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Witchmountain
Kim Tillyer's Art, Design and Life on the Moors.
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Posts
- May 14, 12
It suddenly became May and my birthday in the Lakes seems so long ago. May has been all about the important men in my life; with birthdays for my son, brother and lover all within a few days of each other, while my famous artist daddy had a new exhibition opening this last weekend (more on this later). Its been a tough month so far, apart from these celebrations. The harsh reality of a precarious financial situation has really started to hit home,along with a blanket of grim weather smothering most of England and a nasty attack by the “Black Dog” who refuses to become a nicely trained ,cute, curly puppy and will insist on whispering in my ear ( in a nasty dog-breathy kind of way) ” stop it, nobody wants your stuff, why bother, why not give up..”. Naughty dog!
It all came to a head when I discovered that the beautiful nest of tiny blue eggs I’d seen in the old clematis had been abandoned, probably before I’d even found it. And still it rained.And there seemed to be no break in the clouds.
But, I’m quite stubborn once roused and I decided to make the best of things,like Pollyanna. I wrote to Mr Flint ,who runs HSBC bank, and sent him a little print along with a suggestion that he may like to buy one of my fabulous, unique cushions if he couldn’t give me an overdraft. He hasn’t replied yet but it made me feel better. Then I went to work one day and was shown a huge portfolio of these beautiful Japanese “Katagami” which reminded me how much I love textiles, design and amazing craftsmanship.
Each paper stencil is hand cut and these were collected in the late 1800s so there were no lasers or computers to make the job easy. The designs are all done in repeat, with pin hole registration marks so that long lengths can be printed to make kimonos. the detail is incredible and I was lucky enough to be loaned two katagami sheets to experiment with. The results on cyanotype fabric were wonderful but I was nervous of damaging them with any wet media ,or heat during heat transfer.
Since I last wrote I have also been to the “Print Club” at CCAD where I made silk screens and once again wished I had the luxury of another three years to re-do my degree with all that I now know! It would be wonderful to really experiment with print, colour and technique without the restrictions of time, money and the need to sell, sell, sell.
So, yes, I have been lying low and maybe you wondered where I’d gone…or maybe not, its a big world. I just thought I’d write and let you know that I’m still quietly “making stuff” and enjoying the process while trying to remove it from the need to make a living;in fact, I accidentally got a part time job as a pony treking leader last week which is hilarious (only don’t make me laugh because I’m still aching all over and in unmentionable places!).However, I’m working on this orange and dusty green cushion square tonight while eating violet cremes and watching the swallows against the egg blue sky.
Just a little final bit about the Inspired Landscape exhibition to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the North York Moors National Park which opened on Friday. My dad had chosen to show a set of photographs from “The Furnished Landscape” which I can remember him taking in the 1970s, not knowing at the time that these would document a lost way of life … who can remember the days when milk came in churns not tankers? There were also screen prints and etchings from that time inspired ,variously,by my grandparent’s garden, the big skies of the moors and the miscellaneous structures that have become part of the landscape such as stiles, gates and garden trellises. The exhibition runs until July so if you’re in the North it really is not to be missed; the work, by the 6 artists involved is all so different and yet so evocative of this wonderful place. Oh, and if you would like a signed copy of the re-published book “The Furnished Landscape” I think they are about £13.50 + postage so let me know and I’ll see if I can get you one.
I hope May is full of sunshine and the scent of bluebells wherever you are. Here is a blog I’m really enjoying at the moment…a little sunshine from the rainy city!
- Apr 26, 12
The mind that is wise mourns less for what age takes away; than what it leaves behind
William WordsworthNotes on reaching mid-life ( if I live to be 90) :- My birthday this year was very special as I was whisked away in a hired camper van to spend three days in the lovely Lake District. We found some sneaky places to park for the night; places with views that money could not buy and better still…the sun shone! In fact the sun shone in a theatrical way; so that, on discovering a beautiful clearing by a stream it would burst through the clouds with a flourish and highlight the perfectness of the spot. Reaching the summit of Rannerdale Knotts or the Lion and the Lamb the sun would rake across the the craggy rocks and illuminate the velvet brown slopes in the distance, while I caught my breath and was fed a handful of nuts and raisins to “keep your strength up”!
