tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27348073082872598022024-02-07T16:20:13.520-08:00textile artFreelance artist/designer makerUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-31838206710519822832012-06-15T14:05:00.001-07:002012-06-15T14:05:55.156-07:00CCAD Alumni evening......Revisited the scene of the crime.......!!!!<br />
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On Tuesday evening I returned to CCAD to see this years exhibition (some lovely work as usual-eapecially the beautiful fairy tree world created by a fellow CCAD Green Lane foumdation student), pick up my Professional Studies and meet my lovely degree tutor Claire and technician Catherine (who is now working as a tutor and promoting a gallery in Barnard Castle as well as producing beautiful artwork) and students from my course. It was lovely to see everybody and catch up. Beverley has done a brilliant job setting up her stamping business , whilst Jackie continues to go from strength to strength with her furnishings(it was so nice to catch up with her at Catherine's workshop a few weeks ago). Joy and Coleen have built on their undergraduate succes and have yet again been selected as finalists in a major UK competition. Mavis as always is master of many talents and has produced jewellery as well as bespoke cushions for various clients. Such a talented group to have studied with...!!!!!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-27099948902082468972012-06-06T11:00:00.000-07:002012-06-06T11:00:01.268-07:00EMA trauma/ Baltic visitOwing to the Jubilee post was not available for a June 8th hand in for an extended essay worth 50% of my mark for an OU module I've been studying for. Not only that not allowed to send registered/next delivery???!!!!!<br />
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So set off this morning to deliver to Gateshead regional office (also closed over holiday). Stopped at Angel (one of the sculptures my essay was devoted to) for extra proof of delivery, a picture for the blog.................but after several tries new format won't upload! any way lovely Sheila Robinson gave me a receipt, recorded delivery to centre on line so in two ays before ( as can't hand into a rregional cemtre after two days before............................)<br />
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Beautiful centre, awful location (road system wise) except for....being a few mins away from the Baltic.........but when I got there.......only one exhibit.... a reconstructed memeory.....of a scottish bothy made from reclaimed wood and rusty corrugated iron.....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-44664363146675759112012-05-19T04:29:00.003-07:002012-05-19T04:29:54.361-07:00Grand time at Anfi Tauro Gran Canaria!!!!!!!Spent the most wonderful week, with my family, in The Canary Islands recently. Was given the opportunity to use a private condo in the beautiful private golf development of Anfi Tauro (made up of lovely lush floral valley golf course, hotel, villas and condos).<br />
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Was a bit unsure before going as was afraid it might be very touristy. Well the coastal resorts are but we were away from the developments and on our explorations rarely saw another Brit!!!! <br />
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Having hired a car we were able to drive all over, well James did the driving.....!!! We had a delicious meal of freshly cooked fish in an unspoilt fishing village en route to the interior. Although the single track precipitous route with multiple blind bends was scary, there was very little traffic and it was well worth the effort as we saw some amazing views. The islands are volcanic and we drove round the main volcanic mountains to visit peaks and valley as well as seeing cave dwellings (the early canarians were troglodytes and some remain so, but with conventional fronts to their cave homes) and mountain villages. <br />
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Another day we visited the traditional Spanish colonial style town of Teror, after dropping in to an exceptionally quiet Botanical Gardens. There we enjoyed not only delicious home cooked tapas but also a warm welcome. This was much appreciated as we found many locals on the south coast unfriendly-the result of bad behaviour from tourists over the years it seems, sadly. The town and cathedral are very attractive.<br />
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We did do a couple of things on the tourist route. Being a Geographer (many years ago) I wanted to see the desert like dunes on the coast , as well as evidence of vulcanicity in the centre. Charlotte had been told to visit the camel ride by a friend so, as that was on her wish list, we combined the two. Whilst the camels were interesting, trudging between dunes we saw very little of the scenery- altho the naked man proved noteworthy (apparently naturists and others abound-be warned)!!!!!!!!!However, Charlottes fluent spanish sweet talked us into a private viewing of three adorable baby camels :-) We went in search of a better view of the dunes which was terminated abruptly when the sand proved too hot for Charlotte......maybe next time.<br />
