Fabric Printing in Style

Mid September I completed an enlightening and inspiring printing workshop with renounced fabric printer Jenny Stringer.

Drawing up outside her beautiful old Manor House in the heart of the Cotswolds, I felt a little intimidated by its grandeur. Jenny's welcome and the homely interior, soon calmed my first day nerves! The homemade shortbread helped too!

Jenny's studio is up in the attic rooms, the biggest room is the working studio, one tiny room off to the side , holds all her Lino plates, neatly filed away and clearly labelled, in the recycled wooden tomato boxes. A second room to the back is set out like a little showroom, printed fabric, cushions, wallpapers, pillowcases and remnants, displayed in old baskets, draped over an old baby's cot.

In a little recess , off the main studio, hang samples of Jenny's work.

I have always been interested in printing on fabric, the photo shows my design, first draught.

 

Linocut Preparations

It's been many weeks since I've been in the studio, working. I've tidied up and prepared for my new teaching term but haven't been producing any art!

Yesterday I spent  the day drawing and placing, drawing and erasing, planning a new Linocut design. I love Nasturtiums, which is just as well because there isn't much else in my garden at this time. I love the shapes, how they twist and trail and of course, the yummy colours of the flowers, from creamy yellows through to the darkest reds, with all the vibrant shades in between.

I am heading away next week to study with a printer who specialises on printing on fabric. I have tried a few things in my studio but my lack of knowledge produced disappointing results. Luckily I have found a wonderful  artist who lives near my daughter, who designs fabric and wallpapers! 

I'm happy now the design is complete......all set for next week...I will keep you posted!

Last Open Studio of the Season

I've flying off to the hairdressers this morning then rushing back to open my studio this afternoon. This is the last time for the summer season.

Word must be getting around, I have had many more visitors in 2015. I have been lucky with the weather each time but that might not be the case today!

The Bonnie Bonnie Trossachs

I'm here in Strathrye with all the family, having fun with the grandchildren and enjoying the last of the warmth from the sun.

We drove to Glencoe yesterday, just us three, B, me and the dug, our first time and it took our breath away, just stunning.

I have brought along painting gear but there just hasn't been a moment to get them out, hopefully I can  use my photos as a reference when I get home. I'm not one for using photos...normally.

My open studio group exhibition started this week too, a dear friend went a long to hang my work. Social media can be a great thing, I have been able to see how the gallery looks, filled with the eight artists work. We are called Stewartry Open Studios and the exhibition is on at Castle Douglas Gallery, next door to the library .

I have to catch up on my sit in duties next week in the gallery , so I'd love to see you!

Last Sketchbook Saturday of 2015

Our last Sketchbook Saturday of the summer, this weekend, was a stunner! The gardens at Broughton House still looking gorgeous, a feast for the eyes, though there was a bit of nose feasting going on too, heady scents abound!

This has been my second year working in the beautiful grounds of Broughton House, Kirkcudbright, the former home of artist EAHornel. Every month, locals, tourists and fellow artists joined me and every month the sun has shone on us. Feeling blessed .

Latest Workshop Pics

I am satisfyingly weary tonight after a successful workshop today! I had six lovely ladies sign up to paint a little still life in a day, using Winsor and Newtons Artisan water mixable oils!

I spent the day before, cooking and baking workshop lunch and goodies, set up the hall in the evening with just last minute things to do this morning before my students arrived.

As usually happens when people share the same interests, the girls got on famously. 

I decided , this time. to do my demo in stages and I think that worked well, especially as colour mixing with a limited palette, was relatively new to about half the group. So I talked them through, as I mixed my colours, you could hear a pin drop!  Then they started mixing. I then helped them to place their still life on their boards.

Lunchtime - already! There was great hilarity at the table, fun stories, daft stories and getting to know each other stories!

I did another demo, paint application, how to paint glass....the girls picked it up very quickly! 

As we reached the tricky bits, I decided we should have a break, coffee and homemade cake, more laughs round the table!

They had a finished piece of work each at the end of the day, so proud of them all!

Every Picture Tells a Story

I have painted these little shoes many times throughout my painting years. my daughter's first pair of shoes. They are well worn, the colour scuffed from the toes, where she tripped, often, in her hurry to be doing whatever her older brother was involved in at the time. The little t-bar creased where her little chubby feet had grown and spread, ready to move onto a bigger size.
Over the years, I drew them before I contemplated colour in my work. I rendered them in pencil, then charcoal.
Sometime later, I produced a pastel painting on canson paper. When I began using sanded paper, I found I could lay so many more layers down, loving the thickness of the medium.
When I first painted in oils, I mixed my reds as best I could at the time. 
This latest rendering of the little red toddler's shoes, in a way, shows where I am now, comfortable with colour mixing, loving painting with oils.
I love this little painting.......it can be seen hanging upstairs in Kirkcudbright Town Hall till the end of the month.....yes, it is for sale and I don't mind selling it. I have the orginal footwear which I am sure I will paint again, sometime in the future.