As I sit in my kitchen, feeling sentimental, post holiday blues I can’t decide which moments were the most magical…the heavy scent of Bluebells and the heady coconut of Gorse in Rannerdale, the pair of Buzzards near Lancrigg,waking up at Blea Tarn where a pair of Chaffinches kept us company or walking through mossy woods, full of birdsong and pine cones. I could write for hours but I don’t want to bore you with my holiday snaps, I expect you’re wondering who won the Giveaway…
Well, I picked a winner just now and the lucky person who will receive a big parcel of gifts, including my one and only copy of the Blurb notebook is… Deb Beattie…THANK YOU for all the comments and link sharing everyone. If you send me your address Deb, I will go hotfoot, to the Post Office before the price of stamps goes up. Hurrah for Great Britain and the double dip recession!
Just had to show you this treasure trove of a secret art shop in the back of the Heaton Cooper Studio in Grasmere. I was quite lost in there, feeling textured papers and lusting after sketchbooks and paintbrushes. There was a case of pastels that came in wooden boxes, in sets of 6 ,and cost more than I earn in a week; so beautiful and almost edible…you’d have to be a very good artist to dare use them and never never leave them near small children! I feel inspired to draw, as I always am after spending time in the Lakes, despite the fact that landscape is not my forte.
I also managed to persuade Rupert to do the touristy thing and we “did” Dove Cottage. The smoke alarm went off just as we got there and I imagined the whole place burning to the ground as we stood there clutching our tickets, I’m afraid it made me giggle inappropriately. Its a dark and smoky place but beautiful none the less;if only there wasn’t a HUGE yellow sign saying “Tickets this Way” right smack bang in front of the door so taking a nice photograph was impossible.I also couldn’t stop thinking about Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon in “The Trip” ( more giggling) and realising that I don’t know any of Wordsworth’s poems – heathen!
Now I must go and dust the shelves in my various virtual shops and hope that some customers can be tempted inside ( This cushion is now on From the Wilde). Also, the lovely Vine House where I work , is now on Twitter so if you do the Twitter thing it would be lovely if you popped over to say hello.
- Apr 19, 12
Its a grim day today and I’ve finished the piece I’ve been working on so even though I’ve written loads this week I thought I’d go all school marmy and give you an insight into some of the ways I make my work. Look away now if you only stop by to laugh at my attempts at being an “outdoor type”.
So, in the previous post I showed you the kodatrace I’d drawn; I still have a bit more to do to it before screen printing but I thought I’d test it by doing some Cyanotype printing.First I had to prepare the paper and fabric by painting it with a special light sensitive coating (Potassium Ferricyanide and Ferric Ammonium Citrate). This goes on a yellowy green colour and needed to dry in a dark place before I could quickly arrange my drawing under a sheet of glass ( you can also use plants, feathers or even photographic negatives ).
Left in the sun ( this is the main problem for me , what happened to all that March sun?) the paper/fabric changes to a dark, dusty blue and then it is the moment of truth! Quickly run to the sink and rinse until the water runs clear…and as if by magic…
The rich cyan blue continues to develop as it dries and part of the fascination of this process is that it can be very variable and a bit hit and miss. Some of my experimental prints went a bit blurry because I’d put them on the table outside , on a cushion, under a sheet of glass, and they jumped off, blown away because the weather has been so wild.Anyway, you can get loads more information and instruction from this website if you want to give it a go. I’ve also seen this product which gives the same effect but in other colours… it sounds great but will have to wait until I’ve made my fortune and can do shopping again!
I’ve been using the printed fabric to do some hand embroidery which has made me realise how bad my poor old eyesight is getting. I’d really never noticed until this year as I’ve always been massively shortsighted but now I’m having to peer over the top of my glasses to thread my needle and its impossible with contact lenses. Goodness what a depressing birthday treat… an optician appointment to get bi-focals, it’ll be a new set of gnashers next! There was an exhibition of wood engraving by June Crisfield Chapman when we visited The Bowes Museum last week , which was beautiful but it made me wonder how strong her glasses were and if years of reading ( and working at the pub) by candlelight have caused my downfall?
Now I just have to finish off this new cushion before putting the kettle on again. I’ve really enjoyed making this one and it will probably be listed on From the Wilde where Helen is doing a fantastic job promoting Witchmountain.Have a fabulous weekend everyone; I’ve been told I’m being taken somewhere for my birthday on Monday …perhaps its Specsavers!!
Don’t forget the giveaway competition, I’ll announce the winner when I get back so do leave a comment, you still have time.
