Well it’s been seven months since I started my masters and the months have been rather magnificent also I wanted to write this blog mainkly about wahts been happneingin the last magnificent 7 days……..
Had some great speakers this term one who stands out is Philippa Lawrence. Principal Lecturer on the BA (hons) Artist, Designer: Maker course at Cardiff School of Art & Design. Wonderful work on a grand scale… definately worth a look…she’s got an exhibition coming up at Hestecombe House in Somerset..not sure when! Her work is currently on show at Ruthin Crafts Centre- A Darker Thread, 3rd February – 8th April 2018. I was lucky enough to have a tutorial with her which was extremely helpful. Her trees are amazing but shes about much more…..
Also did a great workshop with Amanda Cobbett AKA the mushroom lady. Yes they are fabric!!Check out her website Anyway I made this little beauty…. she showed us how to make the body and I didn’t see the point of making something realistic. She does it so well so I went for more is more…..
The body is a perfect scale replica of a Greenfinch…honest!!!
Love the technique and would like to adapt it to make more 3d objects….
I’ve been working on developing another body of work and am trying to push into 3d….. lots of potential here and I need to keep making and drawing…my sketch book is coming along nicely.. I do love drawing… I need to be more regimented about how often I am drawing though. Every day would be pure luxury. I’ve been making some more books too….
I also attended a conference for Hampshire Art Teachers at Southampton Art https://www.southamptoncityartgallery.com Gallery … as one of the speakers I was talking about my experience as an artist and a teacher as well as the Campaign for Creativity and the Embroiderers Guild’s World’s Longest Embroidery for Schools. I also managed to display my work in the gallery and do two great workshops…busy day but great!!! The first workshop was with Kwame from African Activities. An amazing company which does a wealth of different African themed workshops ….look at the website…its mind boggling what they offer! We did printing on to cloth…strangely I loved this!!! Great fun… loved the stories behind all the symbolism of the Ghanaian stamps we were using on simple cloth…especially loved the way Kwame ‘read’ our cloths once printed and made them into a life story…brilliant.
The next one was with Vanessa Stone a paper artist. Great activity based using papers to make designs inspired by the the current exhibiton Roger Mayne and St. Ives: A Defining Moment Currently at Southampton Art Gallery 13 Jan 2018 – 12 May 2018
We worked in the gallery next to the exhibition which was a real privilege…. I’ll definitely taking mine on and turning it into something textile…as well as exploring with children in workshops at school.
I am also in the process of co-ordinating an installation for Art Shop 2018 in Petersfield and am working with a group of year 6 children who will be installing work at One Tree Books in Petersfield from in April 2018. Lots of shops in around Lavant Street taking part. Look out for the work!
Then I spent a day tappy lapping from the Tate Britain to Tate Modern. The What makes us Human. Wonderful – as well as fantastic work by Bacon and Freud and Kossof. I particularly liked DE Souza…ahdnt seen his work before. I need to look at more…. and I time spent wandering around the permanent collection. Lots of new artists to research!!! Need more time!!!!
Next on to Matisse and Picasso at the Tate Modern. Loved the virtual reality experience in the Matisse. I can now say I’ve been to his studio in Paris circa 1915…FAB. And then one of my favourite artists Picasso. I know I shouldn’t like him because he was such a misogynist BUT……I love his work…. fantastic…amazing show. Made me think about the definite advantages of working with one image and doing it again and again in different ways. Loved it. Selfish narcissistic, ……,,hmmm……
Looking forward to another trip to the Tate and the Walker next week when I head off to Liverpool for half term.
When I return I’ll be running a workshop at the Taste of Textiles Day on Saturday 14th April at LisS in Stitches at the Community Centre in Liss. I will be teaching a workshop on the wonderful art of Kantha Stitching……come along any try a stitch taster for just £5..an absolute bargain…lots of different things to try.
Rights off to do more printing… I’ve just re-kindled a love for monoprinting.. and painting…….and I spent yesterday clearing my studio out…it’s a joy to behold!
As always it’s a bit of a balancing act trying to keep all the plates spinning while continuing to develop my art practice.. but it is a joy.. I am just re-looking at one of my chairs which I have decided I need to sell to make room for more……..ART! Fingers crossed and hope to see you at Taste of Textiles day Saturday 14th April 10 til 4pm
Speak soon
H
helen sill 