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We visited an expensive/exclusive resort to try and find some Canarian crafts to take back as well as journey on James' wish-the yellow submarine. Sadly for him it was out of the water for repairs. However, despite the place being packed with tourists like ourselves we very much enjoyed this much more sympathetic lowerised resort development. The harbour was full of lovely yachts and made a lovely lunch time view, whilst the bouganvilla clad buildings provided a pretty backdrop. The beach was clean and quiet.<br />
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So, the end of a perfect interesting and fun week despite my pre visit fears. If sun sea and sand is required the tourist beaches provide that and entertainment. However, if something more interesting is required that is more than freely available and very much recommended! We still have many more interesting places to visit if we have the chance to return .......Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-7397663616605626902012-04-30T09:39:00.000-07:002012-04-30T09:57:08.237-07:00Brilliant Catherine Howard workshop!!!!!Last week I attended a great workshop, given at the Eco Hut Newton Aycliffe by Catherine Howard. <br />
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It concerned 'trapped flora and fauna' , which meant selecting various fibres/threads, feathers, honesty, attaching them to a base cloth and covering gauze with bonda web to create a contemporary background. We were also shown how to use baby oil to make magazine scraps more interesting. After lunch we were introduced to some new embroidery stitches, to develop later (for me, after I've finished my extended essay in June ), to form a beautiful naturalistic surface, like Catherine's beautiful examples (we hope!!!!).<br />
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I had a great day, as I knew Catherine from college, where she was both a student and then worked for a while as a technician-running embroidery workshops and helping us in the print room). All the other workshop members had been students there too....home from home!! It was also lovely to find Jackie, a lovely talented lady from my course was also there, so was able to catch up with her very busy life. We all had fun /a laugh together as well as enjoying a delicious lunch provided by Catherine.<br />
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Catherine is a very happy,clever lady, who produces lovely textile work as well as running very well organised courses (materials are included ,as well as lunch, coffeee and biscuits in the total price of £35) details available from <a href="mailto:cjhoward01@hotmail.com">cjhoward01@hotmail.com</a><br />
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PS She is not paying me for this plug!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:-)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-7116734640542028522012-03-23T13:05:00.001-07:002012-03-23T14:24:01.118-07:00Stairway to Heaven....cottage garden style!!!!Have spent some time during the recent glorious, uplifting weather sorting out my tiny cottage garden. I have planted primroses (cultivated not wild!) and violas as well as hyacinths (left from last year). I am feeling very happy with the results so far and can't believe it is only March......!!!!!:-)<br />
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This is the little stairway from the patio outside my kitchen up to my tiny lawn. I have just bought a new chair and have been reading my OU module textbooks and enjoying the sun ,with cups of coffee and tea, in between bouts of gardening. It is also where I stitched and read for my CCAD degree.<br />
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The photo below shows the view from my kitchen window.<br />
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As can just about be made out in this small picture it is an 'eclectic' (!!!) mix of vintage cottage/Victorian (violas and hyacinths), country house (box pyramids, hedging and balls topiary) and oriental (sea washed bronze horses and chinese soldier)!!!!!! <br />
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The country corner, by the shed, (which was shown in a post last year , with foxgloves and lupins as well as cantebury bells) has still to be further planted; possibly with a beautiful magnolia I bought for my FMP last year and which refused to flower then but is just about to burst into bloom, after all the lovely sunshine we have had recently.<br />
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My Chelsea Show bicycle, also shown in a previous post, is in the distance waiting for my next visit to the garden centre to buy more pansies/violas/primroses etc to put in its basket.<br />
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Do hope you like my little garden heaven and have enjoyed your short visit to my ongoing project............................WATCH THIS SPACE :-)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-73080219689771206122012-03-17T12:58:00.001-07:002012-03-17T12:59:13.695-07:00Contemporary Lace lecture at the Bowes MuseumTook time out last week to travel up into Teeesdale for a lecture inspired by the wonderful Blackthorn lace collection, which is owned by the Bowes Museum. <br />