- Apr 16, 12
Today, while the chickens sunbathed outside the window, I recovered from the weekend by drawing kodatrace designs with Lindsey. We drank coffee, ate sponge fingers and tried to whistle the national anthem while laughing. I can’t wait to do some printing and I do need to plan my time well as you only get 3 hours; my usual scatter gun approach will have to be tamed ; especially as I really can’t waste any fabric ( not at £22 a meter!). Once printed I will be able to add embroidery, hopefully while lying on a chaise longue in the garden, under a parasol.
The critical phrase in that last paragraph was ” recovered from the weekend”…once that would have meant in a darkened room with a bucket of painkillers and a lavender compress; not any more my friends …
No, I love dark sweaty clubs, thumping bass,unsuitable footwear and all the vices that go with them but I have to admit you can’t beat looking out at the world from the top of a very tall hill to lift you higher…as it were. The heat of my MacBook is soothing my tired legs and I have absolutely no guilt about the chocolate bar I’m about to eat when I finish writing.Just somebody please smack me if I ever buy a pair of beige “ladies walking trousers” .
Yesterday’s adventure was truly beautiful, once the evil uphill bit had ended and I could breath again. The ridge from Hopegill Head to Whiteside was lovely, despite the snow which fell from a clear sky and seemed to float upwards in a most dizzying way. On the way down ( known as the descent to fell walking types with beige trousers… ) I bounced over hummocks of springy moss and felt as though I could walk for ever.We cooled our feet in the icy beck with banks full of tiny violets (only visible to people who were starting to want to lie down) and within moments of getting back in the car I was nearly asleep; so much for walking forever.
I have yet to spot a red squirrel but I did see and hear a wild raven for the first time, initially assuming it was Rupert making rude noises! I had only ever seen those at the Tower of London; poor city birds who must stay confined or, it is said, the Tower will fall.
Huge and enormously grateful and shy THANK YOUs to all the people who have stopped by lately and been so kind and encouraging. In the spirit of random sharing here are some lovely people and places I’ve discovered recently… Bruce Hardy ( stunning pictures of the Lakes), Maricor/Maricar ( embroidery ), Les Ours d’Uzes ( in French so I’m luckily not able to buy everything on these pages and run about pretending to be in Wuthering Heights. French textiles and fashion …and les Ours means bears doesn’t it?)
Reading “Wild Olives” William Graves
- Apr 14, 12
Even the cat was sulking.
This morning I was woken, not by my alarm ( which I had set for the wrong time and day) but by a huge clap of thunder which shook the house and also woke Sara who needed to be on a train within the hour. Drawing the curtains revealed sideways snow and a fairly decent covering of white; good grief, what is going on with the weather this spring?! We did make it to the station and I waved goodbye to my lovely daughter as she embarks on the last few weeks of her Art Foundation Course. I am very proud of how hard she’s been working and even prouder that she has offers from both Bristol and Leicester to do a degree in Illustration.
I’ve been getting myself into a grumpy state, wondering why my attempts to drum up support by social networking never seem to reap the same rewards as others doing similar things. In fact I got home from work last night exhausted and sulked in the bath, planning a whole new (anonymous) blog called “Bitter Lemons” or something ,where I would rant about Damien Hirst, The National Park, the price of heating oil and the evils of craft fairs. And then I had an epiphany…I had set my painfully slow internet to load a page while I was in the bath, not Facebook or Twitter but a favorite blog written by a lovely creative person on the other side of the world …
Katy Keuter had been to something called Artfest where she took part in various workshops and generally had FUN being creative. The joy in her descriptions of Artfest were infectious and moving and by this morning I had come to the conclusion that what I value most is passion,originality and art with a soul. Give me Tracey Emin over Damien Hirst any day! I have therefore decided that I will draw the winner of my Giveaway on my birthday, April 23rd.In the spirit of Bilbo Baggins I shall GIVE gifts to celebrate rather than demanding anything in return ( except of course you have to leave a comment or I won’t know who you are). One of the things Katy was asked to do in her workshops was draw something from her childhood: it was quite revealing and I felt moved to show you this funny little etching I did when I was about 11…
I think I had become a bit obsessed with “The Moon Stallion”, a children’s TV series from the 1970s, so there are moon symbols everywhere( no horses weirdly) and what must have been my dream home back then. Like Katy it is quite eerie how my childhood drawings have some strong connections to my adult reality – the house looks just like Witchmountain, even down to the big oak tree.Spooky.
