abundance X

Lanterns, 2013, Porcelain, East Lambrook Manor Gardens

One of the reasons why this summer has resulted in a complete lack of blogging is that I've had several exhibitions to prepare for*.

I'm honoured to be asked to be part of Abundance X at East Lambrook Manor Gardens in Somerset. East Lambrook is one of the homes of the English Cottage garden look and has the most amazing plant nursery. When I go back for the private view I'm stocking up on some plants.... The show is open from 21st September to the 6th October so if you're in the area drop in and have a look.

Arboreal Sun II, 2013, Calico, Natural Dyes and Portland Wool

Arboreal Moon (detail), 2013, Calico, Natural Dyes and Portland Wool

For this exhibition I've combined my love of textiles and my love of ceramics. I've created so large canvases inspired by India Flint's dyeing techniques with some porcelain additions and stitching with some handspun portland fleece. Combining my loves of clay, yarn and plants has been truly inspirational.

*I'll bore you with the details of the other shows later....

woolly wednesday - June

Currently I've been working with some fellow artists for a show as part of Somerset Art Weeks - using both my fibre work and my ceramics. This month I've been experimenting with the natural dyes around me. Buttercups are abundant in the meadow near my studio and they produce a pretty subtle yellow. I mordanted with alum and cream of tartar and solar dyed over a 48 hours period. The yarn is spun from Portland on my new (!) wheel - I can't wait to use it in a bigger piece later in the year. 

This is cross posted in Somerset Stitched - a blog following our creative journey towards Art Weeks in the autumn....

show and tell

Remember that pile of grey dusty looking glazing in my studio? Well here it is...
hope you're having a great weekend wherever you are!

in my studio

Things are getting busy here as lots of pre Christmas events are going on... It's easy to keep your head down while time is so precious. (I'm not in the studio for long before a little voice calls 'Mummmmmm!!!!!')

Looking up this morning with the autumn sun shining through the window and I felt
inspired all over again...

purple...

{warning - a ceramics post follows.... (it should really be on my grown up blog - hmmm... maybe I should cross post?)}

 One of my favourite colours is purple. I have far too many purple boots for example - though I would argue you can't have too many purple boots. At this time of year I see purple everywhere - in the hedgerows, on waste land, in the garden.



In ceramics making a purple at high temperatures is a bit tricky so for a while I've had my chemistry hat on. (Chemistry is fun when you are melting pretty stuff)

Now which purple / indigo / inky blue is prettier? Maybe I just make pieces in all of those colours? Maybe it's like owning the same pair of shoes in lots of colours?

bravery...

A long time ago - in another life - I was a ceramicist. I've had an on going internal battle about getting back into making - am I good enough? Will anyone like my work?
Last weekend I did my first fair in years. I felt nervous and worried.

It was wonderful. I got great feedback. People loved it. People bought it. My confidence has grown. I'm back in the studio and I'm loving it! I still think I need a bravery sticker though....

Spring earthworks show

Here are some images from the exhibition last weekend. The opening party was fantastic and the evening was spent with many friends. The show is over now but we're already looking forward to the autumn show in September. It's great to see all this work together in a great new gallery.

Chair by AD Treepirate www.ad-treepirate.co.uk
Fused glass work by Nina Gronw-Lewis www.ninaart.co.uk
Paperclay porcelain lanterns by me.

Spring time butterflies

I saw my first butterfly of spring yesterday. It reminded me just how close the summer is. This is one of my porcelain butterfly necklaces showing this weekend at the Earthworks Exhibition, Broadway Farm Studio, Charlton Adam, Somerset.