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Given by a lace enthusiast with a doctorate in lace (!!!), we were treated to examples of contemporary lace (after a potted history of bobbin/needle lace). Examples of Dutch wire fencing lace and Middle Eastern structural lace designed to capture salt and so grows as a structure were very interesting. However, I was disappointed that the only reference to contemporary fashion lace was with regard to the beautiful but very traditional wedding dress worn by Kate Middleton. Nevertheless this was made up for by a glimpse of the lecturers large scale lace interpretations of Venetian architecture.<br />
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Lace from the collection and contemporary lace of all types, inspired by the pieces displayed, are on still on view in the Textile Gallery. Although most of the work was not my taste (partially due to the restrictive rather garish colour palette, set in the brief) I loved a combination of felting and lace which produced a beautiful length of work<br />
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Elsewhere in the museum the world class art collection (Canaletto, Sisely etc) is well worth a view.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-35566278610720245162012-03-09T11:24:00.001-08:002012-03-09T11:27:09.648-08:00Creative day with Vicky Trainor.co.uk !!!!Spent Wednesday with one of my old (young!!!!) lecturers, who has set up her own business producing beautiful wedding cards and accessories. Vicky has been in the card industry for over 15 years as well as having lectured before her new venture. She now works from home designing stationery, recycling lovely old embroidered textiles (for her vintage drawer range) and now running classes and mentoring small businesses.<br />
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I signed up for a fifties workshop but that was postponed so went to 'natural forms' instead! Whilst my work wasn't the best it was good to lift a paint brush after such a long time away from creating. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVyf6426ZczLfXlYjfm71DSH2a_lnnWOSEatAHhLe4Rj1Ubp_hf0uG5nMEX8CXg-Cz9jQ2t7AIrTFTWiHSIDblSfdela0m7ZdqRn2rfPN69UBtf5rcXizBx4pl8r1-_4gtMjWZAOMj_Q/s1600/vickys+workshop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVyf6426ZczLfXlYjfm71DSH2a_lnnWOSEatAHhLe4Rj1Ubp_hf0uG5nMEX8CXg-Cz9jQ2t7AIrTFTWiHSIDblSfdela0m7ZdqRn2rfPN69UBtf5rcXizBx4pl8r1-_4gtMjWZAOMj_Q/s320/vickys+workshop.jpg" width="320px" yda="true" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-73827199043265215342012-03-05T09:59:00.000-08:002012-03-05T09:59:09.068-08:00Perfect day....Durham, DLI Stephenson exhibition and Constructivism lecture !!!!!Beautiful blue sky -a perfect Durham Day (if a little chilly)-made the drive to Durham a lovely experience, as well as the walk up to the Cathedral.<br />
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The Stephenson, Abstract art, exhibition was well worth visiting if you like abstract paintings. Largely unknown, his geometrical art was one of the first abstractionist experiments in Britain and he came from Bishop Auckland!!!!! This, along with the very interesting FREE lecture by the very knowlegeable Professor from Bristol University on constuctvism made it a very illuminating visit.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-35792716996273228752012-02-18T12:55:00.000-08:002012-02-18T12:57:14.498-08:00DLI Durham iconic portrait photography- Jane Bown 'Exposures'After another Durham tutorial for my art course, went for coffee and homemade delicious scones (highly recommend-£3.20!) and exhibition visit to the DLI . <br />
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Was very impressed by the wonderful, iconic black and white photographs of Observer photographer Jane Bown. Grouped as politicians , movie stars, authors etc. the photographs (50 of her best, some of which are noted to be "classics of the genre) cover iconic figures of the twentieth century. I was struck by all the groups-a young handsome McCartney, the Queen, Moira Shearer's wedding pose, Lauren Bacall, Quentin Crisp, Bjork and Boy George are just the ones I can remember off the top of my head!!!!<br />
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If you like the recent trend for 'vintage'black and white photographs- Audrey Hepburn etc. this is of the same genre and equally as interesting/good!!!! <br />
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As I said above the coffee shop is well worth a visit ( you don't have to pay if you are just using that) and if you also have an interest in militaria there are two floors of DLI memorabilia including vehicles , which the children seem to love (especially one little chap in full military combats!!!) to visit too. There are ponds, ducks and woods to walk/picnic in when the weather is nicer and Durham city is close by for shopping and a visit to the World Heritage site of Durham Cathedral!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-75903605700100588852012-02-14T06:08:00.000-08:002012-02-14T06:08:16.154-08:00Happy Valentine's Day / designs!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPF01hKKjxCipQo8bSjXZRKIyeT3C0VgnRaRaPkBD12oYauMyzccFV1qmnhWd-__4Kqz9p4w9mmtnaUhz9u_cU2JG_V2rKmLDUAn2j1VlWfhuCIY7ELa697kIkT70E0MiP7FNKPFLOsU/s1600/valentine+desgns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPF01hKKjxCipQo8bSjXZRKIyeT3C0VgnRaRaPkBD12oYauMyzccFV1qmnhWd-__4Kqz9p4w9mmtnaUhz9u_cU2JG_V2rKmLDUAn2j1VlWfhuCIY7ELa697kIkT70E0MiP7FNKPFLOsU/s320/valentine+desgns.jpg" width="240px" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