So,I’ve had a few setbacks this week ( the National Park aren’t keen on my plans) but I’ve also had lots of reasons to be cheerful; one of them being this…Well, not quite this but one very much like it. Sometimes the generosity of people is humbling and I’d like to thank Graham and Toni again for giving me the beautiful Heartland Sweetheart woodburning stove that is sitting in the shed waiting to be brought back to life. I’m going to be taking inspiration from this blog I think, it looks like I may need some advice from a kindred spirit!When its fitted I shall welcome power cuts and fill the house with the smell of bread and woodsmoke, I shall look like this…
However mean the NYM National Park are with planning ( sticks bottom lip out) they at least have good taste in artists and I was excited to receive my invitation to this celebratory exhibition. It runs from May 13th- July 17th at the Danby Moors Center. Will you be going?
Conclusion:- Quality not Quantity, Soul not just Sales Talk, Generosity not Greed. I hereby swear to be less bitter and draw more bears. *******THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR EXTREMELY KIND COMMENTS **********
- Apr 08, 12
Normal service has resumed to Witchmountain after more power cuts at the end of last week. Sara and I spent an interesting(*) evening eating tinned soup and realising we didn’t know how to play dominos.There was a shortage of candles and light seemed like such a luxury … until morning when it revealed the mess; dominos soaked in Amaretto ( a mystery) , half drunk cups of tea lost in the dark, a mountain of washing up and candle stubs in jars all over the place. Today has been a celebration of electricity with a big baking session;cakes and scones and bread ( this yellow chick was one that I found during the Faceby Forest Foray, I made him wash his feet) . The kitchen smells of warm chocolate and hot coffee.
I mentioned on my Facebook page that I have been writing this blog now for nearly four years! I hope this is a cause for celebration because it seems like an awful long time to me and means its now EIGHT years since I started my degree at CCAD. The blog has changed over the years and ,I hope, improved. Perhaps the type of people who read has changed as well, since it started out as a student thing, part of our course work, rambled on through my early freelance days after graduation and now I’m hoping to maybe make it pay by offering advertising and sponsored links. Mostly I just love writing though and sharing the highs and lows of Witchmountain with you. So… a big THANK YOU for reading and commenting and being generally so wonderful and supportive. I’m offering a big parcel of things in this “4th Birthday Giveaway”, including the Blurb notebook I made last year, an original canvass,owl brooch, bear hair-slide and whatever else I can fit in the package.
I’ve noticed that other people run giveaways by asking people to help them reach a certain number of followers on Facebook etc, a kind of mercenary, self promotion I’ve always shied away from. However, I’ve decided that being a shrinking violet isn’t getting me anywhere, so this time I will draw the winner when I reach 500 Facebook followers and 100 Twitterers. A modest request I hope and it is my birthday too, so it would be a nice present don’t you think? Don’t worry if you don’t use either ( I admire you for it) just leave a comment here and you’ll still be in with a chance.
Well, I hope you’ve all been enjoying Easter or Ēostre, here is an Easter bunny for you. Easter means everything starts to open again after Winter and I’m happy to be back at the lovely Helmsley Walled Garden Cafe ,where there were home made Hot Cross Buns on Friday. I’m looking forward to watching the garden burst into life and colour over the next few months and thinking I might have to combine a walk around the garden with this wonderful idea by The Curiosity Project …
Now its time for a slice of that cake I think.Have you been treating yourselves?
- Apr 04, 12
“What a difference a day makes…24 little hours…” Last week I was in the garden, avoiding wasps and baring my poor old wintery legs to the world. Yesterday was a sideways blizzard which caused the stove to belch wood smoke into the kitchen and eventually cut off the electricity, phone and radio signal for about 14 hours. So this morning I made tea and porridge on the wood stove, worried about the poor plants, (newly emerged and 3 days ago basking in 20℃ heat) and wrapped a sleeping bag around the fish tank to try and keep the long suffering tropical fish from freezing to death. All this, combined with last week’s Pointless Petrol Panic, has given me the feeling that we are living on the edge.An open fire means we can at least keep warm and boil a kettle but the ideal would be solar panels, back boilers and a wind turbine. Even the radio failed until I switched it back to FM from DAB…
Goodness, I’ve really decided to embrace middle age, listen to me ranting on! But seriously, I’m really looking at the way I live and trying to make it more sustainable.The good thing about horrible weather is that it keeps you inside and I spent much of yesterday making “kodatrace” colour separations, ready for doing some screen printing at CCAD after Easter. I can’t wait to have a day printing. The fox design will be two colours and then I’ll add embroidery before making them up in to cushions and possibly t-shirts.
