Felt at Central Hall - Naomi Southon

Naomi Southon - Artist's Statement


"Inspired by biological forms, in particular a world hidden from the naked eye, my felt works have been created using traditional wet felting techniques and use rich and vibrant colours. The fine, intricate detail seen through a microscope is emulated in the pieces using hand and machine embroidery in a vast array of glorious threads. Further detail has been added using needle felting and beautiful glass beads embellish the colour and forms within the work".

Naomi's felt work will be at Central Hall, Alice Street, Keighley until Friday 6th April 2012.

Felt at Central Hall - Lucy Bowring

Lucy Bowring - Artist's Statement

The George and Lilly range is designed and created by Lucy Bowring. It consists of a large collection of handmade felt gifts and accessories including decorated purses, felt brooches, baby booties and book covers.  Accompanying these is a variety of special one off felt framed pictures which are completely original in both design and concept.

“ I have always been interested in designing and making textile products and really enjoy selling my items to the public as it’s nice to hear first hand feedback and see people enjoy what I have made. I get the influence for my pictures from stories, nursery rhymes and fairy tales and landscape round me. Ideas for badges, purses, booties and covers come from things around me experimenting with  different techniques and materials.”


Lucy's felt work will be at Central Hall, Alice Street, Keighley until Friday 6th April 2012.

Felt at Central Hall - Clare Ashton

Clare Ashton - Artist's Statement


"I came to feltmaking without planning, but once I had discovered it I have grasped, grappled, embraced and wooed this creative process to discover all its possibilities and all I can create and express through it.
"There is a wonder in the process of making felt as loose fibres fuse and knit themselves together under my hands, becoming a fabric of as many varied shapes and textures as I can imagine. In the past I have build up my images during the half-felt stages, but recently I have begun printing onto the felt and then felting it further before adding more print and repeating.  This process is enabling me to add depth and atmosphere to the artworks as the wool pulls the image into it.  By printing again on top I’m building up a field of focus with the foreground sharp and the background becoming less and less focused.  Only felt swallows and absorbs the print in this way, making each piece unique.
I use British sheep wool in my felt.  This way I can know the story of the wool, where it comes from, the landscape the sheep walked in, the weather it endured.  I also know it did not have to pollute the skys or oceans to reach me". 

"Knowing the source of my materials leads my thinking onto the subject of the images I am then imposing onto it.  To me it calls out to be the plants and animals, landscapes and structures which share the countryside the sheep inhabit.
When all these elements come together my work has integrity.  It has been true to my creativity, my environment, my inspiration, my soul and my creator".  

Clare's printed felt work will be at Central Hall, Alice Street, Keighley until Friday 6th April 2012.

Felted Cloth Update

Exhibition Poster

Our latest Artists in Business exhibition at Central Hall is going really well and we are getting lots of positive feedback. Take a look at the latest pictures below. 

The exhibition is in Cafe Central until 6 April 2012. 

Future Exhibitions

The next Artists in Business sponsored exhibition will be Felted Cloth, in collaboration with Central Hall in Keighley. (Please come and see it for yourself).

Naomi Southon

I have been setting up exhibitions and arts markets for 10 years - most of them when I worked at The Arts Factory - but when the gallery closed in March 2011 there was nothing in Keighley to fill the gap.  Keighley is a small town with a growing community of artists, two musician support centres and an arts organisation for young people (Small World). I really missed the exhibition side of my job and Keighley needs a dedicated gallery. So I was delighted when the CEO of Central Hall asked me to put together an exhibition of local visual artists for the opening of Central Hall last year.  This space is in the cafe area and it has a high footfall. 

Arts Factory, Keighley

I see the purpose of the exhibitions to show a wide range of contemporary visual art, including textiles, photography, fine art and print. Art should both inform and interest its audience so I try to include an explanation of processes and display artists' statements. The exhibitions are aimed at people who enjoy art and people who would not normally visit a gallery (visitors are a mix of cafe users and people who come specifically to see the work). 

Cafe Central Exhibition Area, Central Hall

These exhibitions are not necessarily challenging rather that they are informative.  This exhibition - Felted Cloth - shows the work of three textile artists who are very different in style yet they each use wet felt.  Their work is affordable, tactile and fun.  

