It was great to see some of you over the summer, lets raise our glasses to 2022!
Well, that was the maddest yet heartening summer yet! I don’t know about you, but it really caught me by surprise. After becoming used to a more leisurely approach in 2020, work mode was right back up there as 2021 progressed and it went on and on until the end of October. Whilst it was a bit overwhelming to be back at full speed it was so good to see people, to work with course members, to get back into the chatter and the sharing of information and skills.
As usual, it was wonderful to see old faces and great to meet new course members. After a good family Christmas and some time to reflect I’m ready to start looking ahead again. I hope you managed to see some loved ones even if it was a reduced number a flicker of hope that we can begin to return to some of our more lovely habits…...
What Made 2021 so very Busy?
Highlights through the year included my second year in Shoreham Art Gallery as a gallery artist, teaching at the Festival of Quilts in July, exhibiting in ‘Songs of the River’ Southhill Barn, Cuckmere SOS in August and exhibiting at ‘Sakala Home’, Steyning Art Trail in August. Live meet ups with the community creative textile group ‘Steyning So and Sews’ were also back in the calendar and if I add my teaching into the mix – well there were no free days left at all.
Whilst incredibly challenging on time and organisation it proved to be a really rewarding period. As I move into 2022 I have had to consider all this and I’m really sad to say I will be leaving Shoreham Art Gallery on 31st of December so that I can devote more days to my studio practice. I have loved being a member of the gallery and will miss the other artists very much.
2020 – 2021 bookings are all caught up now……
To have caught up with the backlog of course bookings placed on hold from spring 2020 is a big relief. Thanks to everyone for their patience and resilience whilst we eased through that period of booking and re-booking. I’m looking forward to simpler years ahead. My courses continue to evolve and my offer for 2022 is now available on my website.
What’s next with the artwork?
I’m committing as much of my time as I can to making a new series of work this winter. Having spent so much time in my garden in the past 18 months this will be the subject. I must record the joy than many of us experienced in our garden retreats. A stumbling start was made in November and December slipped through my fingers at a rate of knots. A state of creative flow must be reached through January and February to meet a couple of upcoming deadlines! wish me luck. I hope you too can make the time to reflect on your last 12 months and make some positive plan’s for 2022. Let’s hope any promises made at the Cop26 summit are surpassed as plans to keep climate change in check need to be bolder and urgently met for all our sakes.
Taking bookings for 2022 at Sussex Prairies, Henfield and the Lodge Studio, Steyning…..
The Sussex Prairie Garden has become even more popular as a course venue with new artists offering courses and more events returning to the garden. It’s great that the garden has thrived during these difficult times. I have booked into the prairie for 6 days in 2022. I will also run a few days at home in the Lodge Studio. See below for the overview. If you are interested in booking a course there is a choice in how to do this.
Option 1: Use this website, you will see the detailed descriptions and the booking system here
Option 2: Email me and I will send you my course booklet and a booking form. If you can’t find a way to fill in the form then send me your relevant details by email or print the form off, fill it in by hand and send me a photo of the completed form. We can always find a way to work around the technical issues.
Other news….
I had a successful year teaching and demonstrating at Festival of Quilts at the end of July. Having entered two Quilted Art Panels into the festival I was thrilled to win second prize for one in the Art Category and to sell the one in the Contemporary Category. This has really motivated me to set about preparing for an exhibition with Zero3Textiles at Farfield Hall, Sedburgh from mid July – early October 2022.
To blog or not to blog? that is the question…
Like many artists I have made yet another promise to self to keep a blog going. It’s one of the things that fell by the wayside last year. From this day forth I aim to continue an annual newsletter and in between I will keep a bit of a story going in the form of a blog. I have wanted to do this for ages, to write small posts which give updates along the year almost telling a simple story of how my life/work is moving forward. It all needs figuring out of course, how to do these things, yet another technology hurdle to overcome. I hope to reflect the highs, the lows, and everything in between in developing a studio practice.
So all the best and do let me know how you are………
I can’t wait to hear from you and catch up with your news. Have you been creative, or have you had a block? If blocked don’t worry, it will come back when you are ready, get in touch if you need help with that! send me an email update, I would love to hear from you.
I wish everyone best wishes for a much better 2022. As the weather gets warmer, the days get longer and nature does its usual wonderful thing let’s hope we can celebrate, share our stories, make glorious things together and most importantly do all we can to ‘Save the Planet’!