Oh how I wish I had a slice of that cake left…I sometimes think I should have become a baker instead of going to art college. When “The Great Witchmountain Shed Project” gets off the ground I will be able to combine the two and we will draw and sew and print and eat cake all day long.
Now, before I go and draw some more foxes I thought I’d remind you about the strangeness of the Yorkshire weather by showing you these pictures I took on Sunday. Bridget’s blog about Port Mulgrave was so lovely that we went over to Runswick Bay and walked along the beach and the cliff top path to look down on the little collection of fishermen’s huts.It was a glorious day and the rock pools were sparkling with pearly shells,and polished stones. I could have sat all day with a hamper of tea and sandwiches and a sketchbook ( I had neither unfortunately). Instead we skipped and slipped about on the seaweed covered rocks, searched for fossils and battled with brambles in a shortcut up the cliff.
I plan to have a lot of picnics this year and resolve to always carry a small sketchbook and pencil ,as I’m forever complaining that I wish I’d brought one. So, I leave you dreaming of warmer days and hoping that the cold snap has got the wasps but spared my plants! Don’t forget to have a look at From the Wilde and let me know what you think. Have a wonderful Easter.
- Mar 31, 12
Yesterday I listened to The Waste Land on the radio and though I’d studied it at school and hated it, not understanding or not wanting to, I was moved to tears.
”April is the cruellest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots with spring rain. Winter kept us warm, covering Earth in forgetful snow, feeding A little life with dried tubers. “
Feeling over sensitive and brooding on the passing years, I can’t claim to understand it now but certain phrases give me a little jolt; as music often does. Anyway, tomorrow is April and the month in which I turn 45, this is a surprise to me as I have never stopped being 20 in my own mind(what a cliche but so true), I don’t know who that strange woman is I keep seeing in shop windows? March has been blissful and boiling and I’ve been lucky enough to spend my days drawing and sewing ( with both thread and seed packets) in the garden, with the air full of daffodil scent and willow pollen.
It was so good to actually do some designing and I realised again how much I prefer this side of my work to the “making” side. I love making things but I still haven’t quite worked out how to do this in a way that is economically viable. You can see here the whole process from initial drawing to printable design (adjusted and coloured in Photoshop) to a finished pair of baby slippers with hand embroidery and beads.
The elves refused to help me so altogether it took me 2 days to make one pair… Still, it beats working in an office and you never know, someone from Next or Monsoon may just see the design and offer to buy it and all my troubles will be over!Meanwhile I have spent this morning e-mailing the National Park with outline plans and ideas for my shed.Everyone in the world seems to be running workshops and selling coffee and cakes so I don’t see why I shouldn’t try too.
So, yesterday was the last of the hot sunny days and I was given a real treat by Rupert… a forest adventure in the beautiful Faceby Plantation. To be honest I was feeling a bit under the weather and moaned quite alot, especially when asked to crawl through the “Bear Pit” and cross the “Swamp of Death” ( a stinking pit of mud) on a wobbly rope; but making tea in a forest clearing with the Kelly Kettle and searching for Easter chicks and chocolates hidden in the trees, really cheered me up. The silver birch forest was so beautiful and I can’t wait to go back when the bluebells are out. This is the kind of thing Rupert does every week with kids at Carlton Outdoor Education Center and I must say I think its such an important and valuable opportunity for children to learn and have fun at the same time. I learned that squirrels have dining tables but I can’t confirm this with any certainty.
Just time for a couple of links before I dash out to see if my seeds have grown yet. Firstly this post by my brother about his photography and the importance of respecting the photographer or artist when sharing images ( particularly important in the current Pinterest craze) . The second is a beautiful piece by my friend Bridget about the North East coast, fossil hunting and ramshackle fishermens huts. Some really lovely images. A very happy April Fools Day to you tomorrow!