Lucy Bowring 

Please keep checking back at the Artists in Business Blog to see more exhibitions and, if you are in Keighley, please pop into Central Hall and enjoy a cuppa whilst viewing the art.

Shibori Silk Part 2

Shibori Silk Mandalas

Following the successful Silk Shibori and dyeing workshop in Ilkley on Saturday 9 July, the students returned for more Shibori on silk. This time they created beautiful Mandala patterns by folding, twisting and wrapping square silk scarves to form radiating patterns.

Shibori Mandala Scarf

Mandalas are really quick and easy to make and everyone enjoyed the "instant" results. 

Silk dyed Mandala scarf

The second part of the workshop was dedicated to forming patterns through stitch. The students made samples of Ori Nui patterns including Kanoko (wrapping small objects) Mokumi (stitching in lines) and Karamatsu (stitching circles).

Karamatsu silk sample

Ori Nui silk sample

Once they were happy with their designs and colour selection each student made a long silk scarf with Ori Nui techniques. This was an intensive one day workshop but the results were well worth the effort.

Stitching Silk

Leeds City College will be delivering a one day Shibori Silk Workshop at The Arts Factory in Keighley, West Yorkshire on Saturday 5 November 2011 from 10am to 3pm. To find out more about this workshop and their exciting programme of arts based learning at The Arts Factory contact Jo Whitehead on 01535 685060 or email Jo.whitehead@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

Sumptuous Shibori

As part of our SEW PAINT MAKE programme of textile classes, Artists in Business is offering two exciting  workshops on Shibori Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

What is Shibori? This is a Japanese method of tying and binding cloth to make patterns through dyeing. Different ways of twisting, wrapping, scrunching or stitching material creates a variety of pattern and textures. 

Colour plays an important part in the design and we will be using vibrant dyes with Habutai silk and silk.  

Saturday 9 July 1pm to 3pm Shibori Silk I

Venue: Ilkley Operatic Society, Leeds Road, Ilkley LS29 8DZ

Cost: £15 + £5 for materials

Saturday 23 July 11am to 3pm Shibori Silk II

Venue: All Saints Church House, Church Street, Ilkley LS29 9DS

Cost: £25 + £5 for materials

To book your place or find out more please contact Jo.artsbiz@gmail.com or call 01535 654026

About Ilkley. Ilkley is a small spa town in West Yorkshire, nestling in Wharfedale and overlooked by the Cow and Calf Rocks. Ilkley is a great little town to visit with tea rooms (including the famous Betty's) delightful local shops, The Manor House Museum and the White Wells baths.  If you are visiting Ilkley for one of our workshops we stringly recommend a visit to Cakewalk, a wonderful emporium of handmade and vintage.

Furoshiki Workshop

     

Artists in Business will be holding a Furoshiki dyeing workshop on Saturday 18 June 10am to 12 noon at All Saints Church House, Church Street, Ilkley

This workshop will enable you to make two beautiful silk Japanese wrapping cloths using resist and dyes. Furoshiki is an eco-friendly cloth that can be used as a bag or for wrapping gifts. We will be looking at Japanese designs such as carp, sakura and repeat patterns. This workshop is tailored for both textile designers and beginners alike.

Costs: £15 + £5 materials charge.

To book your place on this exciting workshop please email: Jo.artsbiz@gmail.com

To buy cotton Furoshiki visit My Furoshiki on Etsy and Folksy.

SEW PAINT MAKE

SEW MAKE PAINT is a new programme of textile art workshops for anyone wanting to learn a new craft, improve their skills or just have a jolly good time.   The first workshop of the programme is Wax Batik on   Saturday 21 May 10am to 12 noon at  All Saints Church House, Church Street, Ilkley

Cost: £15 + £5 for materials

Create a beautiful piece of printed art on paper and silk with the ancient craft of wax batik.  Using tjaps and   tjantings, you can make repeat print patterns, abstracts or realistic artworks.

Skill level: all levels from beginner to experienced

STOP PRESS: sign up for our Silk Shibori Workshop on Saturday 23 July and get another workshop for free.  Book your place on our one day Shibori Workshop and you can join another workshop in this programme for free.  Just tell us your preference when booking. 

