Northern Print - Marta Lech artist in residence

Northern Print have just had the pleasure of hosting Marta Lech for three weeks as artist in residence. Sadly from my perspective she decided to use her time experimenting with screen printing - a new technique for her rather than working on her wonderful lino cut prints.
I really loved her work at last years International Print Biennale and initially thought she used etching to create her prints.

I would be so happy to live with this

Close up detail of her work, I imagined the cutting would be the most challenging part but she said the inking up proved to be a very difficult process. 

Work???

The last few posts have focused on other peoples work so I thought it about time I shared what I've been doing.  I'm still struggling to consolidate my style and approach to my work. Its good to be drawing but I feel I'm lacking focus at the moment. Much of what I do I find lacking in some way and I never seem satisfied  but I am generating quite a lot of images and experimental mark/pattern making which is good.

Lots of interesting ideas here I think it would be good to make some of them up into screens and do some experimental print work with them.

Kettles Yard

I've been wanting to visit Kettles Yard for some years but always seemed to choose to wrong day/time! However I've finally been and must say wasn't disappointed. It's a beautiful house full of amazing pieces of modern art. There are paintings and sculptures by Miro, Ben and Winifred Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and Alfred Wallis to name but a few.

Nicholson and shells

Three collages by Italo Valenti

 These were interspersed with natural objects beautifully arranged in low oak tables and book cases.

The lovely thing about this gallery was the opportunity to examine all the work at close quarters without being asked to stand back.  Even better the lovely old armchairs perfectly placed to view the rooms or selected items.

One of the items I particularly fell in love with was this piece of block printed fabric by Ben Nicholson.

It was displayed simply in the bathroom on a curtain pole and was perfect.

Kettles Yard is a fantastic gallery, a space to sit and contemplate the work and life if you choose.

 A perfect exercise in modesty, an expression of one persons vision of what they wanted to be surrounded by whilst leaving a beautiful legacy for those who follow 

V&A British Design 1948 - 2012

Having not been to London for an age I had a list as long as my arm of things I wanted to do - however as with all great plans it changed and I only achieved a few of the to dos on my list! One of the exhibitions I wanted to see was at the V&A, British Design 1948-2012.  It was lovely to be greeted by these amazing columns in the entrance, great designs from the 50's which I love.

The exhibition was by its nature eclectic, ranging from textiles by Lucienne Day to chairs through the decades to Concord.  It worked its way through a wealth of political, social, technological  and scientific developments charting the progress of many key aspects of design.
It was fascinating seeing the development of products but somewhat alarming as I could remember many of them from the first time around!  It did however make me reflect on the pace at which design changes and the longevity of some design pieces.

New Designers 2012

Finally made it down to London to visit New designers part one at the New design Centre where textile students get the chance to exhibit their final degree show to the world.  It was a very overwhelming event with a total assault on the senses.  There were hundreds of stands showing a wide range of styles, techniques and diversity. Unfortunately photographs were not allowed but this will give you an idea of the size of the event.

This was only the textile hall there were additional rooms for jewellery and ceramics. By the end of the day I had total visual overload but came away inspired by what I had seen and if I'm honest somewhat overwhelmed, it does make you question if there is space for all this talent and all the other aspiring textile and pattern designers out there?

Glasgow School of Art - Degree Show

Well I can only say what a proud mum I am - my daughter Meg Held has completed her degree with flying colours and displayed her work beautifully at her degree show. Her work is created through the use of hand made blocks which are individually printed to create unique fabrics. Meg has a passion for keeping the environmental impact of her print process as low as possible and goes to the lengths of sourcing reclaimed wood to create her printing blocks.

range of samples based on found objects

Chair upholstered by Meg in her own fabric

2nd Year Final Show

I can't believe how quickly this year has gone and how much I've learned although I feel a long way from know what my final direction may be.  As the year comes to an end the second years are still working frantically and gearing up to their end of course show.
I decided it would be a good experience to help with this and perhaps see first hand what was involved.  The answer is simple ... lots of work!
I helped Deb Bunn who works under the name of sweetmurmuration.
Debs main focus for her final show was a range of beautiful silk scarves developed from her love of the local area and its land marks.  We had lots of fun and a bit of stress but the final outcome was good!

Not the best images but they give a flavour. 

Other students whose work I enjoyed include Cheryl Jackson whose work has a great retro feel 

Dyane Brown who created a beautiful wedding dress using the tradition craft of felting - this has definitely  been brought into the 21st C

Melanie Kyles who uses found garments and settings and reworks them into contemporary adornments

Laura Gee who created a fun children's collection based on the ever popular dinosaur theme