New subjects

Hello!

October has been a bit of a disorganised month for me - I took some time off the visit beautiful Barcelona, then returned to start working on some much overdue pictures for a couple of galleries, while preparing for Masham Arts Festival and Crafted by Hand, my last event of the year. I still feel like I'm playing catch up, but I'm pleased to say that Crafted by Hand, which took place in Masham last Sunday, was brilliant. The town hall was packed from the stroke of 10am, and despite the crazy weather (at one point I glanced out of the window to see a traffic cone flying down the road) everyone seemed to be having a great time. And crucially, the sales were good! I've also had some of my work on display in St.Mary's Church as part of the arts festival in Masham this week, and was surprised and delighted to learn that my piece 'The Pineapple' has been sold. I'm so pleased it's found a new home, but I must admit I had a soft spot for that particular papercut  -  probably because of how long it took to make - and I will miss it!

So now I'm done with fairs etc for the year, which is just as well as I have lots of interesting commissions to work on, which are sure to keep me going until Christmas. Right now I'm tackling two very different towers; the OXO tower in London and the Rockingham Mausoleum at Wentworth Woodhouse.

Both are subjects I've thought about working on before, so to be commissioned to do so is a real treat. My next job is even more exciting - I'm going to be working on an American piece, based on a particularly beautiful state; Oregon. I've never been there so this is quite a challenge, but I have lots of helpful photos and guides, and it appears that you can't move for beautiful mountains, lakes, coastline and giant fir trees over there, so I think I'm going to have a great time working on it. It's a shame I can't get an all expenses paid trip to really get to grips with the subject, but never mind!

I'm also almost finished on some more local subjects for The Heart Gallery in Hebden Bridge. I have been looking again at the lovely Gibson Mill, and come up with a couple of new pieces. Here's one of them.

That's all from me!
Rosie x

Autumn news

Hello!

As my last blog explained, September was a very busy month for me,with the opening of my exhibition Down Hidden Tracks, which I had been working on for a large part of the year. The last few weeks before the show opened were a little chaotic, but once we had everything on the walls I couldn't have been happier. I'm very pleased to say the exhibition went brilliantly, for me and Charlotte Morrison, who created a completely new series of beautiful porcelain ceramics, displayed alongside my collection of folly work (see pictures below). We had loads of enthusiastic visitors and I said farewell to some of my favourite pieces, like this one of Fisher's Hall.

Through the Trees too Fisher's Hall

 

 

 

Also in September was the opening of the New Lights exhibition at The Mercer gallery in Harrogate. I was thrilled to have two pieces shortlisted for this prestigious prize, and although I didn't win, it's great to have my work on display in a public gallery. The exhibition will stay at The Mercer until November.

The Treasurer's House, York - on Display at The Mercer, Harrogate

So now on to October, and it's a quiet start for me. Long ago, in the early stages of planning for Down Hidden Tracks I decided that I'd take a little holiday once the exhibition was over, and now that time has finally arrived! I'm off to Barcelona, one of my favourite places, but I shall be back to work soon to start preparing for my next event, Crafted by Hand. This one day art fair is only in it's second year, but has already gained a fantastic reputation for it's high standard to unusual, contemporary art and craft. Last year I made a papercut installation for the event, which greeted visitors as they walked into Masham Town Hall. This time I've got my own stall, and will be amongst the likes of Vinegar and Brown Paper, Adele Taylor Jewellery, and my good friend Charlotte Morrison, who is also one of the organisers of the event. I can't wait! Crafted by Hand is on October 27th, and runs alongside the Masham Arts Festival. I will also have my work on display at St.Mary's Church in Masham, as part of the festival's week long art exhibition, so if you would like to see some of my latest work up close, you know where to go.

Polly Peachum's Tower

That's it from me, have a great October!
Rosie

Crafted by Hand(s)

Morning!

Just a quick post today to remind you all to get on down to Masham this Sunday for Crafted by Hand at the town hall. This fantastic one day art market will be showcasing the cream of British artists and makers, and is a perfect opportunity to start (or continue) your Christmas shopping. As well as stalls to peruse, you can also enjoy some tasty homemade refreshments from the onsite cafe, and even try your hand at stone carving, blacksmithing, ceramics and more. Artists/Makers involved include:

Janis Goodman (printmaking)

Vinegar and Brown Paper (glass)

Charlotte Morrison (ceramics)

Elizabeth Shurrock (Bookbinding)

And many more...

On top of all that, you will be greeted upon entry by a rather 'handy' papercut installation, inspired by the many artistic disciplines on display, made by me! As my very first installation, I can't wait to see it in place, and I hope visitors to Crafted by hand will enjoy looking at it as much as I've enjoyed making it.

