What a Winter! Have you been warm enough? here’s looking towards spring and summer 2023
As the daylight hours get a little longer and sunshine seems to appear on some days by mid-morning there are glimpses of the New Year taking off. The damp and dank days have been too many, we know that January and February are traditionally tough months for us in the UK, yet this year has thrown so much more at our Winter months. I won’t remind you of what has become all too familiar over the past few months but instead look forward, to better times, better weather, and hopefulness. Last year was full-on, wasn’t it? Forgetting all the surrounding world factors that impact our lives just getting through an average week seemed more complex with everything back open, seeing each other whenever we wanted, we could even go on holiday if we had the confidence back. I have had to have another discussion with myself about what is and what is not possible to fit into a given week, month, and year. This year, as with the last 3 new years, symbolises yet another point of reference for me. The calendar is filled with creating, making, teaching, exhibiting, one- or two-family trips, and regular meet-ups with friends and family. Since leaving the classroom it’s taken me 3 years to learn the art of how to organise my time differently and I have to say, there’s some further work to be done on this but I’m getting there. I know some of you could give me some great pointers, I’m listening!
Taking course bookings……
I’m still busy with teaching and am taking bookings for courses as usual. A new course in Visible Mending has been introduced this year. With an increase in groups booking me for talks and workshops I’ve had to cut back a bit in my offer at home. Do get in touch if there is anything that interests you.
New adventure – Join me on a textile tour through Rajasthan, have you been?
Some of you will remember the company ‘Colouriscious’. I went to Jaipur twice with this company (November 2018 and February 2020). What I thought would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip has turned into much more. Once visited its tricky to keep away from the place, it’s such a stunning experience. Colouriscious is now re-branded as Aahilya Holidays and is directed by Isha Sharma and her husband who have many years of training and experience in the tourism and travel industry. Isha was Jamie Malden’s right-hand person whilst she worked as an agent for Colouriscious. I’m delighted that Isha, has asked me to be the tour leader for a fantastic Textile tour through Rajasthan in February / March 2024. This is a substantial 18-day tour that comes at a cost but after my two previous 10-day trips I’m looking forward to this more extensive expedition, trusting the company with the standard of accommodation, food, travel arrangements, and an English-speaking tour guide. If you would like to know more about this adventure click on the links I inserted above and if you would like a chat over a coffee just get in touch and I’ll make arrangements for a meetup or a phone call whatever’s best for you.
Whats coming up in 2023?
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Festival of Quilts - NEC - 3rd – 6th August 2023
Once again, I shall be traveling up to Birmingham for the Festival this year. It’s been such great fun bumping into many of you over the last two years. I’m going up for two reasons. The first is to hang and steward an exhibition in one of the galleries for the exhibiting textile group ‘zero3’. I’m a member of this group and we have a twentieth-anniversary exhibition entitled ‘Continuum’. Secondly, I will be demonstrating on the bench in the Creative Textile Studio again. It’s good to see people taking an interest in all the techniques available for working with fabrics.
Salt Edge Arts – South Hill Barn, Cuckmere - Time and Tide 21st – 28th August
My good friend Emma Taylor has once again made arrangements for an exhibition in the barn at top of the cliffs at the Seaford side of Cuckmere. We are now a collective, Salt Edge Arts, a website is currently under construction for what has qickly become an annual event. Emma runs the group as an informal collaborative that encourages free thinking and exploration. There are relatively few rules to what we make, we can use any medium and if we come up with exciting departures, Emma is only too pleased. Many of you will know Emma, she’s a force of nature who thrives when things are spontaneous. I’m delighted to be involved in such a refreshing approach.
Collonade House, Worthing – Landscapes in Time – November Date tbc
Steyning Artists Chris Sedgwick has asked David Wise and I to exhibit with him at Collonade House later in the year. The dates will be confirmed in the next week or so. We met via Steyning Arts; Chris works with local landscape themes, and shows his work regularly at Shoreham Art Gallery, David works with ‘time, places and spaces’. My work will show an immersive, subjective connection to my environment, from places near and far, fragments of things seen and remembered.
So there we are, a few tempters for 2023, all the best and do make contact if you wish to sign up for anything………
Both exhibitions mentioned above will have private views, I’ll send you an invitation when I have more details. I hope you can come along.