- Mar 25, 12
Well goodness, I don’t know where to start with this week’s ramblings; its all been a bit of an epic struggle with moments of gallows humour thrown in! I had planned to pick Sara up from Leicester to take her down to Bristol for her art college interview at the university; a long drive but a good excuse to visit my brother and have a few days exploring the West Country with my lovely daughter. All went to plan on the first leg of the journey as I happily drove along, giggling to a CD of “Just William” stories ; arriving in time for a quick browse around the museum (mostly this seemed to be about the sock industry) before meeting small daughter and embarking on stage two…Leicester to Chippenham.
Oh, the joy of Satnav! After an hour or so we arrived back at our starting point and had to start again. Cheering with relief when we eventually got on the right road we promptly broke down in the middle of the biggest roundabout I’ve ever had the misfortune to go around. In fact this was junction 21 of the M1 and it was rush hour. I won’t bore you with the details but rescue involved being towed, terrifyingly, miles in the wrong direction (due to a “helpful” motorist pushing the car off the roundabout and on to the motorway slip road), abandoning the car at a garage in Leicester and rushing to the station where I spent the price of a small package holiday to Greece,on train tickets. Three trains and several million hours later we arrived in Bath where my lovely brother was waiting for us in a car that moves.
In the end we had a good time, Sara’s interview went well ; possibly due to some anti discrimination rule because the receptionist mistook me and Lisa ( my brother’s girlfriend) for Sara’s lesbian parents! And I have returned to Witchmountain feeling very proud and happy to have spent some quality time in the company of my family.This, and the unbelievably beautiful weather, is temporarily cushioning me from the horrendous financial implications of the trip.I have already warned Rupert that I can no longer afford razor blades,hair dye or moisturizer so he must prepare himself for the troll I shall soon become!
Poor in monetary terms but a millionaire in others. Look at the sun on those furry Pasque flowers and the light on those old glass bottles…( see, furry old things can be beautiful!!) I also returned home to find this beautiful piece of original artwork had arrived by surprise, all the way from Australia. Jo had asked me for some hints on the techniques I use and this was her thank you card. Thank you Jo.
So, in all the chaos and excitement I almost forgot to mention that I am now a fully paid up member of From the Wilde and you can now buy these digitally printed purses as well as the cushions there. I’m hoping to have a day at CCAD’s print club soon to print some new designs for baby shoes exclusively for From the Wilde. Well, its time I went and had a big bath after a day of seed planting and pumpkin potting. I hope the sun shone on you this weekend and that the week ahead is full of good things.Should you be traveling I wish you all the very best of luck x
Listening To:- Jesca Hoop ( sitting in for Guy Garvey on 6music) Reading :- I was reading Lisa’s copy of this at the weekend “Moving Toward Balance: 8 Weeks of Yoga with Rodney Yee” its on my wishlist
- Mar 19, 12
Last Monday seems like weeks ago, so much has happened; or rather it feels as though it has. My head is buzzing with new plans and old hopes and fears…of which more later.
One thing I am going to have to solve is the camera problem… today I’m trying to take “professional” product shots to send to a new online marketplace I’ve joined, but using a camera phone just isn’t acceptable! The biggest frustration is trying to photograph landscapes though.Yesterday we went to Arizona….No! obviously not, it’s the Yorkshire Dales but it does feel like a BIG landscape. We had gone to Twistleton Scars for climbing ; this involving me sunbathing in a fetching red helmet and listening to curlews while Rupert got his bearings , thus giving me a lot of time to compose fabulous shots, only to find them looking less than impressive once I’d pressed the shutter. I needed a good zoom lens and some sort of large brimmed hat so that I could see the display properly. Oh dear, a bad workman always blames his tools, and before you go thinking I was some sort of super woman I’d better own up that I refused to leave solid ground and was a thoroughly rubbish climbing partner- we did have a lovely sausage bun and pint of tea in Ingleton though!
So, last week I had my meeting with Vicky Trainor, followed by visits from my fabulous creative friends, Lindsey, Bridget and Helen all of whom (along with your kind and encouraging comments recently) have got me fired up to keep going and try a few new directions. One thing I have done is join the online gallery From The Wilde in the hope that Helen Wilde’s amazing talent for promotion and links with the press will give my work a bit of a boost. I’m going to create work that is exclusive to From The Wilde and is a little more “up market” ( including the boxed and numbered cyanotype brooches below, and my bear cushions)
Possibly the biggest plan though remains firmly on the drawing board until all necessary permissions have been asked for and hopefully obtained, this is the dream of creating a small workspace/gallery/coffee shop in one of the buildings here at Witchmountain. Permission is only the beginning ,because then the real work of finding the £5,000 ( minimum) to make the building usable , will have to start in earnest. I’m not sure if I mentioned this a while ago but I was recently told that “small” grants were no longer available but bigger businesses were welcome to apply for up to £65,000; madness since a relatively small cash input could potentially raise my family above subsistence level and presumably therefore benefit the economy rather than be a drain on it? I don’t know; maths was never my strong point!
