SUMMER BREAK

Term at the yard:ARTspace has finished for the summer, now I have a little bit of time to experiment and make new work.

I have been having fun with fabric using the steel shapes from my enamelled pieces to pop rust patterns into fabric.

Gum arabic transfer images into the cynotypes I made with Lesley and

make a few more, experimenting with chemicals in 

the shed while the sun is out.

I have got time to finish off a couple of

fabric collages.

making them into cushions.

Rusted fabric, free machine embroidery, gum arabic transfer and hand embellished making them functional art, not just cushions.

I also have time to develop some drawings in several sketchbooks.

Shutting myself away with radio 4

experimenting with paint,

ink and bleach, trying hard to put into practice everything I preach.

Looking forward to next week to see what work develops from all this preparation.

ANOTHER ACADEMIC YEAR OVER.

The last event of the academic year at the yard:ARTspace was the Summer Exhibition.

A chance to celebrate the printmaking of the Solo Groups that work at the yard on a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon

The yard is spruced up and becomes a gallery setting for 3 days. 

An opportunity for people to see the yard and find out what we do here. 

Also for friends and 

family to celebrate the creativity of their nearest and dearest.

 With 8 artists showing it was collagraph in all its varied plate making forms 

and inking techniques. 

Thank you to everyone who came, commented and bought. 

It was a lively end to a busy year at the yard:ARTspace.

Now I am off to enjoy some of my own creativity and have a summer break. But do look at the yard:ARTspace website for the courses and workshops on offer in the Autumn and 2018 terms.

www.theyardartsapce.com

HUBBLE, BUBBLE.

Chemistry met art at the yard:ARTspace this weekend.

Claire Cawte, textile artist, ran an eco print and dying workshop and it was fascinating.

Bags and bundles of vegetation were hauled into the studio,

the colours were marvellous.

Sorting and 

placing was then done. When everything was tied into a tight roll,

it was all popped into the cauldrons to boil away and do it's magical stuff.

Looking a bit like something out of Doctor Who here.

Once out and cool

there is all the anticipation of 

what may have happened within the package.

And wow, the colours and

patterns were spectacular.

Everyone went away with lots of knowledge,

interesting results and

superb scarves. Of course there was a great deal more to it than that...I believe the word mordant was used many times. Thanks to Claire for her generous teaching.

This is the last workshop of the term at the yard:ARTspace, but you can pop in and see the yard, Upper Bath St. Cheltenham, GL50 2BA and see how we can develop your creativity with a workshop or course. 21-23 July is the Summer Exhibition and the yard:ARTspace will be open from 11am to 4pm. Or head over to www.theyardartspace.com for all workshop details, but book early to avoid disappointment.

ANOTHER GRAND DAY OUT

Another day off, another road trip. This time into deepest, sunny (today) Wales to see my good chum Lesley Crawley. I set out up the M4, crossed the bridge into Wales and drove almost, but not quite as far as Haverfordwest.

Lesley is a great teacher and has an innovative approach to techniques. She also lives in an idyllic place with the most wonderful garden. 

So trying not to be too distracted by the beauty and birds all around me, Lesley cracked on and showed me how to make cynotypes.

Once again, I found myself in another inspiring shed on my day off.

Lesley has a chalet sized shed that houses the diverse range of Lesley's experimental creative techniques. Another collector of inspirational objects,

so everywhere you look there are

gorgeous collections.

And I am sure she would not agree, but everything has a place and can be found (on the whole). Lesley makes beautiful books using her experiments and is constantly experimenting embracing the 'what if ' factor all the time

I presented her with pre rusted fabric and after just a couple of hours

came away with all these cynotype experiments. Paper, fabric, rust and gum arabic transfer...just add Lesley's generous teaching. Thank you for a fantastic day.

Fancy learning how to achieve this? Lesley is coming to the yard:ARTspace in 2018, 16-17 June to teach Cynotype printing. Celebrate the summer solstice with us, book early to avoid disappointment.

END OF TERM

The end of my third academic term at the yard:ARTspace is a mixture of sadness and relief.

The 10 week courses have progressed well with everyone making lovely silk aqua tint collagraphs.

The last day of term prints were embellished using

gum arabic transfer printing. Some straight into sketch books,

some designed especially to place into collagraph prints together

with lots of experimentation.

Everyone took away a successful set of work.

And the sun shone on both groups making it a relaxed

last lesson.

It is always sad to see the end of term, after 10 weeks we have all got to know each other pretty well,

everyone knows how to deal with me more to the point.

This has been a busy term with Cheltenham Open Studios in the middle...so I am ready for a holiday.

But I am very pleased with the work that has developed and I am looking forward to the Autumn term starting on 20 September.

There are places left on the 10 week collagraph courses. AM, PM and evening classes. For more information contact me through the web site www.theyardartspace.com. Or why not come along to the Summer Exhibition.

Preview evening 20 July, 6-9pm. Exhibition continues 21-23: 11-4pm