Happy Valentine's Day wishes to all.....after all its basically all down to love...... isn't it ?!!<br />
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The world would be better place if there were a bit more of the genuine 'thing' around...........................Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-91757110124710239992012-02-04T13:00:00.000-08:002012-02-04T13:00:05.327-08:0020th century art symposium at the MIMA and..............SNOW!!!!!!!I had been looking forward to hearing lectures today at the MIMA, on 20th century art (Cezanne, Cubism and Matisse), so was rather worried by apocalyptic snow warnings from the Met Office!!!!!! Managed to get there and back safely, although the snow did begin and had to shovel and salt drive to get my car up the slope!!!! Gill Perry, one of the lecturers arrived by train from London, gave her lecture and left soon after as she did not want to be marooned in York (altho that's not a bad place to be !!!). <br />
The lectures were interesting and the Tate's, loaned, still life pictures were too. I particularly enjoyed being able to see one of Picasso's collages at very close quarters, having had to write an essay recently on a similar picture. I also enjoyed a number of modern still life's-one with 9 boxes, in three piles of three with objects inside, was my favourite. The collection inclued Nicholson, Bell as well as Picasso and a number of other well known artists. Such a shame the audience was made up of only a dozen or so......Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-38697081442510492482012-01-23T14:16:00.000-08:002012-01-23T14:16:43.658-08:00Happy Chinese New Year......of the Dragon!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7NRKAbAYRJEz4PVvLRqYQ3A3GASjpC8a0rEAPeXjKVTYGwJg1vuq8IFawwTGAHa_rjakmF5tq8mwuWmrw_BYiCFGf0XrfaZQsh-Vn4CjHOKXR6NdOkihqJSorUEiNjU-DahHIf1ALW8/s1600/chinnes+robe+from+U+F+Kenya+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7NRKAbAYRJEz4PVvLRqYQ3A3GASjpC8a0rEAPeXjKVTYGwJg1vuq8IFawwTGAHa_rjakmF5tq8mwuWmrw_BYiCFGf0XrfaZQsh-Vn4CjHOKXR6NdOkihqJSorUEiNjU-DahHIf1ALW8/s320/chinnes+robe+from+U+F+Kenya+002.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-57303915683148837362011-12-31T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-31T08:00:28.556-08:00Health Happiness and Peace for 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhco0Mblpu79nZgxka7Gksp80EWzT0pxfr7brUBfIoPayohNGdbVxRIqYYhX6Q83sfpclPUlUkT9U1Zx-BE5gBq-24LXGlc-3egq_oDM2eY0nQFpKTf6e49AuaB90x0Wi-sAo-p_8jItFw/s1600/camera+pictures+for+final+major+%252B+toby+085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhco0Mblpu79nZgxka7Gksp80EWzT0pxfr7brUBfIoPayohNGdbVxRIqYYhX6Q83sfpclPUlUkT9U1Zx-BE5gBq-24LXGlc-3egq_oDM2eY0nQFpKTf6e49AuaB90x0Wi-sAo-p_8jItFw/s320/camera+pictures+for+final+major+%252B+toby+085.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Apologies for posting this picture again.......It is one of my favourite designs but that is not why I have used it today. It is because a dove is the symbol of hope and love and LOVE is what I HOPE 2012 will bring for the world and so PEACE FOR EVERYBODY .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">HAPPY 2012 !!!!!!!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-64201891686211518112011-12-24T13:34:00.000-08:002011-12-24T13:34:39.599-08:00And the bells were ringing out on Christmas day........the real fairytale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRw4phDrhSQCJIYuK44N2gENhArVWG-kgEfYDgpkPkZTQkifM7tTAWjOsGIUv057_h_kopg3vat7SbGdbuKfySXJeMgJR_rjnEFf2LdXn5VXwbeq9mWC2TbwK5uM34HsU7hyphenhyphenlpGgiwh4/s1600/P1090181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRw4phDrhSQCJIYuK44N2gENhArVWG-kgEfYDgpkPkZTQkifM7tTAWjOsGIUv057_h_kopg3vat7SbGdbuKfySXJeMgJR_rjnEFf2LdXn5VXwbeq9mWC2TbwK5uM34HsU7hyphenhyphenlpGgiwh4/s320/P1090181.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The real fairytale Christmas ............</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Whatever you believe , the birth of any baby is a sign of hope and joy....... a long time ago so we are told a baby was born who grew up to be a great teacher and taught love peace, foregiveness and living in harmony .... so, in the spirit of that beautiful idea (which all the great and wise spiritual leaders seem to have also preached) ~Christmas hopes for us all this year and always....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-60769129349259247752011-12-18T16:27:00.000-08:002011-12-18T16:27:43.279-08:00Exhibitions- Dark Matter at the Whitworth and printing at the DLIHave been immersed in reading/research for my latest essay on Expressionism and Constructivism completely forgot to post <span style="background-color: yellow;">about </span>two exhibitions that I visited recently.<br />
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Dark Matter, at the Whitworth until January 15th was surprisingly well worth seeing!!!! Various 3d, film and performances related to shadows were on display where I had expected to see Victorian Pre-Raphaelites when I visited Manchester a few weeks ago. A little disappointed at first (although much better viewing for James) I followed the guide. Upside down decaying trees with their rotting branches (not one of the shadow exhibits) at the front of the Gallery failed to impress. <br />