The installation explores the multitude of skills represented at the event, as well as taking design inspiration from my favourite aspect of Masham town hall, the wallpaper. You'll understand when you see it!

So don't forget - Sunday, Masham Town Hall, 10am to 4pm, and only £1.50 admission. How can you resist?

Rosie x

Coming up...

Hello

I've had quite a busy few weeks developing my pinned pictures as previewed in the last blog, while preparing for workshops, developing my first installation and planning exhibitions for 2013!

First things first, my pinned pieces are coming along very nicely - I'm really enjoying experimenting with the depths and shadows, the only draw back so far is that they're pretty impossible to store so my living room table is covered! They're also fairly difficult to handle until the pins have been clipped (a slightly unnerving process in itself) but I'm sure once they're in frames they'll look great. The complete collection so far can be viewed on my Facebook page, and you will be able to see them in person in the Treasure exhibition, which opens at Masham Gallery on November the 17th.

The Doric Temple, Duncombe Park, Helmsley

Fishers Hall, Hackfall

The Temple Folly, Wensleydale

In the last blog I mentioned that I'd been invited to create an installation, on display for one day only as part of the Crafted by Hand fair at Masham Town Hall on October 28th. The deadline is fast approaching and things are looking good, although I have hit a few unexpected obstacles along the way. I'm sure when the day comes I'll have everything under control...! In the mean time here's the latest photo evidence.

Last but by any means least, myself and fellow artist Charlotte Morrison have just confirmed the dates and title for our joint exhibition at Fountains Abbey next year. Down Hidden Tracks will be on display in Fountains Hall (pictured below) from the 12th to the 26th of September 2013. The exhibition is inspired by the hidden, secret and unusual aspects of the northern landscape. Charlotte will be producing a new range of contemporary ceramics, exploring maps, trails and pathways, while I will be exploring the easily overlooked but often bizarre and wonderful follies which crop up around the northeast and northwest. More details to follow...

Rosie x

Another Dimension

Hello!

Last week I forgot to blog, having been swept up in a new way of making my collages.Having researched lots of interesting papercutting artists for my workshop at ArtisOn a few weeks ago, I felt inspired to try something new and add 'another dimension' to my small papercut collages, so I bought a pack of foam board and borrowed some dressmaking pins and got to work...

I had a great week and found it really addictive once I'd started. I've designed my papercuts in the same way as I normally do, but instead of gluing the finished piece down into board, I wanted to see how effective it would be if I pinned the pieces of paper to board, allowing space behind them to create depth and shadows. I must say I'm really pleased with the results and am looking forward to much more experimenting this week.

Here are my results so far:

The Banqueting House, Hackfall

Flamborough Head Lighthouse

Brizlee Tower, Alnwick

The Temple of Victory, Allerton Castle

I am researching follies at the moment as early preparation for my exhibition with Charlotte Morrison at Fountains Abbey next year. The dates have been confirmed - September 12th to 26th 2013. We are yet to decide on a title but the themes will focus on hidden paths, and unusual buildings. Put the dates in your diary and watch this space for more developments.

This week as well as working on my 3D pieces I'm going to be cracking on with my installation for Crafted by Hand. I will be installing an eye catching paper artwork in the entrance of Masham town hall for one day on October the 28th. Although I have my design idea confirmed, I have a lot of cutting out to do and now only 4 weeks to do it! here's a little taster of what to expect.

Have a great week,

Rosie x

Events...

Hi there!

I've had a busy few weeks, though I must confess it hasn't all been work related. I actually spent a very pleasant week on a canal boat which was a new experience for me. I can now say that I've been responsible for crashing a 55 foot long boat into a not one but two other boats. Woops.

I had to earn my holiday though, as just before it I went to Art in the Pen in Skipton for the first time, which was great! Lots of visitors, and it was great to meet lots of other artists and makers (and see a few I already knew) and see everyone's beautiful pens (like those of Charlotte Morrison, Hester Cox and Ian Scott Massie, below)

Next I'm off to the Saltaire Maker's Fair at the Victoria Hall on September 8th. It's a one day contemporary art fair, part of Saltaire's annual festival. This is another new experience for me and I'm really looking forward to it. The selection of artists also exhibiting looks great so I'll have to be careful not to spend any money before I've made any!


Lastly, I am just starting work on my biggest piece to date. I've been asked to create and installation to welcome visitors to the Crafted by Hand event in Masham town hall on October 8th. This is a one-day contemporary maker's fair featuring the cream of British artists and crafts people, and this is it's first year. I shall be making a large scale papercut piece for the entrance/lobby of the town hall, which will in part be inspired by the town hall's fantastic flock wall paper. That's all I'm going to give away for now....

Bye!