Long Time no Blog!
It's so long since I have updated this, sorry folks, but it does show I've been working . . . honest!
My work has changed a bit since I was last here, more colour, probably due to the wet grey winter we are stuck in. Though up in this part of Yorkshire we aren't suffering the floods they are down south, my heart goes out to all those who have drowned homes, and especially to the farmers who have had to move stock and are desperate for help with fodder and the like, thank goodness they are being helped out by fello farmers the country over.
Since my last waffle on here i have been busy, lots of exhibitions and fairs, commissions too. And I'm getting new stuff ready for 2 exhibitions coming up in March, one at the Wensleydale Gallery in Leyburn, t'other at RHS Harlow Carr at Harrogate, lots of trees and birds coming up for those, my favourite subjects still. And this is where the colour comes in, I do love mediaeval manuscripts and have been inspired by the bright colours and oddly unreal birds and creatures represented in them, so my very recent work is a far cry from the black and white with subtle colours I always used to do, and will still do.
And now for something a little brighter!
Weirdy Bird is rather outrageous, especially for me, but I have to say, I'm enjoying a more flamboyant use of colour, and slightly stranger bird forms.
bye bye for now xxx
It's been a very long time since I last posted on here, profuse apologies.
So, as I can't sleep and it is 4 in the morning, I will write something, which hopefully won't be too garbled!
Lots has been happening work-wise, so at least I have an excuse for hiding away from this blog thing . . . don't I??
Earlier in the year I exhibited at Ripon Cathedral with the Great North Art Show and sold my Mermaid. She was hung the wrong way but this obviously helped! I got to meet her new owner a couple of weeks ago and have been invited in to see her should I ever be passing, which was great, and as she is local, Copt Hewick, I may well do so one day.
I also showed at Art for Youth North at Queen Mary's, Topcliffe, no success at this one I'm afraid, but you can't win 'em all.
Crafted by Hand was a super duper art/craft fair organised by Josie at the Gallery in Masham at the end of October, I had a fantastic day, in fact, I think everyone did. Every stall holder was a real artist/maker, nothing bought in and the crowds who attended were obviously blown away by this as Masham has never been so busy! And all, it seemed, had come with the intent to support us by buying. I think people really are on the look out for handmade at the moment, so many art/craft fairs have become a tad farsical of late, lots of bought in work etc, so to actually be able to buy handmade off the actual makers, talk to them about what they do and see some of us demonstrating, made a refreshing change. A fantastic day!
And up to date, earlier today Sue, Emma and myself hung our joint exhibition at the Station in Richmond, pastels, felt and yours truely's papercuts. I'm rubbish at hanging my work but I hope it looks ok, it will have to as we are now open to the lovely public. or will be when today reaches a more godly hour. We have 2 weeks at this venue so fingers are crossed that we all make at least one sale apiece!
I have had several commissions on the go too and still have some to go, things have picked up somewhat on this time last year, for which I am very grateful.
Art is the only thing I have ever wanted to do, since being a small child, so when things go badly I wonder if I made the right choice, a very panic inducing thought! when I have work coming in it makes me feel as though all these years of sticking with it have been worth it all, even when I have had to do other work to supplement my living. And the fact that people actually want a piece of work, made by me, to hang on their walls, still makes me feel hugely privileged and I hope this feeling doesn't go away, I would never want to become complacent about what I do, nor arrogant. Please knock be back down to earth if I do! Seriously folks.
For the first time ever I also have things in my diary for next year too, shows and a couple of collaborations. And I am going to have a go at a couple of competitions too, both outside my usual remit, but what the hell, nothing ventured nothing gained! My little brain is getting a challenge, we'll see how it goes.
I will try to add something a bit more often from now on, and will now try to get a bit more sleep . . . though it hardly seems worth it . . . busy day ahead!
goodnite xxx
After all I wrote a few hours ago about being busy I am now going to add some silly dog pics I have just taken, very badly! as me and cameras, digital or otherwise, do not get on well.
After almost having a flooded porch on Sunday we are now enjoying a red hot few days. Cup of tea under a brollie in the garden, ably abetted by the setter and spaniel gang, though two of them were convinced that if they hung around the car for long enough I would take them on a trip . . . !!! ten out of ten for trying kids!!
