Monday 31 October 2016

HALLOWEEN HALF TERM

October, my favourite month, I love the way the world becomes full of colour.
I have the added bonus of my lovely daughter working at the Henry Moore Institute, so 
what could be better than a visit to see her and this fantastic work
nestled in Autumn colours.
A great start to my half term week off.
Friday saw me installing The Swarm at the Museum in the Park, Stroud,
with the fantastic help of my chum Caroline
The Swarm played it's part in the night at the museum event, illuminating the collectors room where it will be for a while longer.
I like to get into the swing of things for Halloween,
so spent Sunday afternoon whittling away a couple of pumpkins and even made some toffee apples for unsuspecting trick or treaters tonight.
Halloween would not be the same without my works appearance in the window of Moss Prints,
say hello to Gary who is making a rare guest visit inside.
I know it is an American import, but I quite like the creative outlet it gives, so Happy Halloween everyone.

Thursday 27 October 2016

A DISTRACTION FROM PRINTMAKING...

But a lovely one as I welcome the talented, skillful and patient Catherine Kingzett to the yard:ARTspace to teach, Drawing with your Sewing Machine.
With dramatic autumn skies outside the yard we were all snug and ready to be inspired.
Catherine bought along mouth watering examples and
delicious bits for us to use.
We had a masterclass in threads a world completely new to me.
Our first task was to get to grips with our own machines of which a couple
were rather classic, cool examples.
We all tentatively set off doodling and experimenting with what 
our sewing machines could cope with.
But under the sympathetic eye of Catherine we were all having fun and loosing our fears.
Being given permission to play is what a workshop is all about and
everyone made these lovely sample pieces.
Even moving onto a more considered project.
I am so looking forward to having Catherine back next year at the yard:ARTspace with her Stitch a Month class starting on the 16 January.

Friday 21 October 2016

GLORIOUS AUTUMN COLOUR

Half term is now upon us and we are half way through the 10 week printmaking course at the yard:ARTspace.
My 3 classes, morning, afternoon and evening have been exploring 
collagraph plate making using glue and carborundum to create 
textures and tones. 
These small experimental plates were printed last week,  
Just a couple of blended colours and chine collee. 
But this week things got serious with the application of  
viscocity inking. 
You can see the difference this inking technique makes to a plate, plain intaglio inking with chine collee on the right, viscocity inking on the left, using the same plate. 
And off they went, feverishly inking all the plates they had  
made so far 
Plates and prints together here. 
Viscosity involves first rolling a runny ink over an inked plate, then a sticky ink.  
Simple?, Well yes once you get the hang of it.
Vibrant colour is created with just one inking. 
The rest of the course will involve everyone getting their heads around making 
plates that will give them the effect they want from this glorious inking technique.
I can't wait.

If you would like to join the 2017 Spring term, 10 week printmaking course at the yard:ARTspace, Cheltenham go to www.theyardartspace.com for booking details.

Sunday 16 October 2016

ALL BOOKED UP!

I had a weekend off from teaching at the yard:ARTspace, but the Work Room was taken over by the 
talented artist, book maker Lesley Crawley.
Lesley had generously agreed to run a handmade book binding workshop and
in her dexterous, capable hands everyone learnt various stitch methods of binding.
Providing everyone with a notebook, so no excuses for not writing down instructions, Lesley
guided everyone gently through the 
art of decorative stitch binding.
Lots of new vocabulary was learnt along the way, awl, slips...sew. I kept popping in and out because the atmosphere was full of energy and banter, just how I like a workshop.
Everyone made something gorgeous to take home,
Lesley has promised to make a return trip from darkest Wales to run another workshop in 2017, in fact I have emailed her some dates...I can't wait to have her generous spirit and sense of humour back here!