So, perhaps one day I will be able to offer you workshops on Witchmountain, with homemade cakes, lashings of coffee and maybe even a luxury yurt to stay in… what do you think?
Until then I will put the kettle back on and try to make a few more of these…
I was so excited to find that I could hand draw stencils for my cyanotype printing instead of just using leaves and flowers, feathers and old college koda traces.Before I go I’d just like to thank you again for reading, don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter and Facebook too. x
Listening to :- “When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit” by Judith Kerr
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ShopSongbird Hair Barrette No.2 - 18.00 (GBP)Songbird Hair Barrette - 18.00 (GBP)Little Bird With The Key To Your Heart - Card - 3.00 (GBP)Now You're Happier-Cyanotype Lavender Heart Brooch No.1 - 20.00 (GBP)Now You're Happier - Limited Edition Print - 10.00 (GBP)Girl and Polar Bear Limited Edition Print - 10.00 (GBP)Seedheads and Feather Limited Edition Print with Stitch - 10.00 (GBP)Airmail Letter Stamp Brooch No:6 - 12.00 (GBP)Airmail Letter Stamp Brooch No:5 - 12.00 (GBP)Small Floral Airmail Brooch No:4 - 7.00 (GBP)The Keeper of Our Secrets,Blue Bird Card - 3.00 (GBP)Dandelion Wine Bird Card - 3.00 (GBP)Polar Bear Greetings Card - 3.00 (GBP)Heirloom Print and Lace Purse No:4 - 20.00 (GBP)Heirloom Print and Lace Purse No:3 - 20.00 (GBP)Heirloom Print and Lace Purse No:2 - 20.00 (GBP)Heirloom Print and Lace Purse No:1 - 20.00 (GBP)Peacock Feather Tattoo Neclace - 16.00 (GBP)Lovely Lizard Necklace - 16.00 (GBP)Hand Painted Bramble Flower Brooch - 12.00 (GBP)Hand Painted Folk Art Flower Necklace - 16.00 (GBP)Airmail Letter Stamp Brooch No:3 - 12.00 (GBP)Small Floral Airmail Brooch No:1 - 7.00 (GBP)Hand embroidered, Bear Feet, woolen baby slippers - 20.00 (GBP)White Stag - Love and Redemption- Limited Edition Print - 10.00 (GBP)Hand Embroidered-Arctic Fox-Lavender Brooch - 12.00 (GBP)Black Bear Lino Print Covered Notebook - 10.00 (GBP)Redemtion Tree, white oak linocut print 6x9" - 25.00 (USD)Needle Felt Running Hare - 20.00 (GBP)FOX brooch - 16.00 (USD)Cotton Comfy Wide Leg Pants in Dark Blue - 0.00 (USD)Owl and the Moon Necklace - sterling silver - 165.00 (USD)Sewing Room Revisited Vintage Lace Bracelet - 54.00 (USD)Brown Owl Cable Hat - 22.00 (USD)Twin Peaks Foil Stamped Pencil Set - 6.00 (USD)Winter Love - 150.00 (USD)French Vintage Enamel Lunch Pail in Duck Egg Blue - 0.00 (USD)Dark Silver Leaf Green Peridot Ring Stack Set Etched Ring - 108.00 (USD)Woodpecker, artists book - 0.00 (GBP)Felted slippers Royal Blue - 0.00 (USD)Be Lovely with Two Tone Pink Cotton Dress - 0.00 (USD)Phases of the Moon Sterling Silver Necklace - 64.00 (USD)Embroidered Flowy Mini Dress - 0.00 (USD)Emerald Green Vintage MEXICAN Embroidered Boho Dress - 0.00 (USD)lace collar necklace : MARJORIE, ivory (last one) - 0.00 (USD)Clara Leigh Keepsake Bag - 0.00 (USD)hand printed rustic hessian bear cushion cover - 68.00 (USD)hand printed grey stag cushion - 0.00 (USD)Black and Blue Cloche Hat - 62.00 (USD)Felted slippers ROSES and 2 roses brooch set - 75.00 (USD)Owl In The Attic - Print - 25.00 (USD)Hand Painted Side plate - Bear Smells Cake - 35.50 (USD)Vintage Poker Chip Caddy Repurposed with Thread - 0.00 (USD)Mini Leather Journal Keychain - 0.00 (USD)Blue Moon Shoulder Bag - 0.00 (USD)A Bear Swallowed My Universe - 