They love it when they have us as a captive audience, not often we just sit drinking tea in the great outdoors you see, but the brightness of the day and the lush green of the garden was too hard to resist for once.
Back to work shortly, with more tea and Radio 4 Extra, feline helpers in my studio, slightly better behaved than the dogs . . . unless they are hungry!
Its such a long time since I have been on here, sorry folks.
I have a good excuse . . . I have been busy, honest! Commissions and work for exhibitions have kept me tied to my desk and my scalpel, so I have no complaints, just wish another pair of hands was available!
I have just started a piece for a lovely lady in Scotland, a tree hung with allsorts of things that have personal meaning to her. Have 6 pieces done for the "Great North Art Show" at Ripon Cathedral which starts in September, Jenny Agutter of Railway Children fame will be speaking on the opening night, oooh! And another 6 pieces are under way for the "Art for Youth, North" show at Baldersby in October.
On top of the overdose of papercutting activity I have been thinking about corn dollies. Corn dollies? I was taught to make these as a very young person, many many years ago, and just recently I thought I'd like to see if I could still do them. But, just to be a bit different could they be made from something else? I tried wire . . . This is my first attempt, not brilliant but will keep playing about to try and get it right and will keep you posted.
Here are a few of the more recent papercuts that have been keeping me busy . . .
I will try to be a good girl and add to this more often but that scalpel is keeping me busy at the mo.
Have been a bad blogger and not added anything for ages, apologies folks but I have been busy working . . . not skiving!
I have escaped from doing birds for a while and have been doing other things, including a last minute design for a decorated plate competition, a very tight schedule so not much sleep the last couple of nights, my poor eyes are now on a go slow!!! but being the beast I am I have kept them working. If they fall out there is no one to blame but moi!
Here is the offending design!
And as you may have guessed I didn't get in at the RA Summer Exhib, hey ho, but at least I tried. Another trip to London on the cards now to collect but this time it will be there and back in one day, no gallery hopping this time.
I'm busy with pics for up-coming shows at the moment. 6 pieces to do for the Great North Art Fair at Ripon Cathedral in September, and lots to do for a 2 woman show at the Station in Richmond in October, I'm hoping to have some limited edition laser-cuts done for that one so there will be a broader price range. I've found a laser-cutting place in Leeds and am hoping to get over there next week to discuss how it all works, costs, etc. It's all happening!
Have 2 more Open exhibs coming up too that I will have to sort work out for, one in Lancashire, the other in Harrogate.
And, of course there is "Another Spot on the Wall" at the Station, Richmond from July to September, 1 piece for that but you replace as you sell (fingers crossed!)
So I had better get off now and do some more work or no-one will believe that I ever do any : )
Long time no writey!
But that means I've been busy-ish. My jam jar of dead scalpel blades is filling up and I have new work done, but not photographed yet, I will get round to it, I promise.
This weekend I'm doing workshops and exhibition with the "popupgallery" again, Reeth this time, the Buck Inn, another wild and wool-y northern place, splendid!
And if the weather is good I'll be at Nawton Towers near Helmsley on Sunday afternoon for an art carboot fair! If London can do them so can Yorkshire! It's called the "Hares Eye Art Fair" and is organized by Sawmill Studios and will be done in conjunction with the open Gardens that Nawton Towers are holding, proceeds to the Red Cross.
I'll be taking some of my papercuts but also paintings as they are just filling drawers in my studio/spare bedroom and if people would like to buy them that's better than them collecting dust, so prices will be down on what I'd normally ask, though most stuff won't be framed.
I've also had a look at an exhibition call in Aberdeen that is trying to get artists to use science in their work, from a geological perspective, no excuse now not to push forward with my "evolutionary" work. Think I will give this one a try.
Well, I have at last finished my mermaid, yee ha! Or have I?
This is what I've done so far, just 2 layers, but I'm awfully tempted to maybe add another layer of a darker blue, think I shall have to sleep on this one a little. This piece is for the Guild of American Papercutters who set a challenge to depict a subject from folklore or fantasy.
And I thought I'd put on another clump of my "fantasy" birds, the ones that flitter around in my head not my garden!
These will be adorning the walls at a little arty do in the village down the road from me this weekend, let's hope they fly home with new owners!
And Sue . . . does the mermaid get your approval me dear???
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