 To book your place or find out more please contact Jo.artsbiz@gmail.com or Tel: 01535 654026

In the Studio (Part 6)

Any space can become studio - all you need is some time, energy and a little imagination. Each month we feature Artist's Studios to inspire and encourage your creativity. If you would like your special space be featured in Artists in Business please contact us using the Kontactr Box at the bottom of the blog.



The Dots and Spots Studio
Dubbed the igloo in winter and the sauna in summer, a conservatory attached to the side of the family home serves as the studio for Becky, the artist behind dots and spots. “Having my own space to work is really important to me” she says “but as my range has grown, I could now do with it being twice the size!” Being glass, the space is infused with light, giving an airy feel that belies its size and Becky’s organised nature means that every nook and cranny sports a unique storage solution for the paper, ribbon, buttons and other bits and bobs that she uses to build up her vibrant – and spotty! – pieces of collage art.
The studio looks out onto the back garden and then, across a cycle path, to the trees of a local park. “It was whilst staring idly out of my studio onto the washing blowing in the breeze that I got the inspiration for my ‘Washing Line of Love’ range that is proving to be particularly popular.” Becky has recently given up her teaching career to concentrate full time on her business designing and producing cards, prints and art in her own unique style: “I’m so glad I’ve taken the plunge and am finally pursuing a life-long dream to work as an independent artist. The only thing I miss is the camaraderie of the staff-room. Sometimes working all day in your studio can be a little lonely, but now I’ve discovered Twitter I’m able to have a natter with fellow artists and crafters around the country, all from the comfort of my very own studio!”

Dots and Spots Shop
Dots and Spots Blog



Textile Artist Deborah Good
"I've worked from home making bespoke soft furnishings, home accessories and gifts for about 10 years now. I started in the dining room and, when I needed more space, progressed to the conservatory. Three years ago, when we could no longer find a path through all my materials to the door, we decided it really was time to build in the garden!
"The fantastic workshop is 10 metres long and 3 wide - I have two thirds of it, my husband has the rest. My part is self contained, cosy and insulated. (I covet my husband's bit too - would love to knock through and use it to store my fabrics tidily!)
I have a huge fabric stash on shelves (now sagging quite badly under the weight) along the back wall, an 8 x 4 foot table with rolls of fabric underneath and ample storage. All my craft fair/Folksy stock is stored on shelves and in baskets; there's a bookshelf full of crafting, sewing and interior books, patterns and cuttings; a rescued war time Utility cupboard hoards my threads, tools and other equipment and my daughter's empty and redundant doll's house is useful for stashing away paperwork. I use a 15 year old Pfaff machine and a slightly older overlocker, but also have an ancient Pfaff on an industrial bed, which is useful but very temperamental!
I'm working in my workshop most days, either on a soft furnishing commission, a re-upholstery project or my stock for Folksy.
I'm one lucky lady - I love my sanctuary!

Pretty Goods on Folksy



Ceramic Artist Charlotte Hupfield
"My passion for ceramics started from an early age, and it was at university where my skills, techniques, understanding and creativity developed. After graduating in 2008 I have continued to develop my ceramics over the past 18 months. I began by working from home which wasn't ideal as it got rather messy and storage space was limited. When everything took off 6 months ago I decided it was time to have my own creative space to produce work.
My workshop in the garden has been a life-saver and I don't know what I would do without it now. It's nice to sit out there at my leisure with a cup of tea. It's also great to have so much natural light coming in through the windows. I have the occasional friends that sometimes come to say hello, such as the robin who watches me through the window, and the squirrel who jumps about on the roof! There is a big Christmas tree right outside the window, so I'm looking forward to the sight of it decorated nearer to Christmas.
I enjoy cleaning, tidying and organising my workshop every now and then but it soon gets untidy again! I made my own ceramic plaque which hangs on the outside next to the door. My plaques have been quite popular this year and I've made several for other peoples' craft cabins and studios.
It gets a bit stuffy in the summer but it's nice to have the door open with fresh air coming in. On the other hand, I'm just starting to experience the winter weather! I'm lucky to have a hallogen heater which heats up the small space and soon makes it feel warm and cosy.
My current work ranges from handmade items inspired by the natural world such as vases, bowls, sculptural vessels, coasters, plaques, clocks, letter racks, candle shaders, as well as smaller items including magnets, keyrings and brooches. I'm looking forward to lots of future design and creativity in my workshop."