However, walking in front of a huge screen ( Snow Mirror) covered in a snowstorm of pixels that coalesced into Banksy style outlines, directed by a computer, of the viewer did!!! Rozin's other exhibit, Peg Mirror was also interesting. Another favourite was the revolving table of tiny figures and strange cellophane shapes by Brass Art, whose shadows projected onto the cavernous walls of a large open space to create eerie cave drawing like shadows. Idris Khans superimposition of multiple layers of text with Leonard's Mona Lisa and the virgin child was effective and interesting in the first image but lost its novelty value when seen in two other different images. Multiple images of 30 found pencils again was interesting in the first few immaculately executed drawings but lost its appeal<br />
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The same conclusion was reached when a similar idea, only connected with lithograph prints painstaking reproduced from graph paper pictures of stages in the drawing of a line curve ( used in the past for those hideous metallic thread nail pictures of curves from lines) was viewed two weeks ago at the DLI in Durham. However three or four amazing black and white lithographs of paintbrushes, pliers and two large scale portraits made this exhibition worth a quick visit. There was also a small print by one of the Turner Prize contenders......to find out which you'll have to go and visit the DLI which is a small modern gallery above the thought provoking Durham Light Infantry Museum-which includes beautiful medals and uniforms as well as vehicles etc. It is located very close to Durham city with a large car park and a tiny cafe that has very nice home made cakes and scones which can be eaten with a view of the pond and ducks.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-6099034488707599732011-12-05T12:25:00.000-08:002011-12-05T15:30:51.146-08:00Lino Prints from Pascale Hemery/Bowes workshop-better late than never....Just remembered that I hadn't posted my first attempts at Lino prints, inspired by a picture from the collection exhibited at Bowes. Following Instructions from Pascale Hemery, the French artist, who ran the workshop to pick an industrial subject from the catalogue (or memory!!!) I tried to produce a design that could easily be carved onto the lino block. <br />
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I chose a simple but striking building and added some extra details to it as well as a row of houses and some curling smoke (which was to contrast with the simple straight lines of the buildings). I quickly found that the details I was used to producing with a fine liner were impossible. How I admire the woodblock printers and present day lino printers who manage such details. In my defence ....the tools were not meant for fine line prints!!!<br />
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I learnt practically what I am reading about now, for my 20th century art module, ie how to simplify/abstract details to construct an image!!!! I found the cutting out for the first stage/print relatively easy and enjoyed seeing it on different coloured backgrounds. However, I found trying to imagine backwards/inside out what would happen to the picure that would be printed by cutting away more of the lino VERY difficult!!! As a result I only did a little , mainly to the smoke. More could have been done as well as more/different colours used to print on top of the initial layers.<br />
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It may not be great, but I enjoyed making it, as well as learning a new technique-which I hope to use again one day.....<br />
( I must point out these prints were only produced to learn the technique of lino printing. I was instructed to use pictures from the museum catalogue, not to plagerise but for inspiration and the images I have made in the workshop, shown here, are not intended to be reproduced in any shape or form, (except on this blog for information about my post!). I would love to be able to name the artist who's work allowed me to carry out the image making but I do not have a copy of the brochure and do not know his/her name! sorry. )Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-22512327249984417552011-11-23T10:51:00.000-08:002011-11-26T11:00:37.523-08:00CCAD Graduation 2011 Congratulations!Today we received our degree certificates, at what turned out to be a really memorable occasion, in the august setting of Middlesbrough's, Victorian, Gothic Town Hall!!!!!<br />
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To all those who graduated from my course today I hope you too had an enjoyable day, many congratulations for obtaining your degrees and great success and happiness in the future..................Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-89314568891572284692011-11-19T11:54:00.000-08:002011-11-19T11:54:23.862-08:00Naseem Darbey- textile/embroidery workshop at Bowes MuseumI have just returned from a lovely day learning how to use water soluble film and a sewing machine to create interesting free sewn lace/embroidery.<br />
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A few months ago I visited the preview for Naseem's wonderful exhibition of beautiful machine embroidered lace 3D textile sculptures, at Bowes Museum (the second most popular post on my blog!!) She returned today to explain to a group of fifteen how and why she had produced this display, as well as teaching us the techniques she had utilised.<br />
