“…In another life when we are both cats.”

A beautiful autumn day today, berries and yellowing greens. I feel as though I’ve been sitting here forever watching the big oak tree go through it’s changes; skeleton to spring green, and now just starting to turn golden round the edges.How fast it all seems to have wizzed by.

My friend Jane just called by on her way back from delivering mosaics to the Saltbox, apparently my magpie and owl are up on the walls there .So, goodness, I actually have work in a gallery! The exhibition runs until November so if you’re in the Helmsley area go and have a look (closed Mondays though).

These images are of a piece I’ve been reworking, intending to get framed for the exhibition.This morning my model “Toast” was sunbathing on the garden table, making the most of the last days of summer.

Events this weekend : Designer’s Marketplace is at The Loft in Leeds this Saturday. These events are really taking off and getting lots of good publicity from Tigerprint , PrintandPattern etc.

“The Printed Image” Opens on Friday and runs until October 23rd at the Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk.

Purple and Green

Last week was pretty tough as I got rejected by the AA2A Scheme despite having “a strong application” and being asked to apply again next year ( congratulations to Heidi Turner though). I’m now having a bit of an identity crisis as I set myself to thinking which way to head next. Do I concentrate on freelance fashion design or pursue the opportunities that have been offered for exhibitions? I have a problem with calling myself an “artist” so, hmmm.

So, I managed to get this piece finished last week but don’t think I’m going to be able to get it framed in time for the Saltbox this coming weekend. I’m quite pleased with the colours and textures; I really would love to make a winter coat out of this wool, with panels of rich embroidery and print.

So, now that I’m not going to be able to use the college’s print rooms I’m going to have to save up for some more heat transfer paint and ideally a small heat press. I’m also toying with the idea of getting a “Gocco” printer…but first I need to build up my motivation and confidence somehow, then everything else will start to go right ( ??!)

( Reading: “Hard Boiled Wonderland and The End of the World” Haruki Murikami, Listening to : a large rat or something thats chewing up the attic !!! “System 7 “at Thimbleberry)

Flux

Here we are at the Autumn Equinox again; another milestone that seems to mark turning points in a year that has gone by too fast yet also at times unbearably slowly. I’m feeling restless and wanting some kind of positive change, feel like going on an adventure. So far this feeling has only lead to a strange urge to drive to the sea after work yesterday… only by the time we got there it was dark and we ate pizza in the car and drove home without even setting foot on the shore.I felt like I’d gone a bit crazy and I’m sure Sara and Jake  thought so too!

Here are some bits of a piece I’m working on at the moment. I think, as I’ve been saying all along, I need to draw, because I’ve become lazy using old images and recycling them. Lazy or just stuck…either way, you can see from the state of the “lawn” it is time to “cultivate my garden”(when all else fails, as Candide says).

Les Prince’s selection of “The Printed Image ” will be opening at the Zillah Bell Gallery from the beginning of October including some rarely seen prints by William Tillyer and Norman Ackroyd.

(Meanwhile I’m reading “Kafka On The Shore” Haruki Murakami and have “For No One” stuck in my head)

Inertia

Indian Summer. I’m missing the open air pool at Helmsley and of course the sun has been shining all week, now that the holidays are over.

This week I went to the Saltbox Gallery in Helmsley and left the last three of my framed pieces ( Red Bear, Magpie and Owl) for their exhibition which begins the first week in October. I was also asked to do some new work- and I’m going to try, honestly  I am. In reality there’s only a week to do it in though because I will need to get it framed too. So many people have been so supportive lately and their encouragement means a lot ( thank you). I just wish I was one of those people who produce their best work at times of stress and trauma but I guess most of all I just wish there’d be a happy ending to it all…

These are some pictures of what I was working on today, inspired by the paint splattered chair in the garden and my lovely friend “nameless chicken” who listens to me with great interest and passes no judgement .

Also this week I applied for the  Artists Access to Art Colleges Scheme which is a fantastic idea; basically you get to be a kind of artist in residence and have access to all the college facilities such as the print rooms. last year Claire Baker and Heidi Colwill took part and produced some lovely work.Its a great opportunity but only two or three places ( and top competition!) so fingers crossed…

“The Return of the Native”

Rain, rain, rain.The beginning of September has brought an end to a fairly miserable summer for me, “things can only get better” ( touch wood)! The heather on the moor is almost finished and the leaves are slowly beginning to turn.

I started doing these designs for New Leaf but have decided to rework them as possible pieces for an exhibition in October, since although I love the dull colours I’m fairly sure they are not “on trend” for kids fashion.

So, this evening I’m hoping to do a bit of drawing, coffee drinking and being inspired by “men and sheds” ;instead I expect my thoughts will be with a certain airplane, making its way back from Canada…a little too early and a little too late.

Meanwhile, you just have time to head over to Louise Broomhead’s blog and leave a comment in order to win a set of her lovely cards.Another event you might be interested in is VenetiaRed’s “Dress to Impress and Destress” tomorrow night in Middlesbrough.(Details below)Unfortunately I won’t be able to de-stress as I’ll be at work more likely feeling distressed!

I also received an e-mail from Catherine Howard a designer maker and technician from CCAD who is starting a networking group for people working in the creative sector. The first meeting is on September 19th at the Ship Inn, Low Road, Middlestone, County Durham. DL14 8AB. Tel. 01388 810904.( contact Catherine if you want more details cjhoward01@hotmail.com)

Ok, thats enough free publicity! Back to the sketchbook.

“How To Enjoy Your Weeds”

The weekend exhibition went very well, people came ,cider was drunk and sales were made.I’m not sure how much we made for Street Child Africa but I’ll tell you as soon as it’s counted.It was lovely to see so many people who only know me as “the waitress from the Golden Lion” and have a bit of a confidence boost when they actually wanted to buy things from me for actual real money!

One of the galleries that expressed an interest in my work is holding an exhibition on the theme of “sheds and allotments” in October.Here is some of my current inspiration, a book called “How To Enjoy Your Weeds” (!) and of course , the lovely orchard retreat at Giles’s house.

I’m going to do some drawing this week and try to forget that I should have been in Amsterdam tonight…