This is my third unit 9 exhibition in South Square Thornton and writing this statement for the exhibiton felt like a continuing conversation I am having with myself, always in the hope that other people will butt in.

         I am still interested in the relationship between content and technique.  When I am painting in waterco -lour - flowers or life drawing - I am always trying for a likeness, an accurate or at least approximate representation,

but as soon as I move into fabric I start to concentrate on the surface -the opacity or transparency of the fabric- the shine of the stitching and cease to worry about representation; for example I don't really mind whether the camelia branch looks like a camelia branch because I have really enjoyed  old fashioned stitching with a shiny surface that shifts with the light.

I have added one more cloud picture - the show was entitled 'Clouds, Flowers and one Face'.  This one is called 'Above Grassington'

In October 2012 I took part in the Ilkley arts trail which was started last year to run alongside the well established Ilkley literature festival.  I was in a great space with two glass artists, two ceramicists, a jewelller and a hat maker.  I didn't sell much but I covered my costs and it was great to meet and have time to talk to other makers.

I showed a number of new pictures .

 This is a meadow I saw above Oxenhope, which I have been hand embroidering over a number of months.

The next three are pictures from a visit to my sister in Suffolk when I was riveted by the amazing skies

rape field




elm trees



suffolk skies

  

Bradford Open Studios

At the beginning of June I took part in the first year of Bradford Open Studios, turning my house into a gallery for four days. As it was its first year it was quiet, but it was an enjoyable few days.

Bradford Open Studios website

These are three new pictures continuing my exploration of the park on my doorstep.  The image of women walking is a watercolour, the other two are watercolours painted onto fine organdie and then embroidered into.  The single tree is machine embroidered and the third image is quite heavily handembroidered.  Exach picture could stand alone but I have sold them as a 'Park Trio'.

life drawing and fabric... a work in progress

I have been trying to improve my life drawing skills in Dean Clough and Cottingley for the past few years and wondering about whether it is possible to combine life drawing and painting with my interest in fabric and embroidery. This exhibition is very much a work in progress. Some of my explorations might lead to further development, some may be dead ends. I would welcome feedback.

See – KUTAC Summer Show

At the end of July I took part in an exhibition in Brighton organised by a group called KUTAC that my daughter is a member of. When visiting her in Brighton I joined some KUTAC meetings, and they allowed me to join them for the exhibition. The exhibition was in Brighton Fishing Quarter Gallery, in one of the arches on the seafront. I exhibited one of my screens, a portrait and life drawing piece. I really enjoyed it – it was a lovely space and sitting at the door drawing the seafront whilst invigilating was a delight. I thought the exhibition hung together extremely well. There were loads of very appreciative comments and it was good to be part of it.

Here are some pictures from the MMCA exhibition