http://www.charlottehupfieldceramics.com/
http://www.charlottehupfieldceramics.blogspot.com/
www.folksy.com/shops/charlottehupfieldceramics

Find Claire's textiles on Folksy





Artist's Bio - "I have always dabbled with making things for friends and family and for my home but have never really explored my creativity to its full potential before. However that has now changed and I have been surprising myself! Everything starts as an inspiration and ends up making me feel very pleased. Each item is different and either one of a kind or one of very few, so you are guaranteed a very individual item".

Blue Stripes

This week we are talking to textile artist Claire Finch whose on-line business is Blue Stripes.

"I have always had some sort of creative ability but never really explored it past necessities such as taking up curtains or mending things. After my Mum died in January I needed something to occupy me and help me through my grieving. As we had not long moved to our new house I was decorating my girls’ bedrooms and as we had found a sewing machine in a charity shop I decided to make them some window cushions. These turned into 3 different beautiful patchwork cushions and three pretty cushions with 3D hearts appliquéd on. I was quite thrilled with what I had made and then experimented with making them some bunting, some padded hearts and some teddies for them too! My mother-in-law suggested I designed and made some bags and with a few pointers from her I was off. We did have to upgrade the sewing machine though…Finding this hidden skill at this hard time in my life has helped me so much. I just wish my Mum had been here to see me do it, especially as she was so creative herself and would have joined me. So if you own one of my items it has a lot of emotion in it!




I love cottons, linens and denim. Of course I also have a fetish for buttons….
As the busy mother of two children my life is very hectic! I end up sewing before they are up, after they have gone to school and in between doing the housework and washing the amazing quantity of clothing they seem to get through in a day. Then if I’m being really productive I will sew for a little bit in the evening. I am very lucky to have a very supportive partner who is always kind and doesn’t mind going shopping for more fabric. My girls are amazing too. My eldest, Connie, has a fantastic eye for colour and I have her involved with my work quite often-be it that she decides on a button for me or that she is sat next to me sewing her own things, she just loves it. Sophie, my youngest is always amazed and quite often says to me,’did you make it Mummy?’

Cornwall is beautiful and my home. I hated it when we moved away from here to Norfolk- it was positively the worst thing I had ever done and I pined for the rugged landscape and beautiful yellow coastlines. As soon as we returned both my partner and I were happy again. The only other place I have come across that is as beautiful was when we went to the Isle of Arran in Scotland. There is something about Cornwall that gets under your skin and holds you captivated. Cornwall also has some of the best foods available- pasties, clotted cream and heavenly fudge. Cornwall has never really been an affluent area so I often have in my life here found people who can make do and mend and who can also be self-sufficient with their veggie gardens and cottage industry. I think the economic climate has caused a fair few problems though. House prices have dropped and people are selling, but not many people can afford their own home here still.
The rural community that I am part of though are strong and we even have a bit of trade going on-James and I are quite good at trading jams, cakes and bags for haircuts, grass cutting and a good pint and a half! I think if that sort of help stays then people can weather the storm. We just find it hard when the car decides to break down…

When I think of my business in 5 years time I have a lot to consider, such as how long will the economic downturn last? When it passes will everyone be desperate to spend their hard earned cash on throw away society items again and ignore handmade? But my real focus is to strive to design and create more things, to find my feet within my creative skills too (as I have only been designing and making for 3 months!) and really go for it. I have a lot of work to do but I do perceive, based on the success I have already had in such a short space of time, that I will still have a business and that it will have increased in strength and presence alongside other crafters, artists and designers who deserve recognition for not mass producing.
I love handmade and always try to support it as often as I can. When you support handmade in your local area you are supporting your local community and their growth and success. If we keep supporting our local crafts-people their success will be our success and the quality of goods we use will improve. Support Local, Support Handmade!
Blue Stripes