Bolton

Gloss Paintings by Jason Simpson

Last week I helped to curate an exhibition called "Arbitrary Ground" at Gallery 22, The Market Place, Bolton with two other colleagues from Neo Maggie Hargreaves and Angela O'Mara.    It is the first time I have curated an exhibition and it was more difficult than I anticipated but it was very interesting and I enjoyed working with Maggie and Angela.

The exhibition features work from all disciplines.  It was selected through open submission and features work from new and better known members of neo:  The exhibition is another celebration of the diversity and breadth of membership at Neo.

Painting by David Winning

Jason Simpson and David Winning are just two of the artists exhibiting.

The Coffee Art Project

My piece entitled "Coffee Woodland"

My Piece entitled "Coffee Woodland"

I have just completed this piece above for submission to the Coffee Art Project.  The concept of the Coffee Art Project is a high profile art competition linked to the theme of coffee.  Emerging artists specialising in all media types are asked to submit a unique piece of artwork that connects to coffee.

The aim of the competition is to showcase the creativity and talents of emerging artists while raising valuable funds for and awareness of Project Waterfall which supports clean water and sanitation initiatives, this year in Tanzania in partnership with Water Air Charity.

All the artworks are sold off in aid of the charity.

For my piece I used watercolour and stitch to illustrate imaginary coffee trees such as the Cafelatta Tree, Americano Tree, Marochino Tree and finally the Cappachino Tree.   I then multiplied the images to create a woodland and encased them in acrylic.

I really enjoyed the process and pleased that it will help to raise money for such a good cause.

Patchwork Puzzle

As I mentioned in my previous blog I am playing around with images to piece together to create a Patchwork or Quilt.  These are some designs I was considering for silk scarves but I wasn't sure anyone would want them as a scarf!!   I am back to that research stage when you have an idea in the back of your head but you need to do lots of trial and error to get near to the original idea.

I think I need to start a new sketchbook!  That always helps.

Some tentative ideas for the patchwork!

Patchwork

I have been in the studio today working on drawings and sketches that I a  planning to work into a quilt. Going through the February blues maybe that's why everything is blue!

Busy Bee

My 16 year old son has been busy taking photographs on his 'walkabout' travels with his friends as sixteen year olds do!   But I must admit I was impressed with the quality and composition of the photographs as they were only taken on a mobile phone.   They are quite painterly and he has agreed for me to use some of them as inspiration for sketching and painting.

Thought you might like to see some of them!

Leeds Art Gallery

Leeds Art Gallery Cafe

Had a visit today to Leeds Art Gallery.  Wanted to have a look at the Leeds Craft Shop which is underneath the gallery but unfortunately it shuts on a Monday!  I am interested in getting some of my work in there to sell.  Luckily the Art Gallery was open and the cafe is beautiful plus the food is delicious!

Returned from Mall Galleries

Ceramics by Pam Schomberg

I have finally returned from the The Society of Designer Craftsmen exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London.  It has been a great experience.  The Society have been incredibly helpful.  They offered a workshop on Finance for designer makers and had a one to one mentoring session.  Mine was with Pam Schcomberg which was really useful.   Pam gave me a whole list of ideas to follow up and I found her very gracious,  extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

I have been researching her work this morning while looking for images to show you on my blog and was interested to see that she is influenced by textiles in her work as she commented "My father was a tailor, as was his father and his father before him.  I work as if I'm working with fabric.  I cut out patterns and I join them."   The tailored look is evident in Pam's work from the buttons, collars, seams and edges which are carefully joined to make distinctive articles.

It is interesting to think how we are all inspired by a huge variety of things.  I am back from London and looking forward to drawing, sketching ideas and photographing images that intrigue me.  Many people have asked me why  I was drawn to be so interested in telegraph poles and pylons.  They love the images but have not noticed them in their garden or on the roads.   But that is the exciting thing about art we all see things in different and make us look at the world differently.

Finally I am pleased to say that I was awarded a Distinction by the Society of Designer Craftsmen.  Very proud.