Blog
Hello and welcome to my Blog especially for textile artists, combining inspiration, personal growth, creativity and design. All the good things!
Same Input, Different Outcomes
There has to be time for a connection between the work we do, the techniques we explore, and the themes we research.
Smart People
This is the basic, no-nonsense, generic kind of smart.
The Confidence to Just Do
So by committing to the fear, of the unknown and unseen, I’m producing work I’m really proud of – plus I’m exercising that very difficult part of the artist’s anatomy – my confidence.
Ideas and Connection
Ideas and Connection, are two often-used concepts used in the world of textile art - but how do you apply them? You have to go back to the basics. What I've discovered is that by pushing the boundaries of not working with a preconceived pattern or design, the whole...
Aesthetic Appreciation
'Aesthetic Appreciation', words used by Constance Howard, in her book 'Inspiration for Embroidery', published in 1966 by BT Batsford - and in my opinion, the crux and core of understanding design. 'Technical skill is only part of any craft, with which progress is...
Craft & Quilt Fair 2022
Attending a Craft and Quilt Fair recently was, I have to say, a glorious re-emergence of fraternization with friends, traders, and people simply interested in creating. (Plus getting a photo of yourself in front of a huge image of your work!) And while it's a...
Measurement
Value can be found in all the things that are difficult, if not impossible to measure – things like pleasure, passion, progress, habits, commitment, determination, problem-solving, responding to failure – you get the idea.
The Artist’s Equation: Questions & Answers
We need to make discoveries for ourselves, we need to innovate to suit our own unique tastes, and most importantly, to show our individual and distinctive influences too.
Let’s Talk About It
Now, it’s our turn to shape our own world of making – of creativity, design, and technique using textiles and a needle and thread and that means interacting as frequently as we can with people who do, and people who want to do.
Exploring Edges
Courage and enthusiasm in equal parts – it’s contagious.
Colouring Thread
All in all, this was huge fun to do – and the fact that the thread isn’t completely coloured just adds more interest and variety for me, so it’s definitely something I’ll be using again and again.
Improv
What I discovered was a renewed and refreshed interest in hand embroidery, with no boundaries, no expectations, and no pressure.
The Right Recipe
Finally, I have the right recipe. Someone else can deal with all the hype, I just want to enjoy the moment.
Take Control
Red flags appearing from any of the points above indicate prudence – to ensure we protect what we’ve worked so hard for and to ally ourselves with others who feel the same way.
The Art of Mentoring
The role of a good Mentor is to gently guide the Mentee to ask questions that will lead them to uncover solutions for themselves.