15.00 (USD)Merry Go Round - 8x8 Inch Print - 0.00 (USD)Escaped Dreams - - Handmade Textile Art Pin - 0.00 (USD)Embroidered patch long shirt - 0.00 (USD)Of Mice and Men Ring - 0.00 (USD)Hello I Love You 5 x 7 Print - 0.00 (USD)Little Fox Prince Locket - 0.00 (USD)Wool and Embroidered Lace Brooch - 0.00 (USD)Summer Luvin Keepsake Bag - 0.00 (USD)laser cut acrylic dove brooch - 0.00 (USD)IMAGO DRIFT - Embroidered BIG BEAR tee - 0.00 (USD)In Case You Haven't Noticed, I'm In Love With You (IPE) - 295.00 (USD)Silver Grey Alpaca blend tweed cardigan - 0.00 (USD)Osito - Vintage Little Bear Necklace - 0.00 (USD)Unaware - 0.00 (USD)Black Bear - 0.00 (USD)Fake Gauges - Lioness Crowns Blk Wood Earrings - 0.00 (USD)Tripple Stacker Ring - 0.00 (USD)Red Abstract Bear Vinyl Wallet - 0.00 (USD)The Big Petal Necklace - Sterling Silver - 0.00 (USD)BEAR SIGN - Bear Area Zoo Style Hiking Sign - 0.00 (USD)Dew Drop Moonstone Ring, Size 6 - 0.00 (USD)Did you get my mail Spam Neck Piece - 0.00 (USD)You Made Me a Mixtape Pillow - 0.00 (USD)Fuzzy Wuzzy Bear Hug Hoodies - 0.00 (USD)Return to the City Organic T-Shirt Mens / Womens - 0.00 (USD)Spirit Bear and Maiden - 0.00 (USD)
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Info
- Experience
- 2008 - PresentSelf employed / artist/designer
- 2008 - 2011Freelance Textile Designer/Artist / 2008-2011I have produced printed and embroidered samples for children's wear ,sold in America and Japan through New Leaf Studios.Sold framed pieces at galleries such as Zillah Bell, Thirsk and Saltbox, Helmsley. I run an online shop and have organised various charity events, exhibitions and workshops.
Education-
2004 - 2008Cleveland College of Art and DesignBA(hons) in Textiles and Surface Design
- Fyling Hall School
Additional Information-
Websites:
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Tweets
- @BruceHardy2 Its a great picture. Oh I need a day in the mountains but bf has given car away and is cycling everywhere! Too far to cycle!
- @MavisGlover @weareccad I am Mavis , thanks :0) More people from #Middlesbrough and #CCAD should know about him! Exhibition on till July
- @sneezy_peas Hi Charlie, thanks for following. I LOVE your photos :0)
- Inspiring and inspired http://t.co/BrGRS9RuMay 18, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @weareccad Two old, old ex students talking about painting! http://t.co/BrGRS9RuMay 18, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @onlyeverjusta LOVE IT! do you, or would you, print other people's bears by any chance?
- http://t.co/dEoLcpNX The Sketchbook Project have digitized my book so you can see it all here... http://t.co/TI50oBBs
- The Sketchbook Project digitized my book so you can see it all... http://here...www.arthousecoop.com/library/9433
- Checkout witchmountain's book from The Sketchbook Project: 2012! http://t.co/dEoLcpNX via @arthouse
- @weareccad thanks, I'll give it a try :0)
- @MyShitty20s I hope so. Mean old banks. I'm going to wear my "sorry" card and ribbons from the hamper in my hair whenever I visit the bank.
- @MyShitty20s My pleasure :0) Yep, I hope the black dog buggers off too. My "sorry" hamper from the bank has knocked him over a bit! x
- This has made my day! #HSBC food hamper! http://t.co/fHAuD1Gz
- 17 year old son mended my car in 15 minutes, using cellotape after main VW dealers quoted me £300 just for the part!May 15, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
