12 Circles

12 Circles; remains unfinished.
The last 3 weeks have been lost in a blur of labyrinthitis. And the future looks pretty hazy too........I get a couple of 'good days' where I feel better......then stumble back into illness. I'm not daring to work on this, in case I mess it up; so I'm pulling out fragments of fabric; and stitching them together in a random linear fashion.
To go in the exhibition at Westgate Chapel for the Artwalk on 30 September.
Since Kate died earlier this year, there's been no-one to co-ordinate the Artwalk exhibitions at the Chapel; so I offered to take it over.
Six exhibitions a year. Organising publicity through the website, and facebook page. Not massively onerous. And, of course, contacting artists. I've got 5 of the 2016 slots filled; one more to go. Next year may prove a busy one then! 
 

'The Infinite Contained'

 The fabric collages hanging in the space of Westgate Chapel

 'Portal'

 'For No-One'

 'Lucy'

 'My Family'

 'The Other Half of the Sky'

 'Holding (for PSM)'

 'My Garden'

Visitors to the exhibition

 

It was quite a scarey evening. The work is far more 'autobiographical' than any other I've ever made, so I felt very exposed, and 'on view'. The feedback was entirely positive though. Friends who knew the background to the work, came and expressed their delight. And even complete strangers came up to me and told me how much they liked it.

I have been taken aback by the comments.

And now; I'm spending the holidays having a proper break! No work (re; job) and not thinking about creating ANYTHING! I've decided I'm going to 'absorb' for a while. Spend time looking; at things around me, and at other artists.

Ideas are ghosts in my mind; I want to use the mangle for printing with, so that's one thing I'll experiment with....later. And I want to do some more weaving...that I can then print onto. For now; rest. It's been a very intense few years; and now is the time for consolidation, and resting.



'the Source: Nornes; Urd, Verdandi, & Skuld'

This is the weaving, completed; attached to hawthorn, and beautifully framed up by Carl Hardwick, based at Westgate Studios.
The thread that creates the pattern is hand dyed.
It's ready for the exhibition on Wednesday.
More than I am!
Stitches to complete yet!

weaving

The weaving has been completed; and went up to the framers yesterday. I'm looking forward to getting it back nicely framed up. I'll attempt a photo, though the glass might reflect....see how it comes out.

My exhibition at Westgate Chapel is called 'The Infinite Contained'. It's part of the Wakefield ArtWalk.

tending/mending

It's almost completed, this one! Just the final few stitches to add, and then it'll be already. The exhibition I'm having will be in November, so I shall be busy completing everything for that. At the bottom, is a photo of the Chapel where I'm exhibiting.

I was in Westgate Chapel last weekend, when they were open as part of the Long Division Festival in Wakefield. Lots of bands to see; and some, performing in the Chapel itself. Here are some pews, and stained glass windows. Oh yeah...and some people! 

 

'there's an angel floating round my house, floating round my house.......' *

Stained glass window at Westgate Chapel, Wakefield, on Xmas Day. Kate, the secretary asked me to commit to an exhibition next year. I've been feeling un-confident about my painting, and about my art in general. Feeling the slate has been wiped clean, and I don't know where to begin to start making again. Perhaps this is an opportunity to make a commitment to my muse, and put my toe in the water again? I'll consider it, and decide soon.  
Thank you to all those angels fluttering round me this last couple of years......

Angels bringing gifts! Thank you, 'angel-Loz'! I'm a lucky girl! This second book by India Flint arrived on Xmas Day! 'Tis beautiful, like her 'Eco-colour' book, which fired up my enthusiasm for dyeing with plants. Am looking forward to delving into this treat!

Jill, my felting-friend, made this needle-case; she said only we two would get the reference! Who would've thought Neil Young's song lyrics would have applied themselves so happily to a needlecase!!!!! Ho Ho Ho!

And Bea; who has generously given throughout this difficult year. Opening her gift, I unravelled a length of patterned silk! She knows quite well I don't use new silk, and so got me this! Needless to say, the dregs of the walnut dye-pot have a portion of this silk soaking in it. I suspect the dye-bath is exhausted by now, but, I shall leave it in, to just 'see what happens'.....as always when dyeing with plants; magic happens.

*Oh, and the lyrics; are from Kirsty MacColl. Much missed. X

halo moon #2

Another painting gone.
'Halo Moon #2', above, is another painting from my series '13moons', from 2008. One more, left the nest! Gone to a good home.
It's all to the good to be able to move paintings on. Whether sold, or gifted, it's good to make the space. Artistically, creatively, as well as physically. 
I'm in the process of trying to get tickets to go see the exhibition of Ice Age Art at the British Museum. No luck so far; but we'll keep trying!

'Blue', my textile work, above, has been chosen to be part of an exhibition for the next Wakefield Artwalk, on Wednesday 29th May. It's going to be shown at the Theatre Royal, Wakefield. For the Artwalk I'll be helping out at Westgate Chapel, just down the road, with the exhibition there. 

richard hawley & simon armitage

a fuzzy Simon Armitage, signing books, to ghosts in the machine!