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Naseem is a lovely, enthusiastic and inspirational teacher. She has boundless patience and energy and somehow managed to explain everything, keep on top of all of our efforts and find time for each of us. She had ensured that everything we needed (apart from machines, which were our own) was available and kept the day running at a fast but easy to follow pace.<br />
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We began with a short lecture on her work in the Textile Gallery followed by some drawing exercises , which we used to create our own free machine embroidered pieces.<br />
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Unfortunately my pictures of Naseem and the group did not work. However, Naseem very kindly gave me permission to photograph her work. They do not do it justice, but I hope they give a flavour of it's beauty.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The darkened textile gallery has various pieces displayed against illminated screens with what appear to be shadows. This is intential but the shadows are infact photographs, as the original display space in Cliffe Castle Museum did not have the appropriate lighting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Various garments have been produced related to phrases and script in letters Naseem found in the castle archives. They were written by Mary Louise Roosevelt Burke Butterfield, who lived in Paris to her husband in England. This chemise actually traces her handwriting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Mary Louise was a part of a circle of rich women who lived and entertained in Paris. This tiara is based on one from the same period.<br />
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This is an anotomically correct, internally lit heart, which as a stake driven through it. this is not a reference to vampires, but to a sentence from another letter. She was pleading with him to return to her "if your heart is not nailed to Cliffe Hall."<br />
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Naseem runs similar courses and others, related to figure machine drawing and printing , for students and groups of individuals, in West Yorkshire. Details may be found on her website., <a href="http://www.naseemdarbey.com/">http://www.naseemdarbey.com/</a><br />
I can thoroughly recommend them after todays experience.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-13534963729341460532011-11-16T13:33:00.000-08:002011-11-16T13:33:03.357-08:00Within Temptation concert at the Academy ManchesterBetter late than never!!!<br />
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Last Wednesday I travelled to Manchester to watch a Dutch symphonic rock group, 'Within Temptation', perform tracks from their current cd, as well as old favourites (including mine, 'Sparkling Angel' ). It was a sell out. I had a great evening and left with buzzing ears and a hoarse throat!!!<br />
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I had watched them perform in Holland a few years ago.<br />
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On their home territory they had pyrotechnics, flaming crucibles, huge statues and a small symphony orchestra,as well as some amazing stilt butterfly people. Didn't manage photo's this time so have included some of my sons brilliant ones from that concert<br />
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Rock and Symphony<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good versus Bad!!!!! Amazing costumes..........</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Whatever 'side' someone belongs to it is, to them, the right one. They all leave family and friends behind to remember them and their bravery. Members of my family died in the trenches, whilst others helped the injured and fought in World War 2. I have visited war graves in France, Germany and the Far East. I lived near Belson. However, living in Germany showed me the same grief exists there too, for those involved with the war. Families mourn, wreathes are laid and the mental scars are still to be found amongst those involved.<br />
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I am particularly remembering my son's schoolfriend, Mark Reynolds (Royal Army Air Corps) who was killed, with his instructor,on his last training flight at the age of 24. He was awarded his wings posthumously.......<br />
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If only there were no need for conflict and all could live together in peace -whatever their colour, creed or political inclination...........................................................................................Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-3294630814057303252011-11-11T10:52:00.000-08:002011-11-11T10:52:06.722-08:00Colin Thubron-'To a Mountain in Tibet' lectureNot being a reader of travel books, I attended this lecture expecting a large number of beautiful pictures combined with amusing anecdotes, with a few thoughtful asides- related to the spiritual side of things referred to in the pre-lecture ads.<br />
