LimeSky Studios workshop

On Sunday 12th October I ran a workshop at LimeSky, near Lichfield, based on my "Moonfleet" series of pictures.  It was a wonderful day - very rewarding and great fun.  On 16th November I've been asked to do another workshop, this time on upcycling!!  Can't wait.

A huge thank you!

Thank you to all those who visited me at Ragley Gallery as part of Warwickshire Open Studios.  It was an amazing few weeks - I was in the company of some very accomplished artists and met so many lovely people.  I am now having a short break, then I start work on a couple of commissions - a silk lap quilt with a seashore theme, and some foiled script panels.  I sold two of my boat pictures and the remaining three have sailed home safely!

Your comments and feedback are much appreciated.  Watch this space, or view my Facebook page, to find out what I'm up to.

Kind Regards,

Anne 

Warwickshire Open Studios 2014

What a great opening weekend at Ragley Gallery in the beautiful grounds of Ragley Hall, near Alcester.  I've now met all but one of the other 12 artists and the whole event is really inspiring.

Here's the menu ...............

 

The brochure for Ragley Gallery .....

And two of my little boats - "Moonfleet" series ....

 

Back to Ragley for our late night opening and hog-roast on Thursday afternoon, then I'll be there all weekend.  Think history, think landscaped gardens, think sheep, peacocks and horses - you get the picture!  Add in a little tea and cake - perfection.

 

 

Fighting back

I'm struggling to get out of a dark pit at the moment, so bear with me.  However I have been doing a little bit of SOMETHING (however small) each day.  Today I have been painting bondaweb with a view to completing some mixed media pieces for the Warwickshire Open Studios event.  Actually doing something, anything, is so helpful, I find.
Had a great day out with my sister at Malvern on Saturday and that boosted my mood too.

Barkcloth

I bought some barkcloth pieces from Bobbie Britnell on Saturday and have been experimenting. 

 Some printing to start with, which I plan to stitch into and couch - after cutting up and repiecing ?!?! The uneven surface adds texture to printing but would not be ideal for very detailed work.
Watch this space ......

Open Studios 2014

Great news - I have been invited to take part in Warwickshire Open Studios again this summer and will be at Ragley Hall Gallery and Studios near Alcester.  It's a stately home in lovely grounds with woodland walks, tearoom, adventure playground and so much to see and do.  The gallery is in an old stable block and is run by Dawn Harris.  There will be about 9 artists during the fortnight, so I think we'll have some fun.  More details later ....

The "R" word

I've gone and done it - I am no longer a wage slave.  How scary it feels at the moment.  Who knows what lies ahead?  Wish me luck, dear fellow-bloggers!

January 1st 2014

2014

Happy New Year everyone!

Sutton Coldfield Creative Stitchers

I went to my first meeting on Thursday.  The speaker was Louise Claire Bradley and the room was absolutely packed.  I sat between Julia G (fellow Distant Stitcher) and new friend Mary.  It was a fascinating evening and I'm so glad I decided to join a group.  Their exhibition in October contained some superb work so I'd better crack on and start making!

Three sleeps to go

... until my workshop at Mobbs Wood studios near Coventry.  No places left I'm afraid.  Looking forward to having some fun with dyeing and printing.

FOQ 2013

The NEC was full of people from all over the world yesterday. Chatted to a lovely lady called Ludmila from Kazakhstan - she teaches quilting but used to be an engineer! She'd travelled to the UK for the Festival. Amazing. Nice to see Angie Hughes, Isobel Hall, Chris Gray, Chloe and Steph Redfern, - oh I could go on forever. It was exhausting but so worth it!

Norway

Just back from our trip to Norway. Fantastic!

Mobbs Wood and Warwickshire Open Studios 2013

What a great experience my first Open Studios has been. Mobbs Wood is an idyllic venue - it's a working farm in rolling countryside - and my fellow artists, Jo P, Jo B and Gabrielle are great fun to be around. Visitors' comments have been entirely positive and encouraging and we have had a lot of visitors!

Above - my worktable, complete with Unfinished Objects (UFOs).

Above - my assessment pieces on plinths, craftily lit from above. Behind you can see the staircase leading to the upper floor.

Above - brooches and cards displayed alongside my visitors' book and complimentary chocs!

Above - a glimpse of Jo Powers' studio upstairs and her Cabinet of Curiosities.

Above - Gabrielle's tired and distressed chair awaiting some TLC from Jo. Thanks to all visitors and special thanks to Phil, Tessa and Martin for their help and support. Watch this space for more news about taster workshops.

Growing up

Bit of a landmark birthday last week. It really makes you think about the bigger picture and whether you are on the right path. I was absolutely overwhelmed and touched by the kindness of family, friends and colleagues. I am reducing my working hours from next week to devote more time to doing the things I want to do, and to counting my blessings. I've got my C&G certificate to finish and am taking part in the Warwickshire Open Studios in June/July, exhibiting with a group of talented artists at Mobbs wood Farm just north of Coventry. Watch this space ....

Laura Mvula

Please please go into YouTube and look at Laura's "Green Garden". If this is not the freshest, most joyous piece of music you've heard for ages, then I don't know what is. A real treat for gloomy days. http://youtu.be/5akYnlwubDo

Greetings

Hope you have enjoyed Christmas - now there's a whole new year looming!  I'd like to share my good fortune - here's a photo of a limited edition sculpture by Ophelia Gordon Bell which I had long admired and which, thanks to Alan, is now mine.  I love it.

Good health and good fortune to you and yours in 2013.

Still going strong...

As anyone who's peeked at my Distant Stitch blog will know, I'm working on module 4 and even enjoying some of it!

Took some time out to post a pic of something I've been playing around with, but which MIGHT appear somewhere later in the module!

Hoping you are all warm and dry during this rotten spell of weather....

Module Four

I'm up and running, so to speak.  See my sister blog

annebraveydistantstitch.blogspot.com

Douglas the harris hawk

Douglas, the new man in my life.

(I'm the one on the right)