A busy week, last week.
On Tuesday I went to Leeds to see Richard Hawley; on Friday I saw and heard Simon Armitage, in Wakefield.

Richard Hawley was awesome. He played a lot of songs from his new CD, 'Standing at the Sky's Edge', which I've been listening to avidly, for weeks now. It really mixes his trademark 'crooning', with something more psychedelic, and guitar-based. There are lots of drones in the music, which I dearly love, and nature references within the song's lyrics. 
Also a lot of....quiet....then LOUD....sections; where Hawley's voice is soft, and the main focus of the song. Then there is a shift to loud, rocking guitar-based sounds. His lyrics too, are subtle, and don't always go where one immediately expects. He eschews cliche...which is always delightful. 
The stage set, too, deserves a mention. He had trees, standing behind the band, appropriate in view of the subject matter of the new songs, and the way he referenced the natural world. 
I presume the trees were in pots of some kind; and they had magically maintained their green-ness, and leaves. During the show, they were light-drenched in hallucinogenic colours, like stained glass windows in Gothic cathedrals. 
I was struck by the connection, as the Gothic cathedrals have columns, with carved greenery and leaves, marching down aisles, creating a forest of stone. The ceilings are intertwining branches of stone, supporting the roof, and impressing the viewer even more strongly of the outer world of nature, brought inside the religious buildings.

My feeling of being inside a cathedral, was emphasised even more, by the fact that Hawley had a music stand beside him...in case he forgot his lyrics? It looked like a church lectern! The world according to Rev Richard Hawley! Mmmmm!

Simon Armitage was appearing in Wakefield as part of Wakefield's first Literary Festival. He did his reading at Westgate Chapel, which accommodates  a bigger audience than the Orangery. Simon was reading from his book which documents his walk (from North to South; against prevailing weather and wisdom!) along the Pennine Way. He was humorous; serious; interesting; profound; just what you want and expect of a poet!
He was asked if he'd listened to music on his mammoth walk, as he's well known as a massive music fan. He replied that he deliberately didn't take his iPod, as he wanted to immerse himself in the experience of the walk, and get away from those things we use everyday that can distract us from the world around us.
He did say that he'd been in a pub, on one section of the walk, and put some music on the jukebox, and it sounded almost physical. That he felt as if he could have reached out and touched it. That it was hallucinatory.
Such is the power of music. It can create synaesthesia within us. 
Simon Armitage's gig, then, connects to Richard Hawley's. The connection of their experiences of music; and the power of both music, and the natural world. When I experience these connections, I am lifted, and my soul is fed.       
  

Heritage Open Day @ Westgate Chapel

Yesterday was a bright sunny day, perfect weather to visit Westgate Chapel, and help with their opening for the Heritage Day. The grounds are managed as a wildlife space; below the rowan tree, are these teazels. Teazels were used as 'combs' in the woollen industry.

The Chapel catacombs were open, and I managed to go down and have a peek inside. Despite the sun shining down through the grating (where the coffins would've been slid down) and the minimal lighting from the overhead light, it was a gloomy, and gothick atmosphere. Very spooky.

And here are gas mantles; the Chapel would have been lit by gas originally. These features from past times, add to the atmosphere of the catacombs.
A couple who were having a look round, asked, what would be better? To be placed in these brick tombs forever, or to be buried under the earth? I answered....'No contest, under the earth!' 

Heritage Open Days

This weekend is when the annual Heritage Open Days take place. Various buildings throughout Britain open up so we have the opportunity to see inside places where we might not normally have access.
Westgate Chapel is opening its doors to the public, so I've volunteered to go down and spend the afternoon helping.
I'm hoping to get a chance to visit the catacombs; in all the years I've been involved with the Chapel, I've never managed to see them, so cross my fingers for today!

Scarborough is having a number of open day events. Including, next Thursday, a special day about Star Carr! Sadly work commitments mean I won't be able to make that, which is very frustrating.
But the information leaflet has photographs of 2 of the antler frontlets which were found there. These are what make the site so significant.

'Birch Bark Rolls' from Starr Carr

In the museum at Whitby are these rolls of birch bark, that come from Star Carr. How I'd love to know what is inside them; what they were used for!

My friend Jackie has finally re-homed the 3 ducklings that hatched from her Mrs Duck; and the 6 kittens she caught have all gone to homes...it's been a busy summer for her! I've tried to offer some help, though she's done most of the work.
I've insulated the studio ceiling and have to get the floor sorted now. Then I can move the furniture in, and begin work again. I keep going in there, at different times of the day, to see how the light is, how comfortable it feels. I think it will suit me beautifully.

More fabric pieces have gone through my alchemical kitchen! And I'm awaiting the tea-bag dye-ing results.
And I start a City & Guilds Creative Textile course in a couple of weeks. Looking forward to that. And on Saturday is a Heritage Open Day at Westgate Chapel, which I've volunteered to help with. 

Shadows & Light

Rain....rain....rain....
I feel I'm developing webbed feet!


I've been sewing stitches on some fabric I'll dye later, which is part of the textiles course.
And rinsing out a piece of fabric I've dyed (twice) on the course.