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Instead Colin, a very well known writer came armed with just one slide ( a map of his route to the holy mountain he visited) and a wealth of knowledge and information about Tibet and the religions of the area he visited for this trip. After the death of the last member of his family he decided to visit the holy mountain in Tibet where the world is supposed to have begun and is also the place where Shiva is supposed to contemplate. His description of it and the nearby holy lake evoked a beautiful vista. Whilst the devout pilgrims attempting to atone their sins and attain Nirvanah by making their way around the mountain by means of prostration was awe inspiring. Air burial, where the dead are cut up and fed to the sacred vultures was not a way I'd choose to go personally but I can see the environmental as well as spiritual appeal of it for some!<br />
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The talk was a most interesting, thought provoking and revealing experience that was informed by a wide range of texts. I was very impressed!<br />
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I was also left regretting the passing of occasions like this where one person can hold you with his experience and train of thoughts on such a serious subject (ritual, religion and death), without any other aid bar his voice and brain!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-20032418910687337022011-11-04T10:50:00.000-07:002011-11-11T10:23:11.724-08:00Grayson Perry: The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman, exhibition at the Brit...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wsgfNfXwPs0?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br />
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After having watched the full programme (that this has taken short extracts from) on BBC i player I have become an unexpected convert!!!! Love the whole idea of this curatorial concept and the skill in contemporaneous antique forms-Chinese vases, reliquaries, pilgrims favours,and the viking/Sutton Hoo style burial. Not sure about Alan Measles, or some of the costume choices but really enjoyed the whole programme. Would have loved to hear the Germans reaction to Grayson!!! Well worth watching even if you hate it you can't help admiring the imagination and commitments applied to this exhibition. Hoping to go and see it and Leonardo da Vinci (a more conventional hero of mine-love the idea of Renaissance man being able to know a little about everything )exhibition in the New Year, if I'm lucky!!!:-)<br />
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There is a Grayson Perry vase in the MIMA collage exhibition (see previous blog) 'Transformer and Receiver'<br />
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Think five weeks of immersment in Modernist and Postmodernist art (handed in first essay yesterday) is having an effect on my Victorian/beauty mind set......?!!!!<br />
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PS Since writing this post I have watched various very iinteresting U-tube clips about Grayson Perry. Whilst very uncomfortable with the overtly sexual side of his art I find the ideas expressed with regard to the war on terrorism, class and religion <span style="background-color: yellow;">ver</span>y interesting. The same is true of how he has made antique decorative art forms contemporary ;tapestry, banners, pottery et al .Wish I'd watched these when told to do this for my design degree!!! The St Martins clips are very good, with film of a vase being made and a complete explanation of the thoughts that have informed all his work.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-46653028861767232322011-10-22T11:32:00.000-07:002011-10-23T12:02:23.556-07:00MIMA- Middlesbrough Contemporary art-collage lecture ( Hamilton. Perry, elephant dung et al.......!!!!)After a week incarcerated with my 20th century art text books felt it was time to experience the real thing, as well as attending a lecture to explain one aspect of the period-collage!!!!!<br />
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So I set off for Middlesbrough, to find the MIMA (Middlesbrough Institiute of Modern Art). I found an unexpectedly spacious modern building, in the middle of a large expanse of green , near the Victorian gothic style town hall (a symbol of past civic pride and the taste of that period). Quite a difference from the last time I visited that part of town!!!<br />
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I spent the time before the lecture looking at the current exhibitions. Despite all I've learnt,over the last few weeks, can't say I was impressed by the 'personal' images produced by Ben Nicholson, apparently 'one of the major figures of British Modernism'....... I did, however, stand in awe of the technical skill and tenacity of 'nationally recognised' local artist Richard Forster. He had produced amazingly accurate pencil drawings of photographs he has taken of the shoreline at Saltburn and the construction of Bauhaus designs in Germany. <br />
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The lecturer, Dr. Anderson, took us on a bright and breezy whistle stop tour of COLLAGE in the 20th century. With its roots in Print room decoration (lovely local one at Rokeby Hall if you like that kind of thing-I do, probably more than Moderism!!!) and Victorian scrap book making, it came into it's own in the 20th century. It peaked twice in popularity and useage.Initially developed by the Cubists Bracht and Picasso, it was taken on in the early part of the century by the Dadists for political means. Later it was again used extensively by the Post Modern Pop artists to raise questions about art and current concerns such as feminism.<br />
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Having briefly looked at the main exhibition of collage art- Transformer and Receiver, prior to the lecture I returned for another view, with the benefit of insights provided by the lecture. Must admit, although most not at all to my personal taste, it was interesting in its diversity, (film, printed banners, Grayson Perry vase, sculpture and many different kinds of traditional paper based collages, by many well known artists) as well as the varied messages the artworks were attempting to convey.<br />
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I think my personal favourite-if you can call it that, certainly wouldn't want it on my wall- was one which dealt with rape. A large scale work, it consisted of about half a dozen coloured copies/replications of famous past representations of women by the artist, under which were genuine newspaper articles, underneath those were simplistic sketches of articles and below those hand written transcriptions of rape accounts. I am sure the reason I took more time to 'look' was because one of the copies was a picture by the artist I researched for my dissertation. It gave me a new slant and made me think differently about the attitude of the original artist, as well as past viewers of art and representations of women. I guess successful art for me is that which engages us on a personal level, something that makes us stop and take notice rather than just walk on by........<br />
The elephant dung picture (Pop corn) unsurprisingly left me cold, whatever it was trying to say!<br />
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Oh dear........think all that art speak is beginning to have an effect on my blogging ........................Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-4912457646880387342011-10-15T13:56:00.000-07:002011-10-15T13:56:09.508-07:00'Six weeks' John Lewis-Stempel at the DLIHaving visited New College Durham, to attend my initial OU tutorial, I decided to go to a lecture at the DLI. I am ashamed to say it was my first visit to this small, beautifully located,modern museum, which is devoted to the history of the Durham Light Infantry (with an art gallery upstairs). I had been drawn finally to visit by reading a flier, which explained the 'Six Weeks' referred to the length of time a young officer was expected ton survive on average during the First World War.<br />
With my background, interest in history and the war poets I was intrigued......<br />
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John Lewis-Stempel did not let me down. He made the trip to Durham worthwhile, with his very interesting account of the young men who volunteered to serve as junior officers in the trenches during the First World War. He explained that every aspect of the public school education ensured they were both fit enough, as well as embued with all the attributes necessary to lead their men, despite minimal training, in the face of adversity. Classical schooling, the house system and sports all played their part in forming heroic young men who were willing to lay their lives down for their country. It also was the foundation for the unique bond and paternalism that existed between these young men, in their late teens, and their soldiers. As a result whole year groups from all the public schools in Britain, volunteered endured horrific conditions and lasted for approximately six weeks before being either killed or maimed. By use of statistics, photograhs,poetry and extracts from letters John built up a sympathetic view of their predicament tempered with humour, to lift the sombre mood it produced.<br />
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I bought a copy of his book and will be using it as an escape, albeit sad one, from my challenging but very interesting 20th century art after I have finished reading about Effie's escape from a loveless marriage with Ruskin see previous post)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734807308287259802.post-49543917468605729792011-10-01T11:40:00.000-07:002011-10-01T12:25:26.075-07:00Modern v Victorian (Barnett Newman vThe model wife-Effie Gray)Today is officially the first day of my course!!! <br />
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As I tried to get to grips with yet another 20th century artist (Barnett Newman),as well as another art historians style of writing, a copy of 'The Model Wife', by Suzanne Fagence Cooper dropped through my letter box,courtesy of Amazons amaxingly efficient book service........ One sticky, long drawn out 20th cewntury art chapter later I was finally able to open my new book.......... and devoured three chapters in quick succession of the easily read and very interesting biography. Victorian won hands down!!!!!!!!!!!! Ruskin and Effie's doomed marriage and her subsequent marriage to Millais are set to be my guilty pleasure/light reading it seems!!!!!<br />
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However, I am now aware of what abstract expressionism was about, as well as the place of readymades in 20th century art (Duchamp having been the subject of the previous equally dense but also interesting chapter) which can only be for the good!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0