And just got tickets for 'Spem In Allium'; a '40-part motet' by Thomas Tallis. It's a concert that's part of Leeds University 'International Concert Series' .
That's something to look forward to, for June. 
The silver lining on these gloomy rain clouds!


The photo is from the March Artwalk at Westgate Chapel; tea lights in the grounds, and the lamp lights from Westgate Railway Station at the top. Marks of light; lines of light.

Fire & Fleet & Candleleet

 Before the dark fell, the boats could be seen in daylight, floating in the bowl. As the sun dropped, the tea-lights began to glow more evocatively, and crowded together, surface tension making them hug the edge of the bowl.

The weekend after the ArtWalk, we took the remaining boats up to the lagoon near where I live, and lit the tea-lights again, setting them sail with our wishes, and casting off those things which are no longer relevant to our lives.

We said our goodbyes to the tiny boats, and the wishes they carried.

catch up

Due to my computer monitor going on the blink, I'm unable to access the t'internet at home. So I can't upload any photos at the moment. This will have to be a 'read-only' post!

The ArtWalk was interesting; busy; and tiring, as always. 
I took some blurry and dark photos of the tea-lights, in their jars at Westgate Chapel. It looked beautiful.
My friend, Ann, and I went up to the local lagoon, and sailed the origami boats away in the dusk of Saturday evening; the final day of March. An ending, and a new beginning. We set sail our wishes; said goodbye to those things no longer in our lives.

I've got my City & Guilds Feltmaking portfolio back; but although I have been given the grade, I'll withold telling it, until I can illustrate the post with a photo. 

And have begun the process of growing plants in my garden, as Miro suggested! The potatoes are chitting; the pea-plants are in; the bean and tomato seeds are in. And so are some sunflower seeds; continuing Jon's tradition of planting sunflowers in the garden. 

Planting seeds is to have faith in the future.

Fire & Fleet & Candleleet

'Fire and Fleet and Candleleet'

The slideshow projection is ready for the Artwalk tomorrow. So for the rest of today, I shall be busy making origami boats, for people to sail away, powered by tealights!

The title, 'Fire & Fleet & Candleleet' is taken from the folk song, 'Lyke Wake Walk', a walk taken on a corpse road, over the north Yorkshire moors. The version I'm most familiar with is by Buffy Sainte Marie, though other people have recorded it.

Fire Light

On Wednesday 28th March I will be presenting a light show at Westgate Chapel as part of Wakefield Artwalk.
It will involve fire-light, and projected light, and it will be in the grounds of the Chapel. Let's hope it's not chucking it down with rain, as it is today on this very wet Sunday!


There will also be music; the Chapel has just had its organ restored, so the inside of the building will reverberate to air passing through pipes!


Hope to see some of you there! 

ArtyVan (8)

The bunting was out; the art was on display; Jon baked cake; Pauline brought delicious cheese scones! And the weather stayed gorgeous!
The grounds of Westgate Chapel were the perfect place to sit out and enjoy the day when The Hepworth Wakefield opened its doors to the public. We celebrated in fine style.

Some art work on display in the rear of Blanche.

And when it was all over, we retired to 'The Prince Albert', up at Westgate Studios, where we had a pint of lovely 'Masterpiece' beer, brewed especially for the Hepworth's opening by Ossett Brewery. There was an installation in the Project Space, and Vicky (pictured above) had a high old time examining the gloss-paint filled plastic that hung from the ceiling.

Hymnal 1

Here are 3 of Kat's paintings.


Hymnal was visited by 87 people, during the May Artwalk in Wakefield.
8 artists exhibited their paintings, and paintings and artist cards were for sale during the evening.
There was lots of interest shown in the paintings, and many cards were sold.
I had printed out a sheet with the contact details of all the artists, and these proved very popular with visitors.

The Chapel was a fantastic place to exhibit. The windows, some stained glass, some plain, lit the space beautifully, and it was as if the colour from the glass was flooding the chapel. The paintings washed over the brown oak pews, lightening them.
The Chapel glowed with the artworks.
It is amazing what a difference the paintings made to the spacial sense of the Chapel.
Colour can change spaces and buildings, profoundly.

Visitors to Hymnal who then went onto Harry's Bar, commented positively on the venue, and the artwork, as well as the music I had provided to create 'atmosphere'. Everyone enjoyed themselves, and loved having a chance to take a peek into the Chapel.
Kate Taylor, the Chapel Secretary, said she was pleased with the success of the evening, and would like me to do something again in the future!

For those interested, the music included; Goldfrapp; The Unthanks; Panda Bear; Gather In The Mushrooms compilation; Lord Buckley.

Hymnal 2

At the front of the pulpit, Shannon Wishon's print is on the left, Glenis Fergus's oil painting is in the centre, and at the right hand side are Carrie Scott-Huby's paintings.

Hymnal 3

Here you can see Carrie Scott-Huby's 'Flora' on the left, with Berenice Henson's 'Spirit of Earth' beside it, and Madeleine Wuidart's
'Aspiration' on the right of the photo.